All Formats
Single Elimination
One loss and you are out. The fastest path to a champion.
Ideal Players
4, 8, 16, 32, 64
Avg Duration
2-4 hours for 16 players
How It Works
- 1
Players are seeded into a bracket. Each round, players are matched head-to-head.
- 2
The loser of each match is immediately eliminated from the tournament.
- 3
Winners advance to the next round until only one player remains.
- 4
If the player count is not a power of 2, some players receive first-round byes.
Pros
- Quick to complete — requires only N-1 matches for N players
- Simple to understand and follow for spectators
- High stakes create exciting, intense matches
- Easy to schedule with predictable round counts
Cons
- A single bad game eliminates a player entirely
- Lower-seeded players may face tough opponents early
- Half the field is eliminated after just one round
- Byes can give some players unfair rest advantages
Example Flow
Round 1 (Quarter-Finals): 8 matches — 16 players become 8
Round 2 (Semi-Finals): 4 matches — 8 players become 4
Round 3 (Finals): 2 matches — 4 players become 2
Grand Final: 1 match — the champion is crowned
Best For
Quick weekend events, large player pools, or when time is limited.