A frustrated Reddit user asks a question many of us have struggled with before: can pickleball open play really be fun after 4.0?

Before you object or call us elitist, trust that we’ve been here a hundred times.

Yes, there are ways to get something out of a session where you’re surrounded by less-skilled players — or even just one or two. And to be clear, we're talking about DUPR-verified, 4.0+ open play here.

• Challenge yourself to dink 10 times before hitting a speed-up
• Work on that twoey cross-court dink you haven’t quite perfected
• Hit a dozen lobs per game and see what happens

This is constructive until it's not. If you're actually trying to improve your game during these sessions, the politics of open play and why it isn't all about you is required reading before you write anyone off.

At a certain point, it's hard to deny that the lines between true and perceived DUPR pickleball ratings start to blur around the 4.0 level. And often, in this specific type of open play environment, it's the more skilled players who are getting the shorter end of the stick.

As soon as the word "advanced" appears, intermediate players feel tempted to play up. And who can blame them? The best way to improve quickly is to play with more skilled players. The toughest problem in pickleball: inside DUPR's quest for accurate ratings shows exactly why pickleball skill levels at the 4.0 boundary are so hard to enforce accurately.

Some clubs do a good job at enforcing this, others don't.

Still, one or two players swinging out of their depth can change the dynamic of an entire advanced pickleball open play session to the point where even trying to work on new skills feels hopeless.

As one frustrated player put it:

“My partner isn’t ready for speed ups, doesn’t reset, only bangs, can’t dink, randomly throws up a crappy lob, or… all of the above.”

The comments section seems to have mixed feelings:

• "At some point you just get a permanent partner and enter tournaments. Open play is for fun, and it attracts casuals who prioritize socialization."
• "It's mostly a frustrating experience for everybody involved. Open play is for recreational and social play for the most part."
• "It can be frustrating. But there’s something fun about partnering up with someone that’s not very good and helping them win."
• "You're probably the problem. Even if not your play, then most certainly the mental state that you bring to the court."
• "Approach the good players and ask if you can add them to a group chat to arrange plays. And yes, you will have to gatekeep the chat."

That last comment is the most actionable advice in the thread. How to find pickleball players near you in 6 proven ways gives you the full playbook for building a private group that actually matches your pickleball skill level.

This, inevitably, is why so many players opt for private games at a certain pickleball skill level. If your DUPR feels off and you suspect you're playing up or down more than you should be, DUPR's reset tool is a risk-free way to reassess your current rating and find sessions that are actually worth your time.

What do you think... can you relate?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is pickleball open play worth it after 4.0?

It depends on what you want to get out of it. Open play can still be useful for working on specific shots in low-pressure situations, but if you're trying to compete and improve at a 4.0+ level, the skill gap at most open sessions makes it genuinely difficult to get quality reps.

Why do lower-rated players show up to advanced pickleball open play?

The biggest driver is that playing up is the fastest way to improve, and most players know it. Combined with inconsistent enforcement by facilities, the 4.0 and above label attracts a wide range of actual skill levels, which is the root of the frustration.

What should I do if open play doesn't match my skill level?

Build a private group. Approach the strongest players at your sessions, collect contacts, and organize your own games outside of open play. This is the most common solution among serious 4.0+ players and gives you full control over who you play with. Finding pickleball players near you covers every tool available for making that happen.

Does DUPR rating accurately reflect pickleball skill at open play?

Not always. The 4.0 boundary is one of the blurriest in the DUPR system because self-reported or match-light ratings can diverge significantly from a player's actual on-court level. The result is wide variance in who shows up to a 4.0-verified session.

Should I enter tournaments instead of doing open play?

If you're regularly frustrated by open play, yes. Tournaments give you verified competition at your skill level, real points on the line, and the kind of pressure that makes you improve faster than a casual drop-in session ever will.