Learn how each sport is played and scored
Brakto supports tournaments for 19 different sports. Whether you're organizing your first pickleball tournament or running a chess championship, this guide covers the basics of each sport including rules, scoring, and tournament tips.
A racket sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net. Players hit a felt-covered ball back and forth.
Players use rackets to hit the ball over the net into the opponent's court. The ball must bounce once before being returned (except volleys). Points are won when the opponent fails to return the ball within the court boundaries.
Points: 0 (Love), 15, 30, 40, Game. Win by 2 points. A set is won by first to 6 games (with 2-game lead) or tiebreak at 6-6. Matches are best of 3 or 5 sets.
The fastest-growing sport in America! A paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.
Players use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball over a 34-inch net. Games are played to 11 points (win by 2). The non-volley zone ("kitchen") prevents players from volleying at the net.
Rally scoring or traditional (only serving team scores). Games to 11, win by 2. Matches typically best of 3.
A racket sport played with a shuttlecock (birdie) over a high net. Known for fast-paced rallies and athletic movement.
Players hit the shuttlecock over the net, aiming to land it in the opponent's court. Unlike tennis, the shuttlecock cannot touch the ground - it must be hit in the air. The unique aerodynamics create dramatic smashes and deceptive drops.
Rally scoring to 21 points, win by 2 (cap at 30). Best of 3 games.
Also known as ping-pong, a fast-paced sport played on a table with small paddles and a lightweight ball.
Players hit a hollow ball back and forth across a table divided by a net. The ball must bounce once on each side. Spin is a crucial element - players use rubber-covered paddles to generate topspin, backspin, and sidespin.
Games to 11 points, win by 2. Matches are best of 5 or 7 games. Service alternates every 2 points.
A high-intensity racket sport played in an enclosed four-walled court. Players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall.
Players share the court, taking turns hitting a small rubber ball against the front wall. The ball can hit side walls and back wall but must reach the front wall above the tin (bottom line). Players must give opponents clear access to the ball.
Point-a-rally to 11 points, win by 2. Best of 5 games. Traditional scoring (hand-in/hand-out) is less common now.
A racket sport combining tennis and squash. Played in an enclosed court with walls that are in play.
Played with solid paddles (no strings) and a depressurized tennis ball. The court has glass/mesh walls that players can use to keep rallies going. Underhand serve required. Walls add strategic possibilities - the ball can be played off walls.
Same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, Game. Sets to 6 games with tiebreak. Best of 3 sets.
A fast-paced sport played in an enclosed court where all walls, floor, and ceiling are in play.
Players use strung rackets to hit a bouncy ball. The ball must hit the front wall first but can carom off any surface. The server gets two serves. Rallies continue until someone fails to return the ball to the front wall before it bounces twice.
Rally scoring to 15 points (no win-by-2 required). Matches are best of 3 games. Tiebreaker game to 11.
A lawn game where players toss bean bags at a raised platform with a hole. Perfect for casual tournaments and tailgates.
Players take turns throwing 4 bean bags at a board 27 feet away. Bags that go through the hole score 3 points, bags on the board score 1 point. Teams alternate throws. Cancellation scoring is used (only difference in points counts).
Hole = 3 points, On board = 1 point. Cancellation scoring. Games to 21, win by 2.
Cue sports played on a felt-covered table with pockets. Includes 8-ball, 9-ball, and other variants.
8-Ball: Players are assigned stripes or solids. Pocket all your balls, then the 8-ball. 9-Ball: Balls must be hit in numerical order, but any ball pocketed counts. First to pocket the 9-ball wins.
8-Ball: Pocket your group then 8-ball. 9-Ball: First to 9-ball wins (or race to X games). Formats vary by variant.
A throwing game where players aim darts at a circular board divided into numbered sections.
Players throw 3 darts per turn at a dartboard. In 501/301, players start at that number and subtract their score each turn. Must finish exactly on 0, ending on a double. Cricket involves hitting 15-20 and bullseye three times each.
501/301: Subtract from starting score, finish on double. Cricket: Close numbers 15-20 and bullseye.
An outdoor game where players toss horseshoes at stakes in the ground, aiming for ringers.
Players throw horseshoes at a stake 40 feet away. Ringers (around the stake) score 3 points, leaners score 2, and close shoes score 1. Cancellation scoring applies - only the player with shoes closer to the stake scores.
Ringer = 3 points, Leaner = 2 points, Closest = 1 point. Cancellation scoring. Games to 21 or 40.
The classic strategy board game. Two players compete to checkmate the opponent's king.
Each player starts with 16 pieces with unique movement patterns. The goal is to attack the opponent's king so it cannot escape (checkmate). Games can also end in stalemate (draw) or resignation.
Win = 1 point, Draw = 0.5 points, Loss = 0 points. Swiss system tournaments use cumulative points.
A precision club-and-ball sport where players aim to complete a course in the fewest strokes.
Players use various clubs to hit a ball from the tee to the hole. Each hole has a par (expected strokes). The goal is to complete 9 or 18 holes with the lowest total strokes.
