EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPENED NOVEMBER 12, 2024. REGULAR REGISTRATION OPENED DECEMBER 1. REGISTER NOW TO SAVE$$$

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN JANUARY!

This is our second annual Martin Luther King Tournament at Armory Pickleball from Friday, January 17 through Monday, January 20. There will be one mixed-doubles event with a cash prize for the winning team played on Sunday, January 19.

All start times are estimates and may change once registration is closed.

FRIDAY: 60+, Women , Mixed and Men's doubles

SATURDAY: Women's doubles, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+

SUNDAY: Mixed doubles, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+

MONDAY: Men's doubles, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+

NOTES:

- For the member discount, you need to be a member of Armory Pickleball AND you need to join Armory Pickleball in Pickleball Brackets by logging at https://pickleballbrackets.com/clbs.aspx, search for Armory. If you are a current paid member of Armory Pickleball, select "Current members only". Your membership will be verified and you will get the discount.

- Each event will have a lower and upper level that the event is designed for. For example a 3.25 to 3.49 event is intended for players whose DUPR is no more than 3.49. Players with DUPR under 3.25 may "play up" if they wish, but we may choose to prioritize players who are a better fit when there is a waiting list. Players may not "sandbag" or "play down" meaning that a player at level 4.27 may play 4.5 to 4.99 or 4.0+, but not 3.5. Since all matches are doubles events, we may look at a combined DUPR to make for the best player experience.

- Depending on registration numbers, we may split events by age (under 40, 40+), or level (3.0 - 3.2 and 3.25 - 3.5) and we may combine teams into events all with the goal of making the tournament challenging and fun for everyone.

- IMPORTANT: When registering with a partner, your partner needs to register within 3 days or they will be put on the waiting list.

- All matches will be played with rally scoring‡. Teams must be serving to score the winning point. Non-medal matches are win-by-one, games to 15. All playoff matches are win-by-two, games to 21, or first to 26 points. If there are fewer than 6 teams in a pool, we may either run the round-robin to 21 points, win-by-one, or run a double round-robin (play each team twice). Our goal is to give players as many rallies as possible in the available time.

Each registration fee includes one event. Each additional event is $20. Pickleball Brackets charges a $5 service fee for the first two events.

→Bellingham Pickleball members receive a $5 discount. Contact us if you are a BPC member and we will apply your discount.

Our contact email address is: tournaments@armorypickleball.net

If you have any problem contacting us for any reason, please email john@armorypickleball.net or text John Hatten 360-671-7012.

‡ Why do we do Rally Scoring?, you may ask...

Many players like rally scoring because it simplifies scoring and play, and it changes the pace of the game.

Because each player chooses the side of their court at the beginning of each match, there is no need changing sides or for stacking (although it is still permitted).

It is very helpful in tournament play because it keeps games progressing more predictably, with a point being scored with every serve. That allows us to keep the tournament schedule on time, and gives everyone the maximum playing time and the least possible waiting around time.

If rally scoring is new to you, then PLEASE READ:

→ Rally scoring is different from traditional scoring in several ways. The two key differences are that a point is awarded for every rally, "one point per serve", no matter who served the ball, and players don't change sides when serving. Here are some other clarifications:

- Before each game begins, players on each team choose to be on either the left side or the right side for serving and receiving. Players do not change sides.

- The team that wins each rally will get a point and will serve. When the score is even for the team that just won the rally, the player on the right side of the court will serve. When the score is odd for the team that just won the rally, the player on the left side of the court will serve.

- After the ball is served and received, players may move just as with traditional scoring.

- The one exception to "one point per serve" is that a team must serve the winning point. This means that when playing to 21, win-by-one, if the score is 19 to 20, and the team with 19 points is serving but loses that rally, the score remains 19 to 20 and the team with 20 points will serve. If the score is 19 to 20 and the team with 20 points is serving, but loses that rally, the other team will get a point and the score will then be 20 to 20 with the serve going to the team that won the rally. When the score is tied at 20 to 20, and the serving team wins the rally, that team wins the match.

- After a team chooses which side (right or left) each player will be on, there are three times when a team may change sides with their partner for serving and receiving.

1. A team may choose to change side during their time out.

2. A team may choose to change sides during their opponent's time out if they take a time out.

3. A team may choose to change sides during a change of ends halfway through a game.

We always have folks around to help with the scoring during the games if it is new to you. Please as for help at the tournament desk.

For a withdrawal up to 30 days before the tournament, a refund will be issued less $10. For withdrawals within 30 days to 15 days before the tournament, a 50% refund will be made. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals within 15 days of the start of the tournament.

If we cancel an event due to weather or any other reason, a full refund less $5 will be issued. If a player is registered for an event but doesn't play because they are on the waiting list OR they registered without a partner and no partner was found, AND if not registered for any other events, a full refund less $5 will be issued, or the event fee less $5 if the player participated in any other event.

There will be one open mixed doubles event that will have prize money for the winning team. Details to be announced shortly.

Because Armory Pickleball is an indoor venue, weather is not an issue. If you aren't playing, it can be cold. Please have warm clothes available.

- Whenever a ball is entering another court, "ball" should loudly be called, and that rally replayed. Play safely, we want to see you at future events.

- In the case of injury, up to 10 minutes will be allowed to determine if the player can continue.

- In case a player becomes ill or is injured, another registered player, if available, may serve as a replacement, if that player is at a level appropriate for the event. If a higher level player plays in a lower level event, then that team will not be eligible for a medal match.

- AED and First Aid kit on site.