One of the things I like most about table tennis is the way it connects people. At my local club, youâ€ll see players of all ages, backgrounds, playing levels, personal stories, etc., playing together and having tons of fun.
Two people who would not have spent 5 minutes talking together could become lifelong friends through table tennis. I have seen this time and time again, and it has also happened to me.
However, one of the most difficult gaps to bridge is the level gap. This often prevents what we just mentioned from happening: making friends and having fun, which is what weâ€re all looking for, after all.
In this article, Iâ€ll tell you why I think playing with a handicap is the perfect solution for this problem and one of the best ways to spend time playing table tennis altogether.
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The result of playing with handicap is nothing short of incredible: you could take any two table tennis players and have both play a perfectly even match, no matter the level of each of them.
And, the byproduct of this is that people of different levels get to play much more interesting matches and connect on a deeper level.
If you think about it, most beginners wonâ€t ask advanced or semi-pro players for matches because theyâ€ll feel a bit intimidated or worried that the other player wonâ€t have fun.
Conversely, the more advanced players will many times just stick to playing similar-level opposition because they havenâ€t interacted with the beginners enough to form a meaningful connection.
In addition, both parties may think that the match wonâ€t be interesting enough, as the beginner would likely get battered every game.
This is why handicap is the ideal solution. By playing with enough handicap, both players get to have fun, and anyone can win.
Whatâ€s more, it makes matches even more interesting because it will make the higher-ranked player try hard to win, giving the lower-ranked player match experience against higher-quality shots than theyâ€re used to.
There are many ways and cool methods to play with handicap (more on this later!), but they all serve the same purpose, which is leveling two players so that the chances of winning are as even as possible. A good handicap match should be a 50-50 contest.
This is achieved by giving the lower-ranked player a point head start in every game. How to determine that head start depends on the handicap system that you use.
Regardless of the system, the result should be that both players are playing seriously.
There are two main handicap systems: the regular system and the dynamic system.
The regular system is the simplest one.
The way it works is that, depending on the level difference between the two players, a set handicap is determined, and all the games have the same handicap.
Here in Argentina, we usually give 2 points per division. So, if player A is in the second division and player B is in the fourth division, player B would start every game 4-0 up.
In countries where there are no divisions (Iâ€m looking at you, US!), you can do x amount of points per y amount of rating point difference.
So, for example, you could do 1 point per game per 100 USATT points of difference.
The dynamic system is, in my opinion, the better of the two systems. I think itâ€s more accurate.
It works by determining a set amount of handicap points, exactly like the regular system.
To explain the difference between the dynamic system and the regular system, weâ€ll use the same example: Player A is a second division player, Player B is a fourth division player, and will start 4-0 up.
The thing is, player B will start 4-0 up only for the first game. Then, depending on the result of that game, the handicap goes up or down one point.
So, if player A wins the first game, player B will start the second game 5-0 up. If player B wins the first game, theyâ€d start the second game with just a 3-point lead.
This holds true for the whole duration of the match. So, if player A takes a 2-0 lead, player B would start the third game 6-0 up (4 head start + 1 for losing the first game + 1 for losing the second game).
In my opinion, this makes the dynamic system more accurate than the regular one, because if you set the handicap too low or too high, it adjusts itself as the match is played.
Because handicap matches are very different than regular matches, they can be played slightly differently from a strategic standpoint to make the most out of them. Weâ€ll now share our tips for winning a handicap match.
If youâ€re the higher-ranked player, I have three tips for you.
First and foremost, manage your mindset. Don’t get frustrated if you find yourself down 0-6 or even 0-8 early in a game, this is exactly how handicap matches are designed to work.
Remember that you earned your ranking through skill and experience, and those same qualities will help you overcome the point deficit. Stay patient and concentrate on executing your game plan.
Secondly, I would advise that you stick to your strengths and use them over and over.
For example, if youâ€re an advanced player with a strong forehand loop, in a match against a player with a similar ranking, chances are that the other player will somehow find a way to adjust. This holds for all playing styles.
Youâ€ll probably be able to use your strong forehand, but your opponent will do everything in their power to avoid it so that you arenâ€t able to use it every point.
Against a lower-ranked player, however, chances are that they wonâ€t be able to adjust in such a way.
