Decision Tournament

How the Decision Tournament works

This tool is for the classic "I can't decide" moment. Instead of choosing from ten options at once, you only choose between two at a time. That keeps decisions simple and keeps you moving.

Paste your options, start the tournament, then pick winners for each matchup. After a few rounds, you end with one clear winner.

The tool shuffles the first round so you do not always see the same pairings. That keeps the bracket feeling fresh without changing your options.

If you enter an odd number of options, one option gets a bye and advances automatically. That is normal in brackets, and it keeps the flow smooth without forcing you to add filler choices.

Example tournaments

You do not need to overthink the bracket. Start with real contenders, then follow your gut in each head-to-head matchup.

Good uses

• Food: restaurants, takeout, or what to cook.
• Movies: pick a genre or a short list of titles.
• Weekend plans: two-hour blocks, day trips, or date ideas.
• Chores: decide what to do first when everything feels annoying.

Bracket vs random picker

Both tools help you move. They solve different problems.

• Use a bracket: you have preferences, but you feel stuck.
• Use randomness: you truly do not care, or you want a fair tie-breaker.
• Use both: run a bracket to get your top 2, then flip a coin if you still cannot commit.

How to run it with a group

A decision tournament works well with friends because it keeps the conversation focused on one matchup at a time. The only thing you need is a rule for ties.

• Set a tie rule: coin flip, host decides, or add one extra voter.
• Vote fast: give each matchup a 10-second timer.
• Keep options real: do not add choices the group will refuse.
• Let the bracket narrow it down: if the final two are close, flip a coin and commit.

Common formatting fixes

Paste one option per line, or separate options with commas. The tool trims extra spaces and removes duplicates so the same option does not take multiple slots in the bracket.

Tips for a clean result

• Remove options you hate: if you would refuse an outcome, delete it first.
• Keep options concrete: "Thai from Bangkok Kitchen" beats "Thai."
• Avoid fake choices: do not add "nothing" unless you will accept it.
• Set a rule: once the winner appears, commit and stop rerunning.
• Use it to narrow down: if you still cannot commit, take the top 2 and flip a coin.
• Need randomness? Use the Random Decision Maker for a fair coin-flip style pick.

Try these next

If you want a faster pick, or you need ideas to seed your bracket, these help.

• Random Decision Maker for a fast, fair random pick.
• Random Activity when your options are "anything, but I'm bored."
• Random Date Idea if you need a short list of date options before you run a bracket.
• How to make decisions when you can't decide for quick ways to break analysis paralysis.
• Fun ways to pick what to eat for group-friendly methods beyond "you pick."