Rotation modes: how PaQueueKa picks who plays next
Three ways to fill a court: balanced (free), strict first in, first out, and winners-stay Challenger’s Court.
By Albert Antioquia · Updated
PaQueueKa has three ways to decide who plays next. The host picks one when creating a session, and players see the result on their phones as Next Up. One mode is free and is the default; the other two come with Pro Host. All three work for badminton and pickleball.
PaQueueKa Rotation (free, default)
The balanced mode. When a court is free, it chooses the next four players in this order of priority:
- Fewest games played. Whoever has played least goes first, so nobody plays twice while someone else hasn’t played once.
- Compatible levels. Each player has a level from 1 (Beginner) to 5 (Expert) for each sport. Levels 1–2 are kept apart from 4–5; level 3 plays with anyone.
- Rest. Players who just came off are less likely to go straight back on.
- New partners. It avoids pairing anyone with a partner from their last three games, and spreads opponents around too.
- Queue order breaks any remaining tie.
It then splits the four into two teams balanced by win rate, so a court isn’t two strong players against two new ones. Finished players go to the back of the queue.
First in, first out (Pro Host)
Strict queue order: whoever has waited longest plays next. It ignores levels, games played and partner history. That is the point: it is the digital version of a paddle rack or peg board, and everyone can check it. Best for groups of similar level who want a line, not an algorithm.
Challenger’s Court (Pro Host)
Winners hold the court; the next players challenge them. Winners rotate off after a run of straight wins set by the host, anywhere from 1 to 50, or unlimited. The default is 3, and the host can change it mid-session if the bench is getting long. If winners can’t stay on, the next players come from queue order. Rules and tips for this format are in king of the court.
Side by side
| PaQueueKa Rotation | First in, first out | Challenger’s Court | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan | Free | Pro Host | Pro Host |
| Next players | Fewest games, then level, rest, partners | Longest wait | Challengers from the queue |
| Uses levels | Yes | No | No |
| Winners stay | No | No | Up to the cap you set |
| Best for | Mixed-level open play | Even groups who want a strict line | Competitive nights |
In every mode
- Bonded partners. In doubles, lock two players together (a couple, a coach and a student) and they stay on the same team in every mode. Free.
- Sit out, then back in. A player who needs a break taps Sit out on their own phone and is skipped until they tap I’m back. The host can do it for them.
- Hand-picked sets. The host can always build a set by hand in Next Up, whichever mode is running.
- Badminton or pickleball. Levels are per sport, so a strong badminton player isn’t matched as a strong pickleball player.
Questions people ask
Which rotation modes does PaQueueKa have?
Three. PaQueueKa Rotation (free, the default) balances games played, skill level, rest and recent partners. Pro Hosts can also choose First in, first out, which is strict queue order, or Challenger’s Court, where winners hold the court up to a number of straight wins the host sets.
Can I change the rotation mode during a session?
The mode is chosen when the session is created. In Challenger’s Court, the host can change the win cap during the session.
Pick a mode at your next session
PaQueueKa Rotation is free for every host. First in, first out and Challenger’s Court come with Pro Host. On iPhone and Android.