Format Manual Version 4.3 _7.1.08__updated 8.25.10_ UPA Tournament 7.1.08 Updated 8.25.10
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THE UPA MANUAL OF
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
TOURNAMENT FORMATS
Version 4.3 – January 17, 2008
Original submitted by Eric Simon
Revised in 8/2003 by:
Brian Canniff
Jin Ding
Hank Ibser
AJ Iwaszko
Florian Pfender
David Raflo
Adam Tarr
Edited by:
Will Deaver
Michael Degnan
Adam Tarr
Version 2.23 accepted by the UPA as the Official Tournament Format Document
for all UPA Series Tournaments
at the Annual Meeting, January, 1993
Version 3.01 accepted by the Competition Committee of National Division
Directors, September 2004
Version 4.0 accepted by the Competition Committee of National Division
Directors, August 2005
Version 4.3 accepted by the Competition Committee of National Division
Directors, July 2008
Copyright 2008 Ultimate Players Association
i
Introduction ............................................................... 1
Allowable Forfeits ........................................................... 2
Seeding ..................................................................... 2
Switching opponents in parallel bracket games ............................... 4
A One-Day or Two-Day Format? ................................................ 5
How to Read these Schedules ................................................. 5
Guidelines for round lengths and caps ....................................... 5
Tie breakers for round-robins ............................................... 6
3. Three Teams ........................................................... 8
Table 3.1 - Three-Team Round-robin .................................... 8
4. Four Teams ............................................................ 9
4.1 - One day formats ................................................. 9
4.2 - Two day formats ................................................. 9
Table 4.1 - Pre-set four-team round-robin. ........................... 10
Table 4.2 - The flexible four-team round-robin ....................... 10
Bracket 4.1 - Four-team single elimination. .......................... 10
Bracket 4.2.1 - Modified four-team double elimination. ............... 10
Bracket 4.2.2 - Modified four-team double eliminations - seeding
out of two pools ............................................... 11
Bracket 4.3 - Four-team clipped double elimination ................... 11
5. Five Teams ........................................................... 12
5.1 - One team advances .............................................. 12
5.2 - Two teams advance .............................................. 12
5.3 - Three teams advance ............................................ 12
5.4 - Four teams advance ............................................. 12
5.5 - Five teams advance ............................................. 12
Table 5.1.1 - Five-team round-robin – version 1. ..................... 13
Table 5.1.2 - Five-team round-robin – version 2. ..................... 13
Table 5.1.3 - Five-team round-robin – version 3. ..................... 13
Table 5.1.4 - Five-team round-robin – version 4. ..................... 13
Bracket 5.1 - Five-team bracket with three teams advancing ........... 14
Bracket 5.2 - Five-team bracket with four teams advancing ............ 14
ii
6. Six Teams ............................................................ 15
6.1 - One team advances .............................................. 15
6.2 - Two teams advance .............................................. 15
6.3 - Three teams advance ............................................ 15
6.4 - Four teams advance ............................................. 15
6.5 - Five teams advance .............................................. 15
6.6 - Six teams advance ............................................... 15
Table 6.1.1 - Six-team round-robin – version 1. ...................... 16
Table 6.1.2 - Six-team round-robin – version 2. ...................... 16
Table 6.1.3 - Six team round-robin over two days - version 3. ........ 16
Table 6.1.4 - Six team round-robin over two days - version 4 ......... 16
Table 6.1.5 - Six team round-robin over two days - version 5. ........ 16
Table 6.1.6 - Six team round-robin over two days - version 6 ......... 16
Bracket 6.1.1 - Six team modified elimination. ....................... 17
Bracket 6.1.2 - Six team modified elimination, seeding from two
pools. ......................................................... 17
Bracket 6.2 - Six team modified bracket - only two qualify. ......... 18
Bracket 6.3 - Six team clipped elimination - three teams qualify ..... 18
Bracket 6.4 - Six team clipped elimination - four teams qualify ...... 18
7. Seven Teams .......................................................... 19
7.1 - One or Seven teams advance ..................................... 19
7.2 - Two teams advance .............................................. 19
7.3 - Three teams advance ............................................ 19
7.4 - Four teams advance ............................................. 19
7.5 - Five teams advance ............................................. 19
7.6 - Six teams advance .............................................. 19
Table 7.1.1 - Seven-team round-robin over two days - version 1 ....... 20
Table 7.1.2 - Seven-team round-robin over two days - version 2 ....... 20
Table 7.1.3 - Seven-team round-robin over two days - version 3 ....... 20
Table 7.1.4 - Seven-team round-robin over two days - version 4 ....... 21
Table 7.1.5 - Seven-team round-robin over two days - version 5 ....... 21
Bracket 7.1 - Seven-team clipped elimination - only five qualify ..... 22
Bracket 7.2 - Seven-team clipped elimination - only six qualify ...... 22
8. Eight Teams .......................................................... 23
8.1 - One team advances .............................................. 23
8.2 - Two, teams advance ............................................. 23
8.3 – Three, seven, or eight teams advance ........................... 23
8.4 - Four teams advance ............................................. 23
8.5 - Five teams advance ............................................. 23
8.6 – Six teams advance .............................................. 23
Table 8.1.1 - Seeding into two pools of four - version 1 ............. 24
Table 8.1.2 - Seeding into two pools of four - version 2 ............. 24
Table 8.1.3 - Seeding into two pools of four - version 3 ............. 24
Bracket 8.1 - Eight-team modified elimination ........................ 25
Bracket 8.2.1 - Eight-team clipped double elimination ................ 26
Bracket 8.2.2 - Eight team double elimination ........................ 27
Bracket 8.3 - Eight-team modified elimination - three teams advance .. 28
Bracket 8.4 - Eight-team modified elimination - four teams advance ... 29
Bracket 8.5 - Eight-team modified elimination - six teams advance .... 30
iii
9. Nine Teams ........................................................... 31
9.1 - One team advances .............................................. 31
9.2 - Two or three teams advance ..................................... 31
9.3 - Four through nine teams advance ................................ 31
9.4 - Five teams advance ............................................. 31
9.5 - Six, seven, eight, or nine teams advance ....................... 32
Table 9.1.1 - Seeding into two pools of four and five - version 1 .... 33
Table 9.1.2 - Seeding into two pools of four and five - version 2 .... 33
Table 9.1.3 - Seeding into two pools of four and five - version 3 .... 33
Table 9.1.4 - Seeding into two pools of four and five - version 4 .... 33
Table 9.2 - 7-team pool play completion from two pools ............... 33
Table 9.3 - 5-team pool play completion from two pools ............... 33
10. Ten Teams ............................................................ 34
10.1 - One team advances ............................................. 34
10.2 - Two or three teams advance .................................... 34
10.3 - Four teams advance ............................................ 34
10.4 - Five teams advance ............................................ 34
10.5 - Six teams advance ............................................. 34
10.6 - Seven or ten teams advance .................................... 35
10.7 - Eight or nine teams advance ................................... 35
Table 10.1.1 - Seeding for pools of five - version 1 ................. 36
Table 10.1.2 - Seeding for pools of five - version 2 ................. 36
Table 10.1.3 - Seeding for pools of five - version 3 ................. 36
Table 10.1.4 - Seeding for pools of five - version 4 ................. 36
Bracket 10.1 - Ten-team modified elimination - five teams advance .... 37
11. Eleven Teams ......................................................... 38
11.1 - One team advances ............................................. 38
11.2 - Two or three teams advance .................................... 38
11.3 - Four teams advance ............................................ 38
11.4 - Five teams advance ............................................ 38
11.5 - Six teams advance ............................................. 38
11.6 - Seven teams advance ........................................... 39
11.7 - Eight, nine, ten, or eleven teams advance ..................... 39
Table 11.1.1 - Seeding two unequal pools of five and six - version 1 . 39
Table 11.1.2 - Seeding two unequal pools of five and six - version 2 . 39
Table 11.1.3 - Seeding two unequal pools of five and six - version 3 . 40
Table 11.1.4 - Seeding two unequal pools of five and six - version 4 . 40
Table 11.2 - Seven-team pool play completion from two pools .......... 40
Table 11.3 - Five-team pool play completion from two pools ........... 40
iv
12. Twelve Teams ......................................................... 41
12.1 - One team advances ............................................. 41
12.2 - Two teams advance ............................................. 41
12.3 - Three, ten, eleven, or twelve teams advance ................... 41
12.4 - Four teams advance ............................................ 41
12.5 - Five teams advance ............................................ 43
12.6 - Six teams advance ............................................. 43
12.7 - Seven teams advance ........................................... 43
12.8 - Eight teams advance ........................................... 43
12.9 - Nine teams advance ............................................ 43
Table 12.1 - Seeding for two pools of six - version 1 ................. 44
Table 12.2 - Seeding for two pools of six - version 2 ................ 44
Table 12.3 - Seeding for two pools of six - version 3 ................ 44
Table 12.4 - Seeding for two pools of six - version 4 ................ 45
Table 12.5 - Seeding for two pools of six - version 5 ................ 45
13. Thirteen Teams ....................................................... 46
13.1 – One, three, five, or more than nine teams advance ............ 46
13.2 - Two teams advance ............................................. 46
13.4 - Four teams advance ............................................ 46
13.5 - Six or eight teams advance .................................... 46
13.6 - Seven teams advance ........................................... 46
13.7 - Nine teams advance ............................................ 47
Table 13.1 - Seeding for three pools ................................. 47
Table 13.2.1 - Schedule for three pools - version 1(six fields) ...... 47
Table 13.2.2 - Schedule for three pools - version 2(five fields) ..... 47
Table 13.3.1 - Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven – v.
1 48
Table 13.3.2 - Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven – v.
2 48
Table 13.3.3 - Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven – v.
3 48
Table 13.3.4 - Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven – v.
4 49
Table 13.4 - Five-team pool play completion from three pools ......... 49
Table 13.5 - Seeding 13 teams into four pools ........................ 49
Bracket 13.1 - Eight-team double elimination from three pools ........ 50
Bracket 13.2 - Thirteen team bracket completion - six or eight
advancing ...................................................... 51
Bracket 13.3 - Thirteen team bracket completion - seven advancing .... 52
Bracket 13.4 - Thirteen team bracket completion - nine advancing ..... 53
v
14. Fourteen Teams ....................................................... 54
14.1 - One team advances ............................................. 54
14.2 - Two teams advance ............................................. 54
14.3 - Three teams advance ........................................... 54
14.4 - Four teams advance ............................................ 54
14.5 - Five teams advance ............................................ 54
14.6 - Six, or eight teams advance ................................... 54
14.7 - Seven teams advance ........................................... 55
14.8 - Nine teams advance ............................................ 55
14.9 – Ten teams advance ............................................. 55
14.10 - Eleven, thirteen, or fourteen teams advance .................. 55
14.11 - Twelve teams advance ......................................... 55
Table 14.1.1 - Seeding for two pools of seven - version 1 ............ 56
Table 14.1.2 - Seeding for two pools of seven - version 2 ............ 56
Table 14.1.3 - Seeding for two pools of seven - version 3 ............ 56
Table 14.1.4 - Seeding for two pools of seven - version 4 ............ 56
Table 14.1.5 - Seeding for two pools of seven - version 5 ............ 56
Table 14.2.1 - Seeding 14 teams into four pools, version 1 ........... 58
Table 14.2.2 - Seeding 14 teams into four pools, version 2 ........... 58
Bracket 14.1 - Fourteen team bracket completion - 5 advancing ........ 59
Bracket 14.2 - Fourteen team bracket completion - 6 or 8 advancing ... 60
Bracket 14.3 - Fourteen team bracket completion - seven advancing .... 61
Bracket 14.4 - Fourteen team bracket completion - nine advancing ..... 62
Bracket 14.5 - Fourteen team bracket completion - ten advancing ...... 63
Bracket 14.6 - Fourteen team bracket completion - 11, 13, or 14
advancing ............................................................ 64
Bracket 14.7 - Fourteen team bracket completion - twelve advancing ... 65
15. Fifteen Teams ........................................................ 66
15.1 - One team advances ............................................. 66
15.2 - Two teams advance ............................................. 66
15.3 - Three teams advance ........................................... 66
15.4 - Four or eight teams advance ................................... 67
15.5 - Five teams advance ............................................ 67
15.6 - Six teams advance ............................................. 67
15.7 - Seven teams advance ........................................... 67
15.8 - Nine teams advance ............................................ 67
15.9 - Ten, eleven, or twelve teams advance .......................... 68
15.10 - Thirteen or more teams advance ............................... 68
Table 15.1.1 - Seeding 15 teams into four pools - version 1 .......... 69
Table 15.1.2 - Seeding 15 teams into four pools - version 2 .......... 69
Table 15.1.3 - Seeding 15 teams into four pools - version 3 .......... 69
Table 15.1.4 - Seeding 15 teams into four pools - version 4 .......... 69
Table 15.1.5 - Seeding 15 teams into four pools - version 5 .......... 69
Table 15.2 - Seven-team pool play completion from four pools ......... 70
Table 15.3.1 - Five-team pool play completion from four pools - v.
1 .............................................................. 70
Table 15.3.2 - Five-team pool play completion from four pools - v.
2 .............................................................. 70
vi
16. Sixteen Teams ........................................................ 71
16.1 - One team advances ............................................. 71
16.2.1 - Two teams advance - bracket option .......................... 71
16.2.2 - Two teams advance - pool play option ........................ 71
16.3.1 - Three teams advance - bracket option ........................ 72
16.3.2 - Three teams advance - pool play option ...................... 72
16.4.1 - Four teams advance - bracket option ......................... 72
16.4.2 - Four or eight teams advance - pool play option .............. 72
16.5 - Five teams advance ............................................ 73
16.6 - Six teams advance ............................................. 73
16.7 - Seven or eleven teams advance ................................. 73
16.8 - Nine teams advance ............................................ 73
16.9 - Ten or twelve teams advance ................................... 73
16.10 - Thirteen or more teams advance ............................... 73
Table 16.1.1 - Seeding for four pools of four - version 1 ............ 74
Table 16.1.2 - Seeding for four pools of four - version 2 ............ 74
Table 16.1.3 - Seeding for four pools of four - version 3 ............ 74
Table 16.1.4 - Seeding for four pools of four - version 4 ............ 74
Table 16.1.5 - Seeding for four pools of four - version 5 ............ 74
Table 16.2.1 - Alternate 6-field schedule for 16/2 bracket ........... 75
Table 16.2.2 - Alternate 12-field schedule for 16/2 brackets, v. 1 ... 75
Table 16.2.3 - Alternate 12-field schedule for 16/2 brackets, v. 2 ... 75
Table 16.3.1 - Alternate 6-field schedule for 16/3 bracket ........... 76
Table 16.3.2 - Alternate 12-field schedule for 16/3 brackets, v. 1 ... 76
Table 16.3.3 - Alternate 12-field schedule for 16/3 brackets, v. 2 ... 76
Table 16.4.1 - Alternate 6-field schedule for 16/4 bracket ........... 77
Table 16.4.2 - Alternate 12-field schedule for 16/4 brackets, v. 1 ... 77
Table 16.4.3 - Alternate 12-field schedule for 16/4 brackets, v. 2 ... 77
Bracket 16.1 - Single elimination bracket from four pools ............ 78
Bracket 16.2.1 - 16-team double-elimination .......................... 79
Bracket 16.2.2 – Two teams advancing - seeding from four pools ....... 80
Bracket 16.3.1 - 16-team, three advance bracket ...................... 82
Bracket 16.3.2 - Re-seeded eight-team elimination .................... 84
Bracket 16.4.1 - 16-team, four advance bracket ....................... 85
Bracket 16.4.2 - Four or eight teams advancing - seeding from four
pools ................................................................ 87
Bracket 16.5 - Five teams advancing - seeding from four pools ........ 89
Bracket 16.6 - Six teams advancing - seeding from four pools ......... 91
Bracket 16.7 - Seven or eleven teams advancing - seeding from four
pools ................................................................ 93
Bracket 16.8 - Nine teams advancing - seeding from four pools ........ 95
Bracket 16.9 - Ten or twelve teams advancing - seeding from four
pools ................................................................ 97
Bracket 16.10 - Sixteen team elimination - 13 or more teams
advancing ............................................................ 99
17. Seventeen through Twenty-Four Teams ................................. 101
17.1 - One team advances ............................................ 101
17.2 – Two or four teams advanceOne team advances ................... 101
17.3 - Three teams advance .......................................... 101
17.4 – Five or nine teams advance ................................... 101
17.5 – Six, eight, ten, or twelve teams advance ..................... 101
17.6 - Seven or eleven teams advance ................................ 101
Table 17.1.1 - Seeding for four pools for large sections - version
1 ................................................................... 102
Table 17.1.2 - Seeding for four pools for large sections - version
2 ................................................................... 102
Table 17.1.3 - Seeding for four pools for large sections - version
vii
3 ................................................................... 102
Table 17.1.4 - Seeding for four pools for large sections - version
4 ................................................................... 102
Bracket 17.1 – 17 teams, two or four teams advance .................. 103
Bracket 17.2 – 18 teams, two or four teams advance .................. 104
Bracket 17.3 – 19 teams, two or four teams advance .................. 105
Bracket 17.4 – 20 teams, two or four teams advance .................. 106
Bracket 17.5 - 17-24 elimination - 3 teams advancing ................ 107
1
Introduction
It is said that when you get right down to it, there are only two essential
ingredients to a tournament: fields and a schedule. Once the games finally begin,
tournaments pretty much run themselves if the schedule (which should include field
numbers and a field map) is self explanatory.
Unfortunately, scheduling is not so easy for UPA Series tournaments. Sure, for
most other tournaments, when you limit the number of teams to four, or eight, or
sixteen, scheduling is fairly easy. But at sectionals (or even regionals in those
situations where there are not sixteen teams), where every eligible team is
guaranteed a spot things aren't so easy. Try devising a schedule for a thirteen team
tournament while keeping everyone happy.
The fact is that most UPA Series tournaments do more than pick a single winner.
This makes scheduling infinitely more difficult than non-Series tournaments.
Ordinarily, it doesn't matter if you come in third or fourth at a tournament, but if
the top three teams qualify to the next level, the schedule must be scrupulously fair
to teams that have a shot at the third place spot.
Not everyone who is a UPA coordinator has run a tournament before. And those
that have, have often only needed a format that picks a winner. Many UPA
coordinators are also competing on one of the teams in the tournament, which leaves
him or her open to charges of bias, both in terms of format and seeding. Tournaments
that use formats that are not well-thought out can become disasters, especially if
something very unexpected happens, and people realize that the format wasn't even-
handed. Under such circumstances, the tournament director is faced with sticking
with an unfair format because that's what the captains agreed to, or unfairly
changing the format after play has started. Neither situation is acceptable.
This manual attempts to alleviate these problems. We have tried to be fair to
all teams involved, analyzing different situations and unlikely scenarios. We hope
that this manual makes running a tournament easier for you. No one can claim that
the format of a tournament is biased when it's an official "UPA Series Format."
Basic Theories of Tournament Scheduling
There are a couple of basic rules that should be applied to tournament
scheduling, each of which is elaborated below. They are:
1. Every team must get an equal chance and there should be as much
independence from seeding as possible. That is, all teams should have a fair shot at
winning the tournament (and/or qualifying to the next level). No team should have to
do something different in the schedule from the other teams because of how they are
seeded. Now it may be that some pools are of different size than other pools (there
just isn't any number that divides into thirteen!), but in this case an entire pool
is playing more games than other pools. No team in the larger pool is doing anything
different than any other team in that pool.
