what happens if you tie in curling

What Happens If You Tie in Curling? In curling, a tie at the end of regulation play triggers specific resolution rules depending on the context—whether it's within a single end, after a full game, or in tournament standings. These ensure fair outcomes without leaving games undecided.

Single End Ties

When measuring stones in a single end results in a tie (no clear closest stone to the button), the end is typically blanked —no points awarded to either team. The team with the hammer (last rock advantage) retains decision- making for "positioned stones" in the next end, per World Curling Federation rules updated around 2018.

• No stones score, marked as "X" on the scoreboard.
• Hammer carries over, preventing endless blanks.
• Rare equal measures now default to the prior hammer holder, avoiding replays.

This keeps games flowing smoothly, as seen in pro matches where officials confirm ties quickly.

Full Game Ties

After 10 ends (or eight in some events), if scores are level, teams play extra ends until one scores in an end—sudden victory style. The team without hammer starts the extra end, flipping the advantage each time.

Imagine a tense Olympic final: Tied at 5-5 entering the 11th, Team A draws for one point to win—no further play needed. Ties are rare in elites due to precision, but extras add drama.

Extra End Flow:

1. Non-hammer team throws first stone.
2. Play proceeds; first to score wins immediately.
3. Repeat extras with alternating hammer if still tied (unlikely).

Tournament Tiebreakers

Ties for playoff spots go beyond head-to-head: Draw to the Button (DTB) or Last Stone Draw (LSD) measurements break them, measuring closest shot to center from round-robin games.

Scenario| Rule Breakdown| Example from Forums
---|---|---
2 Teams Tied| Single tiebreaker game; winner advances.| "Head-to-head first, then DTB if needed." 1
Even # Tied (e.g., 4 teams)| All play one tiebreaker, reseed by results/DTB.| Brier-style: No auto-elimination for ties. 6
Odd # Tied (e.g., 3 or 5)| Top seed (head-to-head then DSC/DTB) auto- qualifies; others tiebreak.| "Can't knock out tied teams without a game." 1

Reddit curlers note: "You can’t be knocked out if you’re tied," prioritizing fairness—DSC (Drawing Shot Challenge) as final tiebreaker. Trending discussions highlight evolving rules, like proposed shootouts over extras.

Strategic Insights

Tied entering the final end? With hammer, play aggressively for a steal; without, guard the house tightly. Videos show pros peeling guards or freezing to force opponent errors.

From club leagues to 2026 Olympics buzz, ties test precision—extra ends keep the roar alive. No true "ties" exist; curling always crowns a winner.

TL;DR: Blanks for end ties (hammer holds); extras for game ties; tiebreakers (DTB/games) for playoffs—fair, exciting resolutions every time.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.