What is a padel Americano?
In an Americano, everyone plays with as many different partners as possible. The pairings are set in advance and rotate by a fixed plan. Instead of games and sets, points are counted: each match goes to an agreed total, for example 24 points. If it ends 14–10, both players on one team get 14 points each and both on the other get 10 each.
After all rounds, the player with the most points wins. Because partners change constantly, your own performance over the whole evening counts – not who you happened to be paired with.
What is a padel Mexicano?
A Mexicano is scored the same way, only the pairings are made differently. After each round the standings are re-sorted and the next teams follow from them. A common rule: 1st plays with 4th against 2nd and 3rd. That way players of similar strength meet and matches stay close.
The first round is usually drawn or set up by feel, because there are no standings yet.
Americano or Mexicano – which one?
Both formats have their strengths:
| Americano | Mexicano | |
|---|---|---|
| Pairings | fixed plan, known in advance | new after every round, from the standings |
| Partners | everyone with everyone, as far as possible | players of similar strength together |
| Matches | sometimes clear, sometimes close | mostly balanced |
| Good for | mixed groups, getting to know people | competitive groups, close games |
Planning points and rounds
The points per match decide how long a round takes. As a rough guide: 16 points is a short round, 24 a medium one and 32 a long one. If court time is limited, divide the time you have by the number of rounds first, then pick the points.
If the number of players is not divisible by four, someone sits out each round. A fair plan makes sure everyone rests about equally often.
- Possible from 4 players, 4 play per court
- Serve usually changes in fixed blocks, for example every four points
- Agree beforehand how ties in the standings are decided
Fixed teams as an alternative
If you want to play in fixed pairs, a round robin works well: every team plays every other team once. The standings follow from the points collected.