Why formats matter
Open gym pickleball can mean anything from “paddle stack” rotation to organized round robins. A clear format keeps courts full, minimizes wait time, and helps players of different skill levels enjoy the same session.
Pickleball Now supports the formats below when you create an activity or league. Each format can use rotating partners (meet new players) or fixed partners (teams stay together).
Watch: singles vs doubles scoring
Most community sessions are doubles, but ladders and round robins often mix singles and doubles courts. These USA Pickleball referee-training clips explain how side-out scoring and server rotation differ between the two—useful when you run a format that switches player counts mid-session.
Doubles side-out scoring
How both partners serve, when side-outs happen, and how to call the score.
Singles side-out scoring
One server per side, court positioning by score, and singles score calling.
Doubles strategy for mixers
Ten smart-play tips for doubles—net positioning and shot selection that translate to round robins and open play.
Run a DUPR rating session
Official DUPR walkthrough for organizers seeding ladders and rating-based round robins.
Formats with rotating partners
Open play
Drop-in doubles or singles. Players rotate onto courts as space opens—ideal for public courts and casual club nights. No fixed schedule required.
Quick game · 4+ playersRound robin mixer
Individual round robin where partners change every round. The app minimizes repeat matchups so you play with and against different people across the session.
Round robin · 4–32 playersScramble
Players assigned to a court play several games with everyone on that court, then the group rotates. Great when you want multiple short games before switching partners.
Round robin · 3–5 games per roundMixed madness
Mixed-doubles social format. The scheduler pairs a male and female player each round when possible—popular for club social events.
Round robin · 8+ playersUp & down the river
Ladder-style movement: winners move up a court, losers move down. Players grouped by skill within the session so games stay competitive.
Ladder · seeded matchupsUp & down the river split
Similar to up & down the river, but winners and losers move individually rather than as a pair—more movement across courts in large groups.
Ladder · 3+ courtsFixed-partner formats
Use these when teams register together—for example, a married couple, club duo, or league team that stays paired all session.
Fixed partner round robin
Same partner all session; opponents rotate each round. Common in league nights where teams are pre-formed.
Fixed partners · 8+ playersFixed partner up & down the river
Teams move up or down courts based on win/loss while keeping the same partner—combines ladder movement with team stability.
Fixed partners · ladderLeagues vs one-off activities
A one-off activity is a single session—a Saturday mixer or weekday open play. A league runs over weeks with standings, recurring sessions, and often a fixed format (round robin or ladder). Pickleball Now tracks rosters, schedules, and results for both.
New to skill matching? Read what DUPR is and how ratings help seed ladder formats fairly.