What “3rd Game – Total Points” Means
In table tennis sports betting, the market “3rd Game – Total Points” allows you to bet on how many total points will be scored by both players combined in the 3rd game of the match.
Each game in table tennis is played to 11 points, but a player must win by 2 points, so the game can extend beyond 11 (e.g., 12–10, 13–11, etc.).
Example Match
Let’s use an example:
Match:
Fan Zhendong vs. Tomokazu Harimoto
Bet Market:
3rd Game – Total Points Over/Under 18.5
You’re betting on whether the total points scored by both players in the 3rd game will be over or under 18.5 points.
Scenario 1: Bet on “Over 18.5”
You win if the 3rd game has 19 points or more combined.
Examples:
- Fan Zhendong wins 11–8 → total = 19 WIN
- Harimoto wins 12–10 → total = 22 WIN
Scenario 2: Bet on “Under 18.5”
You win if the 3rd game ends with 18 points or fewer combined.
Examples:
- Fan Zhendong wins 11–7 → total = 18 WIN
- Harimoto wins 11–5 → total = 16 WIN
How to Analyze Before Betting
- Player Styles:
- Aggressive attackers (like Fan Zhendong or Hugo Calderano) tend to finish points quickly → more likely to have lower total points.
- Defensive players (like Jang Woojin or Chuang Chih-Yuan) extend rallies → more likely to have higher total points.
- Previous Games in the Match:
- If the 1st and 2nd games were long (e.g., 12–10, 13–11), players might be evenly matched → 3rd game could also go Over.
- If one player dominates early (e.g., 11–4, 11–5), momentum might lead to another Under.
- Player Fatigue and Focus:
- Players often lose concentration in the 3rd game if they’re already 2–0 ahead.
- This can create shorter games (Under) due to unforced errors.
Example of Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 18.5 | 1.85 |
| Under 18.5 | 1.85 |
If you stake $10 on Over 18.5 and the game ends 12–10 (total 22 points), your payout is $18.50.
Betting Tips
- Check Head-to-Head Stats:
If two players often play close sets, the Over on total points is usually safer. - Observe the First Two Games:
In live betting, if both players are trading long rallies and scores like 11–9, 12–10, you can bet Over confidently for the 3rd game. - Watch for Momentum Swings:
A player down 0–2 often plays more aggressively in the 3rd game, making it closer → potential for Over 18.5. - Avoid Emotional Betting:
Don’t assume because a player is strong, the game will always be short. Even top players can face tight games against strategic opponents. - Use Statistics:
On betting platforms, check each player’s average points per game. If both average above 9 points per game, Over bets are more valuable.
Summary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 3rd Game – Total Points | Bet on total combined points in the 3rd game of a table tennis match |
| Over/Under Example | Over/Under 18.5 |
| Winning Condition | Over wins if total ≥ 19, Under wins if total ≤ 18 |
| Good Strategy | Study player style, match momentum, and head-to-head history |