Table tennis serve rules
Hold the ball flat on your open hand. Throw it straight up at least 16 cm, then hit it as it falls.
In singles, the ball must bounce once on your side, then once on your opponent's side.
Your opponent must be able to see the ball. Don't hide it with your body or arm.
If the serve touches the net but still lands in the right place, it's called a let. You just serve again, and nobody gets a point.
Sources: ITTF — Laws of Table Tennis
Quick quiz
1. How high must the ball be thrown up on a serve?
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At least 16 cm. The toss is at least 16 cm, and you hit the ball as it falls.
2. A serve clips the net and lands correctly. What now?
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Serve again (a let). A serve that touches the net but is otherwise good is a let and is replayed.
3. Where must a singles serve bounce first?
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On your own side. It bounces on your side first, then crosses the net and bounces on your opponent's side.
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