2. Each team should get a good number of games. Teams that travel from far
away should be able to go home after a tournament feeling like they played their fair
share of games, no matter where they finished. This means that teams should be
eliminated from the tournament as late as possible, and that if they are eliminated
early, there are placement games available to them.
On the other hand,
3. Teams should not have to play more than nine games in two days.
Four games per day, games to 15, is about the most any team should be asked to
play in one day. The only time teams should be expected to play five games is when
those games are played to 11, and this only applies to pool play on the first day of
a two-day event. People who are into triathlons and marathons can go compete in
those other competitions.
Furthermore, these games should be scheduled in reasonable blocks of time (e.g.
two-hour time blocks with a soft time cap of "plus two" after 1 hour and 30 minutes).
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2
Time caps are needed, not only for scheduling purposes, but so that a team does not
have to play too many hours of Ultimate in a day. In those games where the wind is
strong, both teams have good defenses, or neither team has a good offense, games to
15 can drag out for a long time. A succession of long, killer games often results in
unwarranted injuries.
4. The order of the games should be fair
Teams which play one another should have had similar schedules leading into
that game. This means that bye rounds should be arranged such that the “unmatched
bye” is avoided whenever possible. Obviously, if there are an odd number of teams in
a pool, then avoiding all unmatched byes is impossible, but an effort should be made
to minimize them.
When unmatched byes must exist in bracketed play, they should benefit the
higher seed, who has presumably earned the advantage through stronger play leading
in.
Allowable Forfeits
“Placement Games” include games for seeding amongst teams already advancing
and games to advance to the next stage of the Championship Series (“games to go”).
Normally, teams are required to play out their entire schedule, lest they forfeit
the remainder of their games in the Series (see the “Forfeit Rule” in the latest
Series Guidelines for exact wording). In certain limited situations, however, a
placement game may be left un-played or not played at all. This can only be done
without penalty in the two cases outlined below.
Case 1
1 - It is the last game of the tournament for both teams.
2 - Both teams are already guaranteed to advance to the next stage of the
Championship Series (or both teams have already been eliminated from advancing).
3 - Neither of the teams wishes to play the game.
If ALL of the above conditions are met, then the game may be left un-played. The
final placement of the teams will be determined based on their current standing in
the format.
Case 2
1 – It is the last game of the tournament for both teams.
2 – The teams have played twice already in the tournament and one team has a 2-0
record against the other team.
If ALL of these conditions are met, then the game will not be played. The team with
the 2-0 record will be placed above the other team in the final tournament rankings.
Note that in formats that utilize pool play completion to determine which
team(s) will advance, all pool games by all teams must be completed or the forfeiting
team(s) will forfeit the remainder of their games in the Series (see the “Forfeit
Rule” in the latest Series Guidelines for exact wording). This is because pool play
completion can result in ties and tie-break scenarios that depend on the outcome of
games involving teams who are not necessarily in the running to advance. Therefore,
Cases 1 and 2 above can only be applied to games in placement brackets.
Seeding
"Seeding" a tournament is a way of ranking the teams and, assuming there is
pool play, distributing the teams into the pools in such a way as to be fair to the
teams involved, and to avoid matching up the best teams in the early rounds. For
example, suppose, at your sectional, you were trying to choose the top three teams to
qualify for regionals. The last situation you want is where a team gets beaten by
the number one and number two teams and never has a chance to compete against the
3
number three team. Suppose you had ten teams divided into two pools of five. You
would try your best not to put the two best teams in the same pool. If this is
difficult to determine (and it sometimes is in those sections where teams don't play
each other often), you would try to make sure that when pool play is done, the top
three teams in each pool have not yet been eliminated.
Ideally, it shouldn't matter where or how teams are seeded. Indeed, when the
entire tournament is in one round-robin pool, it doesn't matter how the teams are
seeded. Attempts have been made, in every format in this manual, to minimize the
effect of seeding. A team might get eliminated earlier or later because of where
they were seeded, but whether or not the team qualifies for the next level tournament
should not depend on seeding.
In many of the formats in this document, pool play results are used to prepare
a bracket or brackets for subsequent play. In preparing pools, the traditional
method for arranging the pools to be balanced and fair is to “snake” the pools, as
below:
Pool A Pool B
1 2
4 3
5 6
8 7
The Traditional method for preparing a bracket is for the strongest team to
play the weakest remaining team:
1─────┐
├─────────┐
8─────┘ │
├──────────┐
5─────┐ │ │
├─────────┘ │
4─────┘ │
├────────────────
3─────┐ │
├─────────┐ │
6─────┘ │ │
├──────────┘
7─────┐ │
├─────────┘
2─────┘
Analysis of these two examples shows that the same matchups from pool play will
occur again in bracket play. In order to avoid this situation, the authors of these
formats have often chosen to adjust the seeding of the pools and not use the
traditional “snaking” method. Doing this enables more traditional matchups for the
bracketed portion of the tournament, and can be done while still maintaining the
balance of the overall strength of the pools with respect to one another. Because
pools often lead to brackets in these formats (and the opposite never happens) the
authors have determined that it is more important to have the traditional matchups
later in the tournament.
How to seed
For UPA Series tournaments, UPA seeding guidelines should be followed. Check
with your National Division Director or your division’s series guidelines for more
information. In general, it is useful to get as much information as possible
beforehand, i.e., which teams have beaten other teams, etc. As general rules, one
should take into account the entire season, giving more weight to games and
tournaments that were played more recently. (In college situations, the "Top 20"
rankings service can be used as a guide; the rankings should not necessarily be
controlling).
4
Switching opponents in parallel bracket games
In many brackets in this manual, a given round will contain two "parallel"
games where the winners of two games in the previous round play two teams which just
entered that bracket. Examples of this would be games c and d in bracket 6.1.2,
games j and k in bracket 8.2.2, and games z and aa in bracket 16.2.1.
The choice of which opponent plays which in these situations is made to
minimize the likelihood of a rematch occurring. However, in certain cases, upsets
in previous rounds can cause rematches to occur in these games. Generally, these
rematches are unavoidable and must be played. However, in certain specific cases
these rematches should be avoided by switching the lower seeded opponents. The
exact procedure for determining when to make this switch is as follows:
1) Examine the regularly scheduled matchups and determine whether either game
is a rematch of a game which occurred earlier in BRACKET play. If so, continue to
step 2, otherwise skip to step 3. (For the purposes of this procedure, all games
after the conclusion of pool play are considered bracket games.)
2) Consider the matchups that would occur if the lower-seeded teams (that is,
the teams that were already in the sub-bracket in the previous round) were
switched. If either of the resulting games would be rematches of BRACKET play, then
the procedure is complete and no changes should be made to the schedule. Otherwise,
go to step 5.
3) Examine the regularly scheduled matchups and determine whether either game
is a rematch of a game which occurred earlier in POOL play. If so, continue to step
4, otherwise the procedure is complete and no changes should be made to the
schedule.
4) Consider the matchups that would occur if the lower-seeded teams (that is,
the teams that were already in the sub-bracket in the previous round) were
switched. If either of the resulting games would be rematches of earlier games in
the tournament (either in pool play or bracket play), then the procedure is complete
and no changes should be made to the schedule. Otherwise, continue to step 5.
5) Switch the lower-seeded teams, so that they now play the opposite
opponents.
For the purposes of clarity, here are a few examples:
Example 1. Teams are playing bracket 8.2.1 - eight-team clipped double
elimination. In game b, A2 defeats B1. Games a, d, and e all go to seed. No
change in the schedule is made, since switching lower seeded opponents in games f
and g would result in a pool play rematch in game f.
Example 2. Teams are playing bracket 8.2.1 - eight-team clipped double
elimination. In game b, A2 defeats B1. In game a, B2 defeats A1. Games d and e go
to seed. Lower seeded opponents are switched in games f and g, since this will
prevent pool play rematches (A1 vs. A3 and B1 vs B3) without creating any pool play
rematches.
Example 3. Teams are playing bracket 16.5 - 5 teams advancing - seeding from
four pools (15-16 teams). A1 wins game a, and then loses in games e and k, while B2
loses game a and loses game h, but wins game u. As such, the teams that played in
bracket game a (A1 and B2) are scheduled to play again in bracket game w.
Furthermore, the team which won game h also won game j, so no bracket rematch is
created by moving the lower seed in game w (B2) into game v. Therefore, the lower
seeded opponents are switched in games w and v.
Whether this creates (or avoids) a pool play rematch is not considered, since
the priority is to avoid a bracket play rematch. For example, the winner of game t
could be A4, which would mean the switched game v would be a pool play rematch (A1
vs. A4). The change would be made despite this.
5
A One-Day or Two-Day Format?
For Regional Championships: Even though there may be as few as four teams, two
days of play are expected for teams that will be competing for spots at nationals.
There should be no exceptions (except in the case where there are three teams or less
competing).
For Sectional Championships: Sectionals should be a two-day tournament. If
there are 7 or more teams competing, then there are no exceptions to this rule
(except as noted in the format descriptions). If there are 6 or less teams, there
are limited circumstances where a one-day format is acceptable. Whether or not there
are two days of play depends on the characteristics of the section. Where most,
sometimes all, of the teams advance, and none of the teams are traveling far, a one-
day tournament might be acceptable. The sectional coordinator should ask the teams in
the section if they prefer a one- or two-day tournament. Note: a greater weight
should be given to the preferences of the teams that are traveling far, and,
secondarily, to the weaker teams. If the weaker teams want to play more games, the
better teams should accommodate them. This is even more important if the weaker
teams face elimination at sectionals. The UPA should afford them the opportunity to
play more games before their season ends.
How to read these schedules.
Below is a sample six-team round-robin schedule. In the schedule below, each
row is a round, and each column can be a field. So, in the first round, 1 plays 5 on
field one, etc.
1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
1 v 4 2 v 3 5 v 6
1 v 3 2 v 6 4 v 5
1 v 2 3 v 5 4 v 6
1 v 6 2 v 5 3 v 4
Guidelines for round lengths and caps
The amount of time in the day which you will have to play the tournament will
vary depending on your location, the time of year, preferred starting time, and
field availability. However, the following guidelines should be adhered to.
1) If the format dictates that different pools play to different point totals,
the round lengths in those pools should be different. The pool which plays to a
higher total should have commensurately longer rounds.
2) Soft and hard time caps.
- The soft time cap should be no less than 30 minutes before the start of the
next round.
- The hard time cap (if utilized) should be no less than 20 minutes after the
soft time cap.
- The start of the next round should be no less than 10 minutes after the hard
time cap (if utilized).
Following these minimum time requirements reduces the likelihood that a team
has to begin a game immediately on the heels of another game, which is important for
health and safety as well as for tournament and team logistics. These minimums also
reduces the likelihood that a game will be hard time capped, by allowing adequate
time to finish the remaining points after the soft time cap is implemented. These
recommended minimums take into account standard cap and timeout rules, which may be
adjusted for logistical reasons in accordance with the official UPA rules of
Ultimate and cap guidelines for Series coordinators.
3) All rounds of pool play in a given pool must have identical cap rules. All
bracket play games in a given round must have identical cap rules as well. Time
caps may vary from pool to pool and between pool play and bracket play, and from
round to round in bracket play.
![](asset-e.png)
6
Tie breakers for round-robins
The worst part of a round-robin the possibility of a three-way tie between
teams that have all beaten each other. (E.g., A beats B, B beats C, and C beats A).
One unlucky team will have to finish 3rd when they only lost one game. This is the
very reason why the UPA tries to avoid pool play when the third place team can get
eliminated. So, for example, in a tournament that is organized into 4 pools of 5,
where the top 2 teams advance, a team can lose one game, to the best team, and be
denied the chance to finish in the top eight.
Nevertheless, while the UPA tries to minimize such situations, they all can't
be avoided. The following are the UPA Standard set of round-robin tie breaker rules.
Rule 1. A given tie-breaker rule applies equally to all the teams that are tied.
For an example of this application, see example 3.1.
Rule 1a. If, after the application of a given rule, all of the teams are still
tied, go to the next rule. For an example of this application, see example
3.3.
Rule 1b. If not all teams, but one or more subgroups of the teams are tied,
separate these teams into groups and go back to rule 2 with each of the groups
individually. For an example of this application, see example 3.2.
Rule 2. Won-loss records, counting only games between the teams that are tied.
Example 2.1. A and B are tied for third place at 4-2, and during the
tournament, A has beaten B. Then, A gets third place and B gets fourth place. When
only two teams are involved, this rule is commonly called "head-to-head."
Example 2.2. A, B, and C, are tied for first place; they are all 3-2 after the
six team round-robin. A has beaten both B and C, while B has beaten C. The records
among the three teams only are: A is 2-0, B is 1-1, and C is 0-2. A finishes first,
B finishes second, and C finishes third.
Example 2.3. A, B, and C are in a three-way tie. A has beaten B, B has beaten
C, C has beaten A. The relevant records for all three teams are 1-1. This tie-
breaker won't work, and you must go on to tie-breaker #3.
Rule 3. Point differentials, counting only games between the teams that are tied.
Example 3.1. A, B, C are in a three-way tie for first place. A has beaten B
15-10, B has beaten C 15-12, and C has beaten A, 15-13. A's point differential,
then, is +5 and -2, which equals +3. B's is -2 and C's is -1. A finishes first, C
finishes second, and B finishes third. Note that the three point differentials, in
this case, +3,-2,-1, must always add up to zero. Note also that we do not use the
point differential to choose the winner and then go "head to head" to choose the
other two. This would be a violation of Rule #1, which says that we must apply a
tie-breaker rule equally to all the teams that are tied.
Example 3.2. A, B, C are in a three-way tie for first place. A has beaten B
15-11, B has beaten C 15-12, and C has beaten A, 15-13. A's point differential,
then, is +4 and -2, which equals +2. B's is -1 and C's is -1. A takes first place.
B and C are still tied. When, after the application of a rule, there are still
teams that are tied, we go back to rule 2. Since B beat C, B takes 2nd place, and C
takes 3rd. At this point we do not go onto rule 4.
Example 3.3. A, B, C are in a three-way tie for first place. A has beaten B
15-13, B has beaten C 16-14, and C has beaten A, 15-13. A's point differential,
then, is +2 and -2, which equals +0. B's is 0 and C's is 0. This tie-breaker can
not be applied, go on to tie-breaker rule 4, unless there are only three teams in the
pool to begin with, in which case you should have played an extra point. See the
discussion on three-team pools on page 7).
Rule 4. Point differentials, counting games against all common opponents.
Example 4.1. As in example 3, above, A, B, C are in a three-way tie for first
place in a four team pool. A has beaten B 15-13, B has beaten C 16-14, and C has
beaten A, 15-13. All three point differentials are 0. Suppose all of them have
played D; A beat D 15-9, B beat D 15-7, and C beat D 15-12. B takes first place
(because their point differential against the common opponent, D, was +8), A takes
7
second (by beating D by six goals), and C takes third (beating D by three goals).
4.a. Multiple games against common opponents are averaged.
Example 4.2. Assume all of example 1, but that, for some reason, B beat D
twice, 15-7 and 15-12. Take the average of the scores and only count it once, thus,
we would calculate the point differential as though B beat D once, by a score of 15-
9.5. Then A takes first (point differential of +6), B takes second (we count, as a
point differential, the score of 15-9.5, which is 5.5), and C takes third (beating D
by three goals).
5. Point differentials, counting games against all common opponents, excluding each
team's best and worst differentials. This is about the same as Rule 4, except that
the best and worst scores are eliminated. This eliminates "blowouts" with which the
teams in question might have been involved.
6. Points scored, counting only games among the teams that are tied. (Note to UPA
officials. I thought long and hard about whether we should count most points scored,
or least points allowed. There is really no good reason why one should count more
than the other. The reason why I chose points scored, is that it, at least, provides
an incentive for the game to start on time, and to minimize all the things that delay
games (extra long time outs, excessive foul calling, procrastinating at the beginning
of games and at the beginning of the second half, stalling in the hope that the game
is capped, stalling because the team is tired, etc.)
7. Points scored, counting games against all common opponents.
8. Points scored, counting games against all common opponents, excluding each team's
best and worst scores.
9. Sum of the square roots of the absolute values of the point differentials,
counting games against all common opponents. This has the effect of minimizing the
effect of blowouts without totally excluding them from consideration. Thus, as
described in the example below, a team that wins its games by the scores of 15-8 and
15-10 will have a better differential that a team that wins 15-12 and 15-4. (One
might assume that at a certain point, the losing team in the 15-4 game gave up since
points became somewhat irrelevant to them.) It also has the added benefit of making
it almost mathematically impossible to still be tied after this rule, unless all the
scores of the teams involved are identical.
Strictly speaking, mathematically, the computation regarding losses should be
subtracted. Here's an example:
A beats W 15-12 B beats W 15-8
A beats X 15-4 B beats X 15-8
A lost to Y 15-8 B lost to Y 15-12
A lost to Z 15-8 B lost to Z 15-4
Suppose, further, that these were the only games involving common opponents of
A and B, and that all the tie-breakers are the same through the first eight rules.
Then, applying this rule, A's differentials are 3, 11, -7 and -7. The tie-breakers,
then, are
A's tie breakers = sqrt(3) + sqrt(11) - sqrt(7) - sqrt(7)
B's tie breakers = sqrt(7) + sqrt(7) - sqrt(11) - sqrt(3)
A's tie breakers are approximately -0.2 while B's tie breakers are
approximately +0.2.
10. Flip a disc. As a last resort, discs should be flipped. Two discs should
be flipped with one team calling "odd" or "even."
![](asset-10.png)
8
3. Three Teams
There is not a lot you can do with a three team tournament, although you only
need one field. The following is a round-robin tournament for three teams.
Table 3.1 - Three-Team Round-robin
1 v 3
2 v 3
1 v 2
The Three team tie-breaker problem.
When all three teams in a pool finish with 1-1 records, apply the standard tie-
breakers, but you should add the following rule to the tournament:
If the first two games of a three-way round robin end with the exact same score (but
different winners), one additional point should be played after the second game. The
pulling team and the sides should be the same as at the beginning of the second half.
This point will only count in the case of the otherwise unbreakable three-way tie,
where each game results in the exact same score. If each team has a point
differential of zero after the last game and all three games resulted in the same
score, the additional point played after round two determines the first and third
place teams.
Example 1. A beats B 15-12. B beats C 15-12. At the conclusion of their
game, B and C play one additional point. This point will only come into play if C
beats A 15-12 in the final game.
Remember, this provision only goes into effect if all three scores are
identical; if merely all three point differentials are identical, that is not enough
to trigger this provision (see next example).
The problem with this, of course, is that where a team finishes, in part, is
due to the round in which that team has a bye. But since teams know entering the
final game what an identical score will cause, those two teams are in control of
their fate, and the third team had a chance to impact the tie during the tiebreak
point of the previous round.
Example 2. A beats B 15-12. B beats C 14-11. C beats A 15-12. All three
point differentials are zero, but not all the scores are identical. The tie can be
broken, however, with tie-breaker rule #6, which is "points scored, counting only
games among the teams that are tied." A has scored 27 points, B and C have each
scored 26 points. A takes first place, and you attempt to break B and C's tie by
going back at the first rule. On head-to-head (rule #2), B beat C, and so B takes
second and C takes third.
