tiebreaks
Ways to settle draws
Tiebreaks is the plural of tiebreak—a method for deciding a winner when competitors are level.
In tennis, a tiebreak is a special game played when a set reaches 6-6, using point-by-point scoring to determine the winner.
The term extends to any deciding contest or criterion: The team's goal differential served as the tiebreak.
Instant-win tiebreaker format
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- penalty shootoutKicks determining drawn match
- golden goalImmediate overtime decider
- extra timePeriod after a draw
deciding set · playoffs · fifth set · deuce · advantage · championship point · decider · final frame
Excess water drainage
- casting voteVote that breaks ties
- recountNarrate or retally
- coin flipRandom binary determination
- second roundCompetition's subsequent phase
preferential voting · ranked choice · revote · special election · proxy vote · weighted vote · quorum · swing vote
In direct confrontation
- point differentialScoring gap between opponents
- goal differenceNet scoring balance
- seedingPlanting or ranking
- wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
aggregate score · away goals · coefficient · bonus points · qualifying score · countback · playoff berth · margin of victory
Fast-paced timed segment
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- rapid fireIn quick succession
- time controlAllotted playing duration
- quickfireFast and continuous
lightning round · buzzer round · dice roll · card draw · high card · rock paper scissors · random selection · coin toss
sudden death
Instant-win tiebreaker format
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- penalty shootoutKicks determining drawn match
- golden goalImmediate overtime decider
extra time · deciding set · playoffs · fifth set · deuce · advantage · championship point · decider · final frame · shootout
runoff
Excess water drainage
- casting voteVote that breaks ties
- recountNarrate or retally
- coin flipRandom binary determination
second round · preferential voting · ranked choice · revote · special election · proxy vote · weighted vote · quorum · swing vote
head-to-head
In direct confrontation
- point differentialScoring gap between opponents
- goal differenceNet scoring balance
- seedingPlanting or ranking
wildcard · aggregate score · away goals · coefficient · bonus points · qualifying score · countback · playoff berth · margin of victory
speed round
Fast-paced timed segment
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- rapid fireIn quick succession
- time controlAllotted playing duration
quickfire · lightning round · buzzer round · dice roll · card draw · high card · rock paper scissors · random selection · coin toss
tiebreaksties
Connections or neckwear
draws · deadlocks · stalemates · impasses · standoffs