The Pool Tournament is ONDA Boquete’s weekly competitive-but-fun pool night. It gives guests an easy way to meet people, join a team, and spend the evening in the bar with a bit of structure and energy.

Purpose

This activity exists to create a social, lively, low-pressure competition in the bar.

For volunteers, the goal is to:

• get people signed up early
• make the format feel simple and welcoming
• keep the energy fun, not overly serious
• help solo or undecided guests feel comfortable joining

What it is

This is a 2-person team pool tournament run as a knockout bracket.

It is not meant to feel overly official. The volunteer should organize it clearly, but keep the tone relaxed and social.

Key details

Volunteer responsibilities

Before the tournament:

• start promoting it around 6:00 p.m.
• sign up teams
• Help guests find a teammate if needed
• Create the bracket

• Decide whether to make the bracket:

  • on paper, or
  • using the bracket tool: lvup.gg/en/easy

During the tournament:

• Explain the format clearly
• Keep things moving
• Announce who plays next
• Keep the tone fun and social
• Avoid making it feel too intense or overly official

After the tournament:

• Confirm the winners
• Make sure both players on the winning team receive one free drink each

How volunteers should explain it

• “Tonight is our pool tournament at 7.”
• “It’s free to join, and it’s played in teams of two.”
• “We start sign-ups around 6, and we’ll make a knockout bracket once we know how many teams we have.”
• “Winning team gets a free drink each.”

Common guest questions

Do I need to sign up?

• Yes, guests should sign up with the volunteer before it starts.

Can I join alone?

• Yes. If possible, help pair solo guests with someone else.

Is it serious or casual?

• It is structured, but the vibe should stay fun and social.

Can I still join if I’m late?

• Usually yes, as long as it still works with the bracket.

What not to do

• Do not make it feel overly formal
• Do not wait until 7:00 p.m. to start promoting it
• Do not forget that it is played in teams of two
• Do not overcomplicate the bracket
• Do not turn guests away too quickly if they arrive a little late
• Do not lose track of who is playing next
• Do not forget to award the winning drinks

What success looks like

• Guests know about the tournament before it starts
• Teams are signed up smoothly
• The bracket is easy to follow
• Solo guests are helped into the activity
• The tournament feels energetic and fun, not stressful
• Winners receive their drinks without confusion

One-line summary

Run the pool tournament with just enough structure to keep it organized, while keeping the whole night fun, social, and easy to join.