PickleQ User Guide
The complete guide for staff and players
Version 1.1
What is PickleQ?
PickleQ is a free, easy-to-use web app that helps you manage pickleball open play sessions. Whether you're running a busy recreation center or organizing a casual weekend game, PickleQ handles all the logistics so everyone can focus on playing.
How It Works
- Players check in when they arrive at the court
- PickleQ builds matches from queue order, match mode, and optional skill or gender rules
- Staff records winners after each game
- Players rotate fairly - play a game, then back to the queue
- Everyone sees stats at the end of the session
Key Features
Import from Reclub
Paste player lists directly from Reclub
Live Session View
Players watch queue, up next, and standings in real-time
Fair Rotation
First in, first out queue system
4 Match Modes
Auto-balanced, skill-separated, winners vs losers, and mixed doubles
Stats Tracking
Wins, losses, and rankings
Lock Partners
Keep couples together
Voice Announce
Calls out matches audibly
Share Stats
Beautiful cards for social media
Works Offline
No internet? No problem
Leaderboards
Track all-time rankings
Who Uses PickleQ?
| User Type | What They Do |
|---|---|
| Staff / Coordinators | Set up sessions, add players, manage courts, record winners, and share stats |
| Players | Check in, play games, view stats, and share achievements |
| Venue Managers | Set up cloud sync, configure venue settings, access all-time leaderboards |
First-Time Setup (Staff)
Getting started takes less than a minute. No account required!
Open PickleQ
Go to pickleq.app on your tablet, phone, or computer. For best results, use a tablet at the front desk where players can see it.
Tap "Get Started"
On the landing page, tap the green "Get Started" button. PickleQ may first ask whether you're running a venue/club or just playing with friends, then it takes you into setup.
Enter Your Location
Type where you're playing (e.g., "Courts A-D" or "Recreation Center"). This will be saved for next time!
Set Number of Courts
Use the + and - buttons to set how many courts you have available (1-10).
Choose Game Mode
Select Doubles (4 players per court, default) or Singles (2 players per court).
Choose a Matching Mode (Doubles)
For doubles sessions, choose Auto-balanced, Skill-separated, Winners vs Losers, or Mixed Doubles.
Running a Session
Adding Players
Type the Player's Name
In the "Add player" box, type the player's name. If they've played before, their name will auto-complete.
Set Their Skill Level (Optional)
Tap the stars to set their skill level. This helps create balanced teams. See the Skill Levels section for details.
Tap "Add"
The player appears in the "Not Here Yet" section. They're saved to your roster for future sessions.
Checking Players In
When a player arrives at the court:
Find Their Name
Look for the player in the "Not Here Yet" section, or use the search box.
Tap "Check In"
The player moves to the "Checked In" section and joins the queue. The earlier they check in, the sooner they'll play!
Starting the Session
Wait for Enough Players
You need at least 4 checked-in players for doubles (or 2 for singles).
Tap "Start Session"
The green "Start Session" button becomes active when you have enough players. Tap it!
Courts Fill Automatically
PickleQ automatically assigns balanced teams to all available courts. Remaining players go to the queue.
During Play
Understanding the Play Screen
The play screen shows three main areas:
- Header: Location name, totals, live-share tools, standings, and mute button
- Courts: Active matches with team assignments
- Queue: Players waiting for their next game, with estimated wait times and an editable Up Next preview
Recording Winners
When a game ends on any court:
Find the Court
Locate the court card showing the completed match.
Tap the Winning Team
Tap the Team 1 (left/top) or Team 2 (right/bottom) button for the winners.
Players Rotate
The completed players return to the back of the queue and stats update immediately. The court then waits for staff to start the next staged match or choose players manually.
Managing the Queue
The queue shows who's playing next:
- Queue position: Players are ordered by check-in time (first in, first out)
- Wait time: Estimated wait based on average game duration
- Up Next preview: Shows the next match or matches, lets staff swap players, and can announce "Call Players"
Handling Special Situations
Player Needs a Break
Tap the player's name and select "Check Out." They'll be removed from the queue but can check back in later.
