Rounds

Qualifying Rounds & Bracket Flow (How Vanguard Events Work)

Vanguard lets you run multi-round events at scale. The flow is simple:

  • You run 1–2 Qualifying Rounds to select the strongest participants.
  • The platform then builds Head-to-Head Rounds (Bracket) where winners advance until the champion is decided.
  • Optionally, you can add a Third-Place Match.

Below is a clear overview of how the engine works, followed by step-by-step setup guidance.

How the Engine Works (Conceptual Overview)

  • Qualifying Rounds (1 or 2): everyone submits; judges score; you choose how many people advance.
  • Advancing Count → Bracket Size: in the final Qualifying Round you set Number of Advancing.
    This determines the bracket size and the total number of head-to-head rounds:
    • 8 participants → 3 rounds
    • 16 participants → 4 rounds
    • 32 participants → 5 rounds
    • 64 participants → 6 rounds
    • 128 participants → 7 rounds
    • 256 participants (maximum) → 8 rounds The bracket requires a power-of-two (8/16/32/64/128/256). Ensure you pass an even, bracket-ready count.
  • Head-to-Head Rounds (Bracket): participants are paired; the higher total score in each pair advances.
  • Third-Place Match (optional): creates one extra match between semifinal non-winners.

You can always adjust round settings, and if something goes wrong, move a round backward/forward to fix it.
Changing a round’s status triggers participant notifications and is logged in the event feed.
Rankings/ratings are recalculated after key state changes (e.g., after winners are confirmed); this may process later (e.g., the next day) due to batching.

Setting Up Qualifying Rounds

  1. Open Rounds: In the event menu (left side), select Rounds.
  2. Add Qualifying Round: Click Add Qualifying Round.
    Need two qualifiers? Add the second one the same way.
  3. Deadlines: Set Track Submission Deadline and Judging Deadline.
  4. Track Length: Set maximum length in seconds.
  5. Theme & Task (optional):
    • Theme: the prompt or topic (e.g., lyrics, diss, storytelling).
    • Task: special requirements (e.g., a specific hook, invite a guest, etc.).
    • Add multiple options with Add Theme / Assignment (participants pick one).
  6. Score Visibility (choose one):
    • As Entered — scores visible as soon as judges submit.
    • During Submissions — judges may score as tracks arrive (before the deadline).
    • After Completion — scores revealed only when the round closes.
  7. Judge Comments: Required, Optional, or Disabled.
  8. Scoring Criteria:
    • For a simple pass/fail, create one criterion named “Score” with a max value of 1 (vote for/against).
    • For point-based scoring, set max points (e.g., 10).
      Add as many criteria as you need via Add Criterion.
  9. Additional Information (optional): notes for participants; appears above the list of entries.
  10. Number of Advancing (mandatory): set how many participants move into the bracket.

    This single number determines the bracket size and total head-to-head rounds the system will generate.

Determining Winners

When all judging is in:

  • Go to Management → Current Stage → Determine Winners.
  • Open the relevant Qualifying Round.
  • Mark participants:
    • ✅ Passed — winner advances
  • Click Save Changes.
  • Then set Management → Current Stage → Completed.

Head-to-Head Rounds (Bracket)

After you confirm the advancing count in the final qualifier, Vanguard auto-generates the bracket.

Pairing

  • The system can pair randomly or using a defined seeding method (e.g., strength-based).
  • You can also adjust pairs manually before opening submissions.

Round Settings (per each head-to-head round)

  • Deadlines: Track Submission + Judging.
  • Track Length: max seconds.
  • Theme & Task: optional, just like in qualifiers (one or multiple topics).
  • Score Visibility: same three modes as above.
  • Judge Comments: required/optional/disabled.
  • Scoring Criteria: single yes/no (max=1) or multi-criterion point system (e.g., 3×10).
    • Ties: head-to-head rounds must produce a winner. Judges are expected to break ties by casting a decisive vote or adjusting a criterion per your rules.

Third-Place Match (optional)

  • Enable a Third-Place Match to create a separate match between the two semifinal non-winners.
  • Configure it like any other head-to-head round (deadlines, criteria, visibility, etc.).

Statuses & Workflow (Organizer Controls)

Manage the event lifecycle from Management → Current Stage. Typical statuses:

  • Planning — drafting rounds, rules, branding.
  • Pairing — seeding/arranging participants into pairs (for bracket rounds).
  • Submissions Open — accepting tracks (submission deadline active).
  • Judging — scores/comments incoming (judging deadline active).
  • Determine Winners — lock scores and mark winners.
  • Completed — round/event finished; results published.
  • Canceled — round/event stopped.

You may move a round backward/forward to correct mistakes. Each change:

  • Sends notifications to participants/subscribers,
  • Appears in the event activity feed,
  • May trigger rating recalculation (not immediate; processed in scheduled batches).

Judge Count & Best Practices

  • Use an odd number of judges (3/5/7) to reduce ties.
  • Keep qualifier criteria simple; use richer, multi-criterion scoring in later rounds.
  • Communicate themes/tasks clearly so participants know exactly what to deliver.

Summary:
Set up 1–2 Qualifying Rounds, choose the Number of Advancing, and Vanguard will build your Head-to-Head Bracket automatically. Configure each round (deadlines, themes, visibility, scoring), mark winners with ✅. Use statuses to control the flow, and adjust when needed—notifications and rating updates will follow.