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A Kenyan Favourite: Why We Love Americano's!
In Kenya, Americanos have become one of our signature game formats – especially at Nairobi Padel Club. Whether it’s a lively club night, a weekend mixer, or a relaxed community tournament, the Americano hits that sweet spot: social, fast-paced, strategic, and just the right amount of competitive.
It’s the kind of format that keeps everyone involved, no matter your skill level — and by the end of it, you’ve played with (and against) almost everyone on court.
Social
Americano is all about connection. With rotating partners each round, you play with and against everyone, making it easy to meet new people, share laughs, and build a real sense of community on court.
Fast-Paced
Every round is short and sharp. With a fixed number of points, there’s no dragging—just constant action, quick serves, and fast rallies that keep you on your toes and fully in the game.
Strategic
It’s not just fun—it’s clever. Changing partners means you must adapt, think fast, and find ways to score consistently. Every point matters, so smart play can separate the good from the great.
A Quick History of Americano
The Americano format originally gained popularity in tennis and padel clubs across Europe, especially in Spain and Sweden, where it became the go-to format for community nights and casual competition. The key idea was simple: rotate partners and opponents so everyone gets to play with and against as many different people as possible.
It’s now a staple in padel clubs worldwide — and at the 254, we’ve made it our own.
americanos : the format
In Americano, matches are played to a fixed number of points, not sets or games. The goal is to accumulate as many individual points as possible across all rounds — and it’s your total score that determines the winner.
16-Point Format
Quick and energetic. Ideal for socials or short sessions when time is limited. Matches take around 10 minutes.
24-Point Format
Our go-to for most events at NPC. A balanced pace with just the right level of intensity. Matches last about 15–18 minutes.
32-Point Format
Longer and more tactical. Great for weekend tournaments or deeper, competitive sessions. Expect 20–25 minutes per match.
Strength & Endurance
Play 24 points total.
The match ends once all 24 points are played, regardless of score.
Every player notes down how many points their team scored, and those points are added to their individual total.
Match Setup
4 players per court (2 vs 2).
Players are assigned partners and opponents based on a pre-set schedule.
Each round features different pairings, so across the event, everyone rotates.
Discipline
Let’s say the match ends 14–10.
Players on the winning team each receive 14 points
Players on the losing team each receive 10 points
All four players record their individual points, and move on to the next round, where they’ll be paired up differently.
Player Health
Each player serves 6 times, in two blocks of 3 serves:
Player 1 serves 3 points
Player 3 serves 3 points
Player 2 serves 3 points
Player 4 serves 3 points
Player 1 serves final 3
Player 3 serves final 3
Player 2 serves final 3
Player 4 serves final 3
= 8 turns × 3 points = 24 points total
Repeat and Rotate
Once a round ends, the organiser announces the next matchups — and the process repeats. Across 7–11 rounds (depending on number of players), everyone gets to partner with most, if not all, of the other players.
At the end, all individual scores are tallied to determine the overall winner.
Tournament Structure: How an Americano Is Organised
The beauty of Americano is in its structure: short matches, rotating partners, and equal playtime for everyone. The number of rounds you play depends on how many players are in the tournament. Each round is pre-scheduled so that by the end, everyone has had a balanced mix of partners and opponents.
Social
Americano is all about connection. With rotating partners each round, you play with and against everyone, making it easy to meet new people, share laughs, and build a real sense of community on court.
Fast-Paced
Every round is short and sharp. With a fixed number of points, there’s no dragging—just constant action, quick serves, and fast rallies that keep you on your toes and fully in the game.
Strategic
It’s not just fun—it’s clever. Changing partners means you must adapt, think fast, and find ways to score consistently. Every point matters, so smart play can separate the good from the great.
balanced soccer training to emerging Players
Tips & Tactics to Win Your Americano
While Americano is designed to be social and inclusive, don’t be fooled — it’s also a brilliant test of your consistency, adaptability, and mental sharpness. Here’s how to give yourself the best shot at winning:
Be a Good Partner
You’ll play with a new partner each round, so adaptability and attitude matter. Encourage, communicate, and work as a team — no one wants to be paired with someone negative or selfish. Good vibes often lead to good results.
Every Point Counts
This is rule number one. Even in a losing round, every single point you win adds to your final total. Don’t get discouraged by the scoreline — fight for every rally, play smart, and squeeze out as many points as you can, even in a tough match.
Adapt Quickly
New partner, new opponents — every round is a reset. Scan your match-up early: What are your partner’s strengths? Who on the other team has weaknesses? Adjust your game plan within the first few points.
Focus on Your Own Game
Stick to what you do well. Whether it's your serve, your lob, or your cross-court drive — bring your strengths to every match. Don’t try to do too much or carry your partner. Play your role and let the points come to you.
Stay Mentally Engaged
With short rounds and quick turnarounds, it’s easy to lose focus. Stay sharp between games, keep moving, hydrate, and get your head back in the game before each serve. One bad round can be the difference between 1st and 4th.
Serve Smart, Not Flashy
You only get 6 serves per match, so don’t waste them. Go for accuracy and placement over power. Serving wide or into the body can be more effective than trying to hit an ace.
Know the Math
In later rounds, keep an eye on the leaderboard. If you’re close to the top, you might need a strong final round — or just enough points to hold your position. Play smart, and know when to push.
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