9
4. Four Teams
For Regional Championships: Even though there are only four teams, two days of
play are expected for teams that will be competing for spots at nationals.
For Sectional Championships: Whether or not there are two days of play depends
on the characteristics of the section. See the discussion on "A One-Day or
Two-Day Format" on page 3.
4.1 One day formats:
one team advances: Use Table 4.2. If there is a 3-0 team, the tournament is
over. Otherwise, Bracket 4.1 must be played to determine the champion. This
creates five games in one day, but is necessary to prevent a situation where
two teams are eliminated from the series as a result of point differential. 3
rd
place is given to the winner of the pool play game between the semifinal
losers.
two teams advance: Use Bracket 4.2.1.
three teams advance: Use Bracket 4.2.1. The last game for second place can be
left unplayed if it meets the conditions outlined in the section on Placement
Games on page 2.
four teams advance: Use Table 4.2. If there is no 3-0 team, then Bracket 4.1
may be played to accurately determine the champion.
4.2 Two day formats:
one team advances: Use Table 4.1 on the first day, and Bracket 4.1 the second
day. The semifinal losers play an additional game for third place.
two teams advance: Use Table 4.1 on the first day, and Bracket 4.3 the second
day.
three or four teams advance: Use Table 4.1 on the first day, and Bracket 4.2.1
the second day. The last game for second place can be left unplayed if it
meets the conditions outlined in the section on Placement Games on page 2.
10
Table 4.1 - pre-set four-team round-robin.
1 v 3 2 v 4
1 v 4 2 v 3
1 v 2 3 v 4
Table 4.2 The flexible four-team round-robin
First round: 1-3 and 2-4.
Second round: winners play losers. In other words, the winner of each game
plays the loser of the other game. This will increase the chances of two
undefeated teams playing each other in the third round.
Third round: the remaining game of the round-robin.
Bracket 4.1 - four-team single elimination.
This should never be used alone. A team should never be eliminated from a tournament
after losing only one game. On the other hand, this is a fairly typical format for
use in the second half of a tournament.
1─────┐
a ├─────┐
4─────┘ c ├────────────
2─────┐ │ first place
b ├─────┘
3─────┘
Bracket 4.2.1 - modified four-team double elimination.
This format is very exciting if second place matters. Alone, it doesn't offer much.
A team that loses two games is finished. But it has its place if used as the second
day of a tournament where you have eliminated down to four teams the day earlier.
1─────┐
a ├─────┐
4─────┘ c ├────────────
2─────┐ │ first place
b ├─────┘
3─────┘
La──────┐
d ├─────┐
Lb──────┘ e ├─────────────
│ second place
Lc ──────┘
loser of game e is third place.
11
Bracket 4.2.2 - modified four-team double elimination – seeding out of two pools.
A1────┐
a ├─────┐
B2────┘ c ├────────────
A2────┐ │ first place
b ├─────┘
B1────┘
La──────┐
d ├─────┐
Lb──────┘ e ├─────────────
│ second place
Lc ──────┘
loser of game E is third place.
Bracket 4.3 – four-team clipped double elimination
This is essentially table 4.4.1, four team double elimination, with the first round
removed. It should never be used by itself, but it is used in some formats after
pool play.
1 ─────┐
a ├────────────
│ first place
2 ─────┘
3 ─────┐
b ├─────┐
4 ─────┘ c ├─────────────
│ second place
La ────┘
12
5. Five Teams
A five-team round-robin requires two fields and five rounds. Unless all five
teams advance, a two-day event is required to accurately determine the
advancing teams.
5.1 One team advances:
Use Table 5.1.3 (round-robin) on the first day. The top four teams qualify and
use Bracket 4.1, a single elimination on the second day. The losers in the
first round on the second day should play one another (as in Bracket 4.2.1) in
order to get a second game that day.
5.2 Two teams advance:
Use Table 5.1.1 (round-robin) on the first day. On the second day, the top
four teams play Bracket 4.3, four-team clipped double elimination.
This format requires seven rounds, five for the round-robin and two for the
clipped double-elimination. The most games a team will play is six.
5.3 Three teams advance:
Use Table 5.1.2 (round-robin) on the first day. On the second day, play
Bracket 5.1, the three team advancing format.
This format requires seven rounds, five for the round-robin and two for the
elimination bracket. Note that the top seed and the bottom finisher will only
get one game on Sunday. This is almost unavoidable, given the desire to keep
all five teams in contention.
5.4 Four teams advance:
Use table 5.1.2 (round robin) on the first day. On the second day, use Bracket
5.2, the four team advancing format. Note that the top team is determined on
the first day, and that team has no games the second day.
5.5 Five teams advance:
Use Table 5.1.2 (round-robin) on the first day. The top four teams qualify and
use Bracket 4.1, a single elimination on the second day. The losers in the
first round on the second day play one another for 3
rd
place.
For five teams advancing, simply playing the round-robin as a one-day event is
an acceptable alternative.
13
The following schedules are for five-team round-robins, which take five rounds.
Games in the round robin are to 13. Consult individual formats for instructions on
which schedule to use.
Table 5.1.1 - Five-team round-robin - version 1:
1 v 2 3 v 4
1 v 4 2 v 5
1 v 3 4 v 5
2 v 4 3 v 5
2 v 3 1 v 5
Table 5.1.2 - Five-team round-robin - version 2:
4 v 5 2 v 3
1 v 3 2 v 4
1 v 5 3 v 4
1 v 4 2 v 5
1 v 2 3 v 5
Table 5.1.3 - Five-team round-robin - version 3:
1 v 5 3 v 4
1 v 3 2 v 4
4 v 5 2 v 3
1 v 4 2 v 5
1 v 2 3 v 5
Table 5.1.4 - Five-team round-robin - version 4:
1 v 2 4 v 5
1 v 4 3 v 5
2 v 5 3 v 4
2 v 4 1 v 3
2 v 3 1 v 5
14
Bracket 5.1 - Five-team bracket with three teams advancing
1─────┐ winner 1
st
place
b ├────────────
2────┐ │ loser 2
nd
place
a ├─────┘
3────┘
4────┐
c ├─────┐ 3
rd
place
5────┘ d ├─────────────
│
La──────┘
Bracket 5.2- Five-team bracket with four teams advancing
First place is based on pool play.
2────┐
a ├─────┐ winner 2
nd
place
5────┘ c ├────────────
4────┐ │ loser 3
rd
place
b ├─────┘
3────┘
La ──────┐ 4
th
place
d ├─────
Lb ──────┘
15
6. Six Teams
Unless all six teams advance, a two-day event is required to accurately
determine the advancing teams.
6.1. One team advances:
Use Table 6.1.4 (round-robin split over the two days – version 4). The top
four teams use Bracket 4.1, a single elimination when the round-robin is
finished. The teams that make it to the finals will be playing seven games
over the weekend. The bottom two teams in the round-robin can play an
additional game for place, in order to give them a second game on the second
day.
6.2. Two teams advance:
Use Table 6.1.4 (round-robin split over the two days – version 4). After the
round-robin is completed, play Bracket 4.3 (four team clipped double
elimination) for the top four teams. The bottom two teams play for place as in
6.1.
6.3. Three teams advance:
Use Table 6.1.4 (round-robin split over the two days – version 4). After the
round-robin is completed, use Bracket 6.1.1 (6-team modified elimination) for
the last three rounds.
6.4. Four teams advance:
Use table 6.1.4 (round-robin over two days – version 4). After the conclusion
of pool play on the second day, play Bracket 6.4 - Six team clipped elimination
- four teams qualify.
6.5. Five teams advance:
Use Table 6.1.4 (round-robin split over the two days – version 4). After the
round-robin is completed, use Bracket 6.1.1 (6 team modified elimination).
6.6. Six teams advance:
Use Table 6.1.4 (round-robin split over the two days – version 4). The top
four teams use Bracket 4.1, a single elimination, when the round-robin is
finished. The teams that make it to the finals will be playing seven games
over the weekend. 3
rd
place is given to the winner of the pool play game
between the semifinal losers. The bottom two teams in the round robin play an
additional game to determine 5
th
and 6
th
place.
For six teams advancing, simply playing the round-robin as a one-day event,
using Table 6.1.1, is an acceptable alternative.
16
The following schedules are for six-team round-robins, which take five rounds.
Consult individual formats for instructions on which schedule to use.
Table 6.1.1 - Six-team round-robin – version 1:
The following schedule is played in one day. Games are played to 11.
1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 6
1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
1 v 6 2 v 3 4 v 5
1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 5
1 v 2 3 v 4 5 v 6
Table 6.1.2 - Six-team round-robin – version 2:
The following schedule is played in one day. Games are played to 11.
1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 6
1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
1 v 2 3 v 4 5 v 6
1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 5
1 v 6 2 v 3 4 v 5
Table 6.1.3 - Six-team round-robin over two days – version 3.
The last round listed should be played on the second day. Games are played to 13.
1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 6
1 v 6 2 v 3 4 v 5
1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 5
1 v 2 3 v 4 5 v 6
--------------------------
1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
Table 6.1.4 - Six-team round-robin over two days – version 4:
The last round listed should be played on the second day. Games are played to 13.
1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 6
1 v 2 3 v 4 5 v 6
1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 5
1 v 6 2 v 3 4 v 5
--------------------------
1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
Table 6.1.5 - Six-team round-robin over two days – version 5.
The last two rounds listed are played on the second day. Games are played to 13.
1 v 6 2 v 3 4 v 5
1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 5
1 v 2 3 v 4 5 v 6
--------------------------
1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 6
1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
Table 6.1.6 - Six-team round-robin over two days – version 6:
The last two rounds listed are played on the second day. Games are played to 13.
1 v 2 3 v 4 5 v 6
1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 5
1 v 6 2 v 3 4 v 5
--------------------------
1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 6
1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
17
Bracket 6.1.1 - Six team modified elimination
1 ──────┐
4 ─────┐ c ├────┐
a ├─────┘ │
5 ─────┘ e ├─────────
2 ──────┐ │ winner e: first place
3 ─────┐ d ├────┘ loser e: second place
b ├─────┘ winner f: third place
6 ─────┘ loser f: fourth place
winner g: fifth place
Lc ──────┐
f ├─────────
Ld ──────┘
La ─────┐
g ├───────
Lb ─────┘
Bracket 6.1.2 - Six team modified elimination, seeding from two pools
A1 ──────┐
A3 ─────┐ c ├────┐
a ├─────┘ │
B2 ─────┘ e ├─────────
B1 ──────┐ │ winner e: first place
B3 ─────┐ d ├────┘ loser e: second place
b ├─────┘ winner f: third place
A2 ─────┘ loser f: fourth place
winner g: fifth place
Lc ──────┐
f ├─────────
Ld ──────┘
La ─────┐
g ├───────
Lb ─────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
18
Bracket 6.2 - Six team modified bracket - only two qualify.
Note that this bracket is not to be used in situations where more than two teams
qualify for the next level.
A1 ─────┐
a ├──────
B1 ─────┘ 1st
A2 ──────┐
b ├─────┐
B3 ──────┘ │
d ├─────┐
A3 ──────┐ │ │
c ├─────┘ e ├─────────
B2 ──────┘ │ 2nd
La ──────┘
Bracket 6.3 - Six team clipped elimination – three teams qualify.
The following approach in used in certain formats where the top three teams must be
determined in only two rounds. The finals game is for place only, as both teams have
already qualified for the next event.
1 ──────┐ winner 1
st
place
a ├──────
2 ──────┘ loser 2
nd
place
3 ──────┐
b ├─────┐
6 ──────┘ │ 3
rd
place
d ├─────
5 ──────┐ │
c ├─────┘
4 ──────┘
Bracket 6.4 - Six team clipped elimination - four teams qualify.
The following approach is used in certain formats where the top four teams must be
determined in only two rounds. The finals and the 2/3 game are for place only, as
both teams have already qualified for the next event. The last game for second place
can be left unplayed if it meets the conditions outlined in the section on Placement
Games on page 2.
1 ──────┐ winner 1
st
place
a ├──────
2 ──────┘
La ─────┐
│ winner 2
nd
place
c ├─────
3 ──────┐ │ loser 3
rd
place
b ├─────┘
4 ──────┘
Lb ─────┐
│ 4
th
place
e ├─────
5 ──────┐ │
d ├─────┘
6 ──────┘
19
7. Seven Teams
A seven team tournament requires a round robin. A pool of four and a pool of
three are not acceptable for the same reasons as explained in the six team
formats. The round robin is spread out over two days, such that every team
plays four games of pool play on the first day, and two on the second day.
All approved formats feature five rounds of pool play on the first day. There
are three rounds of pool play plus two rounds of bracket play on the second
day. No team has to play more than four games on either day.
7.1 One or Seven teams advance:
Use Table 7.1.1, round-robin version 1. If there is a 6-0 team, then
tournament is complete. However, if there is no 6-0 team, use Bracket 4.1
(four team single elimination) to accurately determine the champion. 3
rd
place
is given to the winner of the pool play game between the semifinal losers.
7.2 Two teams advance:
Use table 7.1.1, round-robin version 1. The top four finishers continue, and
use Bracket 4.3, clipped four-team double elimination, to determine the two
advancing teams.
7.3 Three teams advance:
Use Table 7.1.1, round-robin version 1. The top six finishers continue, and
use Bracket 6.3, six-team clipped elimination with three teams advancing.
7.4 Four teams advance:
Use Table 7.1.1, round-robin version 1. The top six finishers continue, and
use Bracket 6.4, six-team clipped elimination, with four teams advancing.
7.5 Five teams advance:
Use Table 7.1.2, round-robin version 2. Then use Bracket 7.1, seven-team
clipped elimination, with five teams advancing.
7.6 Six teams advance:
Use Table 7.1.2, round-robin version 2. Then use Bracket 7.2, seven-team
clipped elimination with six teams advancing.
20
Table 7.1.1 - Seven-team round-robin over two days – version 1.
The first five rounds below should be played on the first day, and the last three
rounds should be played on the second day.
Day One
Round 1 5 v 6 2 v 7 3 v 4
Round 2 1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 7
Round 3 1 v 2 5 v 7 3 v 6
Round 4 1 v 5 4 v 6
Round 5 1 v 7 2 v 3 4 v 5
------------------------
Day Two
Round 6 6 v 7
Round 7 1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 7
Round 8 1 v 6 2 v 4 3 v 5
Table 7.1.2 - Seven-team round-robin over two days – version 2.
The first five rounds should be played on the first day; the last three rounds should
be played on the second day.
Day One
Round 1 1 v 7 2 v 3 4 v 5
Round 2 1 v 4 2 v 6 3 v 7
Round 3 1 v 2 4 v 6 3 v 5
Round 4 1 v 6 5 v 7 3 v 4
Round 5 2 v 7 5 v 6
------------------------
Day Two
Round 6 6 v 7
Round 7 1 v 3 2 v 5 4 v 7
Round 8 1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 6
Table 7.1.3 - Seven-team round-robin over two days – version 3.
The first five rounds should be played on the first day; the last three rounds should
be played on the second day.
Day One
Round 1 1 v 2 5 v 7 3 v 4
Round 2 1 v 4 2 v 5 3 v 6
Round 3 4 v 7 2 v 3 5 v 6
Round 4 1 v 7 2 v 6
Round 5 1 v 3 6 v 7 4 v 5
------------------------
Day Two
Round 6 1 v 6
Round 7 1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 7
Round 8 4 v 6 2 v 7 3 v 5
21
Table 7.1.4 - Seven-team round-robin over two days – version 4.
The first six rounds should be played on the first day; the last two rounds should be
played on the second day. Note that this format is not approved for use in seven-
team tournaments—it is designed for use in 13 and 14-team events.
Day One
Round 1 1 v 7 2 v 3 4 v 5
Round 2 1 v 5 2 v 6 3 v 7
Round 3 1 v 3 2 v 4 5 v 6
Round 4 4 v 6 5 v 7
Round 5 1 v 2 4 v 7 3 v 6
Round 6 1 v 6 2 v 5 3 v 4
-----------------------------------
Day Two
Round 7 6 v 7
Round 8 1 v 4 2 v 7 3 v 5
Table 7.1.5 - Seven-team round-robin over two days – version 5.
The first six rounds should be played on the first day; the last two rounds should be
played on the second day. Note that this format is not approved for use in seven-
team tournaments—it is designed for use in 13 and 14-team events.
Day One
Round 1 5 v 6 2 v 7 3 v 4
Round 2 1 v 7 2 v 5 3 v 6
Round 3 1 v 2 4 v 6 3 v 5
Round 4 1 v 6 4 v 7
Round 5 1 v 4 5 v 7 2 v 3
Round 6 1 v 3 4 v 5 2 v 6
-----------------------------------
Day Two
Round 7 6 v 7
Round 8 1 v 5 2 v 4 3 v 7
22
Bracket 7.1 - Seven-team clipped elimination – only five qualify.
The finals are for place only, as the top three teams have already qualified for the
next event.
1 ──────┐ winner 1
st
place
a ├─────
2 ──────┘ loser 2
nd
place
3 from pool play = 3
rd
place
4 ──────┐ 4
th
place
c ├─────
5 ──────┘
Lc ─────┐
│ winner 5
th
place
e ├─────
6 ──────┐ │
d ├─────┘
7 ──────┘
Bracket 7.2 - Seven-team clipped elimination – only six qualify.
The finals are for place only, as the top three teams have already qualified for the
next event.
1 ──────┐ winner 1
st
place
a ├─────
2 ──────┘ loser 2
nd
place
3 from pool play = 3
rd
place
4 ──────┐
b ├─────
7 ──────┘
5 ──────┐
c ├─────
6 ──────┘
Lb ──────┐ winner 6
th
place
d ├─────
Lc ──────┘ loser 7
th
place
4
th
place is given to the winner of the pool play game between Wb and Wc.
5
th
place is given to the loser of the pool play game between Wb and Wc.
23
8. Eight Teams
Eight teams is a wonderful number to have. Besides the standard UPA options
there are other possibilities that can be used for non-UPA-sanctioned play.
8.1 One team advances
On the first day, play two pools of four according to Table 8.1.2. On the
second day, play single elimination according to Table 8.1, eight-team modified
elimination. The games outside the initial bracket are only for place. This
format requires only three rounds each day, so games can be spaced out well.
8.2 Two teams advance
On the first day, play two pools of four according to Table 8.1.2. Then,
continue into Bracket 8.2.1, eight-team clipped double elimination. The first
round of the bracket is played on the first day, while the remaining three
rounds are played on the second day.
8.3 Three, Seven, or Eight teams advance
On the first day, play two pools of four according to Table 8.1.3. Then,
continue into Bracket 8.3, Eight-team modified elimination – three teams
advance. The first round of the bracket is played on the first day.
8.4 Four teams advance
On the first day, play two pools of four according to Table 8.1.1. On the
second day, use Bracket 8.4, eight-team modified elimination – four teams
advance. There are only three games each day, so rounds can be spaced out.
8.5 Five teams advance
On the first day, play two pools of four according to Table 8.1.2. Then,
continue into Bracket 8.2.2, eight-team double elimination. The first round of
the brackets are played on the first day.
8.6 Six teams advance
On the first day, play two pools of four according to Table 8.1.3. Then,
continue into Bracket 8.5, eight-team modified elimination – six teams advance.
The first round of the brackets are played on the first day.
