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Playoff

Overview​

A Playoff draw generates structures to play off all positions, ensuring that every finishing position in the draw is uniquely determined through actual matchUps rather than inferred from bracket placement.

In the factory, this draw type is represented by the constant PLAYOFF (no underscore).

PLAYOFF vs PLAY_OFF

PLAYOFF (no underscore) is a draw type -- it defines the kind of draw being generated. PLAY_OFF (with underscore) is a stage type -- it is applied to structures within a draw to identify them as playoff structures.

These are distinct concepts. A ROUND_ROBIN_WITH_PLAYOFF draw, for example, contains structures with stage type PLAY_OFF, but the draw type itself is ROUND_ROBIN_WITH_PLAYOFF, not PLAYOFF.

Structure​

In a standard single elimination bracket, only the winner and runner-up have definitively determined finishing positions. The two semifinal losers share 3rd-4th place, the four quarterfinal losers share 5th-8th place, and so on.

A PLAYOFF draw adds additional structures to resolve every tied finishing position:

Main Draw (determines 1st and 2nd)
  SF losers --> 3rd-4th Playoff (determines 3rd and 4th)
  QF losers --> 5th-8th Playoff (determines 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th)
  R1 losers --> 9th-16th Playoff (determines 9th through 16th)

Each playoff structure is a mini-elimination bracket that resolves the finishing positions of its participants.

Use Cases​

  • National championships or selection events where every ranking position matters.
  • Olympic-format events where bronze medals are awarded (3rd-4th playoff).
  • Team selection processes where final standings determine squad composition.
  • Any event requiring unique finishing positions for all participants.

Generation​

const { drawDefinition } = engine.generateDrawDefinition({
  drawSize: 8,
  drawType: 'PLAYOFF',
});