About This Format
Target Match Play is a format where players accumulate points across multiple rounds of group match play, and the tournament continues until a player (or a set number of players) reaches a predetermined target point total. Unlike standard group match play which runs for a fixed number of rounds, Target Match Play has a dynamic length determined by how quickly players reach the target.
How It Works
The tournament organiser sets a target score (for example, 20 points). Each round, players are placed into groups and earn points based on their finishing position, just like regular group match play. However, instead of stopping after a fixed number of rounds, play continues until a player accumulates enough points to reach the target. Once a player hits the target, they are removed from future rounds and their final position is locked in.
As Qualifying
When used as a qualifying stage, the tournament typically continues until a predetermined number of players have reached the target, with those players advancing to a finals bracket. Players who reach the target first earn higher qualifying seeds.
As Finals
When used as a finals format, the first player to reach the target wins. The number of rounds needed to reach the target becomes the meaningful games count for TGP purposes.
Pairing
Like group match play, pairings can use Swiss, balanced, or random methods. Swiss pairings work particularly well with this format as they keep the games competitive throughout, with players close to the target often facing each other in late rounds.