Why Do Some Players "Play Down" In Tournaments?


So, I've been to multiple pickleball tournaments over the past few years both as a participant and a spectator.

Some were local fundraiser events, others local club events, still others small town events, but also some regional sanctioned tournaments and a PPA tournament.

If you play such tournaments you understand that it is common to see several of the same players at the various events. 

Because of that, you also see which skill level each of those players signed up for.

What I don't understand is why so many of them "play down" so often.

For those of you who don't know this concept, let me explain what I mean by playing down.

For example, in one tournament, a particular player plays in the 4.0 skill level and wins.  Then, at a subsequent tournament a week or two later, the same player plays in the 3.5 skill level and also wins.

Which skill level is the accurate one for that player?

In my opinion, if you win gold at one skill level, you shouldn't then play down a level at a subsequent tournament.

That is not fair to the accurately ranked players in the lower skill level bracket.

And, why would someone want to play down?

What glory is there in defeating players that are certainly not at your skill level?

Some players who defend this "playing down" strategy will blame it on their doubles partner.

They may have played one tournament at one skill level with one partner, and then play a lower skill level at a different tournament with a different partner who may not be quite as skilled. 

Again, I ask, where is the glory in winning at a skill level lower than your accurate skill level?

And, why not have your different partner "play up" to your level?

Or why not choose a partner with an equivalent skill level to yours?

Now, I do understand someone who loses every match at a specific skill level playing down a level at a subsequent event.  They were probably in the wrong level to begin with.

I'm not talking about them.

I'm talking about players who clearly have won at a certain skill level playing down a level.

They shouldn't feel good about that.

Then, that whole issue affects others such that it can become a larger issue.

For example, let's say a player who is legitimately a 3.5 enters as a 3.5 but ends up getting soundly defeated by a few 4.0 - 4.5 players who played down.

That 3.5 player will probably play down to 3.0 at the next tournament, thinking he was incorrectly assessing his skill level at 3.5.

Then, the accurately ranked 3.0 players in the next tournament have to play a legitimate 3.5 player all because the 4.0 - 4.5 players played down.

Then, the 3.0 players question their self-assessed skill level.

It can become a vicious cycle.

Now, fortunately, the better and more competitive tournaments are adopting the DUPR rating scale.

With that scale, players are ranked independently by how they finish at the various tournaments.

Once ranked, players are not allowed to play down in future tournaments which utilize the DUPR scale.

That makes for more consistent and better rankings and more competitive pairings. 

And it helps prevent the playing down phenomenon.

That is definitely better for the sport of pickleball.

Am I out in left field here?

Do you think there is ever an appropriate reason for players to play down?

Let me know your thoughts.

Please email me at:  Ben@pickleball-living.com

I look forward to your feedback.


Ben Holt
​CEO, Pickleball Living