What is the minimum number of players required for an individual tournament?

An individual tournament requires a minimum of eight players to ensure that the tournament structure is viable and competitive. This number allows for the creation of a bracket that can lead to meaningful rounds of play, allowing players to compete effectively and for results to have significance.

With at least eight participants, it's possible to organize a single-elimination structure conveniently, or even a Swiss-style format. Structures smaller than this, such as those with four or six players, may result in a less balanced competition and can lead to direct match-ups that don't represent a broad enough skill range, leading to less effective tournament play and ranking. Additionally, having too few players could lead to a lack of diversity in matchups and a lack of incentive for players to improve, which goes against the spirit of competitive play. Therefore, eight is the established minimum to ensure a robust and engaging experience for all participants.