{"Status":true,"Message":"","Response":{"post":{"postuid":"72000615596","tenantuid":"45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903","projectuid":"4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919","title":"How to Use the Simulator to Plan Your Tournament Schedule in PT","slug":"72000615596-how-to-determine-total-number-of-players-possible-using-simulator","html":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Simulator in Pickleball Tournaments (PT) is a planning tool that lets you test different team counts and match formats to estimate how long your tournament will take and how many players your courts can hold. Once you\u0027ve found a schedule that works, you can copy those settings directly into your live events.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ciframe src=\u0022https://www.youtube.com/embed/-f1QZ1DH3aw\u0022 width=\u0022640\u0022 height=\u0022360\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C/iframe\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022how_to_access_the_simulator\u0022\u003EHow to access the Simulator\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAfter creating your events, open the \u003Cb\u003E3-line menu\u003C/b\u003E and select \u003Cb\u003ESimulator\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf prompted, enter the number of courts you\u0027ll be using. This must be set before the Simulator becomes accessible.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ol\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022part_1_estimate_your_tournament_capacity\u0022\u003EPart 1: Estimate your tournament capacity\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUse the Simulator to find the right team count for each event before opening registration.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIn the Simulator\u0027s \u003Cb\u003EConfigure\u003C/b\u003E tab, select the \u003Cb\u003EEvent Date\u003C/b\u003E you want to test from the dropdown.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnder \u003Cb\u003EDay defaults\u003C/b\u003E, remove any courts you\u0027ve blocked off for the day from \u003Cb\u003ECourts Available\u003C/b\u003E, and set your \u003Cb\u003EDefault Start Time\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScroll down to the event you want to test and click \u003Cb\u003EExpand\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoose the \u003Cb\u003ECourt Assignment\u003C/b\u003E \u2014 \u003Cb\u003ENext available\u003C/b\u003E courts, or \u003Cb\u003EDesignated\u003C/b\u003E to restrict the event to specific courts \u2014 along with the \u003Cb\u003EBracket Format\u003C/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EStart Time\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoose how many \u003Cb\u003ETeams to Test\u003C/b\u003E (or click \u003Cb\u003EUse [current count] for the simulation\u003C/b\u003E to match the real registered count), how many \u003Cb\u003ERound Robins\u003C/b\u003E they\u0027ll play, and how many \u003Cb\u003EPools\u003C/b\u003E to split them into.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf registration is already open, the \u003Cb\u003EField\u003C/b\u003E section shows where you stand: \u003Cb\u003EComplete Pairs\u003C/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003ENeeds a Partner\u003C/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EWaitlist, Complete\u003C/b\u003E, and \u003Cb\u003EWaitlist, Needs Partner\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnder \u003Cb\u003ECourts\u003C/b\u003E, set the \u003Cb\u003E# of Courts Needed\u003C/b\u003E and which \u003Cb\u003ECourts to Use\u003C/b\u003E for pool play \u2014 this drives the schedule estimate.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnder \u003Cb\u003EPlayoffs\u003C/b\u003E, set the \u003Cb\u003EPlayoff Courts\u003C/b\u003E (these can be different from your pool-play courts), how many \u003Cb\u003ETeams to Medal Bracket\u003C/b\u003E, the \u003Cb\u003EMedal Bracket\u003C/b\u003E format, and the \u003Cb\u003EMedal Round Shape\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnder \u003Cb\u003EMatch Lengths\u003C/b\u003E, set the estimated minutes for each round your bracket plays (Round robin, Winner, W Pre Medal, Bronze, Gold) \u2014 this also drives the estimate and determines the \u003Cb\u003ELongest path for one team\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERepeat for every event you want to include, then click \u003Cb\u003ERun Simulation\u003C/b\u003E at the top.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick the \u003Cb\u003ESchedule preview\u003C/b\u003E tab to see the projected day, court by court.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the Schedule preview, each court\u0027s timeline shows \u003Cb\u003ET:\u003C/b\u003E (total matches remaining) and \u003Cb\u003EW:\u003C/b\u003E (matches waiting). A few matches waiting is normal when courts are set to Next available. If you\u0027re using Designated courts, keep an eye on W: so events assigned to the same courts aren\u0027t overlapping.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022warning\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003EWarning\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECheck each event\u0027s designated courts before running the Simulator. If an event has been restricted to specific courts (under Manage Events), and you then run the Simulator using courts that event isn\u0027t allowed to use, no matches will generate on those excluded courts \u2014 which can look like the preview isn\u0027t generating at all. Make sure the courts you\u0027re testing in the Simulator match the courts each event is actually assigned to.