For tournaments, your ELO and handicap are frozen at the start of the event so they stay fair throughout the day. Results are applied after the event. Challenge Ladder results update your ELO immediately.

New players receive an initial Elo Rating and Personal Handicap from the Castle Player Registration assessment. Where a suitable comparison with an existing Castle player is available, this is also used to help make the starting estimate as accurate as possible.

All new players begin as Very Provisional, allowing their rating to adjust quickly as real match evidence builds. The first 5 rated matches have the greatest rating movement, matches 6–9 remain more responsive than normal, and from match 10 the standard rating movement applies.

While a player is Very Provisional, a temporary Competition Handicap safeguard may also apply in Castle handicap events. This is based on both the amount of rated match evidence available and our confidence in the player’s starting assessment. The safeguard is strongest during the first 0–2 rated matches, reduces after 3–4 matches, and normally ends once 5 rated matches have been completed. It affects only the handicap used in competition — it does not change the player’s underlying Elo Rating or Personal Handicap.

Players can follow their Castle ELO, handicap, Active Ranking, match record and rating history through their Player Profile.

Your rating is live across eligible Castle competitions, so your progress follows you from event to event throughout the season.