Team Americano: fixed partners, rotating opponents
In a Team Americano, also called fixed pairs, partners stay together for the whole evening and only the opponents change. The pair is ranked, not the individual. It suits couples, club pairs and anyone entering with a regular partner. Scoring, timing and sit-outs work as in a normal Americano, with whole teams resting when there are not enough courts.
What changes in a Team Americano?
Only your partner. In a classic Americano you get a new partner every round. In a Team Americano you keep the same partner all night and play a different pair each round. Matches still go to a fixed total, usually 24 points, and the team with the most points at the end wins.
How many teams per court?
Two teams fill a court. With more teams than court places, whole teams sit out in turn, never twice in a row while the numbers allow it.
| Teams | Courts | Teams resting each round |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | none |
| 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | 3 | none |
| 8 | 4 | none |
| 8 | 2 | 4 |
How does the schedule work?
A good schedule lets every team meet every other team once before any rematch.
Small groups on few courts are the exception. With 4 teams on one court, two teams rest each round and nobody rests twice in a row, so the same two matches keep taking turns. Play 2 rounds, or accept rematches.
Who should choose it?
Couples and club pairs who want to play together, league nights with a set partner list, and pairs of mixed level where you want to rank the pair rather than each player. If your group is mainly there to meet new people, a classic Americano mixes more.
Next: Mixed Americano, where every pair is one player from each group.
Questions people ask
What is a Team Americano?
An Americano where partners stay together all evening. Each pair plays a different pair every round, and the standings rank the pairs instead of the individual players.
How many teams do you need for a Team Americano?
At least two teams per court, so four teams for two courts. With more teams than court places, whole teams sit out a round in turn.
How is a Team Americano scored?
Exactly like an Americano. Each match is played to a fixed total such as 24 points, and each team adds its score to its own total. The team with the most points wins.
Can teams play the same opponents twice?
Only when the numbers force it. A good draw makes every team meet every other team once before any rematch, but small groups on few courts run out of new opponents quickly.