PING PONG, or TABLE LAWN TENNIS, a game that was introduced from England and became very popular in the United States in 1902. The game is played very much as is the regular game of lawn-tennis. Follow ing are the rules of the game, which should be learned thoroughly before attempting to play: First.— The game is for two people, one standing at one end of the table, the other opposite. The player who first delivers the ball is called the server, the other the striker out.
Second.— At the end of the first game the striker out becomes the server and the server becomes the striker out, and so on. alternately.
Third.— The service is strictly underhand, and delivered Gum beyond the end of the table.
Fourth.— The ball served must drop on the table top beyond the net, and is then in play. If it drops into the net or off the table it counts to the striker out.
Fifth.— In serving it is permissible for the ball to touch the net in passing over.
Sixth.— If the ball in play strikes any object above or around the table before it bounces on the table itself (net or Mgt excepted) it counts against the player.
Seventh.— The server wins a stroke if the striker out toe to return the service or ball in play off the table.
Eighth.— The striker out wins a stroke if the server makes a foul or fails to return the ball in play so that it falls off the table.
Ninth.— No volleying is allowed, but so long as the ball touches the table it is in play and can be taken at half volley.
Tenth.— On either player winninghis first stroke the score is called 15 for that player; on either player winning his second stroke the score is called 30; on either player winning his third stroke the score is called 40, and the fourth stroke won by either player is scored a game for that player, except as below.
Eleventh.— If both players have won three strokes (4) the score is called deuce, and the next stroke won is scored to the player. If the same player win the next stroke he wins the game; if he lose the next stroke the score is again called deuce. and so on until either player wins the two strokes immediately following the score of deuce, when the game is scored for that player.
Twelfth.— The player who first wins six games wins a set.
The game may also be scored by points. 20 up. In this case the players change the service every five points. as in cricket.
The game may be played on an ordinary dining table, about nine feet by five feet being the most convenient dimensions, though either a larger or a smaller table may be used. The net is between six and seven inches high, and the remaining accessories are posts to hold the net when stretched across the table; vellum, string or wood racquets and celluloid balls.