The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-08-02
THE RULES FOR
PING PONG

w. w. W. (Clinton; La.)-What kind
Of game is ping pong? And how is it
played?
Ping pong is an ancient Japanese
game, and is like lawn tennis adapted
TO a table. 1t is played by young and
old, and is the most successful house
game ever known here, for the reason,
perhaps, that it requires an agreeable
amount of activity and does not entail
The tediousness of sitting still all the
time, like the majority of indoor games.
The game is played on an ordinary
dining table, about nine feet by five
feet being the most convenient dimen-
sions 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; velIum, string or wood racquets
and celluloid balls.
Following are the rules of the game,
which should be learned thoroughly be-
fore 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 under
hand and delivered from beyond the
end of the table.
Fourth-The ball served must drop
on the table top beyond the net. and
is tnen in play. If it drops into the net
or off the table it counts to the striker
out.
the ball TO touch the net in passing
over
Sixth-If the ball In play strikes any
object above or around the table De-
fore it bounces on the table itself (net
or post eXcepted) it counts against the
player. =
Seventh-The server wins a stroke II
the striker out fails to return the serv-
ice or ball in play off the table.
Eighth-The striker out wins stroke
If the server makes a foul or fails to
return the ball in play so that II fans
off the table.
Ninth-No volIeying 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 winning his
first stroke the score is called 10 Tor
that player; on either player winning
his second stroke the score is called so;
on either player winning his third
stroke the score is called 40, and the
fourth stroke won by either player is
scored q game for that player, except
as below.
Eleventh. both players have won
three strokes (4O) the score is called
deuce. and the next stroke won is
scored to the player. IF the same play
or 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 set
Thirteenth-The game may also De
scored by points. 20 up. In this case
the players change the service every
five points, as in cricket
There can be a great deal of science
IN ping pong, and an expert can place
the ball within an inch of the place
aimed at He can knock the ball side
WAYS at any degree SO that 1t Will be
beyond his opponents reach. and IN
fact can bat with the racquet with as
,4,rch precision and certainty as If he
-,Iaced the ball with his hands.
one thing well to remember is al
WAYS to see that the table is not direct
w under the chandelier The ping
11oue balls being made Of cellulold. are
highly in liza nmable. and have exploded
when coming in contact with gas
dame.
In selecting racquets. the most De
sirable are those with the short nan
dies. the long handles tire the hands
and interfere with the back hand
strokes.