Learn enough rules to play your first game.

A calm, court-based guide for beginners in Hong Kong. Start with the calls that matter most, then peek at official and local scoring once the basics feel clear.

Last verified 27 Apr 2026

Section 01 - First-game rules

The 5 rules to learn before your first game.

First-game path1 / 5

Rule 01 of 5

Start behind the line, serve diagonal.

Serve

Section 02 - Scoring Practice

Two ways to keep score.

Official is the tournament format, three numbers, and only the serving team can score. HK social (also called rally scoring) is the casual format used in most Hong Kong open-play sessions, two numbers, and every rally gives a point.

Pick a format below, then tap who won each rally to watch the score change. Reset whenever.

Serving / Receiving / #

0-0-2

Team A servingFrom RIGHT

Server #2

Beginner note. Traditional doubles starts at 0-0-2. The very first serving team only gets one server before side-out. After that, both partners serve before the side switches.

Rally timeline

No rallies yet. Hit a button to start.

Section 03 - Real Calls

Practice the calls you will actually hear.

Real beginner situations from open-play sessions in HK. Pick an answer, then read the plain-English explanation.

Scenario 01Serve

Your serve lands inside the kitchen.

Pick one. The answer appears after.

Scenario 02Two-bounce

The returner hits the serve before it bounces.

Pick one. The answer appears after.

Scenario 03Kitchen

The ball bounces in the kitchen, then you step in and hit it.

Pick one. The answer appears after.

Scenario 04Kitchen

You volley while your foot touches the kitchen line.

Pick one. The answer appears after.

Scenario 05HK scoring

HK rally scoring: your team receives at 4-3 and wins the rally.

Pick one. The answer appears after.

Scenario 06Official scoring

Official scoring: you receive at 4-3-1 and win the rally.

Pick one. The answer appears after.

Section 04 - Ready Check

Six gentle questions. No score-shaming.

The point is not to prove anything. It is to catch the two or three rules beginners usually mix up before they step on court.

Question 1 of 6

Can you volley from the kitchen?

01 / 06

Section 05 - Court Cheat Sheet

The two formats, side by side.

Most groups use one of these. Most tournaments use the official one. Before a social game, just ask which format everyone is using.

Global

Official Global Rules

TraditionalServe-only points

Example score - 4-2-1

Traditional scoring: only the serving side scores
Doubles score is three numbers
Serving team score, receiving team score, server number (1 or 2)
Server number matters: partners take turns before side-out
Game often to 11, win by 2

Hong Kong - Social

HK Social Rally Scoring

RallyEvery point counts

Example score - 5-3

Rally scoring: every rally gives 1 point
Doubles score is two numbers: your team, their team
Whoever wins the rally gets the point and serves next
Even score = serve from the right
Odd score = serve from the left
Social games often to 11, win by 2

iAlways check the event format. Clubs, coaches, leagues, and tournaments may use different scoring rules. Ask the organizer or the player who set up the game.

Now go play.

You know enough rules to step on a court. Grab a forgiving first paddle, or browse more beginner guides.

Choose a Paddle →More Beginner Guides

Ready for a real game

Rules make more sense once you play.

Use this as the bridge from learning to showing up with fewer unknowns.

Courts

Find a beginner court

Compare Hong Kong venues by rentals, indoor comfort, booking steps, and beginner fit.

Browse courts ->

Checklist

Pack for session one

Use the practical first-session list before you leave home.

Read checklist ->

Gear

Choose a first paddle

If you cannot borrow or rent, start with forgiving control instead of pro power.