Division Explainers

Double Elimination

Every player or team starts in the winners bracket. Lose once and you drop to the losers bracket. Lose twice and you're eliminated. The winners bracket champion faces the losers bracket champion in the finals.

Used in: Championship brackets for Singles, Doubles, and most divisions

Pool Play

Players are divided into groups (pools) and play every other player in their pool. Results determine seeding for the elimination bracket that follows. Guarantees multiple games regardless of outcome.

Used in: Early rounds of many divisions, especially with large fields

RPI (Round Performance Index)

A seeding system based on multiple performance metrics — not just wins and losses. Points scored, point differential, and opponent strength all factor in. Used to create the fairest possible bracket seedings.

Used in: Singles RPI (Thursday 10 AM), Doubles RPI (Thursday 8 AM)

Tier Brackets

Players are grouped into skill tiers (Tier 1 through Tier 5) based on their season rankings. Each tier has its own bracket, so you compete against players at your level. Tier 1 is the highest skill level.

Used in: Singles Tiers 2-3-4-5 (Friday), Doubles Tiers 2-4-5 (Thursday)

The marquee event. One-on-one competition across all tiers. The World Singles Finals on Saturday night is the main event of Worlds.

Two-player teams. RPI seeding on Thursday, tier brackets, and championship bracket leading to Saturday finals.

Singles and doubles competition for women. Doubles on Wednesday, Singles championships Thursday night.

For players 50 and older. Doubles on Wednesday, Singles championships Thursday night.

For players 17 and under. Doubles on Wednesday, Singles championships Thursday night.

Mixed-gender doubles teams. Bracket play Wednesday afternoon, championships Wednesday night.

Random partner assignment. The Worlds Big Blind Draw is Tuesday evening.

Cornhole for players with disabilities. Championships on Friday.

Celebrating lifelong dedication to ACO cornhole. Championships on Friday.

Competition for ACO's certified officials. Thursday at 5 PM.