![](asset-20.png)
24
Table 8.1.1 Seeding into two pools of four – version 1:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Use Table 4.1 for order of play in each pool.
Table 8.1.2 Seeding into two pools of four – version 2:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #8 Seed #7
Use Table 4.1 for order of play in each pool.
Table 8.1.3 Seeding into two pools of four – version 3:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Use Table 4.1 for order of play in each pool.
![](asset-21.png)
25
Bracket 8.1 - Eight-team modified elimination
NOTE: This format is not UPA-approved for when more than one team advances.
Round 1 Round 2
A1─────┐
a ├─────────┐
B4─────┘ │
e ├──────────┐
B2─────┐ │ │
b ├─────────┘ │
A3─────┘ │
g ├────────────────
A2─────┐ │ (1st place)
c ├─────────┐ │
B3─────┘ │ │
f ├──────────┘
B1─────┐ │
d ├─────────┘
A4─────┘
LA─────────┐
h ├──────────┐
LB─────────┘ j ├──────────
LC─────────┐ │ 5th place
i ├──────────┘
LD─────────┘
Le ──────────┐
k ├─────────
Lf ──────────┘ 3rd place
Lh ──────────┐
l ├─────────
Li ──────────┘ 7th place
Accompanying Notes to Bracket 8.1.2:
1st place - winner of g.
2nd place - loser of g.
3rd place - winner of k.
4th place - loser of k.
5th place - winner of j.
6th place - loser of j.
7th place - winner of l.
8th place - loser of l.
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
26
Bracket 8.2.1 - eight-team clipped double elimination
A1─────┐
a ├----------─────────┐
B2─────┘ │ 1st place
c ├──────────
A2─────┐ │
b ├----------─────────┘
B1─────┘
La ─────────┐
│
f ├──────────┐ Lc ────────┐
A3─────┐ │ │ │winner 2nd place
d ├─────────┘ │ i ├─────────
B4─────┘ │ │loser 3rd place
h ├────────────┘
A4─────┐ │
e ├─────────┐ │
B3─────┘ │ │
g ├──────────┘
│
Lb ─────────┘
Ld ─────┐ winner 7th place
j ├─────────
Le ─────┘ loser 8th place
Lf ───────┐ winner 5th place
k ├─────────
Lg ───────┘ loser 6th place
4th place is the loser of h.
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
![](asset-23.png)
27
Bracket 8.2.2 - Eight-team double elimination
Saturday Sunday . . .
last Round 1 Round 2
round
A1─────┐
a ├─────────┐
B4─────┘ │
e ├-----------──────────┐
B2─────┐ │ │
b ├─────────┘ │
A3─────┘ │
g ├────────────────
A2─────┐ │ (1st place)
c ├─────────┐ │
B3─────┘ │ │
f ├-----------──────────┘
B1─────┐ │
d ├─────────┘
A4─────┘
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
La ────────┐
h ├──────────┐
Lb ────────┘ j ├─────────┐
│ │
Lf ────────┘ │
Lc ────────┐ l ├────────┐
i ├──────────┐ │ │
Ld ────────┘ k │ │ │
├─────────┘ │
Le ────────┘ m ├────────────────
Lg─────────┘ (2nd Place)
Lh ────────┐
n ├─────────
Li ────────┘
Lj ─────────┐
o ├─────────
Lk ─────────┘
Accompanying Notes to Table 8.1.1:
1st place - winner of g.
2nd place - winner of m.
3rd place - loser of m.
4th place - loser of l.
5th place - winner of o.
6th place - loser of o.
7th place - winner of n.
8th place - loser of n.
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
![](asset-24.png)
28
Bracket 8.3 - Eight-team modified elimination – three teams advance.
Saturday Sunday . . .
last Round 1 Round 2
round
A1 ────────┐
│
c ├------─────────┐
B2 ─────┐ │ │
a ├────────┘ │
A3 ─────┘ │
e ├────────────────
A2 ─────┐ │ (1st place)
b ├────────┐ │
B3 ─────┘ │ │
d ├------─────────┘
│
B1 ────────┘
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
B4 ───────┐
f ├──────────┐
La ───────┘ h ├──────────┐
│ │
Ld ─────────┘ │
Lb ───────┐ j ├────────
g ├──────────┐ │
A4 ───────┘ i │ │
├──────────┘
Lc ─────────┘
Lf ─────────┐
k ├─────────
Lg ─────────┘
Lh ─────────┐
l ├─────────
Li ─────────┘
Accompanying Notes to Table 8.1.1:
1st place - winner of e.
2nd place - loser of e.
3rd place - winner of j.
4th place - loser of j.
5th place - winner of l.
6th place - loser of l.
7th place - winner of k.
8th place - loser of k.
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
29
Bracket 8.4 - eight-team modified elimination – four teams advance.
A1─────┐ 1st place
a ├─────────
B1─────┘
La ─────────┐
│ winner 2nd place
c ├──────────
A2─────┐ │ loser 3rd place
b ├─────────┘
B2─────┘
A3─────┐ Lb ─────────┐
d ├──────┐ │ 4th place
B4─────┘ │ g ├──────────
f ├──────────┘
A4─────┐ │
e ├──────┘
B3─────┘
LA─────┐
h ├─────────
LB─────┘
30
Bracket 8.5 - eight-team modified elimination – six teams advance.
Saturday Sunday
last Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
round
A1 ────────┐
│
c ├──────────┐
B2 ────────┐ │ │
a ├────────┘ │
A3 ────────┘ │
e ├─────────────
A2 ────────┐ │ (1st place)
b ├────────┐ │
B3 ────────┘ │ │
d ├──────────┘
│
B1 ────────┘
Le ───────┐
│ 2nd place
g ├────────
Lc ─────────┐ │ loser 3rd
│ │
f ├───────────┘
│
Ld ─────────┘
La ────────┐
│
h ├──────────┐ Lf ───────┐
│ │ │winner 4th place
B4 ────────┘ │ k ├─────────
│ │loser 5th place
j ├───────────┘
│
A4 ────────┐ │
│ │
i ├──────────┘
│
Lb ────────┘
Lj ───────┐
│ 6th place
m ├─────────
Lh ─────────┐ │ loser 7th
│ │
l ├───────────┘
│ 8th = Ll
Li ─────────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
![](asset-27.png)
31
9. Nine Teams
A nine team tournament requires two unequal pools of 4 and 5. When fewer than
five teams advance, the pool of five plays games to 11, while the pool of four
plays games to 15 in order to balance the total number of points played between
pools. Pool play for both pools is concluded on the first day; the second day
consists of bracket play (or a new pool for the lower finishers).
9.1 One team advances:
Start with two unequal pools of four and five, according to Table 9.1.2. The
pool of four receives a pool-wide by in the first round of the day, so that
this pool finishes at roughly the same time as the pool of five.
On the second day, the top four teams in each pool play an eight-team single
elimination. (Note: The brackets and the initial pairings for the single
elimination is the same as the upper half of the 8-team modified elimination
format, see Bracket 8.1. The games outside the upper bracket can be played to
give the losing teams additional games.)
9.2 Two or three teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of four and five, according to Table 9.1.2. The
pool of four receives a pool-wide bye in the first round of the day, so that
this pool finishes at roughly the same time as the pool of five.
On the second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and play Bracket
8.2.1, eight-team clipped double elimination. When three teams advance, the
game for second place may be left unplayed if it meets the conditions outlined
in the section on Placement Games on page 2. When only two teams advance, the
game to go is mandatory.
9.3 Four teams advance
Start with two unequal pools of four and five, according to Table 9.1.3. The
pool of four receives a pool-wide by in the first round of the day, so that
this pool finishes at roughly the same time as the pool of five.
On the second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and use Bracket 8.4,
eight-team modified elimination – four teams advance. There are only three
rounds on the second day, so they can be spaced out.
9.4 Five teams advance
Start with two unequal pools of four and five, according to Table 9.1.1, with
the exception that all games in both pools are to 13. Teams in pool B receive
two pool-wide byes to start the day, as a pool of four takes only three rounds
to complete rather than five rounds for a pool of five.
On the second day, the two teams that won their pools advance to the finals,
and play for first and second place. The other seven teams play Table 9.2,
seven-team pool play completion from two pools. Teams carry their results
against the teams in their pool into the second day, and will only play teams
from the other pool. The top three teams from this combined pool of seven
(along with the two pool winners from the first day) will advance.
![](asset-28.png)
32
9.5 Six, seven, eight, or nine teams advance
Start with two unequal pools of four and five, according to Table 9.1.4. All
games in both pools are to 13. Teams in pool A receive two pool-wide byes to
start the day, as a pool of four takes only three rounds to complete rather
than five rounds for a pool of five.
On the second day, the top two teams in each pool advance and use Bracket 4.2.2
- modified four-team double elimination – seeding out of two pools. The other
five teams play Table 9.3, five-team pool play completion from two pools.
Teams carry their results against the teams in their pool into the second day,
and will only play teams from the other pool. The top finishers in this pool
of five advance, along with the four top finishers from the previous day. This
format only requires three rounds on the second day, so they can be well-
spaced.
![](asset-29.png)
33
Table 9.1.1 Seeding into two pools of four and five – version 1
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9
Use Tables 5.1.3 and 4.1 for schedule of play in pools A and B, respectively.
Table 9.1.2 Seeding into two pools of four and five – version 2:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9
Use Tables 5.1.1 and 4.1 for schedule of play in pools A and B, respectively.
Table 9.1.3 Seeding into two pools of four and five – version 3:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #9
Use Tables 4.1 and 5.1.3 for schedule of play in pools A and B, respectively.
Table 9.1.4 Seeding into two pools of four and five – version 4:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #9
Use Tables 4.1 and 5.1.3 for order of play in pools A and B, respectively.
Table 9.2 7-team pool play completion from two pools.
B2-A3 A2-B3 B4-A5
B2-A4 A2-B4 B3-A5
B2-A5 A3-B4 B3-A4
B2-A2 A3-B3 B4-A4
Table 9.3 5-team pool play completion from two pools
B3-A4 A3-B4
B3-A3 A4-B5
A3-B5 A4-B4
34
10. Ten Teams
10.1 One team advances:
Start with two pools of five, according to Table 10.1.1.
On the second day, the top four teams in each pool play an eight-team single
elimination. (Note: The brackets and the initial pairings for the single
elimination is the same as the upper half of the eight-team modified
elimination format, see Bracket 8.1. The games outside the upper bracket can
be played to give the losing teams additional games.).
Note: It is not acceptable to take only the top two teams from each pool and
have semi's and finals, because of the possibility of a three-way tie for first
in one of the pools.
10.2 Two or three teams advance:
Start with two pools of five, according to Table 10.1.1.
On the second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and play Bracket
8.2.1, eight-team clipped double elimination. When three teams advance, the
game for second place may be left unplayed if it meets the conditions outlined
in the section on Placement Games on page 2. When only two teams advance, the
game to go is mandatory.
10.3 Four teams advance
Start with two pools of five, according to Table 10.1.2.
On the second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and use Bracket 8.4,
eight-team modified elimination – four teams advance. There are only three
rounds on the second day, so they can be spaced out.
10.4 Five teams advance
Start with two pools of five, according to Table 10.1.3.
On the second day, use Bracket 10.1, 10-team modified elimination with five
teams advancing. Note that the pool winners have already qualified, and the
finals and 2/3 game are for placement only. The game for second place may be
left unplayed if it meets the conditions outlined in the section on Placement
Games on page 2. This format only takes three rounds on the second day, so
they can be well-spaced.
10.5 Six teams advance
Start with two pools of five, according to Table 10.1.4.
On the second day, the top two teams from each pool advance and use Bracket
4.2.2 - modified four-team double elimination – seeding out of two pools. The
bottom six teams use Bracket 6.2, six team modified bracket where only two
qualify, to determine the other two teams that advance. When seeding Bracket
6.2, A1, A2, and A3 are represented by A3, A4, and A5 in this case; the same
applies for pool B.
35
10.6 Seven or ten teams advance
Start with two pools of five, according to Table 10.1.4.
On the second day, the top two teams from each pool advance and use Bracket
4.2.2, modified four-team double elimination with seeding out of two pools.
The bottom six teams use Bracket 6.1.2, six team modified elimination seeding
from two pools, to determine the other two teams that advance. When seeding
Bracket 6.1.2, A1, A2, and A3 are represented by A3, A4, and A5 in this case;
the same applies for pool B.
10.7 Eight or nine teams advance
Start with two pools of five, according to Table 10.1.3.
On the second day, the top three teams from each pool advance and use Bracket
6.1.2 - six team modified elimination seeding from two pools. The bottom four
teams use Bracket 4.2.2, modified four-team double elimination with seeding out
of two pools, to determine the other teams that advance. When seeding Bracket
6.1.2, A1, and A2 are represented by A4, and A5 in this case; the same applies
for pool B.
Additionally, the winner of game c from bracket 4.2.2 plays the loser of game g
from bracket 6.1.2 in the third round of bracket play. The winner of this game
finishes 6th, while the loser finishes 7th.
![](asset-2c.png)
36
Table 10.1.1 Seeding for pools of five – version 1:
The pools should be seeded as follows:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Use the schedule in table 5.1.1 for order of play.
Table 10.1.2 Seeding for pools of five – version 2:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #10 Seed #9
Use the schedule in table 5.1.3 for order of play.
Table 10.1.3 Seeding for pools of five – version 3:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #9 Seed #10
Use the schedule in table 5.1.2 for order of play.
Table 10.1.4 Seeding for pools of five – version 4:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #10 Seed #9
Use the schedule in table 5.1.4 for order of play.
37
Bracket 10.1 Ten-team modified elimination – five teams advance:
A1 ────────┐ 1
st
place
a ├─────────
B1 ────────┘
A2─────┐ La ─────────┐
b ├─────────┐ │ winner 2
nd
place
B3─────┘ │ e ├──────────
d ├──────────┘ loser 3
rd
place
A3─────┐ │
c ├─────────┘
B2─────┘ loser of d = 4
th
place
Lb ─────────┐
│
h ├──────────┐
A4─────┐ │ │
f ├─────────┘ │
B5─────┘ │ 5
th
place
j ├────────────
A5─────┐ │
g ├─────────┐ │
B4─────┘ │ │
i ├──────────┘
│
Lc ─────────┘
Lf ─────────┐
k ├─────────
Lg ─────────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
38
11. Eleven Teams
11.1 One team advances:
Start with two unequal pools of five and, according to Table 11.1.1.
On the second day, the top four teams in each pool play an eight-team single
elimination. (Note: The brackets and the initial pairings for the single
elimination are the same as the upper half of the eight-team elimination
format, see Bracket 8.1. The games outside the upper bracket can be played to
give the losing teams additional games.)
It is not acceptable to take only the top two teams from each pool and have
semi's and finals, because of the possibility of a three-way tie for first in
one of the pools.
11.2 Two or three teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of five and six, according to 11.1.1. On the
second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and play Bracket 8.2.1,
eight-team clipped double elimination. When three teams advance, the game for
second place may be left unplayed if it meets the conditions outlined in the
section on Placement Games on page 2. When only two teams advance, the game to
go is mandatory.
11.3 Four teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of five and six, according to Table 11.1.2. On
the second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and use Bracket 8.4,
eight-team modified elimination – four teams advance. There are only three
rounds on the second day, so they can be spaced out.
11.4 Five teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of five and six, according to Table 11.1.3. On
the second day, the top five teams in each pool advance and use Bracket 10.1,
10-team modified elimination with five teams advancing. Note that the pool
winners have already qualified, and the finals and 2/3 game are for placement
only. The game for second place may be left unplayed if it meets the
conditions outlined in the section on Placement Games on page 2. This format
only takes three rounds on the second day, so they can be well spaced.
11.5 Six teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of five and six, according to Table 11.1.4. On
the second day, the top two teams from each pool advance and use Bracket 4.2.2
- modified four-team double elimination – seeding out of two pools. The next
six teams use Bracket 6.2, six-team modified bracket where only two qualify, to
determine the other two teams that advance. When seeding Bracket 6.3, A1, A2,
and A3 are represented by A3, A4, and A5 in this case; the same applies for
pool B.
![](asset-2f.png)
39
11.6 Seven teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of five and six, according to Table 11.1.1, with
the exception that all games in both pools are to 11.
On the second day, the top two teams from each pool advance and use Bracket
4.2.2, modified four-team double elimination with seeding out of two pools.
The other seven teams play Table 11.2, seven-team pool play completion from two
pools. Teams carry their results against the teams in their pool into the
second day, and will only play teams from the other pool. The top three teams
from this combined pool (along with the top four finishers from the first day)
will advance.
11.7 Eight, nine, ten, or eleven teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of five and six, according to Table 11.1.3, with
the exception that all games in both pools are to 11.
On the second day, the top three teams from each pool advance and use Bracket
6.1.2 - six team modified elimination seeding from two pools. The other five
teams play Table 11.3, a five-team pool play completion from two pools. Teams
carry their results against the teams in their pool into the second day, and
will only play teams from the other pool. The top finishers in this pool
advance, along with the top six finishers from the previous day. This format
only requires three rounds on the second day, so they can be well-spaced.
Table 11.1.1 Seeding for two unequal pools of five and six – version 1:
The pools should be seeded as follows:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #11
Use Tables 5.1.1 and 6.1.2 for schedule of play in pools A and B,
respectively. In order to balance points played, games in pool A should
be to 13, while games in pool B should be to 11.
Table 11.1.2 Seeding for two unequal pools of five and six – version 2:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #11
Use Tables 5.1.3 and 6.1.2 for schedule of play in pools A and B,
respectively. In order to balance points played, games in pool A should
be to 13, while games in pool B should be to 11.
![](asset-30.png)
40
Table 11.1.3 Seeding for two unequal pools of five and six – version 3:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #11
Use Tables 5.1.2 and 6.1.1 for schedule of play in pools A and B,
respectively. In order to balance points played, games in pool A should
be to 13, while games in pool B should be to 11.
Table 11.1.4 Seeding for two unequal pools of five and six – version 4:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #11
Use Tables 5.1.4 and 6.1.1 for schedule of play in pools A and B,
respectively. In order to balance points played, games in pool A should
be to 13, while games in pool B should be to 11.
Table 11.2 Seven-team pool play completion from two pools.
A3-B4 B3-A4 A5-B6
A3-B5 B3-A5 A4-B6
A3-B6 B4-A5 A4-B5
A3-B3 B4-A4 A5-B5
Table 11.3 Five-team pool play completion from two pools
A4-B5 B4-A5
A4-B4 B5-A6
B4-A6 B5-A5
41
12. Twelve Teams
Pools of three, as discussed in the section on nine-team tournament, are rarely
acceptable for UPA Series play. (There are not enough games and far too much
depends on seeding. Additionally, the possibility of a three-way tie exists.
There are no tie-breakers that work for a three-way tie in a three-team pool
(but see page 7).)
Three pools of four can be difficult because whenever there is a round-robin
pool, you must allow for the possibility of a three-way tie for first. The
only way to allow for that is to take the top three from each pool, and then to
have them play-off. But here, taking the top three would leave you with nine
teams. Generally speaking, three pools of four is not the way to go.
The preferred method, therefore, for all variations of a twelve-team tournament
is to start off with two pools of six.
12.1 One team advances:
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.1.
