What would you do?

[Guy]

There have been a few articles I’ve read that mentioned, commented or complained about the rating systems not being consistent for the table tennis world. With this in mind I have a couple of question.

How and who determines what rating a player has when they play in a tournament not in their own country? For example a U.S. player that would travel to the UK.

What would you do to have a rating system that would be standardized to have all countries playing with the same rating system for the table tennis world?

[Tinykin]

Do nothing. The system is fine. Each country organises their TT differently so it's very hard to compare. Even then there's no real need for it. OK, for the first tournament there may be a mismatch, but that player's rating can be adjusted afterwards.

[Annie]

Do nothing. The system is fine. Each country organises their TT differently so it's very hard to compare. Even then there's no real need for it. OK, for the first tournament there may be a mismatch, but that player's rating can be adjusted afterwards.

I'm sure there's more to it than that? :resent:

[Tinykin]

Of course there's more to it but I've seen this topic discussed so many times in different forums with no worthwhile conclusion. The big problem is that many Americans are obsessed with their rating system. And their judgement of another player is based almost solely on what that player's rating is. So they would like to see some way of comparing ratings to compare themselves or judge the value of contributions to forums like this.
Most tournament organisers can accurately judge a player's comparative rank after asking a few questions. The important thing is not to under-rank the player. On a previous discussion on another forum it was established that an American rated at 2000 or so would be about ranked about 200+ on the ETTA rating list.

[Annie]

I think it's a bit unfair to generalise as each individual deserves their own merit in judgement and or ability.

[Guy]

Tinykin
It was not my intention to compare countries and say one country is better then another. I have no rating so there is no ego involved on my part and the example was just that, maybe I should have used Canada and China.

I’m asking for opinions. Do you think there is a way for all countries around the world to have a standardized way of rating a player? Do you think it can be done? What do you think has to take place for this to happen?

[Mr Wilko]

in a way i agree with tinykin and that yes the first time a foriegn players plays in any country his rating might be wrong but after that it is corrected and they are put in there correct position or rating!!!!

but at end of day does it really matter what your rating is, if you win you win if you dont then hard luck.
i played in Poland 2 years ago for a european works tournament and was no1 on the england team but was not seeded in the singles,were our no2,3 and 4 were???? this year i am expected to be no2 seed depending on how i play that day will probably alter my seeding if i am selected to play in this tournament again.

My point being it does not matter what you are rated!!!!!

(juniors & cadets are obsessed with ratings when what really matters is beating players who are better than you)

[Tinykin]

Guy, in England 90% of organised TT are TEAM events that take place in town or village leagues collectively known as local leagues. Each is organised by a town TT association. One step up is town vs town leagues organised by county TT associations. The next step up is County Vs County leagues organised by the ETTA which is our national association. Only in events and leagues organised by the ETTA do players earn points. So you see that our rating system only applies to 10% of our organised TT. Most players in this country don't have a rating and don't care. The system is Germany is completely different again and so on in China etc. Do you now see the difficulty in having a universal rating system for individual players?

[Mr Wilko]

yes we see it!!!!!!!!!!

[Tinykin]

Wilko, I would say that our cadets/juniors are more obsessed with ranking rather than rating. But usually this phase doesn't last too long, because as they take part in more and more team matches they quickly learn that "what really matters is beating players who are better than you"

[DaveR]

The whole system can be compared (obviously on a smaller scale) when relating to the local handicap system in various UK table tennis leages or associations whereby all players are rated or given a basic number to play of, depending on the system you use. The players who sometimes arrive from other countries ie students or players moving into that particular area can be rated very quickly via opions and matches played against whoever at the time and is quitte easy to put into pratice.

The system as it is now runs quite well and every player can be more or less adjusted to whatever they need to be in whichever country they happen to play within. Unfortunately standards and levels as with everything varies so much across the globe it would be near impossible to ever put a standard rating on everyone.

Pretty much with Tinykin on this one because of the variation in standards and difficulty of application, but also because it usually in a short while balances up quickly.

Good topic this

[Guy]

I consider myself educated on this matter and thank you all for the informative explanations

[Mr Wilko]

Wilko, I would say that our cadets/juniors are more obsessed with ranking rather than rating. But usually this phase doesn't last too long, because as they take part in more and more team matches they quickly learn that "what really matters is beating players who are better than you"


yeah that is what i meant Tinykin Ranking not rating!!!!

(sure its just the same thing though if you go abroad)