Player Leaves Mid-Game
Tap the player on the court to pull them off. Their slot opens up, and staff can either auto-pick the best replacement from the queue or choose a replacement manually.
Late Arrival
Just add and check in the new player. They'll join the back of the queue.
Ending a Session
Tap "End Session"
When you're done for the day, tap the "End Session" button in the header.
View the Leaderboard
The session leaderboard appears, showing all players ranked by wins. Top 3 get medals!
- 🥇 Gold - Most wins
- 🥈 Silver - Second place
- 🥉 Bronze - Third place
Share Stats (Optional)
Tap any player's name to generate a shareable stats card. Players can download it or share to social media!
Start a New Session
Tap "New Session" to begin another session. All players and settings are preserved.
Import from Reclub
If you organize events through Reclub, you can now import your participant list directly into PickleQ with a simple copy-paste!
How to Import
Copy from Reclub
Open your Reclub event and select/copy the participant list. It looks something like:
Participants (26) 1. Player One 2. Player Two 3. Player Three ...
Open Import in PickleQ
On the Setup screen, tap "Import from Reclub" next to "Add Players". Or go to the Players screen and tap the "Import" button.
Paste and Parse
Paste the copied text into the text area and tap "Parse Players". PickleQ will extract all the player names automatically.
Review and Import
You'll see a list of all players found. Uncheck anyone you don't want to import. Players already in your session or database will be marked as "already added".
Tap Import
Tap the green "Import X Players" button. Done! All selected players are added instantly.
Where to Import
| Location | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Setup Screen | Players are added to the current session (they'll appear in "Not Here Yet") |
| Players Screen | Players are saved to your roster for future sessions |
Live Session View
Players can now watch the live session on their own phones! They can see the queue, current matches, and their wait time in real-time.
How It Works
Staff Shares the Link
During an active session, staff can share a live session link. Players scan a QR code or receive the URL directly.
Players Open on Their Phone
Players open the link in their phone's browser. No app download needed!
Watch in Real-Time
The page updates automatically. Players can see:
- Which courts are active and who's playing
- Who is up next and who is still waiting
- Estimated wait time
- Live standings during the session
Optional Up Next Notifications
Players can tap their own name on the live page to get a browser alert, vibration, and chime when they move into the Up Next group.
Requirements
- Venue must be set up with cloud sync enabled
- Staff device needs internet connection during the session
- Players need any smartphone with a web browser
Matching Modes
PickleQ supports four doubles matching modes. All of them respect queue order first, then apply the extra rules for that mode.
| Mode | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Auto-balanced | Everyone can play together. PickleQ balances teams and tries to avoid repetitive pairings. |
| Skill-separated | Tries to keep compatible skill tiers together instead of mixing wide skill gaps. |
| Winners vs Losers | Winners cycle with winners and losers cycle with losers, creating a ladder-style session. |
| Mixed Doubles | Each team must have one male and one female player. |
Skill Levels
Skill levels help PickleQ balance teams, separate compatible groups, and choose better replacements. PickleQ uses a 6-level scale that roughly maps to DUPR-style bands.
| Level | Stars | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | ★ | New to pickleball, still learning basic rules and strokes |
| Adv. Beginner | ★★ | Comfortable rallying and learning positioning |
| Intermediate | ★★★ | Consistent play with growing strategy and shot selection |
| Adv. Intermediate | ★★★★ | Stronger positional play, more reliable shot variety |
| Advanced | ★★★★★ | Competitive player with strong consistency and tactics |
| Expert | ★★★★★★ | Top-end open play skill level and high-level competitive play |
| Unrated | ☆☆☆☆☆☆ | No skill level set |
Setting Skill Levels
- When adding a player: Tap the stars before tapping "Add"
- For existing players: Tap their inline stars on the checked-in list, queue, or Players screen
- Don't know? Leave it blank and update later after a few games
Locking Partners
The "Lock Partners" feature keeps two players on the same team for every game. Perfect for couples, parent-child pairs, or friends who want to stick together.
