With 10 players on 2 courts, 8 play and 2 sit out each round. Everyone has sat out once after 5 rounds. Over 10 rounds, everyone sits out exactly twice, plays 8 games, and nobody repeats a partner until round 10.
On 1 court, 6 of the 10 sit out every round. Three courts need 12 players, so 2 courts is the right setup for 10.
10 players on 2 courts: the full schedule
Players are listed in sign-up order. Two sit out each round, starting from the top of the list, and partners change every round.
| Round | Sits out | Court 1 | Court 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AlexBlake | Casey & DrewvsEmery & Finley | Gray & HarpervsIndy & Jordan |
| 2 | CaseyDrew | Alex & IndyvsBlake & Jordan | Emery & GrayvsFinley & Harper |
| 3 | EmeryFinley | Alex & GrayvsCasey & Indy | Blake & HarpervsDrew & Jordan |
| 4 | GrayHarper | Alex & DrewvsEmery & Indy | Blake & CaseyvsFinley & Jordan |
| 5 | IndyJordan | Alex & FinleyvsDrew & Gray | Blake & EmeryvsCasey & Harper |
| 6 | AlexBlake | Casey & GrayvsDrew & Harper | Emery & JordanvsFinley & Indy |
| 7 | CaseyDrew | Alex & EmeryvsGray & Jordan | Blake & FinleyvsHarper & Indy |
| 8 | EmeryFinley | Alex & HarpervsDrew & Indy | Blake & GrayvsCasey & Jordan |
| 9 | GrayHarper | Alex & JordanvsDrew & Finley | Casey & EmeryvsBlake & Indy |
| 10 | IndyJordan | Alex & BlakevsFinley & Gray | Casey & HarpervsDrew & Emery |
In 10 rounds there are 40 partnerships to hand out and 45 possible pairs, so almost every pair teams up once. The only repeat comes in round 10, when one pair partners for a second time. If you stop after 9 rounds, nobody has repeated a partner.
The sit-out pattern
Sit-outs go two at a time down the list: the first two names sit in round 1, the next two in round 2, and so on. After round 5 everyone has sat once, and the same order starts again. That is the fairest pattern possible: at every point in the night, sit-outs differ by at most one between any two players.
Partners are what change: the pairings on court are chosen so each player keeps meeting new partners, even though the sit-out order repeats.
If an 11th player arrives
With 11 players on 2 courts, 3 sit out each round and everyone has sat out once after 4 rounds. The newcomer should start level with the group's fewest sit-outs, not at zero. Otherwise the rule benches everyone else until the new player catches up, which feels like a punishment for showing up on time.
For other group sizes, see how many players you need for a round robin.
How to run a 10-player round robin
Use two courts
Eight play and two sit out each round. Ten players can't fill a third court.
List the names in sign-up order
The order only breaks ties, so it doesn't matter who goes first.
Sit out two at a time
Each round, the two players with the fewest sit-outs sit. On a tie, whoever sat longest ago sits first.
Give everyone a new partner
Pair each player with someone they haven't partnered yet. The table above does it for 9 rounds with no repeats.
Keep score per player
Each player gets their team's result. Rank by win rate, then point difference per game, then total points, so a player who sat out more isn't penalized for playing fewer games.
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 10-player round robins
How many players sit out with 10 players on 2 courts?
Two each round. After 5 rounds everyone has sat out once; after 10 rounds, twice.
How many rounds should 10 players play?
Ten rounds gives everyone exactly 8 games and 2 sit-outs. Five rounds is the shortest night where everyone has sat out once. If you stop in between, rank by win rate so nobody is penalized for an extra sit-out.
Can 10 players use 3 courts?
No. Three courts need 12 players. With 10, fill 2 courts and leave the third free.
Is it better to play 10 on one court?
Only if you have no choice. On 1 court, 4 play and 6 sit, so each player plays about 4 games in 10 rounds instead of 8.
Does everyone partner everyone?
Almost. In 10 rounds there are 40 partnerships for 45 possible pairs. Only one pair partners twice, in round 10; through round 9 nobody repeats a partner.