What Is Point Handicap in Table Tennis Betting?
In table tennis sports betting, a point handicap (also called a spread bet) is a way for bookmakers to make a match between two uneven players more balanced for betting.
A handicap means one player starts with an advantage or disadvantage in points — the goal is to even out the betting odds between a strong favorite and a weaker underdog.
So instead of just picking who wins, you’re betting on who performs better after adjusting the handicap points.
How Point Handicap Works (With Example)
Let’s use an example match between two players:
- Fan Zhendong (-5.5 handicap)
- Ahmed Saleh (+5.5 handicap)
Explanation:
- Fan Zhendong is the strong favorite, so the bookmaker gives him a -5.5 point handicap.
- Ahmed Saleh is the underdog, so he gets a +5.5 point advantage before the match starts (in betting terms).
If You Bet on Fan Zhendong (-5.5):
For your bet to win, Fan Zhendong must win by more than 5.5 points overall in the match or specific game (depending on the market).
Example Match Result:
Fan Zhendong wins 11–6, 11–8, 11–7.
Total points = 33–21 in favor of Zhendong (he wins by +12 points).
Your bet wins because 12 > 5.5.
If You Bet on Ahmed Saleh (+5.5):
For your bet to win, Ahmed Saleh must not lose by more than 5.5 total points.
Example Result:
Zhendong wins 11–9, 11–8, 11–9 (33–26 total).
Point difference = 7 points.
Your bet loses because Saleh lost by 7 points, which is greater than +5.5.
Types of Point Handicap Bets in Table Tennis
- Match Handicap:
Handicap applies to the entire match total points.
Example: Player A -6.5 vs Player B +6.5. - Game Handicap:
Handicap applies to a specific game (set) instead of the full match.
Example: Player A (-2.5 points) in Game 1. - Handicap by Games (Sets):
Used when the handicap is based on the number of games (sets) won, not total points.
Example: Player A -1.5 games vs Player B +1.5 games.
Example Scenario – Detailed Breakdown
Let’s look at a Best of 5 Games Match between:
- Ma Long (-1.5 handicap)
- Timo Boll (+1.5 handicap)
If you bet on Ma Long (-1.5):
- He must win 3–0 or 3–1 for your bet to win.
- If he wins 3–2, your bet loses because he didn’t cover the -1.5 handicap.
If you bet on Timo Boll (+1.5):
- He can win outright, or even lose 2–3, and your bet still wins.
Betting Tips for Point Handicap in Table Tennis
1. Analyze Player Strength and Form
Check how consistent each player is.
- Top players like Fan Zhendong or Ma Long often dominate weaker opponents easily.
- In this case, betting on a negative handicap (-) is safer.
2. Watch Head-to-Head Records
Some players struggle against certain opponents despite being ranked higher.
- If a player has lost multiple times to the same opponent, avoid large negative handicaps.
3. Use Handicap in Early Rounds
In early tournament rounds, the gap between players is wide.
- Betting on the favorite (- handicap) is usually profitable here.
4. Avoid Too Large Handicaps
Sometimes handicaps like -8.5 or -9.5 are risky, especially if both players have strong serves or play close rallies.
5. Live Handicap Betting
During live matches, sportsbooks adjust handicaps based on performance.
If a favorite starts slow, you can get better handicap odds mid-match.
Example of a Winning Handicap Strategy
Match: Hugo Calderano (-3.5) vs Darko Jorgic (+3.5)
If you believe Calderano will win comfortably but not completely dominate, a -3.5 handicap can give you a higher payout than just betting on “Calderano to Win.”
Example result:
Calderano wins 11–8, 11–9, 11–6 (33–23 total).
Point difference = 10 → Your -3.5 bet wins easily.
Conclusion
The point handicap in table tennis betting is a great way to find value, especially when one player is heavily favored.
To succeed:
- Understand how the handicap works,
- Study player stats and match styles,
- Avoid extreme handicaps,
- And use live betting opportunities.
By combining solid analysis with discipline, you can make consistent profits using point handicap betting in table tennis.