When the round-robin is finished, the top four teams in each pool play an
eight-team single elimination. (Note: The brackets and the initial pairings
for the single elimination is the same as the upper half of the 8-team
elimination format, see Table 8.1. The games outside the upper bracket can be
played to give the losing teams additional games.).
The bottom four teams play Bracket 4.2.2, modified four-team double elimination
with seeding out of two pools, for placement.
12.2 Two teams advance:
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.5. After the conclusion of
pool play on the second day, the top three teams from each pool advance and use
Bracket 6.2, six-team modified bracket – only two qualify.
The bottom six teams use Bracket 6.1.2, modified elimination with seeding out
of two pools, for placement. When seeding Bracket 6.1.2, A1, A2, and A3 are
represented by A4, A5, and A6 in this case; the same applies for pool B.
12.3 Three, ten, eleven, or twelve teams advance:
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.2. After the conclusion of
pool play on the second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and use
Bracket 8.2.1 – eight-team clipped double elimination, to determine the two
teams that advance. The final game for second place is left unplayed, as it
would be the fifth game of the day.
The bottom four teams play 4.2.2, modified four-team double elimination with
seeding out of two pools. Additionally, the winner of game c from bracket
4.2.2 plays the loser of game j from bracket 8.2.1 in the third round of
bracket play. The winner of this game finishes 8th, while the loser finishes
9th.
12.4 Four teams advance:
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.3. After the conclusion of
pool play on the second day, the top four teams in each pool advance and use
Bracket 8.4, eight-team modified elimination – four teams advance.
The bottom four teams play Bracket 4.2.2, modified four-team double elimination
42
with seeding out of two pools, for placement.
43
12.5 Five teams advance:
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.4. After the conclusion of
pool play on the second day, the top five teams in each pool advance and use
Bracket 10.1, 10-team modified elimination with five teams advancing. Note
that the pool winners have already qualified, and the finals and 2/3 game are
for placement only.
12.6 Six teams advance
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.2. On the second day, the
top two teams from each pool advance and use Bracket 4.2.2 - modified four-team
double elimination – seeding out of two pools. The bottom eight teams use
Bracket 8.2.1, eight-team clipped double elimination, to determine the other
two teams that advance. When seeding Bracket 8.3, A1, A2, A3, and A4 are
represented by A3, A4, A5, and A6; the same applies for pool B.
Additionally, the winner of game c from bracket 8.2.1 plays the loser of game d
from bracket 4.2.2 in the third round of bracket play. The winner of this game
finishes 4th, while the loser finishes 5th.
12.7 Seven teams advance
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.2. After the conclusion of
pool play on the second day, the top two teams from each pool advance and use
Bracket 4.2.2 - modified four-team double elimination – seeding out of two
pools. The bottom eight teams use Bracket 8.2.1, eight-team clipped double
elimination, to determine the other three teams that advance. When seeding
Bracket 8.2.1, A1, A2, A3, and A4 are represented by A3, A4, A5, and A6, and
similarly for pool B. The final game for second place is left unplayed, as it
would be the fifth game of the day.
Additionally, the winner of game c from bracket 8.2.1 plays the loser of game d
from bracket 4.2.2 in the third round of bracket play. The winner of this game
finishes 4th, while the loser finishes 5th.
12.8 Eight teams advance
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.5. After the conclusion of
pool play on the second day, the top three teams from each pool advance and use
Bracket 6.1.2, modified six-team elimination with seeding out of two pools.
The bottom six teams use Bracket 6.2, six-team modified bracket – only two
qualify, to determine the other two teams that advance. When seeding Bracket
6.2, A1, A2, and A3 are represented by A4, A5, and A6 in this case; the same
applies for pool B.
12.9 Nine teams advance
Start with two pools of six, according to Table 12.5. After the conclusion of
pool play on the second day, the top three teams from each pool advance and use
Bracket 6.1.2, modified six-team elimination with seeding out of two pools.
The bottom six teams use Bracket 6.1.2, six team modified elimination seeding
from two pools, to determine the other three teams that advance. When seeding
Bracket 6.1.2 for the lower bracket, A1, A2, and A3 are represented by A4, A5,
and A6 in this case; the same applies for pool B.
![](asset-34.png)
44
Table 12.1 Seeding for two pools of six – version 1:
The pools should be seeded as follows:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #12 Seed #11
The round-robin for each pool will take five rounds. A schedule for a
six-team round-robin may be found in Table 6.1.2. Given that every team
has five games on the first day, games should be played to 11.
Table 12.2 Seeding for two pools of six – version 2:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #12 Seed #11
The round-robin for each pool will take five rounds. In the case of six
teams advancing, the schedule for a six-team round-robin may be found in
Table 6.1.2. Given that every team has five games on the first day,
games should be played to 11.
For all other numbers of teams advancing, the schedule for a six-team
round-robin may be found in Table 6.1.4. Each team will play four rounds
of pool play on the first day and their final round of pool play on the
morning of the second day. Games in pool play should be to 13.
Table 12.3 Seeding for two pools of six – version 3:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #12 Seed #11
The round-robin for each pool will take five rounds. A schedule for a
six-team round-robin may be found in Table 6.1.4. Each team will play
four rounds of pool play on the first day and their final round of pool
play on the morning of the second day. Games in pool play should be to
13.
![](asset-35.png)
45
Table 12.4 Seeding for two pools of six – version 4:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #12 Seed #11
The round-robin for each pool will take five rounds. A schedule for a
six-team round-robin may be found in Table 6.1.3. Each team will play
four rounds of pool play on the first day and their final round of pool
play on the morning of the second day. Games in pool play should be to
13.
Table 12.5 Seeding for two pools of six – version 5:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #11 Seed #12
The round-robin for each pool will take five rounds. A schedule for a
six-team round-robin may be found in Table 6.1.3. Each team will play
four rounds of pool play on the first day and their final round of pool
play on the morning of the second day. Games in pool play should be to
13.
46
13. Thirteen Teams
Thirteen teams is the only number of teams where three pools are used. Three
pools normally presents a problem, since there is usually not a fair way to
determine how to advance teams from the pools into an elimination bracket. For
certain numbers of teams advancing, however, it is possible to do so with 13
teams. For other numbers of teams advancing, we are compelled to use two pools
instead. In one case we use four pools.
13.1 One, three, five, or more than nine teams advance:
Start with three pools of five, four, and four, according to Table 13.1, and
play the schedule in Table 13.2.1 or Table 13.2.2 to determine the top eight
teams after the first day.
On the second day, the top eight play a double elimination bracket without the
last round. For the setup, see Bracket 13.1. Note that the lower bracket
feed-in placements are NOT the same as the standard eight-team double
elimination. For one team advancing, the lower brackets are for placement
only.
The other five teams play Table 13.4, 5-team pool play completion from three
pools. Teams carry their results against the teams in their pool into the
second day, and will only play teams from the other two pools. The game on the
first day between the fourth place finishers in the B and C pools also counts
toward the results of this pool.
13.2 Two teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of six and seven, according to Table 13.3.2.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, the top three teams in
each pool advance and use Table 6.2, six team modified bracket – only two
qualify, to determine the two teams that advance.
The lower finishing teams play out the bottom four brackets of Bracket 13.2 for
placement.
13.4 Four teams advance
Start with four pools, according to Table 13.5.
After three rounds of pool play are complete, teams should use Bracket 16.4.2
to determine advancement. The games against A4, B4, and C4 in the last round
of the first day, and in consolation play during the second day, are simply
replaced with a bye round.
13.5 Six or eight teams advance:
Start with two unequal pools of six and seven, according to Table 13.3.1.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 13.2 to
determine advancement.
13.6 Seven teams advance
Start with two unequal pools of six and seven, according to Table 13.3.3.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 13.3 to
determine advancement.
![](asset-37.png)
47
13.7 Nine teams advance
Start with two unequal pools of six and seven, according to Table 13.3.4.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 13.4 to
determine advancement.
Table 13.1 Seeding for three pools:
Pool A Pool B Pool C
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5 Seed #4
Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #9
Seed #12 Seed #11 Seed #10
Seed #13
Table 13.2.1. Schedule for three pools, version 1:
When six fields are available, use the following schedule:
1 2 3 4 5 6
A4-A5 A2-A3
B1-B3 B2-B4 C1-C3 C2-C4 A1-A3 A2-A4
B1-B4 B2-B3 C1-C4 C2-C3 A1-A5 A3-A4
B1-B2 B3-B4 C1-C2 C3-C4 A1-A4 A2-A5
3B-3C* 4B-4C** A1-A2 A3-A5
(* this game, the “wild card” game, is the one between the third place
finishers of pools B and C)
(** this game is between the fourth place finishers of pools B and C)
For fewer than 10 teams advancing, games in pool A should be played to
13, while games in pools B and C, and the 3v3 crossover game, should be
played to 15. For 10 or more teams advancing, all games on the first day
should be played to 13, in all pools and all crossover games.
Table 13.2.2. Schedule for three pools, version 2:
This schedule can be used when you only have five fields available:
Fields: 1 2 3 4 5
B1-B4 B2-B3 C1-C2 A5-A5 A2-A3
B1-B3 C2-C3 C1-C4 A1-A3 A2-A5
B2-B4 C2-C4 C1-C3 A1-A5 A3-A4
B1-B2 B3-B4 C3-C4 A1-A4 A2-A5
3B-3C* 4B-4C** A1-A2 A3-A5
(* this game, the “wild card” game, is the one between the third place
finishers of pools B and C)
(** this game is between the fourth place finishers of pools B and C)
For fewer than 10 teams advancing, games in pool A should be played to
13, while games in pools B and C, and the 3v3 crossover game, should be
played to 15. For 10 or more teams advancing, all games on the first day
should be played to 13, in all pools and all crossover games.
![](asset-38.png)
48
Table 13.3.1 Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven – version 1:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #13
For six teams advancing, pool A, the pool of 7, plays their pool
according to Table 7.1.1, and pool B, the pool of 6, plays their pool
according to Table 6.1.6.
For eight teams advancing, pool A, the pool of 7, plays their pool
according to Table 7.1.2, and pool B, the pool of 6, plays their pool
according to Table 6.1.5.
The last two rounds of pool play on the second day in pool B should be
played concurrently with the last two rounds of pool play in pool A. In
order to balance points played, games in pool B should be to 13, while
games in pool A should be to 11.
Table 13.3.2 Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven– version 2:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #13
Pool A, the pool of 6, plays their pool according to Table 6.1.3. Pool
B, the pool of 7, plays their pool according to Table 7.1.4. The last
round of pool play on the second day in pool A should be played
concurrently with the last round of pool play in pool B. In order to
balance points played, games in pool A should be to 13, while games in
pool B should be to 11.
Table 13.3.3 Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven – version 3:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #13
Pool A, the pool of 6, plays their pool according to Table 6.1.5. Pool
B, the pool of 7, plays their pool according to Table 7.1.2. The last
two rounds of pool play on the second day in pool A should be played
concurrently with the last two rounds of pool play in pool B. In order
to balance points played, games in pool A should be to 13, while games in
pool B should be to 11.
![](asset-39.png)
49
Table 13.3.4 Seeding for two unequal pools of six and seven – version 4:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #13
Pool A, the pool of 6, plays their pool according to Table 6.1.6. Pool
B, the pool of 7, plays their pool according to Table 7.1.3. The last
two rounds of pool play on the second day in pool A should be played
concurrently with the last two rounds of pool play in pool B. In order
to balance points played, games in pool A should be to 13, while games in
pool B should be to 11.
Table 13.4 Five-team pool play completion from three pools
Seed the teams in the second day pool as follows:
D1 = loser of the “wild card” game (B3-C3)
D2 = A4
D3 = 4th place team from the wild card winner’s pool
D4 = 4th place team from the wild card loser’s pool (i.e. D1’s pool)
D5 = A5
D4-D5
D2-D4 D1-D3
D2-D3 D1-D5
D3-D5 D1-D2
The other three games in this pool were already played on the first day.
Table 13.5 Seeding 13 teams into four pools
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #13
The pool of four plays according to Table 4.1, and will take three rounds to
play out. The pools of three play according to Table 3.1, and should play
games to 17 so that points played will more closely match. Note the
instructions on playing an extra point in the second game in the adjacent “The
Three team tie-breaker problem” section.
![](asset-3a.png)
50
Bracket 13.1 - Eight-team double elimination format from three pools
Sunday
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
A1─────┐
b ├─────────┐
WC*────┘ │
f ├──────────┐
C2─────┐ │ │
c ├─────────┘ │
B2─────┘ │
h ├────────────────
C1─────┐ │ (1st place)
d ├─────────┐ │
A2─────┘ │ │
g ├──────────┘
B1─────┐ │
e ├─────────┘
A3─────┘
Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
Lb ─────────┐
i ├──────────┐
Ld ─────────┘ k ├─────────┐
│ │
Lf ─────────┘ │
Lc ─────────┐ m ├────────
j ├──────────┐ │
Le ─────────┘ l │ │
├─────────┘
Lg ─────────┘
Lk ─────────┐
n ├─────────
Ll ─────────┘
Li ─────────┐
o ├─────────
Lj ─────────┘
* WC - Wild Card - the winner of the playoff between B3 and C3.
Accompanying Notes to Bracket 13.1:
1st place - winner of h.
2nd place – loser of h.
3rd place – winner of m.
4th place - loser of m.
5th place - winner of n.
6th place - loser of n.
7th place - winner of o.
8th place - loser of o.
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
51
Bracket 13.2 – Thirteen team bracket completion – six or eight advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
Lb ──────┐
A3 ──────┐ e ├─────
d ├──────┘ 4th
B3 ──────┘
Ld ──────┐
A4 ──────┐ g ├─────
f ├──────┘ 6th
B4 ──────┘
Lf ──────┐
A5 ──────┐ i ├─────
h ├──────┘ 8th
B5 ──────┘
3
rd
: Lc
5
th
: Le
7
th
: Lg
9
th
: Li
10
th
: Lh
The bottom three teams are considered a pool of three for the purposes of placement.
Play the following two games to 13 to complete the pool:
B6vA7
B6vA6
52
Bracket 13.3 – Thirteen team bracket completion – seven advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
Lb ──────┐
A3 ──────┐ e ├─────
d ├──────┘ 4th
B3 ──────┘
A4 ──────┐
f ├──────┐
B5 ──────┘ │
h ├─────
A5 ──────┐ │ 7th
g ├──────┘
B4 ──────┘
Lf ──────┐
i ├─────
Lg ──────┘ 9th
3rd: Lc
5th: Le
6th: Ld
8th: Lh
10th: Li
The bottom three teams are considered a pool of three for the purposes of placement.
Play the following two games to 13 to complete the pool:
B6vA7
B6vA6
53
Bracket 13.4 – Thirteen team bracket completion – nine advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
3rd: Lc
4th: Lb
5th through 8th place are determined by a two-round pool play completion (games to
13):
A3vB4 A4vB3
A3vB3 A4vB4
A5 ──────┐
d ├──────┐
B6 ──────┘ │
f ├─────
A6 ──────┐ │ 9th
e ├──────┘
B5 ──────┘
Lh ──────┐
g ├─────
Li ──────┘ 11th
10th: Lf
12th: Lg
54
14. Fourteen Teams
While two pools of five and a pool of four can be an excellent fourteen team
format for an informal event, it does not allow us the required independence
from seeding that we need for a UPA Series event. For this reason, all 14 team
formats, except for two four-pool formats, start with two pools of seven.
14.1 One teams advances:
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.1. Both pools play
according to Table 7.1.1, with games to 13.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, the top two teams in each
pool advance and use Bracket 4.1, four-team single elimination. The first
round has A1 play B2 and B1 play A2.
14.2 Two teams advance:
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.2.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, the top three teams in
each pool advance and use Bracket 6.2, six-team modified bracket – only two
qualify, to determine the two teams that advance.
14.3 Three teams advance:
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.1. Both pools play
according to Table 7.1.5, with games to 11.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, the top four teams in each
pool advance and use Bracket 8.2.1 – eight-team clipped double elimination, to
determine the two teams that advance. The final game for second place is left
unplayed, as it would be the fifth game of the day.
14.4 Four teams advance
Start with four pools, according to Table 14.2.1.
After three rounds of pool play are complete, teams should use Bracket 16.4.2
to determine advancement. The games against A4 and B4 in the last round of the
first day, and in consolation play during the second day, are simply replaced
with a bye round.
14.5 Five teams advance
Divide the teams up in four pools, according to Table 14.2.2.
After pool play, use Bracket 14.1 to determine advancement.
14.6 Six or eight teams advance
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.3. For six teams
advance, both pools play according to Table 7.1.1. For eight teams advance,
both teams play according to Table 7.1.2.
At the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 14.2 to determine
advancement.
55
14.7 Seven teams advance
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.4. Both pools play
according to Table 7.1.1.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 14.3 to
determine the teams that advance.
14.8 Nine teams Advance
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.5. Both pools play
according to Table 7.1.2.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 14.4 to
determine the teams that advance.
14.9 Ten teams advance
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.3. Both pools play
according to Table 7.1.3.
At the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 14.5 to determine
advancement.
14.10 Eleven, thirteen, or fourteen teams Advance
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.4. Both pools play
according to Table 7.1.2.
After the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 14.6 to
determine the teams that advance.
14.11 Twelve teams advance
Start with two pools of seven, according to Table 14.1.3. Both pools play
according to Table 7.1.2.
At the conclusion of pool play on the second day, use Bracket 14.7 to determine
advancement.
![](asset-40.png)
56
Table 14.1.1 Seeding for two pools of seven – version 1:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #13 Seed #14
Table 14.1.2 Seeding for two pools of seven – version 2:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #7 Seed #8
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #13 Seed #14
Games in pool play are to 11. Both pools play according to Table 7.1.4.
Table 14.1.3 Seeding for two pools of seven – version 3:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #13 Seed #14
Games in pool play are to 13.
Table 14.1.4 Seeding for two pools of seven – version 4:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #13 Seed #14
Games in pool play are to 13. Both pools play according to Table 7.1.2.
Table 14.1.5 Seeding for two pools of seven – version 5:
Pool A: Pool B:
Seed #1 Seed #2
Seed #4 Seed #3
Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #8 Seed #7
Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #14 Seed #13
57
Games in pool play are to 13. Both pools play according to Table 7.1.3.
![](asset-42.png)
58
Table 14.2.1 Seeding 14 teams into four pools, version 1
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #14 Seed #13
The pools of four play according to Table 4.1, and will take three rounds to
play out. The pools of three play according to Table 3.1, and should play
games to 17 so that points played will more closely match. Note the
instructions on playing an extra point in the second game in the adjacent “The
Three team tie-breaker problem” section.
Table 14.2.2 Seeding 14 teams into four pools, version 2
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #14 Seed #13
The pools of four play according to Table 4.1, and will take three rounds to
play out. The pools of three play according to Table 3.1, and should play
games to 17 so that points played will more closely match. Note the
instructions on playing an extra point in the second game in the adjacent “The
Three team tie-breaker problem” section.
