Pickleball Division Scenario Debate: Are You Sandbagging?

A player questions the ideal division scenario for a mixed doubles pickleball tournament based on skill levels. If you’re interested in the full discussion, click here to view the original Reddit thread.

Summary

  • Playing below your skill level risks ruining the tournament experience for others.
  • Your partner should ideally be close to your skill level to ensure fair competition.
  • Choosing the right division prevents sandbagging and maintains the integrity of the tournament.

Division Levels and Skill

DeepSouthDude advises playing in a 5.5 tournament to match the player’s actual skill level, preventing unfair advantages for opponents.

Sandbagging Controversy

Gliese_667_Cc believes playing below 5.0 constitutes sandbagging, affecting the quality of play for everyone involved.

Partner Matching

SenorSnarkey emphasizes finding a partner of similar skill to avoid frustration on either end of the competition.

GeorgeRetire suggests playing at a 5.0 level due to the player’s DUPR rating, discouraging sandbagging in tournaments.

Finding Balance

thevanillabadger suggests matching the tournament level with the better player’s rating for competitive integrity.