The Table.
The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular, 2.74 m long and 1.525 m wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane 76 cm above the floor.
The playing surface shall be uniformly dark colored and matt, but with a white side line, 2 cm wide, along each 2.74 m edge and a white end line, 2 cm wide, along each 1.525 m edge.
The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 23 cm when a standard ball is dropped on to it from a height of 30 cm.
For doubles, each court shall be devided into 2 equal half-courts by a white centre line, 3 mm wide, running parallel with the side lines; the centre line shall be regarded as part of each right half-court.
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The Ball.
The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40 mm.
The ball shall weigh 2.7 g.
The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and matt.
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The Service
Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand (if the ball accidently rolls off the server`s hand before he starts to throw it his opponent does not score a point because the ball wasn`t in play)
The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm (6.3 inches) after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck.
As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.
From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by the server or his doubles partner and by anything they wear or carry.
As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. Note: The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.
It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can see that he complies with the requirements for a good service.
If the umpire is doubtful of the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion in a match, declare a let and warn the server.
Any subsequent service of doubtful legality of that player or his doubles partner will result in a point to the receiver.
Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the requirements for a good service, no warning shall be given and the receiver shall score a point.
Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a good service where he is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical disability.