Round 1
The first round is a random draw (or, if you prefer, the order you list players in, strongest first). Matches are played to a fixed total of points, such as 21 or 24, or for a fixed time.
Each player banks the points their side won. A 24-point match that ends 15–9 gives both winners 15 and both losers 9.
Every round after that
Rank everyone by total points. Ties are broken by wins (a draw counts as half), then by point difference.
Cut the ranking into groups of four. In each group the 1st and 4th ranked play together against the 2nd and 3rd. The top group plays on court 1, the next group on court 2, and so on.
Because partners are paired across their group, the strongest player in each four teams up with the weakest, which keeps matches close.
When the numbers don’t divide by four
If there are more players than court places, some sit out each round. Bandeja rotates sit-outs so everyone sits out the same number of times, never twice in a row when it can be avoided, and among players with equal sit-outs the lowest ranked sit first so the top courts stay stable.
Whether sitting out earns points is a house rule. Common choices are nothing, half the match total, or the player’s own average per match. Pick one before you start and tell the players.
Mexicano or Americano?
Americano follows a fixed rotation where partners don’t repeat, which suits mixed-level socials and groups that want to play with everyone. Mexicano adapts to results, so later rounds are tighter and the top players meet at the end: good for competitive club nights.
Mexicano and Americano are club conventions, not rules set by a federation, so local variations are normal. The match itself follows the normal rules of padel.
Example: the 2nd round with 8 players
After round 1 the ranking is Ana, Ben, Cleo, Dan, Eva, Finn, Gus, Hana.
| Court 1 | Ana & Dan | v | Ben & Cleo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court 2 | Eva & Hana | v | Finn & Gus |