I have been asked hundreds of table tennis questions by fans around the world.  Many of these questions have been related to the rules.  
So, I have compilied the top 10 hardest table tennis rules questions and National Umpire Jacek Wisniewski has agreed to give us answers.
 
 
 
 
QUESTION #1
 
My opponent got a net ball during the point and apologized during the really, his talking distracted me and I missed the shot.  What happens when my opponent talks during the point?
 
ANSWER :
 
It's pretty straight forward answer: LET. As soon  as your opponent does something distracting, raise your arm and say: LET, the point should  be replayed. If your opponent disagrees, you may ask for the referee. 
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QUESTION #2
 
The gym was very humid.  My opponent was soaking wet.  He served a "wet ball" and the ball went down to the floor when I tried to loop his serve.  The moisture on the ball from his serve obviously caused me to miss....who wins the point?
 
ANSWER :
 
That rally is considered a LET. You should  show your opponent  a wet mark on your racket. If he disagrees, ask for the referee. 
 
If overall  conditions in that playing hall are too humid and there is no mark on your rubber you can stop the play and report the matter to the referee. It will  be his decision about that point after he assess overall conditions. 
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QUESTION #3
 
My opponent hit a strong smash off balance.  After the ball went past me (but before the ball hit the barrier), he caught himself on the table with his left hand.  Who wins the point?
 
ANSWER :
 
It's am assuming he is right handed.
It could be a bit controversial decision to make, the definition of the point states that the ball should  be "out of play". You admitted that the ball went past you. So, was it out of play? It seems like it was. Still, it didn't touch anything before your opponent planted his free hand on the table. It means that theoretically you had a chance to return his smash. It's why you won that point.  
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QUESTION #4
 
During the point, a ball rolled into our court.  The ball distracted both of us but we continued playing.   No one called "let."  After the point, my opponent wanted a let.  In this situation, does he get a let?
 
ANSWER :
 
No, he does not. The point was played in so called good faith. 
I would encourage a habit of calling a let as soon as possible to avoid these kind of situations. 
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QUESTION #5
 
We just finished the first game.  My opponent left his towel at the other side of the large convention center.  Is he allowed to go get his towel?
 
ANSWER :
 
No. Players should remain in the playing area or near it between games and during other authorized breaks in play. 3 meters or around 10 feet from the court. Referee can grant the permission to leave the playing area, though. 
Still... since there is no umpire at the table and most likely the referee is out of site, you could  let your opponent go to get that towel if he/she sweats profusely. It will  be much more disturbing if your opponent drips sweat on the table with every swing creating one let after another... and after  changing sides you have to use your towel to dry it up... :-)
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QUESTION #6
 
My opponent was serving the forehand hook serve.  The ball double hit his racket. I know that hand racket or racket hand is legal, BUT Is double hit on the racket legal?
 
ANSWER :
 
In 2010 ITTF  implemented the word "deliberately" describing double hit. Racket and finger contact seems more natural and it is an improvement in rules interpretation. Double hit on the racket seems unfair and I experienced it myself feeling guilty doing it. Still, if it's struck in one continuous motion it is considered legal because it is not deliberate. So, short answer is: YES.
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QUESTION #7
 
When my opponent serves, he stomps so hard that it echos in the gym and it vibrates the table.  Is that allowed?
 
ANSWER :
 
Before the introduction of rubbers with 2 colors, players were trying to take advantage of stomping to camouflage the sound of their shots if they had different rubbers. It's why it was illegal.  
It's legal now but if your opponent  stomps so hard that the table vibrates or moves, plus creates so much noise that you feel really distracted, you should raise your hand and call a let. Ask your opponent to tune it down a little so it's not a huge interruption anymore. If opposing player disagrees you should ask for the referee, he may assign an umpire for the remainder of the match. Then he/she will decide what's legal.
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QUESTION #8
 
We were playing a match in very hot conditions.  My opponent had completely soaked his shirt. Is he allowed to change shirts during a match?
 
ANSWER:
 
No, but he could with the permission of the referee. Players should not change shirts in the playing area. Referee may allow your opponent  to go to a restroom to do that. 
It will  be difficult to continue the match if he/she drips sweat all over the table, though... Your opponent should send someone to the referee and ask him/her to allow it. If that shirt is not changed your opponent may need to towel off all the time and it may break your rhythm. 
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QUESTION #9
 
My opponent was very hungry during a match; almost to the point of fainting.  Between games, he took a bite from a granola bar, is that legal?
 
ANSWER :
 
Yes. There is nothing in the ITTF Rules or Handbook for Match Officials stating that it's illegal. He can eat during entire 1 minute break...
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QUESTION #10
 
At the 6-point towel break, my opponent drank a sip of water.  Is that legal?
 
ANSWER :
 
Yes. There is nothing written anywhere stating that it's not allowed. 
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Jacek Wisniewski 
(USATT Regional Referee & National Umpire)