You can hit the ball with either side of the racket (paddle) as long as it has an authorised covering on it.
Also, one side must be red and the other side black.
If a side does not have an authorised covering, but is painted red or black instead, you cannot use that side to hit the ball.
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Each player has two services, then service switches to the other player.
Players change ends at the end of each game (which is up to 11), and also when one player or pair have scored five points in the deciding game.
So if a match is best of seven games, you switch sides at the end of each game and if the match is three games each, you also switch sides when one player or pair have scored five points in the final seventh game.
In singles play, you can serve from anywhere as long as the ball is behind the end line and above the table.
In doubles play, you must serve from the right half of the table.