A well-organized RPS tournament is one of the best icebreakers and group activities available - no equipment, no setup cost, and endless excitement. This guide covers everything from a 10-person office bracket to a WRPSA-sanctioned championship event.
Tournament Formats
Single Elimination
The most common format. Players are paired, losers are eliminated, winners advance. Fast, dramatic, and easy to run. Best for 8-64 players and casual events.
Pros: Simple, fast, exciting finals
Cons: One bad throw can end your tournament
Time: ~30 minutes for 32 players
Double Elimination
Players who lose once drop to a losers' bracket. They're only eliminated after a second loss. This gives everyone at least two matches and rewards consistency.
Pros: Fairer, more games per player
Cons: Takes roughly twice as long
Time: ~60 minutes for 32 players
Round Robin
Every player plays every other player. Points are tallied and the top scorer wins. Best for small groups (6-12 players) where you want maximum interaction.
Swiss System
Players are paired against opponents with similar records. After a set number of rounds (typically 4-6), the player with the best record wins. Efficient for large groups without elimination.
Planning Checklist
Item
Details
Players
Minimum 8 recommended. Best in powers of 2 (8, 16, 32, 64)
Space
One "arena" per simultaneous match - just 6ft of space per pair
Time
Allow 2 minutes per match. Single elim 32-person = ~30 min
Referee(s)
One per match in semifinals+, optional for early rounds
Bracket board
Whiteboard, poster, or digital bracket display
Prizes
Optional but fun - trophy, gift card, bragging rights