How to Lock Partners
Make Sure Both Players Are Checked In
Both players must be in the "Checked In" section before you can lock them.
Tap the Lock Icon (🔗)
Find the first player and tap the chain/lock icon next to their name.
Select Their Partner
Tap the second player's name. Both players will now show a lock indicator.
How to Unlock Partners
Tap the lock icon on either locked player, then tap "Unlock" to separate them.
Voice Announcements
PickleQ can announce matches out loud using text-to-speech. This is great for busy courts where players might not be watching the screen.
What Gets Announced
- New matches: "Court 1: Team Blue vs Team Orange"
- Winners: "Court 1: Team Blue wins!"
- Top 3 players: Announced when the session ends
Mute/Unmute
Tap the speaker icon (🔊) in the header to toggle announcements on or off. Your preference is saved for future sessions.
Singles Mode
Running 1-on-1 games instead of doubles? PickleQ supports that too!
Setting Up Singles
During Setup
On the setup screen, tap "Singles" instead of "Doubles".
Minimum Players
You need at least 2 players to start a singles session.
Court Assignment
Each court gets 2 players. Everything else works the same!
Player Guide
Welcome to PickleQ! Here's what you need to know as a player.
When You Arrive
- Find the staff member with the PickleQ tablet or screen
- Give them your name so they can check you in
- Wait for your turn - you'll see your position in the queue on screen
The Queue System
PickleQ uses a fair queue system:
- First come, first served: The earlier you check in, the sooner you play
- After each game: All players return to the back of the queue
- Wait times: Check the screen to see your estimated wait
During Your Game
- Your court assignment is shown on the screen (and announced if audio is on)
- Play your game with your assigned teammates and opponents
- When done, tell staff who won - they'll record it in PickleQ
Taking a Break
Need to rest or grab water? Ask staff to "check you out." You'll be removed from the queue temporarily. Just check back in when you're ready to play again!
Viewing Your Stats
PickleQ tracks your performance across sessions. Here's what's tracked:
| Stat | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Games Played | Total number of games you've participated in |
| Wins | Number of games your team won |
| Losses | Number of games your team lost |
| Win Rate | Percentage of games won (wins divided by total games) |
| Ranking | Your position compared to other players |
Session Stats vs. Lifetime Stats
- Session stats: Your performance in the current session only
- Lifetime stats: Your all-time record across all sessions (requires cloud sync)
Sharing Your Stats
Show off your achievements with beautiful stats cards!
How to Get Your Stats Card
Access the Leaderboard
After the session ends, you'll see the leaderboard. Or visit the venue's public leaderboard link.
Tap Your Name
Find yourself on the leaderboard and tap your name.
View Your Stats Card
A beautiful card appears showing your name, skill level, record, and ranking.
Share or Download
- Share: Tap the share button to post directly to social media, messages, or email
- Download: Tap download to save the card as an image to your device
Leaderboards
Session Leaderboard
Shows rankings for the current session only. Displayed automatically when a session ends.
- Ranked by total wins first
- Tiebreakers include average opponent strength and win rate
- Top 3 get medals
All-Time Leaderboard
Shows lifetime rankings across all sessions (requires venue cloud sync).
- Ranked by win percentage
- Minimum games required to appear (set by venue)
- Accessible via the venue's public link
Ranking Requirements
To appear on the ranked leaderboard, players typically need a minimum number of games (default: 10). This prevents players with just 1 win from topping the charts!
Cloud & Venue Setup
Setting up a venue enables cloud sync, public leaderboards, and multi-device access. This is optional but recommended for recreation centers and clubs.
Creating a Venue
Open Venue Settings
Tap the Cloud Sync or Venue button in the header.
Enter Venue Name
Type your venue name (e.g., "Green Valley Recreation Center"). A URL will be auto-generated.
