How it works
A 9 team single elimination bracket has one opening game: Seed 8 against Seed 9, for a quarterfinal with Seed 1. The other seven seeds have byes, and the whole sheet is eight games in four rounds.
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Seven byes and one opening game
Seven of the sheet's 16 lines stay empty, one beside each of Seeds 1 to 7. Games 3, 4 and 5 are 4 v 5, 3 v 6 and 2 v 7: six teams that have not played. Seed 1's opponent in Game 2 has already won once. The title takes four wins from Seed 8 or 9, three from anyone else.
Courts and slots
One court needs 8 slots and two courts 5. Three courts need 4: Games 3 and 4 run beside the opening game, then Games 2 and 5 share the second slot. A fourth court saves nothing, because Game 2 has to wait for Game 1.
Tips
- A 9 team playoff bracket rewards seventh place: Seed 7 has a bye, and Seed 8 plays an extra game.
Questions and answers
How many games are in a 9 team bracket?
Eight: one opening game, four quarterfinals, two semifinals and the final. A 9 team double elimination bracket runs 16 or 17 games, and a 9 team round robin 36.
Who gets a bye in a nine team bracket?
Seeds 1 to 7. Only Seeds 8 and 9 play in round one, so at least four teams play just once: the losers of Games 1, 3, 4 and 5.
Can singles use it as a 9 man bracket?
Yes. Type one player on each line, best first, and it is a 9 person bracket for darts, cornhole or table tennis. With no names typed it prints blank, with Seed 1 to Seed 9 on the lines to write over.
What if one team drops out, or a tenth enters?
Set the Teams box to 8 or 10. For a dropout, first delete its line in Your teams. Eight teams leave no byes: seven games in three rounds, opening 1 v 8. With ten, Seed 7 plays Seed 10 for a quarterfinal with Seed 2.