What is Pool Play?
Pool play divides teams into smaller groups (pools) where everyone plays each other in round-robin format. After pool play, top teams from each pool advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket.
Typical Pool Play Structure
✅ Benefits
- • Every team gets multiple games
- • Seeding is based on actual performance
- • More fair than straight elimination
- • Exciting playoff atmosphere
⚠️ Considerations
- • Requires more time than single elim
- • Need enough courts/fields
- • Scheduling can be complex
- • Tiebreakers may be needed
Choosing Pool Sizes
The ideal pool size depends on time available, courts, and how many games you want each team to play:
| Pool Size | Games/Team | Total Matches | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 teams | 2 games | 3 matches | Quick pool play, tight time |
| 4 teams | 3 games | 6 matches | Most popular, balanced |
| 5 teams | 4 games | 10 matches | More games, full day events |
| 6 teams | 5 games | 15 matches | Weekend tournaments |
💡 Pro Tip: 4-Team Pools
4-team pools are the sweet spot for most tournaments. Each team plays 3 games, there are clear standings, and the math works perfectly for 8, 12, 16, or 20 team events.
How to Distribute Teams into Pools
Use "snake seeding" to create balanced pools. This ensures the strongest teams are distributed evenly:
Snake Seeding Example (16 Teams, 4 Pools)
Pool A
Pool B
Pool C
Pool D
Each pool has combined seeds of 34 (1+8+9+16, 2+7+10+15, etc.) - perfectly balanced!
Pool Play Standings & Tiebreakers
After pool play, teams are ranked within their pool using these criteria (in order):
- 1Win-Loss Record - Most wins ranks highest
- 2Head-to-Head - If two teams are tied, who won their match?
- 3Point Differential - Total points scored minus points allowed
- 4Points Scored - Total points scored in pool play
- 5Coin Flip - Last resort for remaining ties
⚠️ Three-Way Ties
When three teams are tied (A beat B, B beat C, C beat A), head-to-head doesn't work. Go straight to point differential among the three tied teams.
Seeding the Playoff Bracket
After pool play, seed teams for playoffs based on their pool finish:
Example: Top 2 from 4 Pools → 8-Team Bracket
Playoff Seeds
- Seed 1: Pool A 1st
- Seed 2: Pool B 1st
- Seed 3: Pool C 1st
- Seed 4: Pool D 1st
- Seed 5: Pool A 2nd
- Seed 6: Pool B 2nd
- Seed 7: Pool C 2nd
- Seed 8: Pool D 2nd
Quarterfinal Matchups
- QF1: #1 (A1) vs #8 (D2)
- QF2: #4 (D1) vs #5 (A2)
- QF3: #3 (C1) vs #6 (B2)
- QF4: #2 (B1) vs #7 (C2)
Note: Pool winners never face their own 2nd place in quarterfinals
Pool Play Quick Reference
| Total Teams | Pool Setup | Pool Matches | Advance | Playoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2 pools of 4 | 12 | Top 2 | 4-team |
| 12 | 3 pools of 4 | 18 | Top 2 + 2 wild | 8-team |
| 16 | 4 pools of 4 | 24 | Top 2 | 8-team |
| 20 | 4 pools of 5 | 40 | Top 2 | 8-team |
| 24 | 6 pools of 4 | 36 | Top 2 + 4 wild | 16-team |
| 32 | 8 pools of 4 | 48 | Top 2 | 16-team |
Create Your Pool Play Tournament
Brakto handles pool scheduling, standings, tiebreakers, and playoff seeding automatically. Just add your teams and we'll create the perfect tournament structure.
Start Pool Play Tournament