Swiss Round Robin (SRR) is a group-stage format used in many Singles and Doubles carrom events. You play several rounds against different opponents while a live standings table tracks who is ahead. When group play ends, top finishers usually move on to knockouts.
How the draw works
Before play starts, players are ranked and split into pools (often Pool 1 and Pool 2 within each group).
Round 1 pairs Pool 1 against Pool 2 by rank: 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2, and so on. If the group has an odd number of players, one player sits out that round with a bye.
Later rounds use the standings table. Players are listed by rank and paired so that, when possible, you face someone you have not played yet. In small groups you may meet the same opponent again if there are no fresh pairings left.
A new round only starts after every match in the current round has a result (no unfinished or tied 0-0 games).
Byes, walkovers, and withdrawals
| Situation | What it means | Typical score |
|---|---|---|
| Normal match | Both players played; real board scores count | Actual result (first to 25) |
| Bye | No opponent that round (odd group size) | 13-0 win |
| Walkover | Opponent did not show for a scheduled match | 25-0 win |
| Withdrawal | Player leaves the tournament mid-event | Past results kept; no further matches scheduled |
Bye vs walkover: A bye means there was never an opponent in the draw. A walkover means someone was on the schedule but did not appear. Many clubs use 13-0 for byes and 25-0 for walkovers so the score sheet is easy to read.
How standings are ranked
Standings are cumulative through each completed round. When two players are tied, these tiebreaks apply in order:
- Match points (2 for each win)
- Strength of all opponents (overall quality of your draw)
- Strength of defeated opponents (how well the players you beat were doing)
- Net score (points scored minus conceded; bye and walkover games do not count toward net score)
- Name (alphabetical)
What happens when someone withdraws
If a player leaves mid-tournament, their earlier wins and losses stay on the table. They are simply removed from future pairings so the rest of the group can continue.
In a small group, losing a player can make rematches more likely in the rounds that remain. Organizers may shorten the Swiss schedule or move straight to knockouts if fresh pairings are no longer possible.
After group play
When the scheduled Swiss rounds are done, qualifiers are seeded from final group standings into a knockout bracket. See Knockouts for how that phase works.
Common questions
Why is my net score lower than my points total suggests?
Bye and walkover wins count for match points but not for net score. That keeps the table fair when some players received 13-0 or 25-0 results.
Can the next round start before my match is finished?
No. Every match in the current round must be complete before the next round is drawn.
If someone withdraws, do their old results disappear?
No. Everything they played before leaving still counts in standings.