PADA Tournaments Explained
Let me start with the disclaimer: What is listed here are GUIDELINES ONLY. These are general operating procedures and the PADA and tournament director reserve the right to change any or all of the procedures. We will make every effort to notify players about changes and the formats of the various events.
The PADA has a few different types of tournaments designed to meet the needs of the various types of dart players that we support. Below is an explanation of the overall event types and a little bit about the terminology. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact a board member.
Monthly Shoots:
PADA sponsors a single event tournament or “Shoot” almost every month. Most of these shoots are for entry level through advanced level players. The shoots often have themes and are subject to change based on who’s running them (the Tournament Director). Information on each event can usually be found at least a month ahead of time on the PADA Facebook page, this website, and posters or flyers at dart houses or bars. You can go to the Future PADA Events page to see what’s coming.
Most Monthly shoots are mostly “A/B – Blind Draw” events.
Blind Draw means that you just need to show up and you will be paired with someone else as a partner. Even if you bring a partner you will be randomly paired with someone. This also means that this will be a 2 person team event as opposed to a singles event. I suppose it could be a Trios event but that’s not likely and it would be called out on the flyer or poster.
A/B means that the list of entrants is cut in half based on estimated skill level. The top half (or ‘A’) and the other half (or ‘B’) again, based on skill level. Then the teams are created with a random person from column ‘A’ and a random person from column ‘B’. The list of teams is randomized so that the seeding’s are completely random. The intent is to create competitive teams that have equal chances of winning. We avoid 2 top players and/or 2 beginners from being matched up. The skill level is based on ratings and the discretion of the tournament director.
The format of most of the shoots is Double Elimination. Sometimes the format is modified Round Robin and very rarely it’s Knockout. Again, the format is defined by the tournament director.
Entry cost for the shoots is usually $7 per player. The PADA adds $3 per player and we ask the bar or sponsor to add $5 per player. These are 100% payout, meaning that all the money taken in is payed out in prize money. Mostly we play the top 4 teams. Please remember that these are guidelines only. Sometimes we change things. Check the flyer for information or ask the tournament director.
The dart games played at the shoots are usually: Cricket (with points), 501 (single or double start and double out), and 301 (double start and double out). You will see things like SIDO (Single In Double Out) and DIDO (Double In Double Out). Again, the games and corking procedures are defined by the tournament director.
High Dollar Shoots:
A couple times a year PADA will designate a $500 or even a $1,000 shoot. This is a single event tournament and takes the place of a Monthly Shoot. Because of the high dollar payout at these events they are usually straight draw events (NOT A/B). You could be paired with anyone. These events appeal to the higher skill level players and are intended for those that like to win money when they play darts.
The format and games played are similar to the Monthly Shoot guidelines. The Entry and payouts are likely to vary.
ADO or Annual Events:
These tournaments that are put on by PADA and are multi day, multi event tournaments. There are usually 6 – 8 different events for men, women, and mixed with a combination of singles and doubles all played over a 1 – 3 day period.
The events are run in accordance with ADO rules and ADO points can be won at these tournaments. This is a great way to improve you skill and see how you stack up against the competition. These events usually draw players from around the Northwest, California, and Nevada.
The Portland Open (PO)
This event is usually played in November over 3 days. Friday night is a blind draw. The singles and doubles events are played on Saturday. On Sunday the ADO national qualified for region 1-2 is played. Please remember this is a general schedule and preliminary dates, they are subject to change.
Please refer to the Portland Open Page for information about the next Portland Open.
The Battle in the Grove (The BIG)
This event is usually played in February over 3 days. Friday night is a blind draw. The singles and doubles events are played on Saturday. On Sunday the ADO national qualified for region 1-2 is played. Please remember this is a general schedule and preliminary dates, they are subject to change.
Please refer to the BIG Page for information about the next Battle in the Grove.
The Oregon Open (OO)
This is the most prestigious event that the PADA hosts. It’s the longest running dart tournament in North America. We start the planning for this event in early fall.
This event is usually played in May over 3 days. Friday night is a blind draw. The singles and doubles events are played on Saturday and Sunday. Please remember this is a general schedule and preliminary dates, they are subject to change.
Please refer to the Oregon Open Page for information about the next Oregon Open.
Please see the Future PADA Events Page for a list of the events over the next 3 months.
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