Up & Down the River is one of the fun ways to keep pickleball social and exciting. Perfect for club play, open play, or group mixers, this format keeps everyone moving, laughing, mixing partners, and having a great time.
What is it?
Players rotate courts after each short game. Teams can compete in timed play (for example, 8 minutes per round) or play until the top court - usually Court 1 - finishes their game. When the round ends, the highest-scoring team on each court moves up the river by one court toward the top court, while the other team moves down the river one court. Play continues for one to two hours or until someone stops yelling, "One more game!"
Up & Down the River can be played as singles on each court or as doubles. In doubles, each time players move up or down, they switch partners, so they’re not playing with the same teammate twice in a row. Winners on the top court (Court 1) stay put, and also switch partners for the next round. This format is fast-paced, offering competition that keeps everyone involved - no long waits.
Why It Works
✅ Fast & Fun: Keeps the games short and the energy high.
✅ Social: Mixes up partners (in doubles) and opponents every round.
✅ Simple: Easy to organize with just a few courts—and even more fun if you use Pickleball Playing Cards for court assignments!
Give It a Try!
Up & Down the River turns any pickleball session into a community event. Grab your paddle, hit up your friends, and see who makes it to the top court—you’ll have just as much fun paddling up the river as when you get there!
How to Use Pickleball Playing Cards for Court Assignments
Our pickleball-themed deck isn’t just for poker or Crazy Eights—it’s also the perfect way to organize large group play!
If you are setting up for doubles and have four courts, pull out four sets of cards. You pick the order, but here's an example:
🂡 Aces = Court 1
🂮 Kings= Court 2
🂭 Queens = Court 3
🂫 Jacks = Court 4
Shuffle the cards and hand them out randomly—each player heads to the court that matches their card. Red cards play as partners, and black cards play as partners. Mix up your starting lineup by using any face or numbered cards you like!
It’s an easy, fun way to keep things organized—and adds a playful pickleball twist with slang and tips right on the cards.
⭐"Fun, creative, and a great conversation starter!" ⭐
⭐"Perfect for game nights and pickleball lovers alike." ⭐
Shop Pickleball Playing Cards at pballgoods or Amazon and bring the fun to your next game night!
