Is it still top 8 teams going into playoffs?

08/10/2026 04:13:06 PM · #1

If so, I assume it's by wins? And is the top four on both sides, or the top 8 by percentage?

Sorry, I can't remember what happened last time.

Thanks!

08/10/2026 04:35:22 PM · #2

According to the DPL FAQ page:

Q: How do the playoffs work?
A: The top 8 teams from all divisions advance to the playoffs. The playoff is divided into 3 rounds.

Elimination round of 8
Elimination round of 4
Medals round: The 2 qualifying teams compete for Gold. The runner ups compete for Bronze.

08/10/2026 04:36:59 PM · #3

Originally posted by vawendy:

If so, I assume it's by wins? And is the top four on both sides, or the top 8 by percentage?

Sorry, I can't remember what happened last time.

Thanks!

Actually, this is a good question. The FAQ's don't specify that it's the Top 4 from each division. I'd assume so, but hey, we know what happens with that!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

08/10/2026 04:52:49 PM · #4

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by vawendy:
If so, I assume it's by wins? And is the top four on both sides, or the top 8 by percentage?

Sorry, I can't remember what happened last time.

Thanks!

Actually, this is a good question. The FAQ's don't specify that it's the Top 4 from each division. I'd assume so, but hey, we know what happens with that!

(I had assumed that they had updated the FAQs, but I know in the past some things hadn't been. So I wanted to make sure I was looking at current info.

Maybe add a date to the FAQs? -- I just saw this on the rules page, which was quite helpful " The rules were last updated on Dec 17th, 2025. "

mitalapo

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

08/11/2026 12:12:14 PM · #5

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Actually, this is a good question. The FAQ's don't specify that it's the Top 4 from each division. I'd assume so, but hey, we know what happens with that!

This season it will be the top 4 from each division. The FAQ didn't specify it because it didn't assume two division.

Next time we may do it differently.

Example: With two divisions of 6 like we had this season, we could qualify:

* The top 3 from each division
* The two highest percentile teams from places 4-6

Edit to add: next season we will clarify the exact method as the divisions are solidified

Message edited by author 2026-08-11 12:14:37.

08/11/2026 12:25:44 PM · #6

Originally posted by mitalapo:

Originally posted by glad2badad:
Actually, this is a good question. The FAQ's don't specify that it's the Top 4 from each division. I'd assume so, but hey, we know what happens with that!

This season it will be the top 4 from each division. The FAQ didn't specify it because it didn't assume two division.

Next time we may do it differently.

Example: With two divisions of 6 like we had this season, we could qualify:

* The top 3 from each division
* The two highest percentile teams from places 4-6

Edit to add: next season we will clarify the exact method as the divisions are solidified

Thanks for the info!

MargaretNet

Sony DSC-RX100 VII

08/12/2026 11:00:23 PM · #7

If I understand this correctly 8 teams will play for 3 weeks then just 4 teams for 4 weeks, wouldn't it ensure higher participation if 8 teams played for 7 weeks and 4 teams just for 1 week?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM

08/13/2026 08:49:33 AM · #8

Originally posted by MargaretNet:

If I understand this correctly 8 teams will play for 3 weeks then just 4 teams for 4 weeks, wouldn't it ensure higher participation if 8 teams played for 7 weeks and 4 teams just for 1 week?

I understand where you're coming from, but this is how they do it in sports, and it does make sense, when you think about it. When you're looking for the best team, and you have a top 4, you don't want it to come down to just one challenge determining a winner. Then it's just the luck of the draw depending upon what team you play and that particular challenge all in one shot.

What might get more participation is, since half of the teams move on, have the other half in a consolation bracket. Then all 8 teams are still playing (if they're interested), hopefully it would be easy to implement, because there's already a set up for 4 teams going against each other. And we still have a good playoff to determine the best team (in each bracket)

Just a thought

MargaretNet

Sony DSC-RX100 VII

08/13/2026 09:09:14 AM · #9

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by MargaretNet:
If I understand this correctly 8 teams will play for 3 weeks then just 4 teams for 4 weeks, wouldn't it ensure higher participation if 8 teams played for 7 weeks and 4 teams just for 1 week?

I understand where you're coming from, but this is how they do it in sports, and it does make sense, when you think about it. When you're looking for the best team, and you have a top 4, you don't want it to come down to just one challenge determining a winner. Then it's just the luck of the draw depending upon what team you play and that particular challenge all in one shot.

What might get more participation is, since half of the teams move on, have the other half in a consolation bracket. Then all 8 teams are still playing (if they're interested), hopefully it would be easy to implement, because there's already a set up for 4 teams going against each other. And we still have a good playoff to determine the best team (in each bracket)

Just a thought

I meant that the 8 teams play with all other teams for 7 weeks as that’s what is needed for 8 teams. After 7 weeks the top 4 either by number of wins or % move to the final, top 2 play for the 1st place, 3rd and 4th for 3rd place, as it is now.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

08/16/2026 02:24:28 PM · #10

Originally posted by vawendy:

What might get more participation is, since half of the teams move on, have the other half in a consolation bracket. Then all 8 teams are still playing (if they're interested), hopefully it would be easy to implement, because there's already a set up for 4 teams going against each other. And we still have a good playoff to determine the best team (in each bracket)

Just a thought

I like this.

PennyStreet

OM System OM-5

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

08/16/2026 02:32:09 PM · #11

The system is already programmed for the top 4 teams from each division to play on to the next round. First challenge playoff topic will be announced at rollover tonight.
We understand that the top finishers won't know 100% who they are until after both Round 5 topics (Street and Sepia) have rolled over.
So there will be a couple of days for everyone to get their wheels turning. And plenty of time left for the competing teams to know who they are and get their entries in.
Thanks everyone.

Edit to add, as Mita noted, we are hoping/planning for a next season and there will be a chance before then for you to make input and ask for changes.

Message edited by author 2026-08-16 14:35:32.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM

08/16/2026 04:45:13 PM · #12

I really appreciate all of the work that goes in to hosting DPL!

Thanks bunches.

I'm having fun!

kasaba

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

08/18/2026 02:26:21 AM · #13

Originally posted by vawendy:

I like that too.

Message edited by glad2badad - Fix quote brackets.

nam

Sony DSLR-A580

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED

08/18/2026 11:02:39 AM · #14

Are the season averages discarded once the play-offs start?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/18/2026 11:15:16 AM · #15

Originally posted by nam:

Are the season averages discarded once the play-offs start?

Is there a reason they should be, or that you want them to be reset?

I’m thinking they probably will stay in place, but I could be mistaken.

tanguera

Nikon D750

08/18/2026 11:18:55 AM · #16

Originally posted by nam:

Are the season averages discarded once the play-offs start?

I had a question about this as well.

I see two different possibilities:
1 - the teams are seeded and only play the ones in their category (1st vs 1st, etc.)
2 - the percents are reset and it's a level playing field, which equalizes for they had a good/bad week.

In a sports analogy, 1 would be like gymnastics, where you know beforehand that your team can't win the gold
The 2nd is more like a track event, where all the finalists have an equal chance to be #1.

Message edited by author 2026-08-18 11:43:02.

nam

Sony DSLR-A580

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED

08/18/2026 11:29:35 AM · #17

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by nam:
Are the season averages discarded once the play-offs start?

Is there a reason they should be, or that you want them to be reset?

I’m thinking they probably will stay in place, but I could be mistaken.

No "reason" per se, just curiosity as the closest I've ever come to a play-off was last year when we briefly, as in for just a few hours, thought we were in LOL.