Rubbers and their numbers

I have 3 paddles ( I know I should stick with on until I improve)

anyway I have:

1. a Gambler 28-007 rubbers on both sides
2.  a Butterfly 401  Yaki rubbers 14-039 both sides 
3. a DHS 8 star with Hurricane 24-054 black  and 24-108 red  what do these number mean?
4. an how can I compare them to others on the marker
5. Very confused intermediate player

Hello Bruce!

It's great to see your enthusiasm and curiosity about the different rubbers you have on your paddles.

The numbers refer the Manufacturer and type of rubber.  The first numbers before the dash refer to who makes the rubber.  The second set of numbers after the dash refer to the actual rubber.

Rubber needs these numbers to make them legal for use in competition.  The rubbers that are approved are listed on the ITTF website.

To compare them to others on the market, you should look at a few key rubber characteristics: - Speed: How fast the ball goes when hit. - Spin: How much spin you can generate with the rubber. - Control: How easy it is to control the ball when playing shots. - Hardness: How hard the sponge is under the top sheet, affecting the feel and type of contact. - Thickness: Variations in rubber thickness can influence play style. Often, manufacturers provide ratings of these characteristics on a scale (usually from 1-10 or 1-100). These can provide a rough comparison, but remember each brand’s scale might slightly differ. Since you are an intermediate player, focusing on what best improves your game is crucial.

Consider: - Your playing style: Are you more defensive or offensive? - Strength and weaknesses: Do you need more control, spin, or speed? Since you have access to multiple paddles, use this as an opportunity to really feel the differences during play—note what you like or dislike about each setup. This experiment can significantly contribute to your understanding of how different rubbers affect your play and help you settle on the best option for enhancing your skills.