Open Play Guidelines
Open play is available at the Wagner and Sage facilities whenever the courts are not scheduled for events or reservations. The specific times vary seasonally and may be viewed on CourtReserve. Double's games have priority over skinny singles and individual practice.
Open play is intended to allow a great many players at all skill levels to play in a friendly and welcoming - while still competitive - environment. None of the courts are assigned by skill level so, theoretically, there could be a wide range of players on any given court. Some players may wish to challenge themselves a bit by playing up. Others may wish to help mentor those who are striving to improve. Please be realistic about your skill level and strive to find a good fit during open play. Consistent lobsided scores lead to frustration by all parties and may indicate a different approach is in order.
There are a couple ways to join others in open play:
Paddling In – A player can wait outside a specific court or group of courts to play next when a game ends. (At Wagner, a member may place his/her paddle in the paddle rack corresponding with that court.) The current players should then allow the player/players to play the next game according to the following guidelines.
It is unacceptable to artificially prolong a game to avoid allowing others to paddle in.
Playing Cards – A group of members at similar rating levels may choose to form semi-organized games using multiple courts (if available) during open play. Under this method, a leader will distribute playing cards to interested players. The card indicates the court number, red indicates a serve position and black indicates receive position. For example, the 10 of Clubs card indicates a member will be on the receive side of court 10. Jokers/face cards indicate the player must sit out that game. All games begin simultaneously. When a majority of games are complete, rally scoring is used. Then, the leader will again distribute cards to begin the next game. The Playing Card method is allowable as long as the group welcomes others who wish to take a playing card and join the group.
Use of rotation charts (paper or electronic) is not allowed during open play because it is difficult to add others who may wish to join in.
Guests
Guests are allowed to play on open play courts if certain conditions are met as defined in the Club By-Laws. Notably, a member must accompany them and guests may not play if a member is waiting.
Inclusivity
As an important reminder, open play is intended to be the most inclusive form of play, where all members are welcome. For those who want to only play with select individuals (e.g., specific skill rating, a tournament partner, friends, guests), a reserved court may be a better option.
Open play is intended to allow a great many players at all skill levels to play in a friendly and welcoming - while still competitive - environment. None of the courts are assigned by skill level so, theoretically, there could be a wide range of players on any given court. Some players may wish to challenge themselves a bit by playing up. Others may wish to help mentor those who are striving to improve. Please be realistic about your skill level and strive to find a good fit during open play. Consistent lobsided scores lead to frustration by all parties and may indicate a different approach is in order.
There are a couple ways to join others in open play:
Paddling In – A player can wait outside a specific court or group of courts to play next when a game ends. (At Wagner, a member may place his/her paddle in the paddle rack corresponding with that court.) The current players should then allow the player/players to play the next game according to the following guidelines.
- If one player is waiting, a person from the losing team exits the court.
- If two players are waiting, the losing team exits the court.
- If three players are waiting, one person remains to play and the other three exit the court.
- If four players are waiting AND no other court is immediately available, all four players exit the court.
It is unacceptable to artificially prolong a game to avoid allowing others to paddle in.
Playing Cards – A group of members at similar rating levels may choose to form semi-organized games using multiple courts (if available) during open play. Under this method, a leader will distribute playing cards to interested players. The card indicates the court number, red indicates a serve position and black indicates receive position. For example, the 10 of Clubs card indicates a member will be on the receive side of court 10. Jokers/face cards indicate the player must sit out that game. All games begin simultaneously. When a majority of games are complete, rally scoring is used. Then, the leader will again distribute cards to begin the next game. The Playing Card method is allowable as long as the group welcomes others who wish to take a playing card and join the group.
Use of rotation charts (paper or electronic) is not allowed during open play because it is difficult to add others who may wish to join in.
Guests
Guests are allowed to play on open play courts if certain conditions are met as defined in the Club By-Laws. Notably, a member must accompany them and guests may not play if a member is waiting.
Inclusivity
As an important reminder, open play is intended to be the most inclusive form of play, where all members are welcome. For those who want to only play with select individuals (e.g., specific skill rating, a tournament partner, friends, guests), a reserved court may be a better option.