Rating Deviation
What is a Rating Deviation in padel?
The RD in Glicko-2; uncertainty in a player's skill estimate.
Definition
Rating deviation (RD) is the uncertainty component in Glicko-2 rankings. A low RD means the system is confident in a player's rating (frequent, consistent play). A high RD indicates uncertainty (infrequent play or inconsistent results). RD decreases with more tournament games; players with inactive periods see their RD increase over time.
Origin: English: 'rating deviation', the mathematical standard deviation term in Glicko-2.
When to use it
Competitive players monitor RD to maintain active ranking status; high RD can affect tournament seeding and ranking visibility.
Common questions
What's a good RD number?
Below 50–75 is considered solid and confident. Above 150 suggests the rating is very uncertain and needs fresh tournament play.
How can I lower my RD?
Play in rated tournaments regularly. Each tournament game refines the RD estimate, lowering uncertainty.