Method 1 — Random
Best for casual games where skill differences are small. Fast, neutral, removes favouritism.
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How to make fair teams (the easy way)
Three simple methods — random, skill-balanced, and snake-draft — and the embedded tool to do all three in seconds.
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When to use this
Anyone organising recurring games or events who wants the same fairness method every time so people stop arguing. The guide explains why each method works; the tool runs it.
Step by step
- 1
Paste your list
- 2
Add ratings if you have them
- 3
Generate fair sides
Method 2 — Skill-balanced (snake draft)
Sort by rating, deal in a snake pattern (1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2…). Spreads strong and weak players evenly. The tool does this automatically when ratings are present.
Method 3 — Manual draft with captains
Two captains, alternate picks, but with a twist: don't pick from the same end of the rating list. The generator removes the social drama, but if you must use captains, hide weak/strong info.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is random ever unfair?
It can produce streaks (one stronger team). Over a season, random averages out — but for a single high-stakes match, use balanced.
How do I rate players the first time?
Quick 1–5 from your gut. Update after each session. Within a few weeks, ratings stabilise.
Keep exploring
Related tools & guides
Skill-balanced team generator
Stop one team carrying the whole game. Rate each player 1–5 and we'll split them into teams whose total skill is as even as possible.
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Open5-a-side team balancer
Stop the same striker carrying the same team every Tuesday. Rate your group, generate two balanced fives.
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Ready to run your event?
Free forever for basic use. No signup required. The free version really does do the job.
Want prettier prints? See the optional template pack