play-in
Entry-earning game
A play-in is a preliminary game or round that determines which teams qualify for the main tournament or playoff bracket.
Most commonly used in basketball, where play-in games decide the final playoff spots: The Lakers need to win the play-in to make the playoffs.
The term functions as both noun and adjective: play-in tournament, play-in game.
Organized play or sport
- qualifierWord or phrase limiting meaning
- tiebreakerContest deciding drawn competitors
- bracketSupport or category
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
berth · seed · postseason · wildcard · matchup · standings · contender · spot
game
Organized play or sport
- qualifierWord or phrase limiting meaning
- tiebreakerContest deciding drawn competitors
- bracketSupport or category
elimination · berth · seed · postseason · wildcard · matchup · standings · contender · spot · NBA
tiebreaker
Contest deciding drawn competitors
- exemptionRelease from requirement
- qualifyingMeeting required criteria
- MondayWeek's second day
spot · PGA · tour · card · alternate · bubble · cutline · stroke · hole · tournament
- tournament bracketsbracket, seed, seedings, second seed, top seed
play-intop seed
Highest-ranked competitor
number one seed · seeded · bye · locked in · clinched
play-infinals
Concluding tests or matches
championship · championship series · conference finals · main draw · playoff