Build Notes / 2025
Designing for late arrivals and imperfect turnout
League nights are messy: people arrive late, player counts don’t divide evenly, someone forgets cash, someone switches divisions. Software that assumes a clean, linear flow—registration closes, cards assigned, play begins—will lose to reality unless it can adapt without throwing everything away.
Context / Problem
Many systems assume a “perfect flow”:
- Registration closes
- Cards are assigned
- Play begins
In reality, registration overlaps with setup, cards get reshuffled, and exceptions happen constantly. When the software requires a restart to accommodate those changes, it becomes a liability for directors who need to keep the night moving.
Decision / Direction
Flexibility doesn’t mean “anything goes.” It means allowing changes while preserving intent and preventing data corruption. That is harder than locking everything down, but it’s what directors actually need to run events with fewer interruptions.
How League Night approaches it
League Night treats sign-in, grouping, assignment, and payouts as revisable states, not one-time actions. Those states can be adjusted safely as people arrive, numbers change, or payouts need correcting—so directors can respond to reality without rebuilding the whole event.
Why this matters
Every forced restart costs time, trust, and energy. A system that absorbs small changes quietly reduces those costs and earns long-term use. Design for revisability: small, safe adjustments keep the night moving and preserve directors’ trust.