HOW DO I REGISTER FOR OPEN PLAY?
Registering is simple! Follow the steps below to set up your account and start playing!
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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 that you will be directed to the Smash Dink homepage in Court Reserve.
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From there you can select 'Events' and then 'All Events' to see what's on and register for Open Play sessions.
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If you are looking for a specific skill level, you can also find Open Play sessions by selecting the 'Events' option then 'Categories'. There you will see a list of Open Play events categorized by skill level.
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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.
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Please read our cancelation policy at the bottom of this page.
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4.0+ DUPR RATED open play REQUIREMENTS
Under our new 2025 protocols, players who wish to register for Advanced 4.0+ Open Play sessions will require approval before registration is confirmed. Players must have a DUPR score of 4.0 or above or complete a free assessment with one of our instructors to determine their eligibility. Approval is not guaranteed! Smash Dink has implemented these measures to maintain the integrity of skill levels and ensure that everyone enjoys fair and competitive games suited to their ability. Assessments can be scheduled on Saturday afternoons. Please email info@smashdinkpickleball.com for available time slots.
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Having a 4.0 DUPR rating does not guarantee continued participation in advanced 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.
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3.5+ DUPR RATED open play REQUIREMENTS
We’re excited to offer a new DUPR-rated open play session for players with a verified 3.5+ DUPR rating—a great opportunity for those looking for high-level, competitive play with evenly matched opponents. How do you qualify? Simple—have a DUPR rating of 3.5 or higher. No exceptions.
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Not DUPR-rated yet? Don’t worry! You can join our Mixed Level Open Play sessions, open to anyone who wants to play and doesn't have a DUPR rating.
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Why the change? We want to ensure fair and competitive matchups while still making open play accessible for everyone. This way, players with official ratings can get the competition they’re looking for, while those without can continue to enjoy great games at the appropriate skill level.
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How do I get a DUPR rating?
Getting started with DUPR is easier than you think! You can begin working toward your rating by joining events like DUPR Nights, tournaments, and leagues, where your scores will be automatically submitted. You can also manually log matches played with friends, as long as all players have DUPR accounts. The more matches you play and record, the more accurate your rating and reliability score becomes. Be sure to check our event calendar regularly—we offer plenty of opportunities to help you establish and improve your DUPR rating throughout the year!​
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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.
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Smash Dink currently offers:
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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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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+ advanced 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.
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.
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.
Do you take walk-ins?
Yes! But please note that walk-in spots for Open Play sessions are not guaranteed, especially during peak times (evenings and weekends) when sessions often reach capacity and may have waitlists. To ensure you don't miss out, we highly recommend reserving your spot in advance through the Court Reserve app. The app gives you access to our full events calendar and allows you to see how many players have registered. If you notice a session filling up quickly and want to play, be sure to register early to secure your spot and avoid unnecessary travel.
smash dink cancelation policy
Smash Dink requires at least 12 hours' notice for a full refund and 3 - 12 hours' notice for account credit. Cancelations 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​​​. Open Play events require a minimum of 4 people registered for the event to run. If fewer than 4 people are registered, the event will auto-cancel 2 hours prior.
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