The short answer
If you want it quick and nobody to argue, use a random draw. If skill matters, balance the teams first and use randomness only for the tie-breaks.
Method 1: a random draw
Put every name into a random team generator and let it deal them out. Nobody picks, so nobody can be picked last, and nobody can accuse the organiser of favouritism. Use the random team generator: paste the names, choose the number of teams and press the button. Press again for a different split.
Best for: classroom groups, social games, quiz nights and any event where the main goal is to mix people up.
Weakness: it ignores skill, so a random draw can put the strongest players together.
Method 2: captains pick
Choose two captains, then take turns picking. It is quick, and captains often balance the sides well. But the last people chosen can feel awful, and captains sometimes pick friends first. If you use it, pick the captains at random with the random name picker, and consider having the captains choose in secret or by writing names rather than saying them aloud.
Method 3: balanced teams
When fairness of the contest matters, rate each player roughly, for example 1 to 3, then split by rating:
- Sort players into groups by level, such as strong, average and newer.
- Randomly split each group across the teams, using the generator on each group in turn.
- Combine so every team gets a similar mix.
Teams of unequal skill are the most common reason a game fizzles out, so this is worth the extra two minutes for a league or a tournament.
Method 4: draw from a hat
Names on paper, drawn one by one, works without a screen. It has the same fairness as a random generator, but takes longer and can't be re-run easily. For groups of more than about a dozen, a digital draw is faster.
Tips for fair teams
- Explain the method before you start. People accept results more easily when they know the rules in advance.
- Keep the draw visible. Show the screen so everyone sees the result appear.
- Check team sizes. With uneven numbers, some teams get one extra person. Agree up front how you will handle that.
- Allow one re-draw at most. If you keep re-drawing until it feels right, it stops being random.
- Rotate. For a series of sessions, redraw each time so people meet and play with everyone.
Who kicks off?
Once the teams are set, settle who starts with a coin toss or who goes first.
Last updated 2026-10-18.