Singles and doubles table tennis differ due to the number of players, serving rules, and total points played. In singles table tennis, two players are required, whereas, in doubles, four players are. Singles table tennis is played to 11 points, whereas doubles are played to either 15 or 21 points.

Singles matches are a best-of-seven games format, with the first player to 11 points (by a margin of two clear points) winning each game. Team matches consist of four singles matches and one doubles match, each played in a best-of-five games format. Each team consists of three players and matches end when a team has won three individual games.