Quickstart: choose and run the right tournament

This page gives short, practical steps for selecting the right format and running your tournament smoothly.

Common flow (always the same)

  1. Create a tournament in the Tournaments tab.
  2. Set base parameters: mode, team size, sets to win, points per set.
  3. Add players (and fixed teams if needed).
  4. Set preset/seeding values: maintain preset values (for example 0-10) if initial seeding should reflect player strength.
  5. Generate rounds/matches in Matches.
  6. Enter results immediately after each match.
  7. Track standings in Players / Teams.

Preset/seeding note: KO and Swiss benefit most from good preset values (round-1 seeding logic). In Jux mode, presets also improve fairness balancing.

Recommended preset scale (easy starting point):

  • 0-3: beginners / occasional players
  • 4-6: intermediate club players
  • 7-8: very strong club players
  • 9-10: top players in your club context

The key is relative consistency within your participant group. A coarse but consistent scale is better than seemingly precise but inconsistent ratings.

Which mode should you use?

1. Joke (fun) tournament

Use when: variety and fun are the main goal.

Setup steps:

  1. Set mode to Jux tournament.
  2. Choose sub-mode:
    • Equal team strength for balanced teams.
    • Random team members for maximum variety.
    • Switch after each round to alternate both strategies.
  3. Team size is usually 2 for doubles.
  4. Generate rounds and record results continuously.

2. Ranking mode

Use when: you want a long-running club ranking.

Setup steps:

  1. Set mode to Ranking system.
  2. Add players and record matches manually (no classic Add Round flow).
  3. Update results regularly to keep ranking meaningful.

3. KO mode

Use when: you want a classic elimination tournament.

Setup steps:

  1. Set mode to KO system.
  2. Maintain preset values so seeding/byes are distributed more fairly.
  3. Enable Consolation round if losing teams should get a second path.
  4. Add players or fixed teams, then play round by round.
  5. Enter results immediately because next KO matches depend on them.

4. Everybody vs everybody (round robin)

Use when: smaller groups should play complete comparisons.

Setup steps:

  1. Set mode to All vs all.
  2. For doubles, create fixed teams if partners should stay together.
  3. Generate rounds until all pairings are completed.

5. Swiss system

Use when: medium/large groups should play many rounds without elimination.

Setup steps:

  1. Set mode to Swiss system.
  2. Maintain preset values so round 1 starts with meaningful seeding.
  3. Keep Swiss rounds (0=auto) at 0 in most cases.
  4. Keep avoid rematches enabled.
  5. Keep allow byes and avoid duplicate byes enabled.
  6. Keep Swiss bye points at 1 (good default).
  7. In Config tie break rule, use POINTS, BUCHHOLZ, SET_DIFF, POINT_DIFF, SEED, NAME.
  8. Create rounds via Add Round and complete all matches before the next round.

6. Combined tournaments

Use when: you want preliminary groups feeding into a final tournament.

Setup steps:

  1. Create incoming tournaments first (for example group stages).
  2. Create the target tournament (for example KO finals).
  3. Define how many top participants advance.
  4. After incoming tournaments are finished, transfer qualifiers and continue in the target tournament.

Execution: 5 practical tips

  1. Double-check settings before the first round.
  2. For team events, finalize fixed teams early.
  3. Enter results immediately after matches.
  4. In Swiss/KO, only create the next round after the current round is complete.
  5. Duplicate or export tournaments to reuse proven setups.

For full background details, see the complete help page.