← All formatsPyramid
Pyramid (ladder)
Not a tournament — a ranking. Challenge the players above you.
- formula
- no fixed count
- complexity
- medium
- best for
- club of 20–500 players
How it works
Players occupy positions on a ladder or pyramid. You can challenge someone 1–2 spots above you. Win and you swap places with them. There are no fixed rounds — the ladder runs continuously as a club-wide ranking.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Runs continuously — no need to schedule dates
- Players choose their own opponents
- Live ranking reflects current form
- Scales easily to 50–500 club members
Cons
- No single champion — no climactic final
- Requires active players or the ladder stalls
- Challenge rules need to be formalized
- Unfamiliar to people expecting a classic tournament
When to pick it
- 01Ongoing club ranking
- 02Tennis, squash, padel — club challenge systems
- 03You can't gather everyone simultaneously
- 04Year-round engagement matters