All Formats
Round Robin
Everyone plays everyone. The most comprehensive test of skill.
Ideal Players
4, 5, 6, 8, 10
Avg Duration
4-8 hours for 8 players
How It Works
- 1
Every player plays against every other player exactly once.
- 2
For N players, each player plays N-1 matches, and the total matches = N*(N-1)/2.
- 3
Players earn points for wins (typically 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss).
- 4
The player with the most points at the end is the winner. Tiebreakers use head-to-head results.
Pros
- The fairest format — every player faces the same opponents
- No elimination means everyone plays the full tournament
- Standings provide a clear, complete ranking of all players
- A single upset does not determine the outcome
Cons
- The number of matches grows quickly (28 matches for just 8 players)
- Later matches may be meaningless if a player has already clinched first
- Much longer than elimination formats for the same player count
- Not practical for more than about 10-12 players
Example Flow
Round 1: 3 matches (6 players, each plays once)
Round 2: 3 matches (different pairings)
Round 3: 3 matches
Round 4: 3 matches
Round 5: 3 matches — all 15 matches complete, standings finalized
Best For
Small groups where every match matters and comprehensive rankings are needed.