Do you want to participate in table tennis betting but don’t know where to start? Understanding the rules and popular bets is the first step to playing smart and reducing risks. SPINTIME will provide detailed information from how to calculate points, competition format to the most popular types of bets in table tennis, helping you master the knowledge and confidently place your bets.
About Table Tennis Betting
Table tennis betting is a form of predicting the results of table tennis matches, from friendly matches to official tournaments. Players can bet on many categories such as who wins the match, the score of the set, the total score or the progress of each game.
Different from sports like football or volleyball, table tennis betting has its own unique characteristics:
- Short match time: A match usually lasts only 20-30 minutes, including 3-7 sets, creating a quick and continuous feeling.
- Dramatic and unpredictable: Just one bad shot or a moment of distraction can change the situation, bringing many surprises to the players.
- Attractive live betting: Odds fluctuate according to each score, giving players more opportunities to bet and “win” profits if they grasp the right time.
- Thanks to its speed, neatness and drama, table tennis betting has become a favorite choice of many sports betting enthusiasts today.
Basic Rules of Table Tennis You Need to Know
Betters should master the basic rules of table tennis before participating in betting, because this is the foundation for reading the odds accurately and making the right decisions.
Competition format and scoring in table tennis
Current table tennis tournaments often apply one of two formats:
- 5 sets win 3: whoever wins 3 sets first will win the match.
- 7 sets win 4: whoever wins 4 sets first will win the match.
- In each set, the score is calculated according to the following rules:
- Each set is played to 11 points.
- The winner of the set must be at least 2 points ahead of the opponent (e.g., 12-10, 14-12).
- If the score is tied at 10-10, the two sides continue to play until a player creates a 2-point gap.
Rules for serving and changing courts
In the match, the right to serve and change courts is clearly defined:
- Each player will serve 2 times, then change the right to serve to the opponent.
- In the deciding set, when one side reaches 5 points, the two players must change courts.
- This is a small detail but affects the game situation, thereby affecting the live betting that players need to follow.
Common mistakes in table tennis matches
When watching the match, bettors should also pay attention to the following common mistakes:
- Serving the ball incorrectly.
- The ball touches the racket handle instead of the racket face.
- The ball does not go over the net or does not touch the opponent’s table.
- Understanding these errors helps players easily predict unexpected situations and grasp reasonable betting opportunities.
Popular Table Tennis Betting Types
In table tennis, there are 4 popular betting types, which are:
Handicap
Handicap appears when two players have a clear difference in strength. The bookmaker will give a handicap in sets or scores to balance the match.
For example: Player A gives player B a handicap of -1.5 sets. If you bet on A, A must win by at least 2 sets to win the bet. Conversely, if you bet on B, as long as B wins or loses by a close margin, you win the bet.
Over/Under Bet
With Over/Under bets, players only need to predict whether the total score or total number of sets will be higher (Over) or lower (Under) than the mark given by the bookie.
For example: The bookie offers Over/Under 74.5 points for the whole match. If the match ends with 75 points or more → Over wins. If only 74 points or less → Under wins.
Winner/Winner Bet
Winner/Winner Bet is the most basic type of bet in table tennis betting, requiring players to predict which team (in team tournaments) or player (in individual tournaments) will win the final match.
Winner Bet: Appears in team tournaments such as the Olympics or World Team Championships. For example: In the final match between China vs Korea, you bet on China. If this team wins 3-1 or 3-2 after the singles and doubles series, you win the bet.
Winner bet: Common in individual tournaments. For example: Fan Zhendong vs Ma Long match, you choose Fan Zhendong. If he wins the match, you will receive a reward according to the odds given by the bookmaker.
Odd/Even Points Bet
With Odd/Even Points Bet, players only need to predict whether the total points in a set or the whole match will fall into an odd or even number.
For example: If a set ends with a score of 11-9, the total points are 20 (even). The person who bets on even wins the bet. Conversely, if the score is 11-8 (total 19 points, odd), the odd bet wins.
Tips for Betting on Table Tennis
To increase your chances of winning when betting on table tennis, players do not only rely on luck but also need to combine knowledge, analysis and a reasonable betting strategy. Below are some useful tips that experts often apply to optimize the winning rate:
Research the player’s playing history and physical condition: Players who have to play many matches a day (often seen in the group stage) are prone to running out of breath at the end. This is an opportunity for you to bet on Under points or Handicap in favor of your opponent.
Analyze your playing style and strengths and weaknesses: Some players are strong in defense, others are good at quick attacks. When you understand this style, it will be easier for you to choose a reasonable Over/Under or Handicap bet.
Prioritize betting on each set instead of the whole match: With balanced matches, betting on the whole match is quite risky. Instead, you can divide your capital into sets → both minimizing risk and increasing the chance of “recovering capital”.
