Frequently Asked Questions

Creating an account is easy! You have two options:

• Google Sign-In: Click "Continue with Google" for quick, one-click registration
• Email Registration: Fill out the registration form with your email, username, and password

You'll also need to provide your pickleball skill rating (2.0-5.5) so we can help match you with appropriate tournaments.

If you forgot your password:

1. Go to the login page and click "Forgot your password?"
2. Enter your email address
3. Check your email for a password reset link
4. Click the link and enter your new password

Note: If you signed up with Google, you don't have a Pickle Pals password – just use Google Sign-In.

To update your profile:

1. Click on your profile picture or name in the top navigation
2. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu
3. Update your name, skill rating, or upload a new profile picture
4. Click "Save Changes"

Pickle Pals has three user roles:

• User: Can join tournaments, view standings, and track their stats
• Admin: Can create and manage tournaments, invite players, and enter scores
• Global Admin: Full access to all features including user management and site settings

To join a tournament:

1. Browse the Tournaments page
2. Find a tournament that fits your schedule and skill level
3. Click the "Join" button on the tournament card or detail page
4. You'll see a confirmation that you're registered

Note: Some tournaments may require an invitation from the organizer.

If you need to withdraw from a tournament:

1. Go to the tournament detail page or find it on the Tournaments list
2. Click the "Leave" button
3. Confirm your withdrawal

Please withdraw as early as possible so the organizer can find a replacement!

To create a tournament, you need Admin or Global Admin privileges. Then:

1. Click "Create Tournament" from the Tournaments page or your Dashboard
2. Fill in the tournament details (name, date, location, format)
3. Set the player capacity and skill level range
4. Choose whether registration is open or invite-only
5. Click "Create Tournament"

When a tournament reaches its maximum capacity, the "Join" button will be disabled. You can:

• Check back later in case someone withdraws
• Contact the tournament organizer to be placed on a waiting list
• Look for other upcoming tournaments

The most social format! Each round, players are randomly paired with different partners.

• Best for: Social play, meeting new players
• How it works: Partners are shuffled every round
• Standings: Individual points accumulate across all matches

Winners stay on the court and face new challengers!

• Best for: Competitive play, skill testing
• How it works: Winning team stays, losing team rotates out
• Standings: Based on consecutive wins and total points

Players are divided into pools and play everyone in their pool.

• Best for: Guaranteed games, round-robin style
• How it works: Pools of 4-6 players, everyone plays each other
• Standings: Pool winners may advance to playoffs

Skill-based matchups where top players face each other.

• Best for: Competitive tournaments, skill-based seeding
• How it works: Players ranked by rating, top players paired together
• Standings: Winners climb the rankings

Balanced teams with mixed skill levels for fair competition.

• Best for: Mixed skill groups, balanced games
• How it works: Teams balanced by combined rating
• Standings: Individual points tracked

Play two games per round with the same partner.

• Best for: More court time, partner chemistry
• How it works: Same matchup plays twice before rotating
• Standings: Both games count toward standings

We use a points system inspired by Major League Pickleball (MLP):

This system rewards close, competitive games – even if you lose a close match, you still earn a point!

Tournament standings are sorted by:

1. Total Points (primary)
2. Number of Wins (tiebreaker)
3. Point Differential (secondary tiebreaker)

Match scores can be entered by:

• The tournament organizer
• Any of the four players in the match
• Admins and Global Admins

Simply click on the match card and enter the final score. Games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2).

Pickleball uses a skill rating system from 1.0 to 5.5+:

If you're new to pickleball ratings, here's how to estimate:

• Brand new to pickleball: Start at 2.5
• Played other racquet sports: Start at 3.0
• Been playing regularly: Most recreational players are 3.0-3.5
• Play in leagues/tournaments: You probably know your rating!

You can always update your rating in your profile as you improve.

Tournament organizers can set minimum and maximum rating requirements to:

• Ensure competitive and fair matches
• Create beginner-friendly environments
• Organize advanced-level competition

Look for tournaments that match your skill level for the best experience!