How does Balanced Match work?
Learn how CourtPal creates fairer games.
What is Balanced Match?
Balanced Match helps an organizer form sensible matchups using the ratings and skill levels set in the session. Use it when you want everyone to rotate and want help choosing player combinations.
Balanced Match or Open Play?
Both features organize games. Balanced Match rotates everyone out after each game and compares team combinations using session ratings. Open Play also considers player information, but supports winner-stays rotation.
For players
- Find a session through Community or a shared Join Link. Review its details, sign in and select Request to Join when registration is open.
- Check your request status. The organizer reviews requests and adds approved players to the session roster; submitting a request does not guarantee participation.
- Follow your court assignment. After your game, everyone returns to waiting unless a pause or departure takes effect.
How matching works
Automatic matching first favors eligible players with fewer games, then those who have waited longer. For doubles, it compares three possible team splits using average session ratings and repeat partner/opponent history. Singles needs two players; doubles needs four.
For organizers: step by step
- Create a Balanced Match session. Set the sport, singles or doubles format, courts and session mode. Choose Automatic Balance or Manual Selection.
- Add players and review their session skill levels. A starting rating is derived from the selected session skill level; adding a registered player does not automatically import that account’s rating into these match suggestions.
- Start the session once enough eligible players are ready. Automatic courts fill when players are available; manual courts let you select players and review the team split.
- Record final scores directly, or generate a scorekeeper link and review remotely submitted results. Manage the roster, pauses, departures and courts using organizer controls.
- Use Public Link for spectators and Join Link for participation. End the session when play is finished.
Session modes
- Fixed Games uses a target number of games per player and completes when all players reach that target.
- Timed stops automatic scheduling at the deadline, allows existing games to finish and still requires the organizer to end the session.
- Continuous removes the automatic rotation’s per-player game cap. The organizer ends the session.
Example and common question
For four doubles players, CourtPal compares the three possible team combinations and chooses its highest-scoring split. This is a suggestion, not a guarantee of equal skill or an equal result. Correct the session skill information if it is inaccurate. Session results update local statistics; account history depends on player identity and successful syncing.