Set a Password
Choose a password (minimum 4 characters). Staff will use this to access your venue on other devices.
Create the Venue
Tap "Create Venue". All your existing players and stats will sync to the cloud.
Joining an Existing Venue
If your venue is already set up:
- Open the Cloud Sync / Venue screen
- Switch to Login
- Enter the venue URL slug (provided by your administrator)
- Enter the venue password
- Tap "Join" - all data syncs automatically
Venue Settings
- Minimum Games for Ranking: Set how many games players need before appearing on the leaderboard (1-50)
Offline Mode
PickleQ works completely offline! This is great for outdoor courts with spotty wifi.
How Offline Mode Works
- All data saves locally: Everything is stored on your device
- Full functionality: Add players, run sessions, track stats - everything works
- Auto-sync: When you get internet again, data syncs to the cloud (if venue is set up)
Syncing After Being Offline
If you run a session offline with a venue configured:
- Sessions are queued for sync
- When internet returns, PickleQ automatically syncs
- You'll see a sync indicator in the header
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
The app isn't loading
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, clear your browser cache or try a different browser. PickleQ works best on Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
I accidentally recorded the wrong winner
Use the 10-second Undo popup if it's still visible. If it has expired, open the match log and swap the recorded winner there.
A player is stuck on a court
Pull the player from the court, then fill the empty slot by auto-picking the best replacement or choosing someone manually from the queue.
Voice announcements aren't working
Check that:
- The mute button (🔊) is not muted
- Your device volume is up
- Your browser has permission to play audio
Stats aren't syncing to cloud
Make sure:
- You have a venue set up (open the Cloud Sync / Venue screen)
- You have an internet connection
- The sync indicator isn't showing an error
I can't start the session
The "Start Session" button requires at least 4 checked-in players (for doubles) or 2 (for singles). Make sure enough players are in the "Checked In" section.
My data disappeared
Data is stored in your browser's local storage. If you cleared browser data, switched browsers, or used incognito mode, local data won't be there. Cloud-synced data (venues) is preserved - just rejoin your venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PickleQ free?
Yes! PickleQ is completely free to use. No subscriptions, no hidden fees.
Do I need to create an account?
No account is needed for basic use. Creating a venue (optional) enables cloud sync and public leaderboards.
Does PickleQ work on my device?
PickleQ works on any device with a modern web browser - phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. No app download required.
How does the queue system ensure fairness?
Queue order is the base rule: earlier check-ins play sooner, and completed players return to the back. Some doubles modes use a small lookahead to keep locked pairs together or create more compatible matches, but they still try to serve the front of the queue first.
How are teams balanced?
That depends on the mode. Auto-balanced tries to create fair teams, Skill-separated keeps compatible tiers together, Winners vs Losers sorts by results, and Mixed Doubles enforces one male plus one female per team.
Can players see their own stats?
Yes! After a session ends, players can view and share their stats. With a venue set up, they can also access the public leaderboard anytime.
What happens if someone leaves mid-game?
Staff can pull that player out, then either auto-pick the best replacement from the queue or choose one manually. If nobody is available, the slot stays open until someone can fill it.
Can I run multiple sessions at different locations?
Yes! Each browser/device maintains its own session. You can run simultaneous sessions at different courts.
How do I delete a player from my roster?
Go to the Players screen (tap the players icon), find the player, and tap "Delete". This removes them from your saved roster but preserves their historical stats.
Can I change a player's skill level mid-session?
Yes. Use the inline skill stars on the checked-in list, queue, or Players screen. The update affects future matchmaking and replacements.
What's the maximum number of courts?
PickleQ supports up to 10 courts per session.
How are ties broken on the leaderboard?
Session standings rank by wins first, then opponent-strength and win-rate tiebreakers. All-time leaderboards rank by win rate with a minimum-games threshold, then use sample size and name as tiebreakers.
Ready to Play?
Open PickleQ and start your first session!
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