Understanding how tournament systems and pairing algorithms work within the PlayAllTimes platform
Understanding how tournament systems and pairing algorithms work within the platform
The Swiss system is the reference algorithm for card tournaments. It guarantees that all players play the same number of games without direct elimination.
In a Swiss system, players are paired according to their current performance. Players with similar results face each other, creating a natural ranking throughout the rounds.
Players are grouped by point bands (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, etc.) to create balanced matches.
The algorithm automatically checks that two players haven't already faced each other in the tournament.
With odd numbers of players, a bye is assigned to the lowest-ranked player who hasn't had one yet.
If a player cannot be paired within their point group, they "fold down" to the lower group.
PlayAllTimes strictly follows the Magic Tournament Rules (MTR) with official tiebreakers: OMW% (Opponents' Match Win %), PGW% (Player Game Win %), and OGW% (Opponents' Game Win %).
Elimination tournaments create brackets where losers are eliminated. PlayAllTimes supports multiple elimination formats with optimized algorithms.
Classic format where each loss eliminates the player. The bracket is built according to previous phase standings.
Structure: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
The two winners face each other in the finals.
Structure: Optimized bracket
1 vs 8, 4 vs 5, 3 vs 6, 2 vs 7
Structure: Four pods
Balanced distribution by ranking
Structure: Recursive pattern
Optimized algorithm for large brackets
Advanced system where each player gets one loss before elimination. Includes winners and losers brackets with complex finals.
Multiplayer tournaments (3-5 players per pod) require specialized algorithms to create balanced pods while avoiding rematches.
| Result | Points (Default) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Victory | 5 points | First place in the pod |
| Draw | 1 point | Pod declared as draw |
| Loss | 0 points | 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place |
| Bye | 5 points | Automatic bye |
Draft tournaments combine a drafting phase in pods with specialized pairings according to MTR rules.
| Number of Players | Pod Configuration | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 pod of 8 | Optimal |
| 12-13 | 2 pods (6+6 or 6+7) | Balanced |
| 16 | 2 pods of 8 | Optimal |
| 24 | 3 pods of 8 | Optimal |
The HRRYA system is an innovative format where players "bet" a portion of their points each round.
Each player starts with 1000 points. Every round, they bet 7% of their current points. The pod winner takes the entire collective bet.
PlayAllTimes allows creating complex tournaments with multiple distinct phases.
| Cut Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Top X Players | The X highest ranked players | Top 8 for finals |
| Minimum Points | All players with X points or more | 12 points minimum to advance |
| Percentage | X% of highest ranked players | 50% of participants |
PlayAllTimes uses official tiebreakers to rank players with equal points.
Absolute priority
Victory = 3 points, Draw = 1 point, Loss = 0 points
Opponent strength
Average win % of faced opponents
Game performance
% of games won by the player in their matches
Opponent game strength
Average game win % of opponents