bestofthree

Best-of-three, often abbreviated Bo3, is a competition format in which two competitors face off across up to three games or maps. The first player or team to win two games wins the match; if either side wins the first two games, the third game is not played.

In map-based or multi-game formats, a common procedure is to use a map ban and pick process from a predefined pool. Teams may ban maps to reduce the opponent’s comfort, then select maps to be played. The order of play or map selection can be decided by a coin toss, draft, or tournament rules. The match continues until one side has two wins, with a maximum of three games.

Bo3 is widely used in sports and esports for knockout rounds, group stage deciders, and some finals. It offers a balance between duration and competitive depth: more reliable than a single game while shorter and less exhausting than longer series such as best-of-five.

Advantages of the format include faster scheduling, maintained viewer engagement, and the opportunity for teams to adapt strategies across multiple maps. It tends to reduce overall fatigue for players and audiences while still allowing a clear, decisive result. Disadvantages include greater impact of a single poor map on the outcome, a smaller sample size for evaluating true strength, and potential bias from map vetoes or pool composition.

History and usage vary by sport and game, but best-of-three has become a standard in many competitive contexts due to its efficiency and balance between luck and skill.