Table Tennis Betting Guide

Table tennis is one of the most dynamic games in the world. It has considerable popularity among fans of sports betting, although, of course, it does not reach football, tennis, or hockey in this respect. The margins on ping pong are quite high, so the odds cannot compete with other sports. 

Depending on the discipline, there may be specific proposals. So, be sure to read the extensive betting guide for your chosen discipline. This will help avoid misunderstandings and prevent possible mistakes.

How to Bet on Table Tennis

Any sports game has its own rules that you need to know about. When it comes to betting on money at a bookmaker’s office, you need to approach the study of the subject of betting with all responsibility.

First of all, it is worth remembering that table tennis and ping pong are different names for the same sport, so you can find both names in the lines of different bookmakers.

The game takes place on a table that has clear parameters: length — 274 cm, width — 152.5 cm, height — 76 cm. The table is divided transversely by a net stretched equidistant from both ends at a height of 15.25 cm from the table. A prerequisite is that the upper edge of the mesh must be pure white. The most popular type of game is one-on-one, but there are also doubles matches. It is for tandem confrontations that the table is divided into two equal halves by a white line drawn lengthwise. Tables are made from various materials, but the main thing is that the surface of the structure is uniform.

Regardless of the game format (one-on-one or two-on-two), the task of each opponent (or team) is to send the ping-pong ball to the other side with maximum inconvenience for the opponent. As in tennis, the ball can touch the surface of the table on your side once, after which it must be hit. In pairs competitions, players must hit the ball strictly in turns.

Ping-pong matches, depending on the tournament, consist of 5–7 sets (up to 3 or 4 victories of one of the players). In each of them, the player needs to take 11 points to win. If the opponents reach the score of 10:10, the game continues until the difference is 2 points (12:10, 13:11, etc.). There are no draws in ping pong, neither in a set nor in a match.

When analyzing a match, consider four components:

• Tennis players’ rating. In the middle and end of the season, the indicator objectively reflects the level of the athlete.
• The player’s results against strong opponents and performances in top tournaments.
• History of personal meetings.
• Latest news about players and their interviews.

Popular Table Tennis Betting Explained

As we have already said, table tennis has its specifics and is often very different from other sports. Let’s break down the most popular betting options so you understand the basics.

Outright Bets

Outright is a long-term bet on the result of a tournament. This type of bet is formed before the start of the tournament. Bookmakers often offer markets for the winner, top three, top scorer, assist, etc. As for profit, it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome of a long-term rate. Before betting, you need to take into account possible transfers, changes in the coaching staff, team declines, and player injuries.

Bets on Table Tennis Matches

In this case, you bet on a specific game. Typically, the odds for such bets are lower, but it is easier to calculate the probability of winning. Plus, you won’t have to wait long for results.

Correct Score

In table tennis, players usually compete for three wins in games, but in competitions like the Olympics and world championships, they compete for four. Many bookmakers offer bets on the exact score of the games. That is, you need to predict the outcome of each game.

Handicap Betting

Bookmakers have two common types of bets on handicaps — handicaps on table tennis games and on points. Most singles tournaments are best-of-three sets. There can be from 3 to 5 games in one match.

Gambling organizers accept handicap bets on points in table tennis on the result of the entire game and each individual game. To win the set, a player must score 11 points. The minimum advantage over the opponent is 2 points — if the score is 11:10, the game continues until the participant gains a 2-point lead.

Point Betting

Bets on total points in table tennis are numerical and are expressed in bets for the total over or under, and are also designated as even or odd — counted according to the total number of points scored by two players. The match card gives totals for the number of points scored during the entire game. On the set card — for one game.

Prop Bets

This type of bet involves choosing a parameter that is not directly related to the outcome of the game. In tennis, this could be the player who gets the first point or even for non-game-related moments.

How Does Live Betting on Table Tennis Matches Work?

In ping pong, analysis comes down to studying the statistics of only two athletes (and not entire teams). This is one of the main advantages for bettors. To increase the accuracy of the predictions made, it is necessary to study the statistical indicators of 2 tennis players, namely:

• The results of their last meetings (consider not only the final score of the event but also the duration of each rally, the number of goals scored, etc.);
• Rating (more accurate data can be obtained in the middle or end of the season when the athlete shows his real level);
• Motivation (every opponent strives to win the game and match, but some need it for personal statistics, while others need it to stay in the standings).

In addition, before betting on live tennis, it is recommended to look at the latest news that has happened in the lives of the players. Ping pong is a game in which mental attitude is of great importance. Therefore, any serious problems can hinder the leader. On the contrary, strong motivation and positive news around the underdog can make him a winner.