Stroke play: Total strokes count. Match play: Holes won/lost. Stableford: Points based on par.
A target sport where players roll a ball down a lane to knock down pins arranged in a triangle.
Players roll a heavy ball down a 60-foot lane to knock down 10 pins. Each frame allows 2 rolls (except the 10th). Strikes (all 10 on first roll) and spares (all 10 in frame) earn bonus points.
Strike = 10 + next 2 rolls. Spare = 10 + next roll. Perfect game = 300 (12 strikes).
Competitive video gaming across various titles including fighting games, MOBAs, FPS, and sports games.
Rules vary by game title. Fighting games are typically best-of-3 or best-of-5 rounds. MOBAs and FPS games follow game-specific objectives. Sports games mirror real sport rules.
Game-dependent. Fighting games: rounds/matches. MOBAs: single game or series. FPS: rounds or maps.
A fast-paced team sport where two teams score by shooting a ball through an elevated hoop.
Teams of 5 players try to score by shooting through a 10-foot hoop. Players advance the ball by dribbling or passing. Field goals score 2 or 3 points, free throws score 1. Highest score wins.
Field goal = 2 points (3 beyond arc), Free throw = 1 point. Timed games with overtime if tied.
A team sport where two teams separated by a net hit a ball back and forth, aiming to ground it on the opponent's side.
Teams of 6 players hit the ball over the net with up to 3 touches per side. Points are scored when the ball hits the opponent's floor or they commit a fault. Teams rotate positions clockwise.
Rally scoring to 25 points (win by 2). Best of 3 or 5 sets. Deciding set to 15 points.
The world's most popular sport. Two teams try to score by kicking a ball into the opponent's goal.
Teams of 11 players try to score goals by kicking the ball into the net. Only goalkeepers can use hands within their penalty area. Highest score wins. Ties may go to extra time and penalty kicks.
Goal = 1 point. Timed games (two halves). Ties resolved by extra time or penalty shootout.
Similar to baseball but played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Includes fastpitch and slowpitch variants.
Teams take turns batting and fielding. Batters try to hit the ball and advance around bases to score runs. The fielding team tries to get batters/runners out. Team with most runs after 7 innings wins.
Run = 1 point (player crosses home plate). Games are 7 innings. Ties may use international tiebreaker.
Now that you know the sports, let Brakto handle the brackets, scheduling, and scoring. Create your first tournament in under 5 minutes.
Create TournamentLearn how each sport is played and scored
Brakto supports tournaments for 19 different sports. Whether you're organizing your first pickleball tournament or running a chess championship, this guide covers the basics of each sport including rules, scoring, and tournament tips.
A racket sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net. Players hit a felt-covered ball back and forth.
Players use rackets to hit the ball over the net into the opponent's court. The ball must bounce once before being returned (except volleys). Points are won when the opponent fails to return the ball within the court boundaries.
Points: 0 (Love), 15, 30, 40, Game. Win by 2 points. A set is won by first to 6 games (with 2-game lead) or tiebreak at 6-6. Matches are best of 3 or 5 sets.
The fastest-growing sport in America! A paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.
Players use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball over a 34-inch net. Games are played to 11 points (win by 2). The non-volley zone ("kitchen") prevents players from volleying at the net.
Rally scoring or traditional (only serving team scores). Games to 11, win by 2. Matches typically best of 3.
A racket sport played with a shuttlecock (birdie) over a high net. Known for fast-paced rallies and athletic movement.
Players hit the shuttlecock over the net, aiming to land it in the opponent's court. Unlike tennis, the shuttlecock cannot touch the ground - it must be hit in the air. The unique aerodynamics create dramatic smashes and deceptive drops.
Rally scoring to 21 points, win by 2 (cap at 30). Best of 3 games.
Also known as ping-pong, a fast-paced sport played on a table with small paddles and a lightweight ball.
Players hit a hollow ball back and forth across a table divided by a net. The ball must bounce once on each side. Spin is a crucial element - players use rubber-covered paddles to generate topspin, backspin, and sidespin.
Games to 11 points, win by 2. Matches are best of 5 or 7 games. Service alternates every 2 points.
A high-intensity racket sport played in an enclosed four-walled court. Players take turns hitting the ball against the front wall.
Players share the court, taking turns hitting a small rubber ball against the front wall. The ball can hit side walls and back wall but must reach the front wall above the tin (bottom line). Players must give opponents clear access to the ball.
Point-a-rally to 11 points, win by 2. Best of 5 games. Traditional scoring (hand-in/hand-out) is less common now.
A racket sport combining tennis and squash. Played in an enclosed court with walls that are in play.
Played with solid paddles (no strings) and a depressurized tennis ball. The court has glass/mesh walls that players can use to keep rallies going. Underhand serve required. Walls add strategic possibilities - the ball can be played off walls.
Same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, Game. Sets to 6 games with tiebreak. Best of 3 sets.
