OpenCourt

GameQ

How GameQ works

How to run open play on GameQ: build the roster, check players in, start the games, send each game to a court and tap the winner. Every matching style explained.

Start a GameQ

  1. 1. Start a session

    • Open GameQ and give the session a name. No sign in needed.
    • Pick how long it runs, how many courts you have, doubles or singles, and a matching style. The style's instructions show as you pick it, and you can change it later.
    • You get a private run link. Keep it: anyone with it can run the session, so share it only with people helping you.
    Start a session: name it, pick the length, courts and a matching style.

  2. 2. Build the roster

    • Add players by name as they sign up or arrive. Type @ to find an OpenCourt player, so their results save to their profile.
    • Paste a list from a group chat, one name per line. Numbers and bullets are fine.
    • Hosting an open play or tournament? Sign in and link it to add its players in one tap.
    • You can add players at any time, even after games have started.
    Build the roster. Check players in as they arrive.

  3. 3. Check players in

    • Adding a player doesn't put them in a game. Tap Check in when they arrive, or Check in all.
    • Or turn on self check-in and show the check-in QR: players scan it and check themselves in.
    • Taking a break or leaving early? Check them out. They keep their results and aren't picked until they check in again.
    Build the roster. Check players in as they arrive.

  4. 4. Start the games

    • When enough players are here, tap Start games and confirm. Nothing is picked before that, so early arrivals don't get games ahead of the group.
    • From then on, Up next picks the next game for every court as players come free.
    Start the games when you're ready. Nothing is picked before that.

  5. 5. Run the courts

    • Tap a court button on an Up next game to send it there.
    • When a game ends, tap the team that won, or enter the score. Everyone who played goes back in line, and the next game is picked.
    • Tap a player's name to swap them for someone waiting. Made a mistake? Undo the last result.
    Send the next game to a court and tap the team that won.

  6. 6. Players follow along

    • Share the live view by QR. Players see who's on court, what's next and about how long until they play.
    • Put the TV view on the court's screen: light by default, with a Dark TV switch.
    Players follow along on their phones from a QR code.

  7. 7. Finish

    • Tap End session to see the final standings: most wins first, then the better win rate.
    • Every player gets a result card to share. Players checked in as themselves see their GameQ record on their profile.
    • Forgot to end it? A session ends itself an hour after its set length, or after 6 hours with no activity.
    Every player gets a result card to share.

  8. On the court's TV

Matching styles

The style decides who plays whom. Pick it when you start, and change it any time from the run screen.

  • How it's played

    Rotation

    Everyone takes turns in the order they checked in.

    1. Players join the line as they check in.
    2. When a court frees up, the next players in line take it.
    3. Everyone who played goes to the back of the line. Partners change every game.

    Good for: Mixed groups who want plenty of games and to meet new players.

  • How it's played

    Balanced

    Whoever has played least goes first, with new partners each game.

    1. The line puts players with the fewest games at the front, so late arrivals catch up.
    2. Each game splits the four players so partners change and, with skill levels set, the two sides are even.
    3. Winners and losers both go to the back of the line.

    Good for: Most open play sessions. It keeps court time equal.

  • How it's played

    King of the court

    Winners stay on their court. Losers step off and the next pair in line challenges.

    1. Each court starts with a game from the front of the line.
    2. The winning pair stays on that court. The losing pair goes to the back of the line.
    3. The next pair in line challenges the winners. Hold the court for as long as you can.

    Good for: Competitive players who enjoy playing under pressure.

  • How it's played

    Round robin

    A new partner and new opponents every game, as far as the group allows.

    1. Each game takes the next players in line.
    2. They are split so nobody repeats a partner or an opponent if it can be helped.
    3. Wins add up in the standings, and the table shows who played best.

    Good for: Groups who want a winner at the end without a full tournament.

  • How it's played

    Ladder

    Win to move up a court, lose to move down, until you find players at your level.

    1. Court 1 is the top court. New players start on the bottom court.
    2. After each game, the winning pair moves up one court and the losing pair moves down one.
    3. Losers on the bottom court go back to the line. Pairs move together.

    Good for: Groups of mixed levels who want close, even games. Needs 2 or more courts.

  • How it's played

    Winners / losers

    Winners play other winners and losers play other losers.

    1. The first games come from the front of the line.
    2. After that, the next game groups players by their last result: winners with winners, losers with losers.
    3. If a group is short, the line fills it so no court waits.

    Good for: Keeping games close as the session goes on.

  • How it's played

    Skill separated

    Games only put together players within one skill level of each other.

    1. Set a skill level (1 to 6 stars) for each player when you add them.
    2. A game only forms from players within one star of each other. Players without stars fit any game.
    3. If no group fits, the court waits rather than mix levels.

    Good for: Groups with a wide range of levels.

GameQ is free. No sign in needed to run a session.

Start a GameQ