Why League Night tracks intent, not just results

Most software only records what happened—final groups, payouts, and standings. League Night cares just as much about why it happened. That distinction shapes almost every data model in the system because intent is what makes the numbers trustworthy.

Why intent matters

If all you record is final groups, payouts, and standings, you lose the reasoning that led there. That reasoning matters when players ask questions, edge cases come up, something needs adjusting mid-night, or trust is on the line. Spreadsheets often “work” because the director remembers the intent behind the numbers. Software doesn’t get that luxury unless it’s designed for it.

When the system understands which division someone entered, which pool they opted into, and which rules were active that night, it can answer questions clearly: “Why was this payout structured this way?” “Why did these divisions merge?” “Why did the ace pot roll over?” Without intent, everything looks arbitrary.

How this works in practice

Two payouts with the same numbers can feel very different depending on how they were arrived at. League Night models buy-ins, pools, distribution rules, and rollovers separately, explicitly, and visibly. It takes the opposite approach from systems that hide complexity behind automation: make the logic visible, make the rules explicit, and let directors stay in control.

When intent is preserved, questions are easier to answer, mistakes are easier to spot, and corrections don’t feel scary. The night moves faster—not because things are locked down, but because everyone understands what’s happening.