How Global Rankings Work on 2ndCourt

Global rankings are the foundation of competitive play on 2ndCourt. Every time you play and report a result, your rating updates — reflecting both your performance and the strength of your opponents.

Starting Out

• Initial rating: All players begin at 1500.
• Floor rating: Ratings can never drop below 800 (Beginner tier).

Ranking Tiers

Your rating places you into a tier:

Climbing the Ladder (K-Factor System)

The K-Factor controls how much your rating changes after each match:

• First 15 matches → K = 32 (faster progress while you establish your level)
• 16+ matches → K = 24 (more stability as your rating settles)

This means new players can rise quickly, while experienced players maintain steadier ratings.

The 2000-Point Promotion Gate

To reach Expert tier (2000+), players must show consistent quality:

• ✔ At least 20 total matches played
• ✔ At least 6 wins against opponents rated 1850+

Without meeting both conditions, you’ll stay below 2000 — even if your rating calculation suggests otherwise.

Why this works:

• Active players naturally meet the requirements and can reach 2100+ within ~50 matches.
• Low-activity players (e.g. 10–15 matches) can’t artificially climb by farming weaker opponents.

Summary of Key Rules

• Start: 1500
• Floor: Never below 800
• K-Factor:
  • 32 for first 15 matches
  • 24 for 16+ matches
• Promotion Gate: To cross 2000, need 20 matches + 6 wins vs 1850+
• Tiers: Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → Expert → Master → Elite

This system ensures fairness: new players rise quickly, active players are rewarded, and top ranks remain meaningful.

Why It Matters

This system ensures fairness and competitiveness across the platform:

• New players rise quickly to their true level.

• Active players are rewarded for consistent performance.

• Top ranks remain meaningful and earned through merit.