# Rounds

**Rounds** uses the same pairings as [Round Robin](/kickertool/modes/round-robin/), but creates one round at
a time. You decide after every round whether to continue. Use it when the time is limited and a full round
robin would not finish, or when you do not know in advance how many rounds fit into the evening.

Entry types: **Single**, **Doubles**, **Team Name**. Groups are supported and work as in Round Robin.

## How it works

1. Kickertool draws round 1 from the entry order. **Randomize entries before tournament start** is on by default and shuffles the list first.
2. Every further round follows the round robin schedule, so nobody meets the same opponent twice until everyone has played everyone. The pairings are fixed by the schedule, not by the current standings: unlike the [Swiss System](/kickertool/modes/swiss-system/), the leader does not necessarily meet the second.
3. With an odd field one participant has a bye per round. The bye rotates through the field.
4. When every pairing has been played, Kickertool tells you that no new round is possible. With 6 teams that is after 5 rounds.

## The table

Columns in sorting order: **Points**, **Encounters Difference**, **Set Difference**, **Goal Difference**.
**Match Count** is shown but not used for sorting. A participant with a bye has one match less than the
others, which is why the **Bye Rating** option exists.

## Options

- **Bye Rating**: a bye counts as a won match. The score is the goals to win against half of that, 7:4 with 7 goals, and it adds to goal difference. Turn it on when you play with an odd field, otherwise a bye is worth 0 points and puts the participant behind through no fault of their own.
- **Randomize entries before tournament start**: on by default.
- **Draw**, **Points for Win**, **Points for Draw**, **Points for Close Matches**, **Play with Multiple Encounters**.

## Running the stage

- Start the next round with **New Round** once the current one is complete.
- The latest round is shown on top of the round list.
- You can remove the latest round as long as it has no results.
- Late check-in is not possible once the first round is drawn, because the schedule depends on the field.

## Next steps

Play out the final placings with an [Elimination](/kickertool/modes/elimination/) or
[Direct Playoffs](/kickertool/modes/direct-playoffs/).