59
Bracket 14.1 Fourteen team bracket– 5 teams advancing
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4
A1 ──────────┐
a ├──────────┐
B2 ──────────┘ e │
C2 ──────────┐ ├─ - - - - -────────┐
b ├──────────┘ │
D1 ──────────┘ │
C1 ──────────┐ g ├─────────
c ├──────────┐ │ 1st place
D2 ──────────┘ f │ │
A2 ──────────┐ ├─ - - - - -────────┘
d ├──────────┘
B1 ──────────┘
Lf ────────┐ Lg ─────────┐
│ │
j ├─────────┐ │ winner 2nd
La ─────────┐ │ │ m ├──────────
h ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 3rd
Lb ─────────┘ │ │
l ├─────────┘ Ll: 4th
Lc ─────────┐ │
i ├─────────┐ │
Ld ─────────┘ │ │
k ├─────────┘
│
Le ─────────┘
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4
Li ───────┐
B3 ──────────┐ │
│ t ├─────────┐
r │ │ │
A4 ─────────┐ ├─────────┘ v ├─────────┐
o ├───────────┘ │ │
D3 ─────────┘ Lj ───────┘ │
x ├─────────
C3 ─────────┐ Lk ───────┐ │ 5th place
p ├───────────┐ │ │
B4 ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ w ├─────────┘
s │ │ │
│ u ├─────────┘
A3 ───────────┘ │
Lh ────────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
60
Bracket 14.2 – Fourteen team bracket completion – 6 or 8 advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
Lb ──────┐
A3 ──────┐ e ├─────
d ├──────┘ 4th
B3 ──────┘
Ld ──────┐
A4 ──────┐ g ├─────
f ├──────┘ 6th
B4 ──────┘
Lf ──────┐
A5 ──────┐ i ├─────
h ├──────┘ 8th
B5 ──────┘
3
rd
: Lc
5
th
: Le
7
th
: Lg
9
th
: Li
10
th
: Lh
11th through 14th place are determined by a two-round pool play completion (games to
13):
A6vB7 A7vB6
A6vB6 A7vB7
61
Bracket 14.3 – Fourteen team bracket completion – seven advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
Lb ──────┐
A3 ──────┐ e ├─────
d ├──────┘ 4th
B3 ──────┘
A4 ──────┐
f ├──────┐
B5 ──────┘ │
h ├─────
A5 ──────┐ │ 7th
g ├──────┘
B4 ──────┘
Lf ──────┐
i ├─────
Lg ──────┘ 9th
3rd: Lc
5th: Le
6th: Ld
8th: Lh
10th: Li
11th through 14th place are determined by a two-round pool play completion (games to
13):
A6vB7 A7vB6
A6vB6 A7vB7
62
Bracket 14.4 – Fourteen team bracket completion – nine advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
3rd: Lc
4th: Lb
5th through 8th place are determined by a two-round pool play completion (games to
13):
A3vB4 A4vB3
A3vB3 A4vB4
A5 ──────┐
d ├──────┐
B6 ──────┘ │
f ├─────
A6 ──────┐ │ 9th
e ├──────┘
B5 ──────┘
Lh ──────┐
g ├─────
Li ──────┘ 11th
A7 ──────┐
h ├─────
B7 ──────┘ 13th
10th: Lf
12th: Lg
14th: Lh
63
Bracket 14.5 – Fourteen team bracket completion – ten advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
3rd: Lc
4th: Lb
5th through 8th place are determined by a two-round pool play completion (games to
13):
A3vB4 A4vB3
A3vB3 A4vB4
A5 ──────┐
d ├──────
B5 ──────┘ 8th
Ld ──────┐
A6 ──────┐ g ├─────
f ├──────┘ 10th
B6 ──────┘
Lf ──────┐
A7 ──────┐ i ├─────
h ├──────┘ 12th
B7 ──────┘
9
th
: Le
11
th
: Lg
13
th
: Li
14
th
: Lh
64
Bracket 14.6 – Fourteen team bracket completion – 11, 13, or 14 advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
Lb ──────┐
A3 ──────┐ e ├─────
d ├──────┘ 4th
B3 ──────┘
3rd: Lc
5th: Le
6th: Ld
7th through 10th place are determined by a two-round pool play completion (games to
13):
A4vB5 A5vB4
A4vB4 A5vB5
A6 ──────┐
f ├──────┐
B7 ──────┘ │
h ├─────
A7 ──────┐ │ 11th
g ├──────┘
B6 ──────┘
Lf ──────┐
i ├─────
Lg ──────┘ 13th
12th: Lh
14th: Li
65
Bracket 14.7 – Fourteen team bracket completion – twelve advancing
A1 ──────┐
a ├──────
B1 ──────┘ 1st
La ──────┐
A2 ──────┐ c ├─────
b ├──────┘ 2nd
B2 ──────┘
Lb ──────┐
A3 ──────┐ e ├─────
d ├──────┘ 4th
B3 ──────┘
3rd: Lc
5th: Le
6th: Ld
7th through 10th place are determined by a two-round pool play completion (games to
13):
A4vB5 A5vB4
A4vB4 A5vB5
A6 ──────┐
f ├──────
B6 ──────┘ 10th
Lf ──────┐
A7 ──────┐ h ├─────
g ├──────┘ 12th
B7 ──────┘
11
th
: Lf
13
th
: Lh
14
th
: Lg
66
15. Fifteen Teams
Unlike 13 teams, there is no reasonable set of crossovers that allows the use
of three pools. And there are simply too many teams to use two pools.
Therefore, all 15 team formats use four pools, with one of the pools being a
pool of three. Ordinarily, pools of three are unacceptable, because of the
three-way tie problem (see page 8), but in this case, all three teams qualify
for the elimination, and, in any event, there aren't many good options for a
15-team tournament.
15.1 One team advances
Start with four pools, according to Table 15.1.2. On the fourth round of the
first day, the following crossovers should be played:
A2-D3
D2-A3
B2-C3
C2-B3
On the second day, the eight remaining teams should play an eight-team single
elimination bracket. Seeding for the single elimination can be found in Table
16.1. This format requires four rounds on the first day, and three rounds on
the second day.
15.2 Two teams advance
Start with four pools, according to Table 15.1.3. After the three rounds of
pool play are complete teams should use Bracket 16.2.2 to determine
advancement. The fourth-place finishers in each pool play a three-team round
robin for placement in stead of games 21-24. This format requires four rounds
on the first day and four rounds on the second day.
15.3 Three teams advance
Start with four pools of four, according to Table 15.1.5. On the fourth found
of the first day, the following crossovers should be played:
A1-C1
B1-D1
D2-B3
C2-A3
B2-D3
A2-C3
The 1v1 crossovers are not elimination games, but the 2v3 crossovers are.
The top eight teams are then re-seeded in the following order:
1) Winner of A1vC1
2) Winner of B1vD1
3) Loser of A1vC1
4) Loser of B1vD1
5) Winner of C2vA3 IF A1 won the A1vC1 game, otherwise winner of A2vC3
6) Winner of D2vB3 IF B1 won the B1vD1 game, otherwise winner of B2vD3.
7) Winner of A2vC3 IF A1 won the A1vC1 game, otherwise winner of C2vA3.
1) Winner of B2vD3 IF B1 won the B1vD1 game, otherwise winner of D2vB3.
On the second day, these eight teams play Bracket 16.3.2, re-seeded eight-team
elimination. Note that the loser of the finals automatically finishes second.
67
15.4 Four or eight teams advance
Start with four pools, according to Table 15.1.1. After three rounds of pool
play are complete, teams should use Bracket 16.4.2 to determine advancement.
This format requires four rounds on the first day, and four rounds on the
second day. The games against A4 in the last round of the first day, and in
consolation play during the second day, are simply replaced with a bye round.
15.5 Five teams advance
Divide the teams up in four pools, according to Table 15.1.4.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.5 to determine advancement. The games against
A4 in the last round of the first day, and in consolation play during the
second day, are simply replaced with a bye round.
15.6 Six teams advance
Divide the teams up in four pools, according to Table 15.1.4
After pool play, use Bracket 16.6 to determine advancement. The games against
A4 in the last round of the first day, and in consolation play during the
second day, are simply replaced with a bye round.
15.7 Seven teams advance
Divide the teams up in four pools, according to Table 15.1.4.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.7 to determine advancement. The games
against A4 in the last round of the first day, and in consolation play during
the second day, are simply replaced with a bye round.
15.8 Nine teams advance
Divide the teams up in four pools, according to Table 15.1.1.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.8 to determine advancement. The games against
A4 in the last round of the first day, and in consolation play during the
second day, are simply replaced with a bye round.
68
15.9 Ten, eleven, or twelve teams advance
Divide the teams up in four pools, according to Table 15.1.1. Instead of
playing games in the pools of four to 15 and in the pool of three to 17, play
games in the pools of four to 13 and in the pool of three to 15.
After the conclusion of pool play, top two teams from each pool advance and
should use Bracket 8.3, eight-team clipped double elimination. Seeding for the
clipped double elimination can be found in table 16.9. The first round of
bracket play should be played on the last round of the first day, leaving three
rounds of bracket play for the second day. Games in the bracket are played to
15, as usual.
The third and fourth place finishing teams in each pool play out the schedule
in Table 15.2, 7-team pool play completion from four pools. The first two
rounds of pool play completion are played Saturday, and the remaining five
rounds are played on Sunday. The 3v4 games from the original pools of four
also count towards this pool. All games are played to 13. Every team in the
lower pool has exactly four pool play games each day.
15.10 Thirteen or more teams advance
Divide the teams up in four pools, according to Table 15.1.1.
After the conclusion of pool play, the following crossovers are played:
A1-D1
B1-C1
A2-D2
B2-C2
A3-D3
B3-C3
These games comprise the first round of Bracket 16.9 - 10 or 12 teams
advancing – seeding from four pools. On the second day, the winners of the
3v3 crossovers and the top eight teams play the last three rounds of the 1st
place through 8th place brackets listed there. The results of these
brackets determine 1st through 10th place.
In addition, the following game is played in the last round of the first day:
B4-C4
On Sunday, all the fourth place teams, along with the losers of the 3v3
crossover games, play out the appropriate table of Tables 15.3.1 and 15.3.2,
five-team pool play completion from four pools. Which of the two versions is
played depends on the winner of the A3-D3 crossover game.
![](asset-4d.png)
69
Table 15.1.1 Seeding 15 teams into four pools, version 1
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13
The pools of four play according to Table 4.1, and will take three rounds to
play out. The pool of three plays according to Table 3.1, and should play
games to 17 so that points played will more closely match. Note the
instructions on playing an extra point in the second game in the adjacent “The
Three team tie-breaker problem” section.
Table 15.1.2 Seeding 15 teams into four pools, version 2
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #12 Seed #11 Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #13 Seed #14 Seed #15
Table 15.1.3 Seeding 15 teams into four pools, version 3
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #15 Seed #13 Seed #14
Table 15.1.4 Seeding 15 teams into four pools, version 4
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13
Table 15.1.5 Seeding 15 teams into four pools of four, version 5
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #11 Seed #12 Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #14 Seed #13 Seed #15
70
Table 15.2 7-team pool play completion from four pools
A3-C4 B3-D3 C3-D4
A3-B4
-------------------------------------
B3-C3 A3-D3 D4-C4
B3-C4 A3-D4 D3-B4
B3-D4 A3-C3 C4-B4
C3-B4 D3-C4
B3-A3 D4-B4 D3-C3
Table 15.3.1 5-team pool play completion from four pools – version 1
Use this version if A3 wins the A3-D3 crossover. Seed the teams in the second day
pool as follows:
E1 = loser of B3-C3
E2 = D3
E3 = 4th place team from E1’s pool
E4 = D4
E5 = Remaining 4th place team
E1-E5 E3-E4
E4-E5 E2-E3
E1-E4 E2-E5
E1-E2
The other three games were played on the first day.
Table 15.3.2 5-team pool play completion from four pools – version 2
Use this version if D3 wins the A3-D3 crossover. Seed the teams in the second day
pool as follows:
E1 = loser of B3-C3
E2 = A3
E3 = 4th place team from E1’s pool
E4 = D4
E5 = Remaining 4th place team
E1-E4 E2-E3
E3-E4 E2-E5
E1-E5 E2-E4
E1-E2 E4-E5
The other two games were played on the first day.
71
16. Sixteen Teams
16.1. One Team Advances
Start with four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.2. On the fourth round
of the first day, the following crossovers should be played:
A2-D3
D2-A3
B2-C3
C2-B3
On the second day, the eight remaining teams should play an eight-team single
elimination bracket. Seeding for the single elimination can be found in
Bracket 16.1. This format requires four rounds on the first day, and three
rounds on the second day.
16.2.1 Two Teams Advance – bracket option
Advancement is determined solely by Bracket 16.2.1. This format takes eight
fields for the first three rounds, and only two fields after that. For an
alternate schedule that only requires six fields on the first day, refer to
Table 16.2.1. If you have two divisions of 16, and 12 fields, you may use
table 16.2.2 or 16.2.3 instead.
16.2.2 Two Teams Advance – Pool Play Option
Start with four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.3. After the three
rounds of pool play are complete, teams should use Bracket 16.2.2 to determine
advancement. This format requires four rounds on the first day, and four
rounds on the second day.
72
16.3.1 Three teams advance – bracket option
Advancement is determined solely by Bracket 16.3.1. This format takes eight
fields for the first three rounds, and three fields after that. For an
alternate schedule that only requires six fields on the first day, refer to
Table 16.3.1. If you have two divisions of 16, and 12 fields, you may use
table 16.3.2 or 16.3.3 instead.
16.3.2 Three teams advance – pool play option
Start with four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.5. On the fourth found
of the first day, the following crossovers should be played:
A1-C1
B1-D1
D2-B3
C2-A3
B2-D3
A2-C3
The 1v1 crossovers are not elimination games, but the 2v3 crossovers are.
The top eight teams are then re-seeded in the following order:
8) Winner of A1vC1
9) Winner of B1vD1
10)Loser of A1vC1
11)Loser of B1vD1
12)Winner of C2vA3 IF A1 won the A1vC1 game, otherwise winner of A2vC3
13)Winner of D2vB3 IF B1 won the B1vD1 game, otherwise winner of B2vD3.
14)Winner of A2vC3 IF A1 won the A1vC1 game, otherwise winner of C2vA3.
15)Winner of B2vD3 IF B1 won the B1vD1 game, otherwise winner of D2vB3.
On the second day, these eight teams play Bracket 16.3.2, re-seeded eight-team
elimination. Note that the loser of the finals automatically finishes second.
16.4.1 Four teams advance – bracket option
Advancement is determined solely by Bracket 16.4.1. This format takes eight
fields for the first day, and four on the second day. For an alternate
schedule that only requires six fields on the first day, refer to Table 16.4.1.
If you have two divisions of 16, and 12 fields, you may use table 16.4.2 or
16.4.3 instead.
16.4.2 Four or Eight Teams Advance – pool play option
Start with four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.1. After three rounds
of pool play are complete, teams should use Bracket 16.4.2 to determine
advancement. This format requires four rounds on the first day, and four
rounds on the second day.
73
16.5 Five Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.4.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.5 to determine advancement. This format
requires four rounds on the first day, and four rounds on the second day.
16.6 Six Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.4.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.6 to determine advancement. This format
requires four rounds on the first day, and four rounds on the second day.
16.7 Seven or Eleven Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.4.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.7 to determine advancement. This format
requires four rounds on the first day, and three rounds on the second day.
16.8 Nine Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.1.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.8 to determine advancement. This format
requires four rounds on the first day, and three rounds on the second day.
16.9 Ten or Twelve Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.1.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.9 - 10 or 12 teams advancing – seeding from
four pools. This format requires four rounds on the first day, and three
rounds on the second day.
16.10 Sixteen Teams – 13 or more Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools of four, according to Table 16.1.4.
After pool play, use Bracket 16.10 to determine advancement. This format
requires four rounds on the first day, and three rounds on the second day.
![](asset-52.png)
74
Table 16.1.1 Seeding for four pools of four, version 1
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13
The pools play according to Table 4.1, and will take three rounds to play out.
Table 16.1.2 Seeding for four pools of four, version 2
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #12 Seed #11 Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #13 Seed #14 Seed #15 Seed #16
Table 16.1.3 Seeding for four pools of four, version 3
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #15 Seed #16 Seed #13 Seed #14
Table 16.1.4 Seeding for four pools of four, version 4
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13
Table 16.1.5 Seeding for four pools of four, version 5
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #11 Seed #12 Seed #9 Seed #10
Seed #14 Seed #13 Seed #16 Seed #15
![](asset-53.png)
75
Table 16.2.1 Alternate 6-field schedule for 16/2 bracket
Cross-reference the following three tables with the game numbers from Bracket 16.2.1.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6
Round 1: h g e d c f
Round 2: a b r j
Round 3: i l k p s q
Round 4: w t u v dd ee
Round 5: m n x y ff gg
Table 16.2.2 Alternate 12-field schedule for two sets of 16/2 brackets, version
1
One division is referred to as division “1”, and the other as division “2”. These
distinctions are arbitrary.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Round 1: a1 b1 c1 f1 e1 d1 h1 g1 h2 e2 f2 g2
Round 2: i1 p1 q1 r1 k1 j1 l1 s1 a2 b2 d2 c2
Round 3: u1 t1 dd1 ee1 r2 l2 s2 k2 i2 p2 j2 q2
Round 4: m1 n1 v1 w1 ee2 n2 w2 u2 m2 t2 v2 dd2
Round 5: x1 hh1 y1 ii1 ff1 gg1 ii2 x2 gg2 hh2 y2 ff2
Table 16.2.3 Alternate 12-field schedule for two sets of 16/2 brackets, version 2
One division is referred to as division “1”, and the other as division “2”. These
distinctions are arbitrary.
Use this version when (due to weather, field conditions, etc) priority must be given
to completing games which affect advancement as early as possible.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Round 1: a1 b1 c1 f1 e1 d1 h1 g1 h2 e2 f2 g2
Round 2: i1 p1 q1 r1 k1 j1 l1 s1 a2 b2 d2 c2
Round 3: t1 u1 v1 w1 r2 l2 s2 k2 i2 p2 j2 q2
Round 4: m1 x1 y1 n1 dd1 n2 w2 u2 m2 t2 v2 dd2
Round 5: ee1 x2 y2 ee2
![](asset-54.png)
76
Table 16.3.1 Alternate 6-field schedule for 16/3 bracket
Cross-reference the following three tables with the game numbers from Bracket 16.3.1.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6
Round 1: h g e d c f
Round 2: a b r j
Round 3: i l k p s q
Round 4: w t u v gg hh
Round 5: m n x y ii jj
Table 16.3.2 Alternate 12-field schedule for two sets of 16/3 brackets, version 1
One division is referred to as division “1”, and the other as division “2”. These
distinctions are arbitrary.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Round 1: a1 b1 c1 f1 e1 d1 h1 g1 h2 e2 f2 g2
Round 2: i1 p1 q1 r1 k1 j1 l1 s1 a2 b2 d2 c2
Round 3: u1 t1 gg1 hh1 r2 l2 s2 k2 i2 p2 j2 q2
Round 4: m1 n1 v1 w1 hh2 n2 w2 u2 m2 t2 v2 gg2
Round 5: x1 kk1 y1 ll1 ii1 jj1 ll2 x2 jj2 kk2 y2 ii2
Table 16.3.3 Alternate 12-field schedule for two sets of 16/3 brackets, version 2
One division is referred to as division “1”, and the other as division “2”. These
distinctions are arbitrary.
