Organized Play Rules and Regulations

Bellevue Badminton Club offers several organized-play formats, each with a different approach to partners, opponents, and court assignments. Participants register for a scheduled event and follow its format throughout the session.

Most mixers feature doubles play. Singles events are identified in their descriptions. Review the format and participation requirements before registering.

Standard Mixers

Standard Mixers divide the event into timed rounds. After each round, players mix again, playing with a new partner against new opponents.

A typical Standard Mixer has six rounds lasting approximately 15–20 minutes each. Players typically participate in four rounds and rest for two. Follow the event description and facilitator’s instructions for the session’s actual schedule.

Assignments are coordinated through UBR. Participants must check their assignments after each round, move promptly to the correct court, and remain available for the full assigned round. The facilitator announces when it is time to transition.

This format offers variety throughout the session and opportunities to play with different people.

Each player must provide two approved shuttles.

Rotary Mixers

Rotary Mixers place participants into groups based on their UBR ratings and skill levels. Players then play a mix of doubles games within their assigned group, rotating partners and opponents according to the scheduled game list.

Players use UBR on their phones to follow their assignments and move through the games with less facilitator assistance. Games must be played in the assigned order, with required scores recorded after each completed game.

Changes to groups, pairings, or game order require the facilitator’s approval.

This format provides a structured session with players grouped by rating and a defined schedule of games.

Each player must provide one approved shuttle.

Fixed-Partner Mixers

Players may register with a partner or request a partner. Pairs are assigned to groups and play a round robin consisting of one game against every other team in their group.

Partners remain together throughout the scheduled games. Participants must follow the event’s instructions for identifying or requesting a partner, registering, and reporting scores.

This format allows players to develop teamwork with the same partner while facing different teams.

Each player must provide one approved shuttle. This requirement applies to each individual, not each pair.

Singles Events

Singles events feature one player against another rather than doubles teams. Participants follow the grouping, game order, and round or rotation procedures identified for their event.

Each player must provide a minimum of one approved shuttle.

Open Play

Open Play allows players to arrange games through UBR and request partners for their rounds if desired. UBR’s algorithms distribute playing time fairly and evenly and generate match assignments.

Participants must use the event’s UBR procedures and play their assigned matches. Partner requests do not authorize players to independently change assignments, bypass rotations, or take a court.

Players must provide their own shuttles for Open Play. There is no shuttle collection process; players supply the shuttles needed for their games.

Format Comparison

Kids Open Play

Kids Open Play is available to eligible children under 18 years old—ages 17 and younger—covered by a Family Membership.

Children must register through CourtReserve and use the designated courts during the published session. These courts are intended for children to play with other children. Parents may play with their child only when there are not enough children available to play.

Session schedules and court availability vary by location. Check CourtReserve for current details.

Registration and Playing Requirements

Participants must register and pay through CourtReserve before the event’s registration deadline. Deadlines vary by event, and spaces may fill before registration closes.

Review the event description for its format, location, start time, eligibility requirements, pricing, and shuttle requirements. Players must meet any membership, age, skill, rating, or team requirements listed for the event.

Mixer participants must understand the basics of badminton, including:

• How to serve.
• Court boundaries and lines.
• How scoring works.
• How to move and rotate safely with a doubles partner.

Players of all skill levels are welcome when they meet these basic requirements and the requirements of the particular event. Players still learning these fundamentals should begin with BBC’s adult classes before joining a mixer.

For Fixed-Partner Mixers, follow the registration instructions to identify a partner or request one.

Late registration requires contacting the front desk and receiving confirmation of availability, eligibility, and payment. Arriving at the club does not guarantee admission to a full or closed event.

Registrations may not be transferred to another player without BBC approval and completion of the applicable registration requirements.

Preparing for the Event

For events using UBR, create a Universal Badminton Rating account and complete the five-question self-evaluation before attending. Use the same name and email address as your CourtReserve account so your registration and UBR profile can be connected.

Arrive approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start to prepare and report to the staff member or volunteer facilitating the event. Provide the required shuttle contribution to the facilitator before play begins, except at Open Play sessions, where players retain and supply their own shuttles.

Registered players arriving late must notify the facilitator and will be added to the next available round or game as the format permits.

Approved Shuttles

Where an approved shuttle contribution is required, accepted shuttles include:

• Yonex: AS30, AS40, AS50.
• Victor: Master Aces, Master No. 1, Master No. 3, Champion No. 1.
• BBC: Aeromaster 1, Aeromaster 3
• Ling Mei: 80 and 90.
• Aeroplane: Black.
• RSL: Classic and Supreme.

Each participant must supply their required share. Follow the event’s contribution and collection procedures and review its published information for any updates to approved shuttles.

UBR Ratings and Match Assignments

UBR uses player ratings to create balanced games while providing opportunities to play with different people. Balanced games do not necessarily mean that every participant on a court has the same individual skill level. Players may be assigned partners or opponents who are more experienced or still developing their skills.

New players receive an initial rating based on their self-evaluation. At a player’s first mixer, the facilitator may observe their play and discuss whether the matches felt too easy, too difficult, or appropriate.

If a new player’s initial rating does not accurately reflect their current ability, the facilitator will discuss an appropriate adjustment with the player. Rating changes are made thoughtfully to support fair grouping and matches.

Manual changes to UBR-generated assignments are reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as replacing an unavailable player or addressing an inaccurately rated new participant. Requests for preferred partners or opponents do not, by themselves, justify overriding assignments outside the format’s permitted request process.

Understanding Rating Changes

UBR ratings reflect performance compared with expectations, rather than wins and losses alone.

• Performing better than expected can increase a rating.
• Performing worse than expected can decrease a rating.
• A player can lose a game and still gain rating points.
• A player can win a game and still lose rating points.

A player becomes verified in UBR after completing 25 games or playing with 15 unique players. At that point, the initial survey responses are removed from the calculation, and the rating is based on recorded game performance. A verified rating may also be generated earlier if UBR has enough data to make that determination, in which case a player can become verified earlier.

Accounts and Score Reporting

Each participant may use only one UBR account for themselves. Names and email addresses must match CourtReserve information where required to connect accounts.

After each completed game or timed round, one player from the court must enter the result in UBR using their phone. The players should confirm the result so it is recorded accurately and without duplicate submissions.

Scores must reflect the games actually played. Confirm disputed scores with the other players and ask the facilitator to resolve discrepancies or recording errors.

False results, misleading self-evaluations, borrowed identities, duplicate accounts used to misrepresent a player, and deliberate underperformance to manipulate ratings are prohibited.

Assignments and Court Rotations

Participants must follow assigned courts, partners, opponents, game order, and round timing. Be ready when assigned and move promptly between rounds.

Partner requests are permitted where the format allows them. Once assignments are issued, changes require the facilitator’s approval.

Remain engaged and available for the full assigned match or round. Notify the facilitator before taking a break or leaving early so remaining games and assignments can be adjusted.

Finishing a game early does not authorize skipping scheduled games, changing groups, or using another court. Any additional play must remain within the event’s designated courts, allotted time, and facilitator instructions.