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ERecommended\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlan at least 5 extra minutes per match for 4.5\u002B brackets, and a bit more for 50\u002B and 60\u002B age groups \u2014 they typically run longer. Games to 11 or 15 are more time-predictable than best 2-of-3 formats. Keep notes from each tournament so you can fine-tune timing estimates for future events.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ENote\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Simulator also works with team events, either on their own or alongside regular tournament events. You can restrict a team event group to specific courts the same way you would a regular event \u2014 for example, testing a group on every court except one that\u0027s reserved for something else.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ctable border=\u00221\u0022 style=\u0022border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\u0022\u003E\u003Cthead\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Cth\u003EFormat\u003C/th\u003E\u003Cth\u003ESuggested time per match\u003C/th\u003E\u003C/tr\u003E\u003C/thead\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EBest 2-of-3 to 11, win by 2\u003C/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E~50 minutes (add 10-20 min for 4.5\u002B, 50\u002B, 60\u002B)\u003C/td\u003E\u003C/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGame to 15, win by 2\u003C/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E~25 minutes\u003C/td\u003E\u003C/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EGame to 11, win by 2\u003C/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E~20 minutes\u003C/td\u003E\u003C/tr\u003E\u003C/table\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022part_2_copy_your_schedule_to_live_events\u0022\u003EPart 2: Copy your schedule to live events\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce you\u0027re satisfied with your Simulator projections, you can push those start times and settings directly to your live events:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOn each event you want to update, toggle \u003Cb\u003ECopy settings to the live event\u003C/b\u003E to \u003Cb\u003EYes\u003C/b\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick \u003Cb\u003ECopy to Live\u003C/b\u003E at the top of the page.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReturn to your Events tab to confirm the start times have been updated.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ol\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ERecommended\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnly events with Copy settings to the live event set to Yes will have their settings copied. If an event is missing its start time after copying, confirm that toggle is turned on for that event.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022warning\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003EWarning\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECopy to Live only updates each event\u0027s start times and match settings. It does not update court settings \u2014 manage those separately in Manage Court Counts and Start Times, or under the event\u0027s own Priority Courts tab.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack on the Simulator, you can also use the \u003Cb\u003EStart time settings\u003C/b\u003E tab to bulk-adjust start times across events, and \u003Cb\u003EPrint start times\u003C/b\u003E to print a copy of the schedule.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022frequently_asked_questions\u0022\u003EFrequently asked questions\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Csection class=\u0022faq\u0022\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ECan I use the Simulator before registration opens?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Carticle\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can test any number of teams in the Simulator even before registration opens. Simply enter a projected team count and run the schedule to see how it fits in your timeframe.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/article\u003E\u003C/section\u003E\u003Csection class=\u0022faq\u0022\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDo I have to manually enter start times into each event?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Carticle\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToggle Copy settings to the live event to Yes for the events you want to update, then click Copy to Live. This pushes the Simulator\u0027s start times and settings into your actual events without needing to manually update each one.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/article\u003E\u003C/section\u003E\u003Csection class=\u0022faq\u0022\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EWhat if my team count changes after I\u0027ve already used the Simulator?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Carticle\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERun the Simulator again with your updated team count and re-copy the settings to your live events. You can run the Simulator as many times as needed.