Use this version when (due to weather, field conditions, etc) priority must be given
to completing games which affect advancement as early as possible.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Round 1: a1 b1 c1 f1 e1 d1 h1 g1 h2 e2 f2 g2
Round 2: i1 p1 q1 r1 k1 j1 l1 s1 a2 b2 d2 c2
Round 3: t1 u1 v1 w1 r2 l2 s2 k2 i2 p2 j2 q2
Round 4: m1 x1 y1 n1 gg1 n2 w2 u2 m2 t2 v2 gg2
Round 5: hh2 x2 y2 hh2
![](asset-55.png)
77
Table 16.4.1 Alternate 6-field schedule for 16/4 bracket
Cross-reference the following two tables with the game numbers from Bracket 16.4.1.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6
Round 1: h g e d c f
Round 2: a b r j
Round 3: i l k p s q
Round 4: w t u v ll mm
Round 5: m n x y dd ee
Table 16.4.2 Alternate 12-field schedule for two sets of 16/4 brackets
One division is referred to as division “1”, and the other as division “2”. These
distinctions are arbitrary.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Round 1: a1 b1 c1 f1 e1 d1 h1 g1 h2 e2 f2 g2
Round 2: i1 p1 q1 r1 k1 j1 l1 s1 a2 b2 d2 c2
Round 3: u1 t1 ll1 mm1 r2 l2 s2 k2 i2 p2 j2 q2
Round 4: m1 n1 v1 w1 mm2 n2 w2 u2 m2 t2 v2 ll2
Round 5: x1 dd1 y1 ee1 nn1 oo1 ee1 x2 oo2 dd2 y2 nn2
Table 16.4.3 Alternate 12-field schedule for two sets of 16/4 brackets
One division is referred to as division “1”, and the other as division “2”. These
distinctions are arbitrary.
Use this version when (due to weather, field conditions, etc) priority must be given
to completing games which affect advancement as early as possible.
Flds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Round 1: a1 b1 c1 f1 e1 d1 h1 g1 h2 e2 f2 g2
Round 2: i1 p1 q1 r1 k1 j1 l1 s1 a2 b2 d2 c2
Round 3: w1 t1 v1 u1 r2 s2 l2 k2 i2 p2 j2 q2
Round 4: ee1 dd1 y1 x1 m1 n1 t2 u2 w2 n2 v2 m2
Round 5: ll1 mm1 dd2 x2 ee2 ll2 y2 mm2
78
Bracket 16.1 Single elimination bracket from four pools
Sat Sun
Round 4 1 2 3
A1 ─────────┐
e │
B2 ───────┐ ├──────────┐
a ├─────────┘ │
C3 ───────┘ i │
├──────────┐
D1 ─────────┐ │ │
f │ │ │
C2 ───────┐ ├──────────┘ │
b ├─────────┘ │
B3 ───────┘ k │
├─────────
C1 ─────────┐ │
g │ │
A3 ───────┐ ├──────────┐ │
c ├─────────┘ │ │
D2 ───────┘ j │ │
├──────────┘
B1 ─────────┐ │
h │ │
D3 ───────┐ ├──────────┘
d ├─────────┘
A2 ───────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
79
Bracket 16.2.1 – 16 team Double-Elimination
Sat Sun
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 ─────────┐
a ├─────────┐
16 ─────────┘ i │
9 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┐
b ├─────────┘ │
8 ─────────┘ m │
5 ─────────┐ ├---------------───────┐
c ├─────────┐ │ │
12 ─────────┘ j │ │ │
13 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┘ │
d ├─────────┘ │
4 ─────────┘ o │
3 ─────────┐ ├──────────────
e ├─────────┐ │ 1
st
place
14 ─────────┘ k │ │
11 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┐ │
f ├─────────┘ │ │
6 ─────────┘ n │ │
7 ─────────┐ ├─--------------───────┘
g ├─────────┐ │
10 ─────────┘ l │ │
15 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┘
h ├─────────┘
2 ─────────┘
Ll ─────────┐ Lo ────────┐
La ─────────┐ t ├─────────┐ │
p ├─────────┘ x │ │
Lb ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ cc │
Lk ─────────┐ │ z │ ├────
Lc ─────────┐ u ├─────────┘ ├────────┐ │2nd
q ├─────────┘ │ │ │
Ld ─────────┘ Lm ────────┘ │ │
Lj ─────────┐ bb │ │
Le ─────────┐ v ├─────────┐ ├────────┘
r ├─────────┘ y │ │
Lf ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ │
Li ─────────┐ │ aa │ │
Lg ─────────┐ w ├─────────┘ ├────────┘
s ├─────────┘ │
Lh ─────────┘ Ln ────────┘
Lp ─────────┐
dd ├─────────┐
Lq ─────────┘ │W13th
ff ├───
Lr ─────────┐ │L14th
ee ├─────────┘
Ls ─────────┘
Ldd ─────────┐W 15th
gg ├───
Lee ─────────┘L 16
th
80
Sat Sun
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Lt ─────────┐W 9th
hh ├───
Lu ─────────┘L 11th
Lv ─────────┐W 9th
ii ├───
Lw ─────────┘L 11th
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
81
Bracket 16.2.2 Two teams advancing, seeding from four pools (15-16 teams)
Sat Sun
Round 4 Round 1 2 3 4
A1 ────────┐
a ├-------------------------─────────┐
D1 ────────┘ │
c ├──────────
C1 ────────┐ │ 1st place
b ├-------------------------─────────┘
B1 ────────┘
C2 ────────┐ La ────────┐ Lc ─────────┐
d ├────────────┐ │ │
D3 ────────┘ │ j ├──────────┐ │
h │ │ │ │
A3 ────────┐ ├──────────┘ │ m ├──────────
e ├────────────┘ │ │ 2nd place
B2 ────────┘ │ │
l ├─────────┘
A2 ────────┐ │
f ├────────────┐ │ 3rd = Lm
B3 ────────┘ ├──────────┐ │ 4th = Ll
i │ │ │ 5th = Lj/Lk
C3 ────────┐ │ k ├──────────┘
g ├────────────┘ │
D2 ────────┘ Lb ────────┘
Lh ────────┐W 7th
n ├───
Li ────────┘L 8th
Lc ─────────┐
o ├──────────┐
Ld ─────────┘ │W 9th
q ├───
Le ─────────┐ │L 10th
p ├──────────┘
Lf ─────────┘
Lo ────────┐W 11th
r ├───
Lp ────────┘L 12th
A4 ─────────┐
s ├──────────┐
D4 ─────────┘ │W 13th
u ├───
C4 ─────────┐ │L 14th
t ├──────────┘
B4 ─────────┘
Ls ────────┐W 15th
v ├───
Lt ────────┘L 16th
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
82
Bracket 16.3.1 16 teams, three teams advance
Sat Sun
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 ─────────┐
a ├─────────┐
16 ─────────┘ i │
8 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┐
b ├─────────┘ │
9 ─────────┘ m │
5 ─────────┐ ├---------------───────┐
c ├─────────┐ │ │
12 ─────────┘ j │ │ │
1 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┘ │
d ├─────────┘ │
4 ─────────┘ o │
3 ─────────┐ ├──────────────
e ├─────────┐ │ 1
st
place
14 ─────────┘ k │ │
11 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┐ │
f ├─────────┘ │ │
6 ─────────┘ n │ │
7 ─────────┐ ├─--------------───────┘
g ├─────────┐ │
10 ─────────┘ l │ │
15 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┘
h ├─────────┘
2 ─────────┘
Ll ─────────┐ Lo ────────┐
La ─────────┐ t ├─────────┐ │
p ├─────────┘ x │ │
Lb ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ cc │
Lk ─────────┐ │ z │ ├────
Lc ─────────┐ u ├─────────┘ ├────────┐ │2nd
q ├─────────┘ │ │ │
Ld ─────────┘ Lm ────────┘ │ │
Lj ─────────┐ bb │ │
Le ─────────┐ v ├─────────┐ ├────────┘
r ├─────────┘ y │ │
Lf ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ │
Li ─────────┐ │ aa │ │
Lg ─────────┐ w ├─────────┘ ├────────┘
s ├─────────┘ │
Lh ─────────┘ Ln ────────┘
Lcc ────────┐
Lbb ────────┐ │
│ ff ├────
ee ├────────┘ 3rd
Lz ───────┐ │
dd ├────────┘
Laa ───────┘
83
Sat Sun
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Lp ─────────┐
gg ├─────────┐
Lq ─────────┘ │W13th
ii ├─────
Lr ─────────┐ │L14th
hh ├─────────┘
Ls ─────────┘
Lhh ─────────┐W 15th
jj ├─────
Lii ─────────┘L 16th
Lt ─────────┐W 9th
kk ├─────
Lu ─────────┘L 11th
Lv ─────────┐W 9th
ll ├─────
Lw ─────────┘L 11th
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
![](asset-5c.png)
84
Bracket 16.3.2 Re-seeded eight-team elimination, 3 teams advance (15-16 teams)
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
1 ─────┐
g ├─────────┐
8 ─────┘ │
k ├- - -──────────┐
5 ─────┐ │ │
h ├─────────┘ │
4 ─────┘ │
m ├────────────
3 ─────┐ │ (1st place)
i ├─────────┐ │
6 ─────┘ │ │
l ├─- - -─────────┘
7 ─────┐ │
j ├─────────┘
2 ─────┘
Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
Lg ────────┐
n ├──────────┐
Lh ────────┘ p ├────────┐
│ │
Ll ─────────┘ │
Li ────────┐ r ├────────
o ├────-─────┐ │ (3rd place)
Lj ────────┘ q │ │
├────────┘
Lk ─────────┘
Ln ─────────┐
s ├─────────
Lo ─────────┘
Lp ────────┐
t ├────────
Lq ────────┘
Accompanying Notes to Bracket 16.3.2:
1st place - winner of m.
2nd place – loser of m.
3rd place – winner of r.
4th place - loser of r.
5th place - winner of t.
6th place - loser of t.
7th place - winner of s.
8th place - loser of s.
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
85
Bracket 16.4.1 16 team, four teams advance
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 ─────────┐
a ├─────────┐
16 ─────────┘ i │
8 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┐
b ├─────────┘ │
9 ─────────┘ m │
5 ─────────┐ ├------------------------────────┐
c ├─────────┐ │ │
12 ─────────┘ j │ │ │
1 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┘ │
d ├─────────┘ │
4 ─────────┘ o │
3 ─────────┐ ├─────────
e ├─────────┐ │ 1
st
place
14 ─────────┘ k │ │
11 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┐ │
f ├─────────┘ │ │
6 ─────────┘ n │ │
7 ─────────┐ ├------------------------────────┘
g ├─────────┐ │
10 ─────────┘ l │ │
15 ─────────┐ ├-----─────────┘
h ├─────────┘
2 ─────────┘
Ll ─────────┐ Lo ────────┐
La ─────────┐ t ├─────────┐ │
p ├─────────┘ x │ │
Lb ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ cc │ 2nd
Lk ─────────┐ │ z │ ├────
Lc ─────────┐ u ├─────────┘ ├---------────────┐ │ 3rd
q ├─────────┘ │ │ │
Ld ─────────┘ Lm ────────┘ │ │
Lj ─────────┐ bb │ │
Le ─────────┐ v ├─────────┐ ├────────┘
r ├─────────┘ y │ │
Lf ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ │
Li ─────────┐ │ aa │ │
Lg ─────────┐ w ├─────────┘ ├---------────────┘
s ├─────────┘ │
Lh ─────────┘ Ln ────────┘
Lbb ────────┐
Lz ────────┐ │
Ly ─────────┐ │ │
│ hh ├────────┐ │ 4th
ff ├────────┘ │ kk ├────
Lt ─────────┐ │ │ │ 5th
dd ├─────────┘ │ │
Lu ─────────┘ │ │
Lv ─────────┐ jj ├────────┘
ee ├─────────┐ │
Lw ─────────┘ │ │ 6th
= Ljj
gg ├────────┐ │
│ │ │ 7th = Lhh/Lii
Lx ─────────┘ ii ├────────┘
│ 11th = Ldd/Lee
Laa ───────┘
86
Sat Sun
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Lp ─────────┐
ll ├─────────┐
Lq ─────────┘ │W13th
nn ├───
Lr ─────────┐ │L14th
mm ├─────────┘
Ls ─────────┘
Lll ─────────┐W 15th
oo ├───
Lmm ─────────┘L 16th
Lff ───────┐W 9th
pp ├───
Lgg ───────┘L 10th
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
87
Bracket 16.4.2 4 or 8 teams advancing - seeding from four pools (13-16 teams)
4 1 2 3 4
A1─────┐
a ├------------------------─────────┐
D1─────┘ │ 1st place
c ├──────────
C1─────┐ │
b ├------------------------─────────┘
B1─────┘
La ─────────┐ Lc ──────────┐
│ │
f ├--------------─────────┐ │ winner 2
nd
C2─────┐ │ │ i ├──────────
d ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 3
rd
B2─────┘ │ │
h ├──────────┘
A2─────┐ │
e ├─────────┐ │
D2─────┘ │ │
g ├--------------─────────┘
│
Lb ─────────┘
Lg ────────────┐
Ld ─────────┐ │ Lh ──────────┐
│ n ├─────────┐ │
l ├─────────────┘ │ │ 4th place
A3─────┐ │ │ q ├──────────
j ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 5th
D3─────┘ │ │
p ├──────────┘
C3─────┐ │
k ├─────────┐ │
B3─────┘ │ │
m ├─────────────┐ │
│ │ │
Le ─────────┘ o ├─────────┘
│
Lf ────────────┘
Lp ─────────┐
│ 6th place
Ln ─────────┐ s ├──────────
r ├──────────┘ loser 7th
│
Lo ─────────┘
88
Lm ────────────┐
Lj ─────────┐ │ Lr ─────────┐
│ x ├─────────┐ │
v ├─────────────┘ │ │ 8th place
C4─────┐ │ │ aa ├──────────
t ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 9th
B4─────┘ │ │
z ├─────────┘
A4─────┐ │
u ├─────────┐ │ 10th = Lz
D4─────┘ │ │ 11th = Lx/Ly
w ├─────────────┐ │ 14th = Lcc
│ │ │ 16th = Lbb
Lk ─────────┘ y ├─────────┘
│
Ll ────────────┘
Lt ─────────┐
│
bb ├── 15th
│
Lu ─────────┘
Lv ────────────┐
│
cc ├─ 13th
│
Lw ────────────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
89
Bracket 16.5 5 teams advancing – seeding from four pools (15-16 teams)
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4
A1 ──────────┐
a ├──────────┐
B2 ──────────┘ e │
C2 ──────────┐ ├─ - - - - -────────┐
b ├──────────┘ │
D1 ──────────┘ │
C1 ──────────┐ g ├─────────
c ├──────────┐ │ 1st place
D2 ──────────┘ f │ │
A2 ──────────┐ ├─ - - - - -────────┘
d ├──────────┘
B1 ──────────┘
Lf ────────┐ Lg ─────────┐
│ │
j ├─────────┐ │ winner 2nd
La ─────────┐ │ │ m ├──────────
h ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 3rd
Lb ─────────┘ │ │
l ├─────────┘ Ll: 4th
Lc ─────────┐ │
i ├─────────┐ │
Ld ─────────┘ │ │
k ├─────────┘
│
Le ─────────┘
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4
B3 ─────────┐ Li ───────┐
n ├───────────┐ │
A4 ─────────┘ │ t ├─────────┐
r │ │ │
D4 ─────────┐ ├─────────┘ v ├─────────┐
o ├───────────┘ │ │
C3 ─────────┘ Lj ───────┘ │
x ├─────────
D3 ─────────┐ Lk ───────┐ │ 5th place
p ├───────────┐ │ │
C4 ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ w ├─────────┘
s │ │ │
B4 ─────────┐ │ u ├─────────┘
q ├───────────┘ │
A3 ─────────┘ Lh ────────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
90
Lr ─────────┐ winner 11th
y ├────────
Ls ─────────┘ loser 12th
Ln ─────────┐
z ├─────────┐
Lo ─────────┘ │ winner 13th
bb ├────────
Lp ─────────┐ │ loser 14th
aa ├─────────┘
Lq ─────────┘
Lz ─────────┐ winner 15th
cc ├────────
Laa ─────────┘ loser 16th
91
Bracket 16.6 6 teams advancing – seeding from four pools (15-16 teams)
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4
A1 ──────────┐
a ├──────────┐
B2 ──────────┘ e │
C2 ──────────┐ ├─ - - - - -────────┐
b ├──────────┘ │
D1 ──────────┘ │
C1 ──────────┐ g ├─────────
c ├──────────┐ │ 1st place
D2 ──────────┘ f │ │
A2 ──────────┐ ├─ - - - - -────────┘
d ├──────────┘
B1 ──────────┘
Lf ────────┐ Lg ─────────┐
│ │
j ├─────────┐ │ winner 2nd
La ─────────┐ │ │ m ├──────────
h ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 3rd
Lb ─────────┘ │ │
l ├─────────┘
Lc ─────────┐ │
i ├─────────┐ │
Ld ─────────┘ │ │
k ├─────────┘
│
Le ─────────┘
Ll ───────┐
│ 4th place
o ├─────────
Lj ────────┐ │ loser 5th
n ├─────────┘
Lk ────────┘
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4
A3 ─────────┐ Lh ────────┐ Ln ─────────┐
p ├───────────┐ │ │
B4 ─────────┘ │ v ├──────────┐ │
t │ │ │ │ winner 6th
C4 ─────────┐ ├─────────┘ │ y ├──────────
q ├───────────┘ │ │ loser 7th
D3 ─────────┘ │ │
x ├─────────┘
C3 ─────────┐ │
r ├───────────┐ │
D4 ─────────┘ ├─────────┐ │
u │ │ │
A4 ─────────┐ │ w ├──────────┘
s ├───────────┘ │
B3 ─────────┘ Li ────────┘
92
Lt ─────────┐ winner 11th
z ├────────
Lu ─────────┘ loser 12th
Lp ─────────┐
aa ├─────────┐
Lq ─────────┘ │ winner 13th
cc ├────────
Lr ─────────┐ │ loser 14th
bb ├─────────┘
Ls ─────────┘
Laa ─────────┐ winner 15th
dd ├────────
Lbb ─────────┘ loser 16th
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
93
Bracket 16.7 7 or 11 teams advancing – seeding from four pools
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
A1 ──────────┐
a ├──────────┐
B2 ──────────┘ e │
C2 ──────────┐ ├──────────┐
b ├──────────┘ │
D1 ──────────┘ │
C1 ──────────┐ g ├─────────
c ├──────────┐ │ 1st place
D2 ──────────┘ f │ │
A2 ──────────┐ ├──────────┘
d ├──────────┘
B1 ──────────┘
Lg ──────────┐
│ 2nd place
i ├─────────
Le ─────────┐ │ loser 3rd
h ├───────────┘
Lf ─────────┘
La ──────────┐
│
j ├──────────┐Lh ────────┐
│ │ │winner 4th place
Lb ──────────┘ │ m ├─────────
│ │loser 5th place
l ├───────────┘
│ 6th = Ll
Lc ──────────┐ │
│ │
k ├──────────┘
│
Ld ──────────┘
94
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
B3 ──────────┐ Lk ────────┐
n ├──────────┐ │
A4 ──────────┘ │ t ├──────────┐
r │ │ │
D4 ──────────┐ ├──────────┘ │
o ├──────────┘ │
C3 ──────────┘ │ 7th place
v ├─────────
D3 ──────────┐ │ loser 8th
p ├──────────┐ │
C4 ──────────┘ ├──────────┐ │
s │ │ │
B4 ──────────┐ │ u ├──────────┘
q ├──────────┘ │
A3 ──────────┘ Lj ─────────┘
