No, gamblers won’t get the rush of Opening Day for MLB today. While not a substitute, the MLB is trying to soften the blow with #OpeningDayAtHome.
But here comes … wait for it … table tennis.
Table tennis, a game revolving around a small ping-pong ball, will soon be on the board at SugarHouse Sportsbook in New Jersey.
New Jersey Gambling Sites learned the Division of Gaming Enforcement gave their blessing early this week for its unveiling, according to a source from Rush Street Interactive. Rush Street operates properties in three states:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Indiana
Table tennis has already become the leading sports wagered at those properties that are already offering it. SugarHouse intends to be up and running Thursday in New Jersey, if not soon thereafter.
Betting on table tennis at one NJ sportsbook
New Jersey sports betting fans can pick up the flight of the ball, read body language and sense momentum swings.
New Jersey will allow pre-match wagers to start.
Efforts could be expanded later to obtain in-game betting, which provides significant additional revenue.
That would not be surprising, given that each state wants to encourage as much operator profit and thus tax revenue as possible. But for now, table tennis has at least gotten onto the board at NJ sportsbooks.
SugarHouse has been helped with the TT Cup and Setka Cup, two of the major table-tennis tournaments wagered upon this week.
The events were live-streamed on the official organizers’ websites, links which the operator also has shared with its players.
Expect more operators to find the table-tennis niche if professional leagues remain on the sideline and Atlantic City casinos remain closed.
Table tennis betting an interesting alternative
Table tennis is ideal for betting. The sport moves quickly enough to keep bettors and spectators interested.
There is a healthy abundance of games, every day. They will run most afternoons and throughout the entire evening.
The average time of scoring one point in table tennis is between four and eight seconds and the duration of the game is one-to-three minutes.
There are plenty of chances to crank up the next betting opportunity and do some handicapping by following a particular player from one match to the next. Winners from one day usually return the next.
Most table-tennis matches are five games. Each requires 11 points to win and victory must be by at least two points. The majority of matchups are best-of-five battles.
The events feature substantial in-game betting opportunities to go with the moneyline, point spread, game-by-game, and point races already established.
Table tennis has the same characteristics as tennis but moves faster. Changes in momentum are significant within a game.
And in case you are wondering, a twirl is when a player turns the paddle to keep their opponent guessing on which side of the paddle will be used. A twiddle is the same as a twirl. You’re welcome.