Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dutch Pauper League?
The Dutch Pauper League (DPL) is a non-profit group of Magic: The Gathering players dedicated to the Pauper format. Founded in Amsterdam on January 28, 2024, it welcomes players from all over the Netherlands.
The DPL is part of the international network of Pauper leagues coordinated by Lega Pauper Italia (LPI), which sets common rules and organises Paupergeddon — the largest Pauper tournament in the world.
We follow LPI’s guidelines to deliver a fun and rewarding Pauper experience in the Netherlands.
How can I participate?
Just play a DPL leg. Each leg awards league points, and your total across the season determines your standing, knockout qualification, and eligibility for Paupergeddon related rewards (byes and travel allowance).
What does the DPL organise?
Each year, the DPL runs:
- Legs — multiple single-day Pauper tournaments held throughout the season. Open to all; performance earns league points.
- Knockout — an end-of-season playoff for the top-ranked players to decide the league champion.
We also maintain the official league standings, distribute prizes, and work with LPI to secure Paupergeddon related rewards.
How do legs work?
Legs are paid-entry swiss tournaments with Regular Rules Enforcement.
Points are awarded based on match outcomes:
- 3 points per win
- 1 point per draw
- 0 points per loss
Points from each leg accumulate in the league’s league standings and determine your overall ranking. Each event’s prize pool scales with attendance.
Who qualifies for the knockout?
After all legs, the Top 8 players—based solely on the total league points earned during the season—qualify for the knockout. Only points accumulated from legs are considered; if there’s a tie for the final spots, all tied players are invited.
How does the knockout work?
The knockout tournament consists of two stages:
- 3-Round Swiss Stage — All qualified players compete in a three-round swiss tournament to determine the Top 4.
- Top 4 Playoff — The four highest-ranked players from the swiss stage advance to a single-elimination bracket to decide the Knockout Champion.
This format ensures every qualified player gets multiple matches, with the final rounds determining the overall winner.
- DPL Champion — winner of the knockout; represents the Netherlands at Paupergeddon. Travel allowance is guaranteed; byes depend on attendance.
- League Standings Winner — eligible for travel allowance and byes based on attendance.
- Knockout Runner-up — second place in the knockout; eligible for byes based on attendance.
- Leg prizes — awarded at each event, scaling with attendance.
How do byes and travel allowance work?
We aim to cover round-trip flights for eligible players. Byes for Paupergeddon depend on the average attendance of the 7 largest legs in the year:
- 16+ avg players — unlocks 1 bye for the DPL Champion
- 32+ avg players — unlocks 1 additional bye for the Standings Winner
- 64+ avg players — unlocks 1 additional bye for the Knockout Runner-up
What if one player wins both titles?
If the Standings Winner also wins the knockout, the extra prize passes to the next highest finisher in the knockout who has not already received a bye.
Can the DPL help me get a Paupergeddon ticket?
Yes — as a league member, you can buy one pre-sale ticket directly from LPI. Contact us for details.
When does the season reset?
After the knockout, the league standings are cleared, and the new season begins.
What’s the DPL’s long-term goal?
Our aim is to consistently run 7+ legs with 32+ players so two Dutch players each year get tickets, travel, and byes for Paupergeddon — raising the competitive level and supporting talented players who might otherwise miss out.