Table Tennis is about Luck

thefastestt thefastestt Asked 11 years ago

Hello Pingskills,

Last time, the balls were 38mm and 21 points per set right? Now it's 40mm and 11 points per set. This allows for weaker wins right? The coaches always tell me to be braver and try to jump to the left side and use a forehand loop down the line. This opens an empty space on my forehand side since I've jumped to the backhand side. I guess I'll ask 3 questions at once. With all those mentioned, does this make Table Tennis Champions hard to stay World Number 1 Forever?

Does this make Table Tennis Luck base? Since sometimes, you can be lucky and win those points, and sometimes you are unlucky and you lose the point if he hits to your forehand just when you jump.

Lastly, how do you actually improve from a certain level onwards? Since it seems to be kind of a luck-based game?

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Marcus,

On the contrary it is very much a skill based game. The better players can read earlier where the ball is coming so move into position to make that ball. Think about practicing your skills more and more. It is the single biggest factor in improvement.

What do others think? Is Table Tennis about luck?

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Andrew Wong Posted 11 years ago

Technically, there's no such thing as luck. It's probability.
For example, let's say that the ball hit the edge of the rubber. The ball has many ways to bounce of the rubber.

EG:
A) Bounces onto the rubber, and reflects out.
B) Bounces onto the rubber, and goes out, following the spin.
C) Bounces onto the rubber, and returns, cancelling spin.
D) Bounces onto the rubber, and returns, creating an opposite/different spin.

It's not really luck when you hit the ball, it's the power, spin, etc.
But when you hit the ball, it's just the position of your bat and yourself in regards to the spin given on the ball and the contact point.

Oliver Posted 11 years ago

To answer your second question (the way I interpreted it), if you are better then you can judge which balls to pivot and which to not. If the opponent is good and you are relatively bad, then they will judge when you will pivot and hit to your forehand when you are about to. If you are good, you can stop them from knowing when you are going to pivot or force them to hit to the backhand or set up a good forehand. Believe me, against top players (top 100) you will NEVER get a chance to make that forehand, or attack at all (assuming you are not just as good). They are simply too good to give you any opportunities to attack with a strong topspin.

DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago

i think table tennis is about luck too, but not at all

even it's about luck, then remember this

"Good Luck always appear with Hard Work"

I hope this help you :D

Lorenzo Coopman Posted 11 years ago

I' ll side with Alois, after watching tons of vids of very good players against world class players you 'll see the good players struggle to get the ball into play ... some (youtube examples): Fang Bo vs Brain Pace, the matches from Timo Boll at spin NYC

Sammy Serea Posted 11 years ago

In life in general as well as in sports in particular, there is always an element of luck involved. But just like in everything else, luck plays a small and often insignificant part.

Yes the ball might bounce low off the edge of the table once or twice, or bounce low and short into your side of the table off the net once or twice, and your opponent might also get a couple of lucky miss hits of the edge of his racquet, but it takes at least 44 points to win a best of 7 match ;) and as the sayin' goes, luck sides with the courageous, meaning that if you play aggressive, with good top spin and good placement of the ball it might be you who benefits from a couple of free points obtained by your ball getting over the net against all odds or coming off the edge of the table on a deep aggressive shot ;)

Thank you,
Sam

Connor Johnstone Posted 11 years ago

Alois is 100% right it is a skill game. However there is some luck in some points of course with edges and all that. But if you train well and frequently and improve your skills you will be able to make the shots and make the most of your opportunities.

Marcus if someone hits the ball to your fh when you jump it is not luck! you were out of position and the opponent placed it well cause of this!

If table tennis was based on luck no one would train and they would just rock up to tournaments and play.

Dro K Posted 11 years ago

The only luck is the possibilty of hitting the net and going over it or hitting the edges of the table.