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At this point, I’m going to assume you’ve learned the rules of pickleball – or at least a concept of the rules. Kyle Koszuta’s video is a great one if you need a refresher. But let’s be real: the best way to learn pickleball isn’t by reading or watching videos—it’s by jumping into the action and figuring it out as you go.
If you’ve ever visited a court during open play hours, you’ve likely noticed the paddle stack—a simple DIY queue system that keeps everything running smoothly. While the basic concept—“line up your paddle, wait your turn”—is pretty much universal, the way it’s handled can vary depending on the court and the players. It might seem a little intimidating at first, but don’t worry—it’s easy to figure out, and most players are happy to help you get started.
Before we dive into the most common queuing systems and how they work, here are a few tips to help you survive and thrive in your first open-play experience.
Before You Go: Open Play Survival Tips
1. Learn the Basics
If you’re starting from scratch and don’t have a racket sports background, find a local pickleball facility offering beginner clinics. These are great for learning fundamentals without the pressure of experienced players watching you serve balls into the next zip code.
2. Join the Community
Check out local pickleball Facebook groups, Slack, or Discord groups. For example, NYC Pickleball has a Slack channel and the biggest active discord is run by Pickleball Studio.
These are gold mines for finding open play schedules, meeting players, and learning the “unofficial rules” of your local courts. Some groups cater to higher-level players (think Fight Club, but for 4.0+ DUPR rated players), but if you ask nicely in a general group, chances are someone will happily show you the ropes.
3. Show Up Ready to Play
Bring a paddle—or borrow one from a friend—and get ready to have fun. If you’re attending a clinic, ask your instructor if you can borrow a paddle! Don’t know what to buy? Read our guide on how to choose your first pickleball paddle.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
When in doubt, tap someone on the shoulder and say, “Hey, how does this work?” Pickleball players are generally friendly people, and a quick explanation can save you from accidentally committing a pickleball faux pas.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about how most public pickleball courts work.
1. Four On, Four Off
The most common and straightforward method: paddles are lined up in a rack or on the floor in stacks of 4. When a game ends, the next four paddles in line take the court, and the outgoing players re-stack their paddles at the back of the queue.
This system is great for casual, first-come-first-serve play. Some courts use a straight paddle rack; others use a marker like a paperclip to indicate who’s next. Larger setups may have one queue per court or a single queue for all courts. Simple, easy, and ideal for mixed groups where skill levels don’t need to be sorted.
2. Challenge Courts & Winners Stay On
In this system, it’s two on and two off, king-of-the-hill style. The winning team stays on and the new two challengers from the queue join them, while the losing players return to the end of the line.
To keep things fair and moving, winners should split into two separate teams. Courts may also set a win cap (two or three wins is typical). The challenger court is oftentimes reserved for higher-level players, so you may not have to worry about this until later.
3. Skill-Based Queues
This is a very simple system where players sort themselves by skill level—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—using separate paddle racks or designated courts.
This is perfect for giving everyone an equal chance to play competitive games, ensuring more enjoyable matches for everyone. It’s most effective when courts are clearly marked for each level and when players are honest about their abilities.
So, Which System Wins?
It depends on your courts, crowd, and skill variance. Four-on, four-off is idiot-proof, challenge courts make things competitive, and skill-based queues cater to all levels. I hope this quick guide helped settle some nerves on the court!