Lt ─────────┐ winner 9th
w ├─────────
Lu ─────────┘ loser 10th
Ls ─────────┐
│
z ├──────────┐
Ln ─────────┐ │ │
x ├──────────┘ │
Lo ─────────┘ │ 11th place
bb ├─────────
Lp ─────────┐ │ loser 12th
y ├──────────┐ │
Lq ─────────┘ │ │
aa ├──────────┘
│
Lr ─────────┘
Lz ─────────┐ winner 13th
cc ├─────────
Laa ─────────┘ loser 14th
Lx ─────────┐ winner 15th
dd ├────────
Ly ─────────┘ loser 16th
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
95
Bracket 16.8 9 teams advancing – seeding from four pools
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
A1 ──────────┐
│
a ├- - - - - ─────────┐
│ │
D1 ──────────┘ │
c ├─────────
C1 ──────────┐ │ 1st place
│ │
b ├─ - - - - -────────┘
│
B1 ──────────┘
Lb ────────┐ Lc ────────┐
│ │
f ├─────────┐ │ winner 2nd
A2 ──────────┐ │ │ i ├──────────
d ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 3rd
D2 ──────────┘ │ │
h ├─────────┘ Lh: 4th
C2 ──────────┐ │
e ├─────────┐ │
B2 ──────────┘ │ │
g ├─────────┘
│
La ────────┘
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
Le ───────┐
A3 ──────────┐ │
│ l ├─────────┐
j │ │ │
├─────────┘ n ├─────────┐
D3 ──────────┘ │ │
Lf ────────┘ │ winner 5th
p ├─────────
Lg ────────┐ │ loser 6th
C3 ──────────┐ │ │
├─────────┐ o ├─────────┘
k │ │ │
│ m ├─────────┘
B3 ──────────┘ │
Ld ───────┘
Ln ─────────┐ winner 7th
q ├─────────
Lo ─────────┘ loser 8th
96
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
Lk ───────┐
A4 ──────────┐ │
│ t ├─────────┐
r │ │ │
├─────────┘ v ├─────────┐
D4 ──────────┘ │ │
Ll ────────┘ │
x ├─────────
Lm ────────┐ │ 9th place
C4 ──────────┐ │ │
├─────────┐ w ├─────────┘
s │ │ │
│ u ├─────────┘
B4 ──────────┘ │
Lj ───────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
97
Bracket 16.9 10 or 12 teams advancing – seeding from four pools
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
A1 ──────────┐
│
a ├- - - - - ─────────┐
│ │
D1 ──────────┘ │
c ├─────────
C1 ──────────┐ │ 1st place
│ │
b ├─ - - - - -────────┘
│
B1 ──────────┘
Lb ────────┐ Lc ────────┐
│ │
f ├─────────┐ │ winner 2nd
A2 ──────────┐ │ │ i ├──────────
d ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 3rd
D2 ──────────┘ │ │
h ├─────────┘
C2 ──────────┐ │
e ├─────────┐ │
B2 ──────────┘ │ │
g ├─────────┘
│
La ────────┘
Lh ────────┐
│ 4th place
k ├─────────
Lf ────────┐ │ loser 5th
j ├─────────┘
Lg ────────┘
Le ────────┐ Lj ────────┐
│ │
n ├─────────┐ │ winner 6th
A3 ──────────┐ │ │ q ├──────────
l ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 7th
D3 ──────────┘ │ │
p ├─────────┘
C3 ──────────┐ │
m ├─────────┐ │
B3 ──────────┘ │ │
o ├─────────┘
│
Ld ────────┘
98
Lp ───────┐
│ 8th place
s ├─────────
Ln ────────┐ │ loser 9th
r ├─────────┘
Lo ────────┘
Lm ────────┐ Lr ────────┐
│ │
v ├─────────┐ │ winner 10th
A4 ──────────┐ │ │ y ├──────────
t ├─────────┘ │ │ loser 11th
D4 ──────────┘ │ │
x ├─────────┘
C4 ──────────┐ │
u ├─────────┐ │
B4 ──────────┘ │ │
w ├─────────┘
│
Ll ────────┘
Lx ───────┐
│ 12th place
aa ├─────────
Lv ────────┐ │ loser 13th
z ├─────────┘
Lw ────────┘
99
Bracket 16.10 13 or more teams advancing – seeding from four pools
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
A1 ──────────┐
a ├──────────┐
B2 ──────────┘ e │
C2 ──────────┐ ├──────────┐
b ├──────────┘ │
D1 ──────────┘ │
C1 ──────────┐ g ├─────────
c ├──────────┐ │ 1st place
D2 ──────────┘ f │ │
A2 ──────────┐ ├──────────┘
d ├──────────┘
B1 ──────────┘
Lg ──────────┐
│ 2nd place
i ├─────────
Le ─────────┐ │ loser 3rd
h ├───────────┘
Lf ─────────┘
La ──────────┐ Lh ─────────┐
│ │
j ├──────────┐ │ winner 4th place
│ │ m ├─────────
Lb ──────────┘ │ │loser 5th place
│ │
l ├───────────┘
│ 6th = L19
Lc ──────────┐ │
│ │
k ├──────────┘
│
Ld ──────────┘
100
Sat Sun
Rd. 4 Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3
B3 ──────────┐ Lk ────────┐
n ├──────────┐ │
A4 ──────────┘ │ t ├──────────┐
r │ │ │
D4 ──────────┐ ├──────────┘ │
o ├──────────┘ │
C3 ──────────┘ │ 7th place
v ├─────────
D3 ──────────┐ │ loser 8th
p ├──────────┐ │
C4 ──────────┘ ├──────────┐ │
s │ │ │
B4 ──────────┐ │ u ├──────────┘
q ├──────────┘ │
A3 ──────────┘ Lj ─────────┘
Lt ─────────┐ winner 9th
w ├─────────
Lu ─────────┘ loser 10th
Lr ─────────┐ winner 11th
x ├────────
Ls ─────────┘ loser 12th
Ln ──────────┐
│
y ├──────────┐
│ │
Lo ──────────┘ │
│ winner 13th
aa ├───────────
│ loser 14th
Lp ──────────┐ │
│ │
z ├──────────┘
│
Lq ──────────┘
Ly ─────────┐ winner 15th
bb ├────────
Lz ─────────┘ loser 16th
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.
101
17. Seventeen through Twenty-Four Teams
All formats for 17 through 24 teams have four pools, with between four and
six teams, depending on the number of teams in the event. Pool play
comprises the first day of play, while a bracket is used on the second day
of play.
17.1 One Team Advances
Divide the teams up in four pools according to Table 17.1.3. At the
conclusion of pool play, play, use Bracket 16.1 - Single elimination
bracket from four pools - to determine advancement. Note that rather than
having one round of bracket play on the first day and three on the second
day, all four rounds of bracket play will be on the second day.
17.2 Two or Four Teams Advance
For 17, 18, 19, or 20 teams advancing, play the appropriate bracket of
17.1, 17.2, 17.3, or 17.4 to determine advancement.
For twenty-one or more teams, divide the teams up in four pools according
to Table 17.1.1. At the conclusion of pool play, play, use Bracket 16.9 -
10 or 12 teams advancing – seeding from four pools. (Do not use brackets
16.2.2, 16.4.2, or 16.6 – those brackets are for fewer than 17 teams.)
Note that rather than having one round of bracket play on the first day and
three on the second day, all four rounds of bracket play will be on the
second day.
17.3 Three Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools according to Table 17.1.2. At the
conclusion of pool play, play, use Bracket 17.5 to determine advancement.
17.4 Five or Nine Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools according to Table 17.1.1. At the
conclusion of pool play, play, use Bracket 16.8 - 9 teams advancing –
seeding from four pools - to determine advancement. (Five teams advance
does NOT use bracket 16.5 – that bracket is for fewer than 17 teams.) Note
that rather than having one round of bracket play on the first day and three
on the second day, all four rounds of bracket play will be on the second
day.
17.5 Six, Eight, Ten, or Twelve Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools according to Table 17.1.1. At the
conclusion of pool play, play, use Bracket 16.9 - 10 or 12 teams advancing
– seeding from four pools. (Do not use brackets 16.2.2, 16.4.2, or 16.6 –
those brackets are for fewer than 17 teams.) Note that rather than having
one round of bracket play on the first day and three on the second day, all
four rounds of bracket play will be on the second day.
17.6 Seven or Eleven Teams Advance
Divide the teams up in four pools according to Table 17.1.4. At the
conclusion of pool play, play, use Bracket 16.7 - 7 or 11 teams advancing –
seeding from four pools - to determine advancement. Note that rather than
having one round of bracket play on the first day and three on the second
day, all four rounds of bracket play will be on the second day.
![](asset-6e.png)
102
Notes for all large section pool seeding sets:
For less than 24 teams, not all of these positions will be filled. Pools will
have four, five, or six teams, depending on the size of your event. Pools of
four play to 15, pools of five play to 13, and pools of six play to 11. Pools
of four begin with a pool-wide bye
Table 17.1.1 Seeding for four pools for large sections, version 1
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #11 Seed #12
Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13
Seed #17 Seed #18 Seed #19 Seed #20
Seed #24 Seed #23 Seed #22 Seed #21
Use Table 4.1 for pools of 4. For 5, 6, or 8 teams advancing, use tables
5.1.2 and 6.1.1 for pools of five and six, respectively. For 2, 4, 9, 10,
or 12 teams advancing, use tables 5.1.3 and 6.1.2 for pools of five and six,
respectively.
Table 17.1.2 Seeding for four pools for large sections, version 2
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #15 Seed #16 Seed #13 Seed #14
Seed #17 Seed #18 Seed #19 Seed #20
Seed #24 Seed #23 Seed #22 Seed #21
Use Tables 4.1, 5.1.2 and 6.1.1 for pools of 4, 5, and 6, respectively.
Table 17.1.3 Seeding for four pools for large sections, version 3
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #8 Seed #7 Seed #6 Seed #5
Seed #12 Seed #11 Seed #10 Seed #9
Seed #13 Seed #14 Seed #15 Seed #16
Seed #17 Seed #18 Seed #19 Seed #20
Seed #24 Seed #23 Seed #22 Seed #21
Use Tables 4.1, 5.1.2 and 6.1.1 for pools of 4, 5, and 6, respectively.
Table 17.1.4 Seeding for four pools for large sections, version 4
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4
Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #5 Seed #6
Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #12 Seed #11
Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13
Seed #17 Seed #18 Seed #19 Seed #20
Seed #24 Seed #23 Seed #22 Seed #21
Use Tables 4.1, 5.1.1 and 6.1.2 for pools of 4, 5, and 6, respectively.
103
Bracket 17.1 17 teams, two or four teams advance
1 ────────┐
16 ───────┐ b ├────────┐
a ├────────┘ j │
17 ───────┘ ├─────────┐
8 ────────┐ │ │
c ├────────┘ │
9 ────────┘ n │
5 ────────┐ ├------------------────────┐
d ├────────┐ │ │
12 ────────┘ k │ │ │
├─────────┘ │
13 ────────┐ │ │
e ├────────┘ │
4 ────────┘ p │
3 ────────┐ ├─────────
f ├────────┐ │ 1
st
place
14 ────────┘ l │ │
├─────────┐ │
11 ────────┐ │ │ │
g ├────────┘ │ │
6 ────────┘ o │ │
7 ────────┐ ├------------------────────┘
h ├────────┐ │
10 ────────┘ m │ │
├─────────┘
15 ───────┐ │
i ├---------────────┘
2 ───────┘
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Lm ────────┐ Lp ────────┐
Lb ────────┐ v ├─────────┐ │
r ├────────┘ │ │
Lc ────────┘ z ├─────────┐ │ 2nd
Ll ────────┐ │ │ ee ├────
Ld ────────┐ w ├─────────┘ bb ├────────┐ │ 3rd
s ├────────┘ │ │ │
Le ────────┘ Ln ─────────┘ │ │
Lk ────────┐ │ │
Lf ────────┐ x ├─────────┐ dd ├────────┘
t ├────────┘ │ │
Lg ────────┘ aa ├─────────┐ │
La ────────┐ Lj ────────┐ │ │ │
q ├────────┐ y ├─────────┘ cc ├────────┘
Li ────────┘ u ├────────┘ │
Lh ────────┘ Lo ─────────┘
Ldd ────────┐
│
Lbb ───────┐ gg ├────
│ │ 4th
ff ├────────┘
│
Lcc ───────┘
104
Bracket 17.2 18 teams, two or four teams advance
1 ────────┐
16 ───────┐ c ├────────┐
a ├────────┘ │
17 ───────┘ k ├─────────┐
8 ────────┐ │ │
d ├────────┘ │
9 ────────┘ o │
5 ────────┐ ├------------------────────┐
e ├────────┐ │ │
12 ────────┘ │ │ │
l ├─────────┘ │
13 ───────┐ │ │
f ├---------────────┘ │
4 ───────┘ q │
3 ───────┐ ├─────────
g ├---------────────┐ │ 1
st
place
14 ───────┘ │ │
m ├─────────┐ │
11 ────────┐ │ │ │
h ├────────┘ │ │
6 ────────┘ p │ │
7 ────────┐ ├------------------────────┘
i ├────────┐ │
10 ────────┘ │ │
15 ───────┐ n ├─────────┘
b ├────────┐ │
18 ───────┘ j ├────────┘
2 ────────┘
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Ln ────────┐ Lq ────────┐
Lc ────────┐ x ├─────────┐ │
t ├────────┘ │ │
Ld ────────┘ bb ├─────────┐ │ 2nd
Lm ────────┐ │ │ gg ├────
Le ────────┐ y ├─────────┘ dd ├────────┐ │ 3rd
Lf ────────┐ u ├────────┘ │ │ │
r ├────────┘ Lo ─────────┘ │ │
Lb ────────┘ Ll ────────┐ │ │
Lh ────────┐ z ├─────────┐ ff ├────────┘
Lg ────────┐ v ├────────┘ │ │
s ├────────┘ cc ├─────────┐ │
La ────────┘ Lk ────────┐ │ │ │
Li ────────┐ aa ├─────────┘ ee ├────────┘
w ├────────┘ │
Lj ────────┘ Lp ─────────┘
Lff ────────┐
│
Ldd ───────┐ ii ├────
│ │ 4th
hh ├────────┘
│
Lee ───────┘
105
Bracket 17.3 19 teams, two or four teams advance
Note the placement of the 18th and 19th seeds.
1 ────────┐
16 ───────┐ d ├────────┐
a ├────────┘ │
17 ───────┘ l ├─────────┐
8 ────────┐ │ │
e ├────────┘ │
9 ────────┘ p │
5 ───────┐ ├------------------────────┐
f ├---------────────┐ │ │
12 ───────┘ │ │ │
m ├─────────┘ │
13 ───────┐ │ │
g ├---------────────┘ │
4 ───────┘ r │
3 ────────┐ ├─────────
14 ───────┐ h ├────────┐ │ 1
st
place
b ├────────┘ │ │
18 ───────┘ n ├─────────┐ │
11 ───────┐ │ │ │
i ├---------────────┘ │ │
6 ───────┘ q │ │
7 ────────┐ ├------------------────────┘
j ├────────┐ │
10 ────────┘ │ │
15 ───────┐ o ├─────────┘
c ├────────┐ │
19 ───────┘ k ├────────┘
2 ────────┘
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Lo ────────┐ Lr ────────┐
Ld ────────┐ z ├─────────┐ │
v ├────────┘ │ │
Le ────────┘ dd ├─────────┐ │ 2nd
Lf ────────┐ Ln ────────┐ │ │ ii ├────
s ├────────┐ aa ├─────────┘ ff ├────────┐ │ 3
rd
Lb ────────┘ │ │ │ │ │
Lg ────────┐ w ├────────┘ │ │ │
t ├────────┘ Lp ─────────┘ │ │
La ────────┘ Lm ────────┐ hh ├────────┘
Lh ────────┐ bb ├─────────┐ │
Li ────────┐ x ├────────┘ │ │
u ├────────┘ ee ├─────────┐ │
Lc ────────┘ Ll ────────┐ │ │ │
Lj ────────┐ cc ├─────────┘ gg ├────────┘
y ├────────┘ │
Lk ────────┘ Lq ─────────┘
Lhh ────────┐
│
Lff ───────┐ kk ├────
│ │ 4th
jj ├────────┘
│
Lgg ───────┘
106
Bracket 17.4 20 teams, two or four teams advance
1 ────────┐
16 ───────┐ e ├────────┐
a ├────────┘ │
17 ───────┘ m ├─────────┐
8 ───────┐ │ │
f ├---------────────┘ │
9 ───────┘ q │
5 ───────┐ ├------------------────────┐
g ├---------────────┐ │ │
12 ───────┘ │ │ │
13 ───────┐ n ├─────────┘ │
b ├────────┐ │ │
20 ───────┘ h ├────────┘ │
4 ────────┘ s │
3 ────────┐ ├─────────
14 ───────┐ i ├────────┐ │ 1
st
place
c ├────────┘ │ │
19 ───────┘ o ├─────────┐ │
11 ───────┐ │ │ │
j ├---------────────┘ │ │
6 ───────┘ r │ │
7 ───────┐ ├------------------────────┘
k ├---------────────┐ │
10 ───────┘ │ │
15 ───────┐ p ├─────────┘
d ├────────┐ │
18 ───────┘ l ├────────┘
2 ────────┘
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Lp ────────┐ Ls ────────┐
Le ────────┐ bb ├─────────┐ │
Lf ────────┐ x ├────────┘ │ │
t ├────────┘ ff ├─────────┐ │ 2nd
Lb ────────┘ Lo ────────┐ │ │ kk ├────
Lh ────────┐ cc ├─────────┘ hh ├────────┐ │ 3rd
Lg ────────┐ y ├────────┘ │ │ │
u ├────────┘ Lq ─────────┘ │ │
La ────────┘ Ln ────────┐ │ │
Li ────────┐ dd ├─────────┐ jj ├────────┘
Lj ────────┐ z ├────────┘ │ │
v ├────────┘ gg ├─────────┐ │
Ld ────────┘ Lm ────────┐ │ │ │
Ll ────────┐ ee ├─────────┘ ii ├────────┘
Lk ────────┐ aa ├────────┘ │
w ├────────┘ Lr ─────────┘
Lc ────────┘
Ljj ────────┐
│
Lhh ───────┐ mm ├────
│ │ 4th
ll ├────────┘
│
Lii ───────┘
107
Bracket 17.5 17-24 team elimination – 3 teams advancing
Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4
A1 ─────────┐
a ├──────────┐
D1 ─────────┘ │ 1st
c ├──────────
C1 ─────────┐ │ loser 2nd
b ├──────────┘
B1 ─────────┘
D2 ────────┐ Lb ────────┐
d ├────────────┐ │
C3 ────────┘ │ j ├──────────┐
h │ │ │
A2 ────────┐ ├──────────┘ │
e ├────────────┘ │
B3 ────────┘ │
l ├─────────
C2 ────────┐ │ 3rd
f ├────────────┐ │
D3 ────────┘ ├──────────┐ │
i │ │ │
B2 ────────┐ │ k ├──────────┘
g ├────────────┘ │
A3 ────────┘ La ─────────┘
Note the comment on swapping opponents in parallel games on page 4.