Ping pong is a sport that involves hitting a ball back and forth with a paddle (also called a racket). The game can be played by two or four players on a table divided by a net. The sport is popular in Asia and is one of the newest sports at the Olympics.
The equipment you need to play ping pong includes the table, celluloid or plastic balls, and a ping pong paddle. The paddle can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but it must be flat and rigid. It also must be 85% natural wood material and have two colors, black on one side and a brighter color on the other.
To get started playing ping pong, you should practice consistently and learn the basic rules of the game. These include volleying, allowing the ball to bounce twice on your side of the table, and hitting the ball with your forehand or backhand.
If you are a beginner, ping pong is a great sport to start with because it requires very little skill and it can be a lot of fun. Look for clubs or leagues in your area, or find a group of friends who are interested in getting competitive.
You can play ping pong on any table that is at least 2.74 meters (9.0 ft) long, 1.525 meters (5.0 ft) wide and 0.76 meters (2.5 ft) high. You should also use celluloid or plastic balls that are orange or white and 40 mm in size.