Padel Mexicano: rules, the ladder and how to run one
A padel Mexicano is an Americano where the standings choose the next round. Round 1 is random. After that, the top four play together on court 1, as 1st and 4th against 2nd and 3rd, the next four on court 2, and so on. Matches stay close all evening, which suits groups with mixed levels.
What is a padel Mexicano?
A Mexicano plays like an Americano: a new partner every round, matches to a fixed total of points, and you keep the points your side scores.
The difference is the draw. An Americano draws the whole schedule before the first ball. A Mexicano draws round 1 at random and every later round from the standings, so you play people scoring about as well as you and the matches stay close.
How are the courts drawn each round?
After each round, sort the standings by points and split the table into fours:
- The top four go to court 1, where 1st and 4th play 2nd and 3rd.
- The next four go to court 2, where 5th and 8th play 6th and 7th.
- Carry on down the table until every court is full.
Splitting 1st and 2nd keeps the two sides even, so the leaders cannot team up and run away with the night.
Why is there no schedule to print?
Each round is drawn from the scores of the round before, so someone has to keep score as you go, on paper or in an app. You can still prepare the player list, the number of rounds and the points per match.
Who sits out in a Mexicano?
If your group does not divide into fours, some players rest each round. There are two common ways to choose who:
- By rotation: rests go round the group in turn, so nobody sits out twice in a row while the numbers allow it. Padelato does this.
- By rank: the bottom of the table rests. Simple, but the players who most need games get fewer of them.
Agree on one before the first round.
How many rounds should a Mexicano have?
At 24 points a round takes about 16 minutes, whatever the number of players. Plan at least 5 rounds so the draw has time to sort the table.
| Players | Courts | Rest each round | 8 rounds at 24 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2 | nobody | about 2 hours 7 minutes |
| 10 | 2 | 2 | about 2 hours 7 minutes |
| 12 | 3 | nobody | about 2 hours 7 minutes |
| 16 | 4 | nobody | about 2 hours 7 minutes |
When is Mexicano the better choice?
Pick Mexicano when your group has mixed levels: everyone gets close matches and nobody spends the night losing 18-6. Pick Americano when levels are similar. The Americano vs Mexicano guide compares them in detail.
The step-by-step Mexicano guide covers the whole evening, including late arrivals.
Questions people ask
What is a padel Mexicano?
A social padel tournament like an Americano, with one difference. After the first round, each round is drawn from the standings, so you play with and against people who are scoring about as well as you.
How are the courts drawn in a Mexicano?
Sort the standings. The top four go to court 1, where 1st and 4th play 2nd and 3rd. The next four go to court 2 and play the same way, 5th and 8th against 6th and 7th, and so on down the table.
Why do 1st and 4th play 2nd and 3rd?
It makes the two sides as even as possible. If 1st and 2nd played together they would usually win and pull further ahead. Splitting them keeps the match close and the table open.
Can you print a Mexicano schedule in advance?
No. Every round after the first depends on the scores of the round before, so it can only be drawn once those scores are in. You can print the empty score sheet, but not the pairings.
Is Mexicano or Americano better?
Americano is best when levels are similar and you want to play with everyone. Mexicano is best when levels differ, because strong players end up playing each other and so do newer players.