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/article\u003E\u003C/section\u003E\u003Csection class=\u0022faq\u0022\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EWhy isn\u0027t my schedule preview generating any matches?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Carticle\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is usually a mismatch between an event\u0027s designated courts and the courts you\u0027re testing in the Simulator. If you told an event it can only use specific courts, then try to generate a schedule using different courts, the Simulator won\u0027t produce matches on courts that event isn\u0027t allowed to use. Check the event\u0027s court assignment under Manage Events to confirm it matches what you\u0027re simulating.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/article\u003E\u003C/section\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022related_articles\u0022\u003ERelated articles\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/72000617751-how-to-set-starting-times-using-daily-planner\u0022\u003EHow to Set Starting Times Using Daily Planner in PT\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/72000633417-how-to-set-up-my-event-in-a-tournament\u0022\u003EHow to Set Up an Event in Your Tournament in PT\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/how-to-configure-scoring-and-scheduling-settings-for-your-tournament-events-in-pt\u0022\u003EHow to Configure Scoring and Scheduling Settings for Your Tournament Events in PT\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/72000633576-how-to-use-the-manage-event-court-counts-\u0026amp;-start-times-tab\u0022\u003EHow to Manage Event Court Counts and Start Times in PT\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuestions about the Simulator? Email \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@pickleball.com\u0022\u003Esupport@pickleball.com\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cscript type=\u0022application/ld\u002Bjson\u0022\u003E\r\n{\r\n  \u0022@context\u0022: \u0022https://schema.org\u0022,\r\n  \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022FAQPage\u0022,\r\n  \u0022mainEntity\u0022: [\r\n{\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Question\u0022,\r\n    \u0022name\u0022: \u0022Can I use the Simulator before registration opens?\u0022,\r\n    \u0022acceptedAnswer\u0022: {\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Answer\u0022,\r\n    \u0022text\u0022: \u0022You can test any number of teams in the Simulator even before registration opens. Simply enter a projected team count and run the schedule to see how it fits in your timeframe.\u0022\r\n    }\r\n},\r\n{\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Question\u0022,\r\n    \u0022name\u0022: \u0022Do I have to manually enter start times into each event?\u0022,\r\n    \u0022acceptedAnswer\u0022: {\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Answer\u0022,\r\n    \u0022text\u0022: \u0022Toggle Copy settings to the live event to Yes for the events you want to update, then click Copy to Live. This pushes the Simulator\u0027s start times and settings into your actual events without needing to manually update each one.\u0022\r\n    }\r\n},\r\n{\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Question\u0022,\r\n    \u0022name\u0022: \u0022What if my team count changes after I\u0027ve already used the Simulator?\u0022,\r\n    \u0022acceptedAnswer\u0022: {\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Answer\u0022,\r\n    \u0022text\u0022: \u0022Run the Simulator again with your updated team count and re-copy the settings to your live events. You can run the Simulator as many times as needed.\u0022\r\n    }\r\n},\r\n{\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Question\u0022,\r\n    \u0022name\u0022: \u0022Why isn\u0027t my schedule preview generating any matches?\u0022,\r\n    \u0022acceptedAnswer\u0022: {\r\n    \u0022@type\u0022: \u0022Answer\u0022,\r\n    \u0022text\u0022: \u0022This is usually a mismatch between an event\u0027s designated courts and the courts you\u0027re testing in the Simulator. If you told an event it can only use specific courts, then try to generate a schedule using different courts, the Simulator won\u0027t produce matches on courts that event isn\u0027t allowed to use. Check the event\u0027s court assignment under Manage Events to confirm it matches what you\u0027re simulating.\u0022\r\n    }\r\n}\r\n    ]\r\n}\r\n\u003C/script\u003E","publish_status":0,"post_type":"Article","authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","author":{"authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","name":"Christy Cook","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/","photo_url":"https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903/4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919/4fd2cf59-047a-4a00-8a6d-2d9c6c9f91fe.jpg?v=1114665229","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/"},"featured_image_updating":false,"meta_description":"Project your tournament size and schedule smoothly using our Simulator tool. Learn steps, tips, and match time estimates for efficient event planning.","keywords":"tournament simulation; tournament capacity; event scheduling; round robin format; match duration; court usage; player registration; waitlist management; tournament planning tips; doubles match timing","display_toc":true,"has_workingcopy":false,"allow_indexing":true,"sort_order":16,"total_views":237,"date_published":"2025-12-04T09:25:00","date_updated":"2026-10-01T12:31:54.383","date_created":"2026-02-28T20:38:41.72"}}}