Site Products
Larry Hodges

Do You Want to Know an Opponent’s Rating Before a Match?

(By Larry Hodges)

If you know your opponent’s rating before a match, you have several advantages:

  1. You can use tactics and techniques that will generally defeat that level;
  2. If the opponent is lower rated, you can go in with confidence;
  3. If the opponent is higher rated, you can go in feeling you have nothing to lose, and so play better than normal.

On the other hand:

  1. The opponent’s rating might be inaccurate, and so the advantages mentioned above can all backfire;
  2. If the opponent is lower rated, you may feel pressure because of a possible upset, or just play down to that level, and lose;
  3. If the opponent is higher rated, you may feel intimidated, and so not play well.

I would say that far more players have lost matches because of the latter reasons than players who won for the former reasons. In fact, it’s not even close. For most players, it’s best to approach each match with your own game plan, and worry about the opponent’s playing style, not his rating. If you execute properly, you’ll beat most of the “weaker” players, and probably lose to most of the “stronger” players. But this is better than pulling off an occasional win by knowing the opponent’s rating, and losing five for the same reason.

In most tournaments, an opponent’s rating is usually listed on the draw sheet and match slip, and so you usually will know his rating; you’d have to make an extra effort to avoid seeing it. And, of course, you might simply know the player and his rough rating from the past. So what do you do?

Simply put it out of your mind. To reiterate, the opponent’s playing style is what is important, not his rating. (Note that playing style includes his level at the various techniques. A rating doesn’t give you that info.)

There are some players who do like to know the opponent’s rating in advance, for the very reasons given above. As long as you are flexible in your thinking and tactics in the middle of a match situation – and most players are not – that’s fine. It’s usually better to figure out the opponent’s level of play in the match itself, not hope his level matches the number next to his name.

Also, an opponent’s overall level isn’t nearly as important as what the opponent’s level is for each technique. If his rating or level is 2000, but he loops like a 2200 player and blocks like an 1800 player, then your goal isn’t to beat a 2000-level player; it’s to avoid the 2200 looper, while going after the 1800 blocker.

Latest News

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers are Finished and the Main Draw Begins Today

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Americans made waves in the qualifying rounds of the United States Smash, the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.