Your serves and set plays will have much more quality than theyâ€re used to, and youâ€ll find that youâ€ll be able to use your strengths much more often.
Our third tip is to try to make use of the difference in shot quality.
Against a lower-ranked player, chances are that your spinniest serve will provoke errors from the receiver, your spinny open-ups will be harder to block, a heavy push may result in them missing their open-ups, etc.
So, throw everything you have against your opponent in terms of shot quality, and chances are youâ€ll win the match.
Before discussing tactical approaches, it’s important to understand the psychological advantage that handicap gives you.
Use the point lead as a confidence builder – you’ve essentially already won several points before the game begins!
This mental cushion should free you up to play more aggressively and take calculated risks.
Our top tip for winning with a handicap is to take risks.
If youâ€re the lower-rated player and you have a points advantage, we recommend that you go for your shots. This isnâ€t to say that you have to attack every ball with 100% power, but we do encourage you to play hard shots without fear.
This is also the perfect opportunity to practice those riskier serves you’ve been working on in training.
Since you have a points buffer, you can afford to experiment with serves that might not work in regular match play. The experience of successfully executing these serves against a higher-ranked player will build your confidence for future matches.
If you have a handicap, you can afford to make mistakes, using that point advantage.
If you play safely, your opponent will likely overpower you, so itâ€s much better to stand your ground and go for your shots without fear.
Try serving long, powerlooping, flat hitting, playing unexpected shots, etc.
What this achieves has a two-fold effect:
1) Youâ€ll likely win enough of these points, but also
2) That your opponent will have a sense of urgency to attack themselves, and this will lead to some errors of their own.
Donâ€t play safely because otherwise your opponent will be able to impose their game risk-free: they know you donâ€t pose as much of a threat because you donâ€t attack them.
Donâ€t “respect†the higher-ranked player. Play as if you wanted to win 11-0, even if there was no handicap. If youâ€re able to execute this plan, chances are youâ€ll win the match.
Like anything in table tennis, playing with handicap takes some practice to get right. Here are the main pitfalls I’ve seen players fall into:
The most common mistake is not setting the right handicap from the start. Many players either give too many points (making matches boring for the stronger player) or too few points (defeating the purpose of handicap).
If you’re using the regular system, it’s better to start with a slightly higher handicap and then adjust down if needed. The primary goal is to create a 50-50 match.
I often see players not taking handicap matches seriously enough. Some higher-ranked players treat them as “just for fun” matches, while some lower-ranked players feel their wins “don’t really count.”
Both these mindsets miss the point.
A handicap match should be treated like any other competitive match. That’s how both players get the most benefit from it.
At many clubs, players use different handicap systems or point calculations. This creates confusion and makes it harder to establish a consistent handicap culture at the club.
It’s better to agree on one system (I recommend the dynamic system) and stick to it. This way, everyone knows what to expect when playing handicap matches.
Some advanced players refuse to play handicap matches because they don’t want to “give away” points.
This is a shame because they’re missing out on great practice opportunities and the chance to help develop newer players.
The handicap exists to create an even playing field, not to diminish anyone’s abilities.
The final pitfall is stubbornly sticking to handicap numbers that clearly aren’t working.
If one player is consistently winning or losing by a large margin, the handicap needs to be adjusted.
Don’t be afraid to change the handicap between matches or switch to the dynamic system if the regular system isn’t working for you.
I strongly believe that handicap matches are one of the best ways to play table tennis. They allow players of any level to have meaningful, competitive matches together while improving their game.
If you’re a beginner, don’t be afraid to ask stronger players for handicap matches – you might be surprised at how much fun both of you will have.
If you’re an advanced player, propose handicap games to newer players at your club. You’ll help grow the sport while getting some quality practice yourself.
Remember: table tennis is about having fun and connecting with others.
Handicap matches help achieve both these goals, making our sport even more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Alvaroâ€s a qualified ITTF Level 1 Coach who’s been playing Table Tennis since he was 15 and is now ranked within the top 50 in his native Argentina. He loves to compete in provincial tournaments and is always looking for ways to improve. Alvaro made his favorite memories with a racket in hand, and he joined the RacketInsight team to share his passion with other players!
Blade: Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Forehand: Butterfly Dignics 09c | Backhand: Butterfly Tenergy 19
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