In table tennis, events develop incredibly quickly. Literally, within a few seconds, 2–3 draws can be played, which can radically change the odds. There are also a lot of reversals in the game. Therefore, it is often profitable to bet on a reversal. Especially when the favorite loses 3–4 points at the beginning of the game. You can safely bet on his victory in a game with a plus handicap or on a clear victory in a game or match, especially when it comes to a significant rating tournament.

Popular Table Tennis Events You Can Bet On

As we have already written, numerous table tennis tournaments are held all over the world. Next, we will talk about competitions that are worth paying attention to.

Olympics, European, and World Championships

If we talk about large-scale competitions in the world, the most prestigious is, of course, the Olympics. However, it takes place once every four years, so you will have to wait a very long time, but the World Cup takes place every year. At the same time, it can take place under different confederations.

Continental championships, whether they are in Asia, Europe, or America, can be added to this list. However, as you understand, all of them happen rarely.

World Series Tournaments

These championships occupy a significant place in the world of table tennis. They are held more often than the Olympic Games and World Championships, but they attract no fewer fans. Accordingly, bookmakers are likely to provide an excellent range of markets.

Challenger Series

Despite its individual nature, this competition is of an international level and has the highest status. The best tennis players in the world gather under his banner, which greatly fuels interest in him, and the degree of rivalry is heating up to the limit.

Club Championship

These tournaments are the most numerous. Despite the significantly lower level than previous competitions, they deserve attention. If you are well versed in this discipline, you can make good money from such bets.

Table Tennis Betting Strategy

Let’s immediately make a reservation that not a single betting strategy in the modern world guarantees a 100% win. Its use should be combined with competent analysis of matches, thoughtful use of the bankroll, and, of course, luck. The strategies below are just a small part of your potential success.

Strategy for the Last Point of the Set

This tactic is suitable for a set in which one player is confidently going to win. You need to bet when the score is 10:5 or 10:6 — that is when the second athlete has almost no chance of winning back.

Despite its apparent simplicity, ping pong is a very energy-consuming sport. And if a player sees that he cannot save the set, he can simply give away the last 1-2 points and start preparing for the next game. You can try to play on this.

The strategy is used in live. If the score is 10:5 or 10:6, bet that the leading player will also take the next point. The odds for such an outcome usually fluctuate around 1.70-1.80. The disadvantage of the strategy is the relatively low odds.

Bets on Total in the Game

Games of equal opponents, where there is a high probability of a fight, are more suitable for this strategy. Also, note that large gaps in the score occur more often in women’s matches than in men’s matches.

The principle of the strategy is to catch a total over bet of 18.5 or 19.5 points in one of the sets. If equal opponents are encountered, then at least one game should turn out to be as stubborn as possible. Before the start of the set, odds of about 2.0 are usually offered for TB 18.5, and odds of 3.0 for a total over 19.5. 

It is not recommended to use the strategy in the first sets. Wait for the results of the first two games. If the opponents did not even reach 18 points, you can start using the strategy from set No. 3

Bet on the Losing Favorite in the Game

Remember when we said that there are a lot of comebacks in table tennis? This is what this strategy is built on. It should be used in matches where there is a clear favorite and an underdog.

Let’s say player N was an obvious favorite but lost the first game in an equal fight and started the second game with a score of 0:4 or 1:5. The odds for the favorite to win the game have soared to approximately 2.3-2.5 — it’s time to take risks. It’s clear that no one wants to lose 0-2 in sets, so our N will make every effort to snatch victory in the set.

Please note that in single events, the risk of sensation is much higher than in team events. N may not be in optimal shape or may have been injured on game day. Therefore, if you see that the clear favorite has lost two sets with a decent difference in the score (5 points or more) and is losing in the third, it is better to ignore this match.

Pros and Cons of Table Tennis Betting

The Most Common Mistakes in Table Tennis Betting

One of the main problems players have is the lack of attention to detail. In particular, they miss some analytical points, which negatively affects the final result. Underdogs rarely win here, which is reflected in the distribution of quotes from bookmakers.

This is why it is best to bet on specific forecast options. Totals, handicaps, accurate scores and much more — this is what will allow you to consistently earn money on table tennis without feeling any costs.

To increase the likelihood of a positive forecast, we also recommend assessing the motivation of each player. Usually, there are no problems with this, but if the season comes to an end and one defeat does not change the athlete’s overall place in the final standings, then he may not give 100%. True, this happens quite rarely.