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Draw Types

Overview​

CODES provides a powerful framework for describing tournament draws of arbitrary complexity using linked structures. A draw can consist of multiple structures connected by links that define how participants flow between them based on match outcomes, finishing positions, or qualifying results.

Key Concepts​

Structures: Independent draw components (e.g., main draw, consolation, qualifying)
Links: Define participant propagation between structures
Stages: Logical groupings of structures (QUALIFYING, MAIN, CONSOLATION, PLAY_OFF)
Draw Types: Pre-configured combinations of linked structures

Understanding Linked Structures​

Traditional tournament software often treats draws as monolithic entities. CODES takes a different approach: any draw is a collection of linked structures that can be configured in unlimited ways.

Basic Example: Feed-In Championship​

Main Draw (Structure 1)
  ├─ Round 1 losers → Consolation Round 1 (Structure 2)
  ├─ Round 2 losers → Consolation Round 2 (Structure 2)
  └─ Round 3 losers → Consolation Round 3 (Structure 2)

Complex Example: Multi-Stage Qualifying​

Qualifying Stage:
  ├─ Qualifying Structure A (16 players → 4 qualifiers)
  │   └─ Feeds into Main Draw Round 1, positions 1-4
  ├─ Qualifying Structure B (16 players → 4 qualifiers)
  │   └─ Feeds into Main Draw Round 1, positions 5-8
  └─ Qualifying Structure C (8 players → 2 qualifiers)
      └─ Feeds into Main Draw Round 2, positions 1-2

Main Stage:
  └─ Main Draw (32 positions)
      ├─ Receives qualifiers at Round 1 (8 positions)
      ├─ Receives qualifiers at Round 2 (2 positions)
      └─ Feeds losers into Consolation

Consolation Stage:
  └─ Consolation Draw

Pre-Defined Draw Types​

The convenience method engine.generateDrawDefinition() generates the following draw types:

  • AD_HOC - An arbitrary number of matchUps may be added to an arbitrary number of rounds.
  • COMPASS - Includes up to 8 structures; ensures participants a minimum of 3 matchUps.
  • CURTIS - Includes 2 consolation structures, each fed by 2 main structure rounds, and a 3-4 playoff.
  • DOUBLE_ELIMINATION - Main structure losers feed into consolation; consolation winner plays main structure winner.
  • FEED_IN_CHAMPIONSHIP_TO_QF - Main structure losers feed into consolation through the Quarterfinals.
  • FEED_IN_CHAMPIONSHIP_TO_R16 - Main structure losers feed into consolation through the Round of 16.
  • FEED_IN_CHAMPIONSHIP_TO_SF - Main structure losers feed into consolation through the Semifinals.
  • FEED_IN_CHAMPIONSHIP - Main structure losers in every round feed into consolation.
  • FEED_IN - Also known as "staggered entry", participants feed into the main structure at specified rounds.
  • FIRST_MATCH_LOSER_CONSOLATION - Losers feed into consolation whenever their first loss occurs.
  • FIRST_ROUND_LOSER_CONSOLATION - Only first round losers feed into consolation structure.
  • LUCKY_DRAW - Supports any participant count (not just power-of-2). Rounds with an odd number of matchUps produce a "lucky loser" who advances to balance the next round. See Lucky Draw details.
  • MODIFIED_FEED_IN_CHAMPIONSHIP - First and Second round losers are fed into consolation structure.
  • OLYMPIC - Includes up to 4 structures; ensures participants a minimum of 2 matchUps.
  • PLAYOFF - All positions are played off; structures are added to ensure unique finishing positions. Note: PLAY_OFF (with underscore) is a stage type applied to structures. PLAYOFF (no underscore) is a draw type that generates structures to play off all positions.
  • ROUND_ROBIN - Participants divided into specified group sizes.
  • ROUND_ROBIN_WITH_PLAYOFF - Includes automated generation of specified playoff structures.
  • SINGLE_ELIMINATION - Standard knockout draw structure.

Stages: Organizing Structures​

In CODES, qualifying is conceptualized as a STAGE of a draw, not a separate draw. This is a fundamental difference from traditional systems.

Stage Types​

QUALIFYING Stage:

  • Contains one or more qualifying structures
  • Each structure can produce qualifiers
  • Different qualifying structures can feed into different rounds of the main draw
  • Qualifiers from one structure can enter at Round 1 while qualifiers from another structure enter at Round 2

MAIN Stage:

  • The primary competition structure
  • Can receive qualifiers at multiple entry points
  • Can feed participants into consolation or playoff structures

CONSOLATION Stage:

  • Receives participants who lose in the main draw
  • Can receive participants from multiple rounds
  • Provides additional competition opportunities

PLAY_OFF Stage:

  • Playoff structures for determining specific finishing positions
  • Common after round robin group play

Multi-Structure Qualifying​

A draw can have multiple qualifying structures in the QUALIFYING stage, each feeding into different parts of the main draw:

const { drawDefinition } = tournamentEngine.generateDrawDefinition({
  drawSize: 32,
  drawType: 'SINGLE_ELIMINATION',
  qualifyingProfiles: [
    {
      roundTarget: 1, // Feed into Round 1
      structureProfiles: [
        { drawSize: 16, qualifyingPositions: 4 }, // Qualifying Structure A → 4 qualifiers
        { drawSize: 8, qualifyingPositions: 2 }, // Qualifying Structure B → 2 qualifiers
      ],
    },
    {
      roundTarget: 2, // Feed into Round 2
      structureProfiles: [
        { drawSize: 8, qualifyingPositions: 2 }, // Qualifying Structure C → 2 qualifiers
      ],
    },
  ],
});

// Result:
// - Qualifying Structure A: 16 players compete, top 4 qualify for Main Round 1
// - Qualifying Structure B: 8 players compete, top 2 qualify for Main Round 1
// - Qualifying Structure C: 8 players compete, top 2 qualify for Main Round 2
// - Main Draw: 32 positions with 6 qualifier spots in Round 1 and 2 in Round 2

Mixed Entry Points​

The same main draw structure can receive qualifiers at different rounds, with each round's qualifiers coming from different qualifying structures:


**API Reference:** [generateDrawDefinition](/docs/governors/generation-governor#generatedrawdefinition)

Main Draw Structure (32 positions):
  Round 1 (16 positions):
    ├─ Positions 1-4: Qualifiers from Qualifying A
    ├─ Positions 5-6: Qualifiers from Qualifying B
    └─ Positions 7-16: Direct acceptances

  Round 2 (8 positions):
    ├─ 6 positions: Winners from Round 1
    └─ Positions 7-8: Qualifiers from Qualifying C (late entry)