OPEN PLAY
What is open play?
Open Play is not a private court rental! Open Play pickleball is a casual drop-in format where players rotate partners and opponents for fun, social games. Some experience is required to ensure competitive, fast-paced play and to maintain the flow of games for all participants. If you have never played Pickleball before, we recommend taking one of our beginner classes before diving into Open Play!
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These sessions often have more registrants available than court space, meaning some players will sit out during each round, but the wait will typically be no longer than 15 minutes. We follow the '4 on 4 off': once a game ends, all players leave the court and rejoin the line to play, mixing in with others. If you prefer to play with the same group throughout the session, Open Play may not be the best fit. We suggest reserving a court instead, as Open Play involves rotating and mixing with everyone present.
General Open Play
​2.5 - 3.0 Beginner Open Play
Designed for players who are relatively new to pickleball or still developing their skills. This level focuses on learning the fundamentals, such as serving, basic positioning, and consistency. While the games are friendly and supportive, they provide a great opportunity to practice techniques and improve court awareness in a low-pressure environment. Ideal for those still mastering the basics and looking to gain more confidence on the court. ​
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Mixed Level Open Play
Mixed Level Open Play is a fun, social session open to players of all skill levels who have an understanding of the game. It’s a great opportunity to get in plenty of play, meet new people, and mix it up with players of varying experience. While games are casual, players are expected to know how to keep score, rotate in, and follow general court etiquette. It’s also an excellent chance to challenge yourself by playing with and against more advanced players in a welcoming environment​.
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On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we have a challenge court open where you can test your skills against strong players and enjoy a little more competition!
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Levels of play.
Balanced games are more fun for everyone! That's why Smash Dink offers different levels of Open Play, ensuring you're matched with players at a similar skill level for more competitive and enjoyable games. For Open Play, skill levels are self-assessed; we trust you to choose the level that best suits your abilities. Your rating will only be as good as your honesty and accuracy in your self-assessment.
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Please note: For Open Play sessions with multiple skill levels running simultaneously, we require players to stay on the courts assigned to the skill level group they registered for. ​​​​​
DUPR Rated Open Play
3.5+ DUPR Rated Open Play | Approval Required
For players with a DUPR rating of 3.5 and above. Players should have strong shot consistency, strategic awareness, and the ability to execute advanced techniques like drops, dinks, and controlled drives. Geared towards players who are confident in their abilities and ready for fast-paced, strategic matches and competitive play. ​​
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4.0+ DUPR Rated Open Play | Approval Required
For players with a DUPR rating of 4.0 or above. A 4.0+ pickleball player demonstrates consistent and reliable skills, including the ability to control and place shots with moderate pace. They can execute a variety of dinks, volleys, and groundstrokes with depth and direction, and they understand strategy, such as when to attack or reset a point. At this level, players show improved footwork, court awareness, and the ability to transition effectively from the baseline to the kitchen line. They also communicate well with partners and can handle faster-paced play with fewer unforced errors.
How to register for open play
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Create a free account HERE with Court Reserve
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Download the Court Reserve app
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Once you have set up your account, you will be asked to add an organization. Type in 'Smash Dink' and add us as an organization.
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Once you have done this you will be directed to the Smash Dink homepage in Court Reserve.
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From there, you can select 'Events', then 'categories'.
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Here you will find a list of event options (open play, classes, guided play etc).
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Select the event you wish to join, event info and description will be available.
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Once you press 'Register' you're all set! You will get a confirmation via text or email. When you arrive at Smash Dink for your event, you must check in at the front desk.
Registration limit.
To maintain a smooth and enjoyable experience, we cap the number of participants for Open Play, aiming for minimal wait times of about 15 minutes between games. During peak hours, spots fill up quickly, so we highly recommend booking in advance to secure your place and avoid disappointment.
Open Play is for ages 12 and up and all players must have a basic understanding of the game. For safety reasons and to maintain consistent, competitive gameplay, younger children are not permitted during Open Play sessions
Are there age restrictions?
Do you take walk-ins?
Walk-ins are welcome but not guaranteed, especially during peak times. We recommend registering in advance through the Court Reserve app to secure your spot and avoid unnecessary travel.
Cancellation policy.
Smash Dink requires at least 12 hours' notice for a full refund and 3 - 12 hours' notice for account credit. Cancellations made with less than 3 hours' notice will result in fee forfeiture.
For sold-out Open Play sessions with a waitlist, players will have a 30-minute check-in window before foreiting their spot.
Running late? Just give us a heads-up via email at info@smashdinkpickleball.com​​​ and we'll hold your spot.
Open Play events require a minimum of 6 people registered for the event to run. If fewer than 6 people are registered, the event will auto-cancel 2 hours prior.
Waitlist.
If you’re on the waitlist and haven’t heard from us, you’re still on the waitlist! We’ll contact you if a spot opens. A waitlist spot is not a guarantee. If registered players don’t show, we’ll hold their spots for 30 minutes before offering them to waitlisted players.
DUPR rated Open Play requirements.
Eligibility
Players with an official 4.0+ doubles DUPR rating may join 4.0+ Open Play Sessions, and players with an official 3.5+ doubles DUPR rating may join 3.5+ Open Play sessions. Ratings may not be provisional (fewer than 10 games logged). However, instructors will observe initial sessions to confirm their skill level matches their rating. A 4.0+ DUPR rating or a 3.5+ DUPR rating does not guarantee continued participation in DUPR-rated open-play sessions. You must consistently demonstrate the required skill level, and if our instructors determine that your play falls below the standard, you may be removed to maintain the session's competitive integrity.
What if my DUPR rating doesn't meet the requirement?
Players who have a DUPR rating that is lower than 4.0 or 3.5 and feel it's inaccurate may participate in a free assessment to evaluate their eligibility for DUPR rated open play sessions.
When do you offer assessments?
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3.5+ assessments every other Saturday 12 - 1pm
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4.0+ assessments every other Saturday 3 - 4pm
Register for free on the Court Reserve app. Players must have an existing DUPR rating to participate.
I don't have a DUPR rating, how do I get one?
Register for our DUPR Discovery Session for a provisional score. This session follows the same process as our free skill assessment, but you’ll walk away with a provisional rating that we’ll submit directly to DUPR for you.
What is the assessment format?
Assessments consist of a maximum of 4 players. You will be evaluated in a doubles format on fundamentals such as consistency, drops, dinks, resets, and control under pressure, plus performance in full doubles matches.
Does completing the assessment automatically grant me access to the DUPR-rated Open Play sessions?
No, completing the assessment does not guarantee placement. However, you’ll receive clear, constructive feedback to help you understand your current level and progress toward 3.5+ or 4.0+ readiness.
If I don't meet the requirements for the 4.0 assessment, can I join the 3.5+ open play sessions instead?
If you do not meet the guidelines for the 4.0 skill assessment but our coach determines you'd be a good fit for the 3.5+ group, you will be granted permission to join these sessions; however, it is not guaranteed.
How often can I take this assessment?
To give others a fair chance to participate and to allow time for you to develop your skills further, this assessment can be taken once every six months.