1. SET-UP: Two table tennis tables are set up with a space of 12 feet (3.5 m).
For professional / Olympic competition the space can be increased to 15 feet (4.5 m).
2. SERVE: Any serve can be used as long as the ball hits the surface of the other table.
- In the American version of long pong the ball doesn't have to hit your table first (more like tennis).
- In the European version - we are told - it does (more like table tennis. The clip below seems to question that.)
- The Ball
doesn't need to hit a particular half of the other table, whether in Singles or Doubles.
a) You must contact the ball between the extension of your table's end lines. (No stepping out for extreme angles - you get those with spin)
b) If the ball hits the net and then the table, the serve is good - no: Excellent - an ace, most of the time, but not always as the end of the clip shows.
3. RETURN: After the ball hits your table you must return it so it contacts the other table's surface.
a) Edges: If the ball hits the edge of a table facing the center it must proceed over the table to be good. If it
doesn't break the vertical plane over the table's inner edge it is not good.
b) Side edges and those at the end are judged as in regular table tennis.
c) If a ball hits the net or any part of the post, it must also hit the table surface to be good.