What is the difference between Mexicano and Americano?

In an Americano, Slams arranges each round so partners, and then opponents, repeat as little as possible, so everyone plays with and against as many people as possible. In a Mexicano only the first round is random. After that, Slams pairs every round again based on the current standings, so strong plays against strong and the matches become more evenly matched.

Can I play against the same player more than once in a Mexicano?

Yes. Unlike an Americano, the goal is not to face everyone exactly once. A Mexicano revolves around the standings, so you can meet the same opponent more than once if you perform at a similar level.

Does a Mexicano count towards players' ratings?

No. The Mexicano variants do not change the Slams rating. The results only count towards the standings of this part, not towards the club ranking.

Organizing a Mexicano in Slams

A Mexicano works like an Americano, but from round 2 onwards Slams pairs players based on the current standings, so the matches become more evenly matched as you go.

3 min read · Updated 18 July 2026

View the game format: Mexicano

A Mexicano is the smart variant on the Americano. You play individually with changing partners, but after the first round the pairings are determined by the current standings instead of by a random draw. This way strong players face strong players, and the matches become more evenly matched as the tournament progresses. Slams handles the pairing, the courts and the individual standings automatically.

How the pairing works

The first round is random, so everyone can start right away. From round 2 onwards, Slams ranks all players by their total number of games won and assigns the top four to each court: numbers 1 and 3 play together against numbers 2 and 4, numbers 5 and 7 against 6 and 8, and so on. Each court gets two evenly matched pairs this way. Unlike an Americano, the goal is not to face everyone exactly once. You can meet the same opponent more than once if you perform at a similar level.

The variants

Slams offers three Mexicano variants:

Mexicano: individual players, paired by the individual standings.
Mix Mexicano: each pair consists of one man and one woman. This requires an equal number of men and women. See mix formats in Slams.
Team Mexicano: you play with your fixed partner and only the opponents change. Pairs are then matched by the standings: number 1 against 2, number 3 against 4, and so on.

Adding participants

On the Participants tab, line up the players from your member list. For a mix variant, you choose each player's gender (M or F). If someone drops out during the tournament, mark that player as withdrawn: their match history stays intact and the player no longer counts in new rounds. To create new players first, use adding players.

Generating rounds

On the Rounds tab you generate the next round each time. You generate one at a time: a new round can only start once every match in the current round has a result, because the pairing relies on those standings. Players who have to sit out (a "bye") take turns on the sideline. You decide how many rounds you play, or leave the number open.

Scoring and the standings

For each match you enter a result per side: the number of games or points won. In the settings you choose to score on points (24 per match by default) or on time (15 minutes by default). Draws are allowed. The standings are individual: each player builds up their own total of games won. Read more about the calculation in how standings work. Note: a Mexicano does not count towards players' Slams rating. You can enter results in the dashboard, via a court QR code or via a score-entry link. See also entering scores.

Correcting a result

Because every round is paired on the current standings, it is smart to correct a score before you generate the next round. If you change a result from an earlier round while a later round already exists, that later round is still paired on the old standings. Slams warns you about this and you can regenerate the round in question if needed. See correcting a result.

Setting up courts

On the Settings tab, set the number of courts. Are you playing on specific courts, for example 2, 3, 4 and 5? Then enter those court numbers, and Slams uses them in the schedule, on the printout and in the QR codes. More on this in setting up courts.

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Coen ReekersFounder of Slams

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