Count your players and courts, then run rounds: everyone on court starts together, and the players who sit out are the ones who have sat out least so far. Change partners every round.
Compared with a paddle stack, a set rotation means nobody waits twice while someone else plays three times in a row, and newcomers mix with regulars.
Three common ways to run open play
| Format | How it works | Good at | Weak at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddle stack | Waiting players line up paddles; the next four take the next free court. | No organizer needed | Uneven waits, friends stacking together, newcomers left out |
| Challenge court | Winners stay on, challengers rotate in. | Competitive groups | Strong players play all night, everyone else waits |
| Set rotation | Rounds with new partners; fewest sit-outs sit next. | Fair court time, mixing the group | Needs someone to call the rounds (or an app) |
Example: 13 players on 3 courts
Twelve play and one sits out each round. Over six rounds, six different players have sat once and nobody has sat twice. Every round has new partners.
| Round | Sits out | Court 1 | Court 2 | Court 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex | Blake & CaseyvsDrew & Emery | Finley & GrayvsHarper & Indy | Jordan & KaivsLogan & Morgan |
| 2 | Blake | Alex & LoganvsCasey & Morgan | Drew & FinleyvsEmery & Gray | Harper & JordanvsIndy & Kai |
| 3 | Casey | Alex & DrewvsFinley & Jordan | Harper & MorganvsEmery & Indy | Gray & KaivsBlake & Logan |
| 4 | Drew | Alex & KaivsBlake & Indy | Casey & FinleyvsGray & Morgan | Emery & JordanvsHarper & Logan |
| 5 | Emery | Alex & GrayvsDrew & Kai | Blake & FinleyvsIndy & Logan | Jordan & MorganvsCasey & Harper |
| 6 | Finley | Alex & EmeryvsGray & Jordan | Blake & HarpervsDrew & Logan | Casey & IndyvsKai & Morgan |
For other group sizes, see how many players you need or the 9-player rotation.
Tips that keep open play moving
- Use a round timer. Courts finish at different times; a 12 to 15 minute round keeps everyone starting together.
- Call the next round before the last one ends. Players walk straight to their court.
- Put the courts on a screen or share an image. Fewer people crowd the organizer's phone.
- Balance by level if games are lopsided. Spread stronger players across teams so games stay close, without breaking the sit-out rule.
How to run open play with a fair rotation
Count players and courts
Four players per court. Anyone beyond that sits out this round.
Sit out the fewest-sat first
Each round, the players with the fewest sit-outs sit. On a tie, whoever sat longest ago sits.
Mix partners every round
Pair each player with someone they haven't partnered yet tonight.
Start every court together
Use a timer or a game to 11, then call the next round for everyone at once.
Handle late arrivals and early exits
Someone who arrives mid-night starts level with the group's fewest sit-outs, so they aren't benched round after round to catch up. Someone who leaves keeps every score they already have.
Questions about running open play
What is paddle stacking in pickleball?
Waiting players put their paddles in a line or rack; when a court frees up, the next four paddles go on. It needs no organizer but can leave some players waiting much longer than others.
How do you rotate players fairly in open play?
Run rounds and sit out the players who have sat out least so far. Sit-outs then never differ by more than one between any two players.
How long should an open play round be?
Games to 11 take about 12 to 15 minutes. A timer of that length keeps every court changing over together.
What do you do when someone arrives late?
Add them to the next round at the group's fewest sit-outs, so they aren't benched round after round to catch up.
Is there an app for running open play?
Sitout runs the rotation on one organizer's phone: who plays, who sits, new partners every round, a round timer and the scores. Players never pay or need the app.