How tournament competition works
Each tournament division has its own competition format. On the tournament page, find your division and read its competition journey above the entry options. Different divisions may use different formats.
Read the competition journey
Section titled “Read the competition journey”The journey shows the stages in order. For example:
Pool play → Qualifiers advance → Playoffs
A pool is a smaller group of teams or players who compete against each other. Qualifiers are the competitors who advance to the next stage. The breakdown shows how many advance when that information is available; do not assume that every pool sends the same number through.
Team divisions show teams; individual divisions show players.
Understand the formats
Section titled “Understand the formats”| Format | What happens |
|---|---|
| Everyone plays everyone / round robin | Each competitor plays every other competitor in the division. |
| Pools, then playoffs | Competitors play pool games first. Qualifiers advance to an elimination bracket. |
| Pool play only | Competitors play within their pools and finish based on pool standings; there is no playoff bracket. |
| Single elimination | Winners advance. One loss eliminates a competitor from the bracket. |
| Double elimination | A competitor is eliminated after two losses. The number of matches can vary with the final results. |
Planned format versus published competition
Section titled “Planned format versus published competition”Planned format is an estimate using the division’s maximum entries. It is not a completed draw or a promise that every place will fill. Pool sizes, qualifiers, minimum games, and total matches may change when the actual field is confirmed.
Once matches exist, the division shows its published competition stages. Use the tournament’s competition section for pools, brackets, schedules, and results. The published draw takes precedence over an earlier estimate.
After the tournament is complete, the tournament page shows the final result for each division. Open your entry to see your own result, completed matches, and any final update sent to you. If you withdrew, left a team, were removed, or were disqualified, your entry says so; it does not show a team placement as your own. From a team entry, View competition opens the division’s published standings or bracket, depending on its format.
Game counts and byes
Section titled “Game counts and byes”- Minimum games describes the format’s estimated minimum per competitor. Withdrawals, forfeits, or event changes can affect games actually played.
- Total matches counts matches across the division, not matches per person.
- A bye advances a competitor through a bracket round without playing a match.
- Uneven pool sizes mean some pools contain more competitors than others.
- A range of total matches means the final number depends on how the format plays out.
Expand Format details in your division for more context. Ask the organizer if the advancement or tie-breaking rules are unclear before entering.