Hi mut,

When the tournament is "automatic" like most FlyOrDie tournaments, there is no chalenge option. (Please also see the "Tournament Rules" I linked to)

In "automatic" tournaments, all pairings are handled entirely by the system's algorithm. Moderators do not manually pair players or manage the schedule. They are only there to ensure fair play. 

In "Challenge Mode" tournaments, players can choose their own opponents, similar to normal gameplay.  Moderators do not intervene in the pairing process

The issues you are noticing with the uneven distribution and the abrupt stops usually come down to how the automatic pairing algorithm works.

Repeated Matchups: The system actively tries to pair you with the most suitable opponent based on your current rating. Because it prioritises rating proximity over variety, if a room has a smaller group of active players with similar scores, the system will keep pairing those same people together instead of rotating through everyone equally.

When a tournament stops after 30 minutes and leaves players waiting in the lobby, it means the algorithm cannot find a valid match. This happens because the pool of active, similarly-rated players is too small. The system simply runs out of suitable opponents. 

I hope this helps clear up what is happening behind the scenes.

I play in the Reversi tournament, but I don't see a 'challenge' option. Instead it appears players are either paired together by automation and/or by the mod running the tournament.

I'm convinced there is no challenge option because there have been many occasions where the games have stopped after about half an hour and players have just been 'sitting there waiting in the lobby for the next game, which in some cases never happens until the tournament ends.

 In effect, the tournament is cut short by 30 minutes . I think this is either some glitch or a limitation of games allocated depending on how many players take part. 

To sum up, sometimes games last the whole hour, other times they stop after half an hour. 

On top of that we could have several players taking part but end up with 10 games, 5 if which are against the same player. There isn't an even distribution (e.g. playing each player once or twice maximum).

Hello mut,

"How does it work?
You enter any tournament simply by entering the appropriate room ("Tournament Room") during the tournament period. No registration is required, you can enter the room at any time.

FlyOrDie Tournaments are rating tournaments. There are two types of tournaments:

Challenge mode: you play whoever you want, just like in normal play.
Automatic mode: the system makes the pairings, trying to find the most suitable opponent for everyone."

Tournament Rules:  

https://www.flyordie.com/games/help/tournamentModeration.html