Tournaments and brackets

Which bracket format should I pick?

Single elimination is fastest; round robin gives everyone the most matches; double elimination keeps you in until you lose twice; the consolation and three-match-guarantee formats keep early losers playing.

1. 1Single elimination: lose once and you are out. Best when court time is short. A 16-player field finishes in four rounds.
2. 2Single elimination with consolation: first-round losers drop into a second bracket and play for a consolation title. Good when people traveled to play.
3. 3Three-match guarantee: the draw is arranged so every entrant plays at least three matches. The most matches per person short of a round robin.
4. 4Round robin: everyone plays everyone, standings decide the winner. Best for small fields (four to eight) and for leagues that want a full record.
5. 5Double elimination: a winners bracket, a losers bracket, and a final. You are out after two losses. If the losers-bracket champion beats the undefeated player in the final, they play once more.