A fast-paced sport played in an enclosed court where all walls, floor, and ceiling are in play.
Players use strung rackets to hit a bouncy ball. The ball must hit the front wall first but can carom off any surface. The server gets two serves. Rallies continue until someone fails to return the ball to the front wall before it bounces twice.
Rally scoring to 15 points (no win-by-2 required). Matches are best of 3 games. Tiebreaker game to 11.
A lawn game where players toss bean bags at a raised platform with a hole. Perfect for casual tournaments and tailgates.
Players take turns throwing 4 bean bags at a board 27 feet away. Bags that go through the hole score 3 points, bags on the board score 1 point. Teams alternate throws. Cancellation scoring is used (only difference in points counts).
Hole = 3 points, On board = 1 point. Cancellation scoring. Games to 21, win by 2.
Cue sports played on a felt-covered table with pockets. Includes 8-ball, 9-ball, and other variants.
8-Ball: Players are assigned stripes or solids. Pocket all your balls, then the 8-ball. 9-Ball: Balls must be hit in numerical order, but any ball pocketed counts. First to pocket the 9-ball wins.
8-Ball: Pocket your group then 8-ball. 9-Ball: First to 9-ball wins (or race to X games). Formats vary by variant.
A throwing game where players aim darts at a circular board divided into numbered sections.
Players throw 3 darts per turn at a dartboard. In 501/301, players start at that number and subtract their score each turn. Must finish exactly on 0, ending on a double. Cricket involves hitting 15-20 and bullseye three times each.
501/301: Subtract from starting score, finish on double. Cricket: Close numbers 15-20 and bullseye.
An outdoor game where players toss horseshoes at stakes in the ground, aiming for ringers.
Players throw horseshoes at a stake 40 feet away. Ringers (around the stake) score 3 points, leaners score 2, and close shoes score 1. Cancellation scoring applies - only the player with shoes closer to the stake scores.
Ringer = 3 points, Leaner = 2 points, Closest = 1 point. Cancellation scoring. Games to 21 or 40.
The classic strategy board game. Two players compete to checkmate the opponent's king.
Each player starts with 16 pieces with unique movement patterns. The goal is to attack the opponent's king so it cannot escape (checkmate). Games can also end in stalemate (draw) or resignation.
Win = 1 point, Draw = 0.5 points, Loss = 0 points. Swiss system tournaments use cumulative points.
A precision club-and-ball sport where players aim to complete a course in the fewest strokes.
Players use various clubs to hit a ball from the tee to the hole. Each hole has a par (expected strokes). The goal is to complete 9 or 18 holes with the lowest total strokes.
Stroke play: Total strokes count. Match play: Holes won/lost. Stableford: Points based on par.
A target sport where players roll a ball down a lane to knock down pins arranged in a triangle.
Players roll a heavy ball down a 60-foot lane to knock down 10 pins. Each frame allows 2 rolls (except the 10th). Strikes (all 10 on first roll) and spares (all 10 in frame) earn bonus points.
Strike = 10 + next 2 rolls. Spare = 10 + next roll. Perfect game = 300 (12 strikes).
Competitive video gaming across various titles including fighting games, MOBAs, FPS, and sports games.
Rules vary by game title. Fighting games are typically best-of-3 or best-of-5 rounds. MOBAs and FPS games follow game-specific objectives. Sports games mirror real sport rules.
Game-dependent. Fighting games: rounds/matches. MOBAs: single game or series. FPS: rounds or maps.
A fast-paced team sport where two teams score by shooting a ball through an elevated hoop.
Teams of 5 players try to score by shooting through a 10-foot hoop. Players advance the ball by dribbling or passing. Field goals score 2 or 3 points, free throws score 1. Highest score wins.
Field goal = 2 points (3 beyond arc), Free throw = 1 point. Timed games with overtime if tied.
A team sport where two teams separated by a net hit a ball back and forth, aiming to ground it on the opponent's side.
Teams of 6 players hit the ball over the net with up to 3 touches per side. Points are scored when the ball hits the opponent's floor or they commit a fault. Teams rotate positions clockwise.
Rally scoring to 25 points (win by 2). Best of 3 or 5 sets. Deciding set to 15 points.
The world's most popular sport. Two teams try to score by kicking a ball into the opponent's goal.
Teams of 11 players try to score goals by kicking the ball into the net. Only goalkeepers can use hands within their penalty area. Highest score wins. Ties may go to extra time and penalty kicks.
Goal = 1 point. Timed games (two halves). Ties resolved by extra time or penalty shootout.
Similar to baseball but played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Includes fastpitch and slowpitch variants.
Teams take turns batting and fielding. Batters try to hit the ball and advance around bases to score runs. The fielding team tries to get batters/runners out. Team with most runs after 7 innings wins.
Run = 1 point (player crosses home plate). Games are 7 innings. Ties may use international tiebreaker.
Now that you know the sports, let Brakto handle the brackets, scheduling, and scoring. Create your first tournament in under 5 minutes.
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