Late arrivals and no-shows in an Americano: what to do
Start with the players who are there. A latecomer sits out the round already on court and joins the draw from the next round. If your group gives sit-out credit, they get it for the rounds they missed, so they do not start last. Take a no-show off the list. Never change a match that is already on court.
Before you start: who is actually here?
Tick players off as they arrive and start with the ones who are there. With four for every court, start now and let latecomers join from the next round. If you are short, start on fewer courts or wait a few minutes until the last court has its four.
Someone arrives during round 2
Never change a match that is already being played.
- The latecomer sits out the round on court.
- The rounds still to come are redrawn to include them.
- They play the next round, because nobody sits out twice in a row while the numbers allow it.
If nobody has hit a ball in that round yet, you can re-draw it and put the latecomer straight on court. Once the first score is in, leave it.
What about their points?
On points alone a latecomer would finish last. If your group gives sit-out credit, count every round already played as a sit-out for them. With no credit, they start from zero.
Someone never shows up
Take them off the list before they are drawn into a match. The rounds still to come are redrawn for the players who are there, and no score changes.
Someone has to leave early
Take them off the list. The round on court stays as drawn: finish it with a substitute if you have one, or re-draw it if it has not started. Later rounds are redrawn without them, on fewer courts if needed. Their points stay in the table, and they earn nothing for the rounds after they leave. More on the leaving early page.
Next: how the standings and tie-breakers work.
Questions people ask
What happens if a player arrives late to an Americano?
They sit out the round already on court and join the draw from the next round. If your group gives sit-out credit, they get it for each round played before they arrived, so they start level with everyone else.
Should you wait for late players before starting?
No. Start with the players who are there. Waiting costs everyone court time, and a good schedule can fit a latecomer in from the next round.
What if a player never shows up?
Remove them before they are drawn into a match. The schedule is redrawn for the players who are there, and nothing anyone played is lost.
Can a late player go straight onto a court?
Only if the round on court has not started. Then you can re-draw that round with the late player in it. Once a match is under way, leave it alone.
What if someone has to leave early?
Take them off the list. Their points stay in the table, the rounds still to come are redrawn without them, and they earn nothing for the rounds after they leave.