Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to assist in self-rating and choosing a division of play for PlayTeamPickleball
What Divisions are Contested in PlayTeamPickleball?
Each league has the option to contest multiple divisions based on player demand, court availability and other factors. The following options are typically available in a local league (* subject to change in different regions):
Open divisions may feature men or women on the roster and each game and are typically divided by rating into:
- Novice (3.0 and down)
- Low Intermediate (3.1-3.5)
- High Intermediate (3.6-3.9)
- Advanced (4.0+)
For Gender based (Male or Female) play, the divisions options typically are:
- Intermediate (3.25-3.75)
- Advanced (3.8+)
For Mixed Doubles play which require a man and a woman pair for each game, the divisions options typically are:
- Intermediate (3.1-3.75)
- Advanced (3.8+)
All divisions can be contested in the 18+ and 50+ age divisions. For Advanced play, the 50+ age division may be lowered to 40+.
Players must play on the same self-rating within each league season (Spring, Summer, Fall). Players may play in both age divisions and in open and gender based play if your self-rating allows. Players can create a new self-rate for the next season of play as their skill improves.
What is the PTPB East Coast Championship and how do I qualify?
The East Coast Championship is contested each summer to identify the best of the best team in each division of play in a fun, community environment. Held each July, spring local league champion teams are invited to this Championship to compete against champions from other areas. View the results of the 2025 ECC here. Additionally, summer and fall league champions are invited to the East Coast Invitational in November. View the results of the 2025 ECI here.
How do I Rate Myself to Participate?
All players are self-rated in PlayTeamPickleball competition. In the absence of a unified rating system for pickleball, all players must self-rate for league play. Players with PTPB league history will be given a “minimum self-rating” based on past results. Currently, these are assigned at the end of each calendar year.
Please note that your PTPB minimum rating is not intended to have a direct correlation to any outside rating system (DUPR, UTRP, etc…). We do not have their data to use in calculations and they do not have ours so these cannot be evaluated as equivalent. What we know is we have, in most cases, more data on a players playing history so your PTPB minimum rating is the most accurate in determining where you should compete in PTPB competition.
How is the PlayTeamPickleball “Minimum Self-Rating” Calculated?
At the end of the season, all participating players are rated on a progressive, match by match algorithm to identify players who have consistently outperformed or underperformed their self-rating/division of play. Due to the limitations of the data, players are not assigned an official rating for competition, but a minimum rating which they must play at or exceed when they self-rate.
The PTPB algorithm analyzes each game based on the expected outcome based on the dynamic combined rating of the two players in 3 categories (toss up, slightly favored, or heavily favored). The result of the game is evaluated in 3 categories (even, close, blowout) with the match winner earning a small bonus. Processing through the nearly 65,000+ games, each player’s rating is adjusted up or down game by game.
For the 2025 competition season, over 3,600+ players were evaluated and assigned minimum ratings. The net result saw an equal distribution of players in the 3.1 – 3.4 and 3.5 – 3.9 minimum ratings as well as an equal distribution of players in the 2.0 – 3.0 and 4.0+ minimum ratings. In all, less than 8% of the overall participation saw their minimum ratings change more than 0.2 from their previous year self-rating.
Is the PlayTeamPickleball “minimum self-rating” a guaranteed accurate assessment of my pickleball skill?
Not necessarily. Being that the algorithm is only processing PlayTeamPickleball match play, it is only able to glean how your skills and results compare to those you compete against within the league. What it does provide is a fair way for you to participate in the PlayTeamPickleball league as all players rated are being held to the same standard.
If I play in a non-sanctioned/non-advancing league using the PlayTeamPickleball program, will I get a minimum rating?
Yes, if you only played in a non-sanctioned/non-advancing league you will be assigned a minimum rating to help assist in identifying your level. For players who play in an advancing league, non-sanctioned matches will not be factored into your minimum-rating.
What about the new self-rated players to PlayTeamPickleball, how will “sandbagging” be controlled?
As with all players playing in the league, they will be self-rated. If a player self-rates well below their skill level and their results show many victories against higher rated players, their dynamic rating will grow, and they may be subject to disqualification. With the PTPB algorithm, individual player ratings will be calculated in real-time to detect and monitor outliers.
Can I play at multiple levels (“play up”) within one league season?
Being a self-rated league, all players are asked to accurately self-access their ability at the time of registration to determine the correct level of play. By doing this, you are setting your level of play in which you will compete that season. Playing up to higher level as well as playing at your current assessed skill level is not permitted at this time to ensure fair and balanced play for all players registering. Players may adjust their self-rating for the next league season if necessary based on skill assessment. Please be aware that being a self-rated league, all players are subject to disqualification for incorrect self-rating.