Three formats, different commitments
Single elimination is economical: one loss ends a player’s run, and n entrants require n−1 played matches to find a champion. Double elimination gives each player a second chance; elimination follows two losses and the final can require a reset. Round robin has everyone meet once, producing n(n−1)/2 matches.
Choose according to time, desired participation and the actual game. BracketForge records pairwise scores and progression, not detailed game rules. A tournament lasting long enough on paper can still fail if setup, disputes and transitions are ignored. Publish the format and tie policy before collecting results.
| Format | Participation | Planning implication |
|---|---|---|
| Single elimination | One loss ends the run | n − 1 played matches |
| Double elimination | Two losses end the run | Final reset may be required |
| Round robin | Every pair meets once | n × (n − 1) ÷ 2 matches |
Set the field and draw policy
Enter 2–128 unique names, ordered from highest seed downward when using Seeded. Choose Single elimination, Round robin or Double elimination, and select Seeded or Random. Random shuffles the starting names; it does not establish an independently audited public draw or preserve a separately announced seeding policy.
Knockout draws use power-of-two slots. An incomplete opening field produces byes, which are automatic advances rather than played wins. Remaining entrants are reseeded by initial order between elimination waves in this implementation. If your competition requires a fixed published bracket throughout, review that difference before adopting the tool.
Record results, then advance
Every displayed match needs both scores before the next elimination wave can be created. Elimination matches require decisive scores; equal values are rejected. Round robin allows draws and uses three standings points for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. Score difference is the next ranking comparison, with shared ranks when both measures remain equal.
Double elimination maintains upper and lower loss pools. Odd numbers can leave a player with a bye. When the lower-pool finalist defeats the previously undefeated finalist, both have one loss, so a reset match is needed. Elimination placements use the round of elimination, which can produce shared lower places. The tool does not invent a third-place playoff.
Fictional example: five seeded players
Enter Ari, Bea, Cleo, Dev and Em, choose Single elimination and Seeded, then create the plan. The opening eight-slot structure gives Ari, Bea and Cleo byes. Dev plays Em. Record Dev 1, Em 0 and advance.
The four active names are reseeded by their original order: Ari plays Dev and Bea plays Cleo. Enter 1–0 wins for Ari and Bea, advance, then record Ari 1, Bea 0 in the final. Ari is champion. Four actual matches were played, not seven; the three initial byes were never matches requiring fabricated scores.
For comparison, a five-player round robin has ten matches and a resting player each round. A five-player double elimination can take eight matches when the undefeated finalist wins, or nine when the final resets. That larger time requirement is a reason to choose the format deliberately, not simply because a second chance sounds appealing.
Make the record defensible
Agree what an entered score means for your game: goals, rounds won or a published match result. Keep unfinished matches blank rather than using zero as a placeholder. Check names and scores with the participants before advancing; progression changes the next matches and should not be treated as an informal preview.
Save after a verified wave and retain a backup. Match history supports review, but the tool does not appoint referees, resolve disputed rules or schedule venues. For physical themed activities, use safe noncontact simulations and suitable supervision. A fictional title for a contest does not provide a real safety framework.
Questions before you begin
Does a bye count as a victory in match history?
No played result is created for a bye. It advances a real entrant without inventing an opponent, score or loss.
Can I advance with an unfinished score?
No. Every match in the current wave needs both scores. Elimination also rejects a tied score until you apply the announced deciding rule.
Are equal round-robin points always a tie?
Score difference is compared next. Equal points and equal difference share a rank; alphabetical display order is not an extra sporting tie-break.
Why might a double-elimination final happen twice?
The undefeated finalist must receive two losses to be eliminated. A first final loss leaves both finalists on one loss, requiring the reset match.