12 players fill 3 courts exactly, so nobody sits out. Play 9 rounds and everyone plays 9 games with 9 different partners.
On 2 courts, 8 play and 4 sit out each round. Over 6 rounds everyone sits out twice, plays 4 games and never repeats a partner.
12 players on 3 courts: everyone plays
Six teams on three courts each round. Partners change every round; nobody teams up with the same person twice in these 9 rounds.
| Round | Court 1 | Court 2 | Court 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex & BlakevsCasey & Drew | Emery & FinleyvsGray & Harper | Indy & JordanvsKai & Logan |
| 2 | Alex & IndyvsBlake & Jordan | Casey & GrayvsDrew & Harper | Emery & KaivsFinley & Logan |
| 3 | Alex & EmeryvsCasey & Indy | Blake & FinleyvsDrew & Jordan | Gray & KaivsHarper & Logan |
| 4 | Alex & FinleyvsBlake & Emery | Casey & LoganvsGray & Jordan | Drew & KaivsHarper & Indy |
| 5 | Alex & LoganvsCasey & Finley | Blake & KaivsDrew & Emery | Gray & IndyvsHarper & Jordan |
| 6 | Alex & GrayvsDrew & Logan | Blake & HarpervsEmery & Jordan | Finley & IndyvsCasey & Kai |
| 7 | Alex & HarpervsIndy & Logan | Blake & GrayvsJordan & Kai | Casey & EmeryvsDrew & Finley |
| 8 | Alex & KaivsEmery & Gray | Blake & LoganvsCasey & Harper | Drew & IndyvsFinley & Jordan |
| 9 | Alex & JordanvsFinley & Harper | Blake & CaseyvsIndy & Kai | Drew & GrayvsEmery & Logan |
Each player has 11 possible partners. After 9 rounds everyone has had 9 of them. A tenth and eleventh round are possible, but most nights end around round 8 or 9, and that's where repeats would start.
12 players on 2 courts: 4 sit out each round
With one court short, four players sit each round, in blocks of four down the list. Everyone has sat once after 3 rounds and twice after 6.
| Round | Sits out | Court 1 | Court 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AlexBlakeCaseyDrew | Emery & FinleyvsGray & Harper | Indy & JordanvsKai & Logan |
| 2 | EmeryFinleyGrayHarper | Alex & IndyvsCasey & Jordan | Blake & KaivsDrew & Logan |
| 3 | IndyJordanKaiLogan | Alex & EmeryvsCasey & Finley | Blake & GrayvsDrew & Harper |
| 4 | AlexBlakeCaseyDrew | Emery & IndyvsFinley & Jordan | Gray & KaivsHarper & Logan |
| 5 | EmeryFinleyGrayHarper | Alex & KaivsBlake & Indy | Casey & LoganvsDrew & Jordan |
| 6 | IndyJordanKaiLogan | Alex & GrayvsDrew & Emery | Blake & FinleyvsCasey & Harper |
If you have 13 or 11 players
13 players on 3 courts: 12 play and 1 sits out each round, and it takes 13 rounds for everyone to sit once. 11 players on 2 courts: 8 play and 3 sit, and everyone has sat once after 4 rounds. Either way, a late arrival should start level with the fewest sit-outs so far.
For 4 to 32 players on 1 to 8 courts, see how many players you need for a round robin.
How to run a 12-player round robin
Book 3 courts if you can
Twelve players fill three courts exactly, so nobody waits. On two courts, a third of the group sits each round.
List the names in sign-up order
The order only breaks ties between players with the same number of sit-outs.
Give everyone a new partner every round
The 3-court table above runs 9 rounds without a repeat partner.
Spread opponents too
Once partners are fresh, pick matchups so players meet different opponents rather than the same two people all night.
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 12-player round robins
Does anyone sit out with 12 players on 3 courts?
No. Twelve players fill three courts exactly, so everyone plays every round.
How many rounds should 12 players play?
Most nights play 8 or 9 rounds. In 9 rounds on 3 courts everyone gets 9 different partners.
Can every player partner every other player?
A perfect 11-round rotation exists for 12 players, but few nights run that long. Sitout's schedule keeps partners fresh for the first 9 rounds, which covers a typical two-hour session.
How many sit out with 12 players on 2 courts?
Four each round. Everyone sits out once every 3 rounds.
What if a 13th player arrives?
On 3 courts, one player sits out each round from then on. The newcomer joins at the group's fewest sit-outs.