How to Organize a Tournament for Friends

Learn how to plan, bracket, and host a fun tournament for your friends using simple supplies and fair play. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Pick your game and invite friends. Choose a game that everyone knows how to play. Send out invitations to your friends and ask them to let you know if they can make it so you know exactly how many people are playing.
2. Draw your tournament bracket. Write the names of all players on a piece of paper. Pair them up into matches. If you have an odd number of players, one person gets a 'bye' and automatically moves to the next round. Draw lines connecting the winners of each match to the next round until you reach the final championship game.
3. Set the rules. Before the first match, gather everyone and explain the rules. Decide how long each match will last and what happens if there is a tie. Make sure everyone agrees on the rules so things stay fair.
4. Run the tournament. Keep the bracket in a place where everyone can see it. As matches finish, write the winner's name in the next slot on the bracket. Keep track of the time so the tournament doesn't go on too long.