What should participants in an event be allowed to do regarding pairings during social play?

Participants in an event during social play typically value the opportunity to choose their own partners. Allowing players to decide who will play with whom enhances the social aspect of the event, fostering camaraderie and enabling participants to engage more freely with friends or acquaintances. This flexibility contributes to a more enjoyable experience, as social play is often designed to be less competitive and more relaxed, emphasizing enjoyment over strict adherence to formal processes.

The idea of letting participants pair themselves aligns with the spirit of social play, which is intended to facilitate interaction and enjoyment among players rather than focusing purely on competitive structure. In contrast, more structured or competitive events might prefer to have pairings controlled by a committee or according to preset rules to maintain fairness and balance, but this is less relevant in a social context.