Over 78.5 in Table Tennis Sports Betting Explained
In table tennis sports betting, the term Over 78.5 refers to a total points market. This means you are betting on whether the combined total points scored by both players in a match will be over 78.5 points.
This type of bet is popular among table tennis bettors because it focuses on the pace and competitiveness of the match, not on who wins or loses.
Meaning of Over 78.5 Bet
When you bet on Over 78.5 total points, you are predicting that:
The total points scored by both players in the entire match will be 79 or more.
If the total points are 78 or less, your bet loses.
Example of Over 78.5 in Table Tennis
Let’s use an example with two players:
- Player A: Ma Long
- Player B: Fan Zhendong
Suppose they play a best of 5 sets match.
Here’s the score breakdown:
| Set | Ma Long | Fan Zhendong | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | 9 | 20 |
| 2 | 10 | 12 | 22 |
| 3 | 11 | 7 | 18 |
| 4 | 11 | 10 | 21 |
| Total Points | 81 |
Total = 81 points
Since 81 is over 78.5, your Over 78.5 bet wins.
If the match had ended with total points of 77 or 78, your bet would lose.
How Bookmakers Set the Line (78.5)
Sportsbooks use previous match data, player styles, and match formats to set the points line (e.g., 76.5, 77.5, 78.5, etc.).
A higher line like 78.5 usually means:
- Both players are strong and likely to win multiple sets.
- The match could go to 4 or 5 sets.
- Points per set are expected to be close (e.g., 11–9, 12–10).
Example of Losing Bet
| Set | Player A | Player B | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | 5 | 16 |
| 2 | 11 | 6 | 17 |
| 3 | 11 | 7 | 18 |
| Total Points | 51 |
Total point = 51 points
Since 51 is below 78.5, your Over 78.5 bet loses.
This happens in one-sided matches where one player dominates.
Betting Tips for Over 78.5 in Table Tennis
- Analyze Player Styles
- Bet “Over 78.5” when both players are offensive and evenly matched.
- Avoid this market if one player is much stronger than the other (possible short match).
- Check Head-to-Head Stats
- Look at past meetings.
- If they usually go to 4–5 sets, the Over 78.5 market is a strong choice.
- Tournament Format Matters
- Best of 5 or 7 sets matches have more point opportunities.
- Shorter matches (best of 3) make it harder to reach 78.5 total points.
- Watch for Live Betting Opportunities
- If the first two sets are tight (e.g., 11–9, 12–10), consider betting Over live — total points are likely to exceed 78.5.
- Avoid Overconfidence
- Even top players can win 3–0 quickly. Always research before placing your bet.
Key Takeaway
- Over 78.5 means total combined points must be 79 or more.
- It’s a total points bet, not a winner bet.
- Best used in balanced matches where both players are competitive.
- Research, stats, and match format are key to winning this bet.