There are several formats of play in various sports and games, including:
1. Single elimination: A tournament format where teams or players are eliminated after losing a single game or match.
2. Double elimination: A tournament format where teams or players have to lose two games or matches before being eliminated.
3. Round robin: A format where each team or player plays against every other team or player in the competition.
4. Knockout: A format where teams or players are eliminated after losing a game or match, with the winner advancing to the next round.
5. Best-of series: A format where teams or players compete in a series of games or matches, with the winner being the first to reach a certain number of wins.
6. Swiss system: A format commonly used in chess tournaments where players are paired against opponents with a similar record.
7. League play: A format where teams or players compete against each other over a series of games or matches, with standings and rankings determining the winner at the end of the season.
These are just a few examples of the many formats of play that exist in sports and games. Each format has its own advantages and challenges, and may be used in different contexts depending on the nature of the competition.