Americano vs Mexicano: which suits your group?
Both formats turn doubles matches into an individual leaderboard. The main difference is the draw: Americano prepares your rotations in advance; Mexicano uses the latest standings to arrange the next round.
Create your free Americano →The differences at a glance
| Feature | Americano | Mexicano |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | All rounds prepared at the start | Next round drawn after results |
| Partners | Rotation prioritises variety | Chosen from ranking groups |
| Score changes | Update the table; fixtures stay | May require later rounds to be redrawn |
| Repeated partners | Avoided in a full all-player rotation | Can happen as rankings develop |
| Rest turns | Smart Bye rotation | Smart Bye selection, then ranking |
| Individual scoring | Each player gets their team’s points | Each player gets their team’s points |
Choose Americano to mix the group
Americano is a useful choice when you want a predictable schedule and different partners. It suits a social session where meeting and playing with everyone matters more than arranging each court by the current table.
For eight players on two courts, seven rounds complete one partner rotation: everyone partners each other once. The same principle applies when the roster fills all courts exactly. With rest turns, Next Round balances appearances and reduces repeat partnerships where possible.
You can see every fixture before the first serve, making Americano convenient when you want to print the draw or brief the whole group at once.
Choose Mexicano for a draw that responds to results
Mexicano is useful when you want players with similar session standings grouped together. The top four eligible players form the first court; the next four form the second.
You need to enter all results before generating the next round. Because the table can change, players may share a court or partner more than once. This approach responds to points scored during this session; it is not an assessment of anyone’s permanent playing level.
Use the same clear scoring rules
Both formats in this organiser use fixed total points. With 24 points per match, 14–10 gives both players on one team 14 points and both players on the other team 10. A 12–12 result is allowed.
When everyone has equal appearances, total points are easy to compare. When people sit out, Smart Bye uses average points per completed match. This removes the direct disadvantage of a lower total caused by fewer matches, although the sample of opponents can still differ.
Two simple setups to try
- Eight-player social: Americano, two courts, seven rounds, 24 points. A complete partner rotation with no rests.
- Nine-player ranking session: Mexicano, two courts, nine rounds, 24 points. One player rests per round and everyone receives one rest over the complete schedule.
Choose a shorter session if your court booking requires it; equal appearances depend on the number of rounds. Allow for changeovers and remember that the timer does not finish a match for you.
Plan around your court booking
A time limit and a round count answer different questions. Use the padel tournament time calculator to allow for warm-up and changeovers in a 60, 90 or 120-minute booking. You can end early; only fully completed rounds count in the final results.
These guides explain the formats as implemented in Next Round Padel. Agree your group’s rules before playing. Next Round Padel is operated by Third Place Advisory, United Kingdom. Report a correction or ask a question.