Playoff

In computer science, particularly in the context of game development and competitive programming, a „playoff“ refers to a tournament structure where participants compete in a series of elimination rounds to determine a final winner. This system often involves multiple rounds where teams or players face off, with the loser being eliminated from the competition, while the winner advances to the next round.

Playoffs can be utilized in various formats, such as single-elimination, double-elimination, or round-robin, depending on the rules established for the competition. Each round typically culminates in a final match or game that determines the overall champion. The playoff system is designed to create a clear, structured progression towards identifying the best player or team, emphasizing performance in high-stakes situations.

In the context of algorithms, „playoffs“ may also refer to simulation of such tournaments to optimize performance under competitive conditions, which can be a key part of developing strategies for AI in games or evaluating algorithms in competitive programming environments.