The rules in a minute, then names in and rounds out
Padel Mexicano: the rules, and a maker that pairs by the table
An Americano that sorts itself. After the first round the table decides who plays whom, so the leaders meet the leaders and every court gets a close match. Straight to it.
How it works
Round one is a random draw. From round two the maker ranks everyone by points and fills the courts in order: the top four on court 1, the next four on court 2, and so on. On each court first and third play second and fourth, so the leader never partners the player just behind.
Scoring
The same points as an Americano: a fixed number a match (16, 21, 24 or 32), every point played, each player keeping what their pair won. The table sorts by points, then the difference, then wins. Because the leaders keep meeting each other, a lead is hard to run away with.
Players and courts
Eight players on two courts is the smallest Mexicano that sorts anything; with four players it is the same four every round. When the number is not a multiple of four, the players at the bottom of the table sit out that round.
Format
Courts
Scoring32 is the club standard; 16 or 24 for big groups or short evenings
When to choose it: a group with a wide range of levels, where an Americano would hand out lopsided matches. For a first evening among people who do not know each other, the Americano mixes better.
Questions organisers ask
How are pairs chosen in a Mexicano?
Round one is random. After that the standings decide: the top four play on the first court, first and third against second and fourth, then the next four, and so on.
How many players do you need for a Mexicano?
Eight on two courts is the smallest group where the sorting matters. More courts make it better; with four players it is the same match every round.
Is Mexicano better than Americano?
For mixed abilities, yes: players end up on courts with others on the same score. For a social evening where everyone should play with everyone, the Americano.