Is DUPR Driving Us or Dividing Us? CEO Tito Machado’s Answer Will Surprise You
Ever wondered why your DUPR score nosedives after a win, and you're wondering if your app is gaslighting you? What is happening in the pickleball matrix?
In this episode, we sit down with Tito Machado, the most loved and rage-texted man in pro pickleball. He’s the CEO of DUPR, the rating system that somehow manages to both unite and divide the pickleball community like it’s the pineapple on pizza of the pickleball world. Tito opens up about the chaos, the criticism, and the sheer volume of "fix my rating" DMs that hit his inbox daily.
We also confess our own crimes, yes, we may or may not have created a fake verified account to see just how easy it is to game the system (don’t worry, we turned ourselves in to the DUPR police). What follows is a wild mix of real talk, good laughs, and some serious behind-the-scenes transparency into how pickleball ratings actually work.
Here’s what you’ll dink away with:
Why a win won’t always raise your DUPR score and how your reliability score factors in
What the DUPR forecast really tells you (beyond the red arrow of doom)
How pickleball data reveals player performance and flags sandbagging
Why some avoid pickleball tournaments and how that trend is shifting
What’s coming in 2026 for competitive pickleball: sub-ratings, verified accounts, and cleaner match records
Tito’s spicy takes on rec pickleball, DUPR jail, and his dream court showdown with Kobe and Ronaldo
This episode delivers smart insights and just enough chaos to keep your next paddle tap interesting. Rating junkies, proud 3.0s, and anyone still pretending not to care about their DUPR will want in on this one.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Dinks on Tap
P.S. This episode is served with a side of ✨actual magic ✨from our sponsor, Unearth Experience, for people who want their adventures like their pickleball games: unforgettable, a little unhinged, and way above average.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
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1:06:58
DiNKR: The Pickleball App That Saved Our Group Chat (And Might Get You a Date?)
Ever tried organizing a pickleball game with five group chats, two calendars, and someone’s cousin who “might show up if it doesn’t rain”? It’s like herding cats… in court shoes. And just when you finally get a foursome, someone drops out at 7 a.m. Sound familiar?
This week on Dinks on Tap, we’re sitting down with Dan and Steve, the creators of DiNKR, the pickleball app designed to bring order to your game day chaos. Tired of juggling endless texts and flaky invites, they set out to build something better: a smarter way to connect players, schedule games, and grow your pickleball community. Whether you're into recreational pickleball, chasing wins in competitive pickleball, or curious about that low-key dating feature (yep, it’s real), DiNKR is changing how we find our people on and off the court.
In this episode, we unpack it all from the moment the DiNKR paddle-heart logo was born, to whether or not it’s ethical to “target Emma Watson” in rec play. (Yes, that came up.)
Here’s what you’ll dink away with:
How a movie script turned into a friend finder app that’s actually fun (and works)
Why “sequential invites” might be the game scheduling hack your group text dreams of
Early user stories, including the one where a 3.5 with “good vibes” became the hottest swipe
Why this might be the best thing to hit outdoor group activities since SPF 50
How vibe > rating and why a true sports connection app is about chemistry, not just DUPR numbers
If you’ve ever Googled how to find pickleball players or dreamed of a less chaotic way to build your pickleball community, grab a drink, hit play, and find out why DiNKR might just be your new favorite doubles partner.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Dinks on Tap
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
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52:35
When the Lights Go Out Mid-Match: Our Wildest Pickleball Tournament Experience Yet (And What It Taught Us About Focus Training)
Winning gold sounds great… until the court lights shut off mid-point, and someone’s Uncle Larry is heckling from the sidelines. Welcome to pickleball tournaments, where the only thing more unpredictable than the tape lines are the emotions running high.
In this episode of Dinks on Tap, we take you inside our latest wild ride at a local tourney in Austin, complete with lighting meltdowns, DJ shutdowns, and one of us possibly forgetting how to see the ball entirely (glasses next time, anyone?). Between the laughter and the performance pressure, we’re breaking down the real story of what happens when performance anxiety meets competitive pickleball and how you can still walk away with silver and a smile.
During the tournament, we even bumped into Tom Irady, the unofficial bard of the pickleball community, famous for his hilarious parody songs like “Dinks in the Kitchen.” Tom was a perfect reminder that play is supposed to be FUN, even when you’re sweating through your skort.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
A reminder that mental toughness isn’t just for the pros, it's your best defense when the bracket breaks
How to adapt your pickleball strategy when things go sideways (and the lights go out)
Simple focus training tricks to help you stay in the mental game, even when distractions pile up
Real talk on team dynamics and how to support your partner when one of you’s running on vibes only
Tournament red flags: what makes a great pickleball event vs. one that makes you question your life choices
If you’ve ever found yourself mid-rally thinking, “Is it me, or did the court just move?”, this one’s for you. Hit play, laugh with us, learn a few pickleball tips, and get the inside scoop on what really happens behind the bracket board.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Dinks on Tap
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
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54:35
Is DUPR Dead? Mike Barker's VAIR Rating System Might Just Bury It
Curious how your pickleball rating actually gets calculated?
Check out VAIR, the new pickleball rating system: https://www.vairified.com/?ambassador=7180389
Pickleball rating systems can feel like the Wild West… where matchups make zero sense and “fair play” is more myth than rule. One minute you’re rallying with a retired pro, the next you’re getting smoked by a 13-year-old with braces and a wicked backhand.
In this episode, we dig into the accuracy drama with Mike Barker, the brains behind VAIR (Visually Assessed International Rating), a next-gen player rating system that promises to clean up the chaos. Mike’s not just a ratings guy; he’s a former semi-pro footballer, tech entrepreneur, and the kind of guy who brings AI camera systems and court-side video analysis into your average Tuesday night match. He’s passionate about one thing: making sure your rating is actually accurate!
We share wild stories from mixed brackets gone wrong, debate what counts as a “real” rating, and explore how skill-based matchmaking is reshaping both recreational pickleball and the future of competitive pickleball.
What you’ll hear:
Why most rating systems feel like a bad doubles partner: unclear, unreliable, and kind of holding you back
The age + gender mix-ups that make you wonder if you accidentally signed up for a youth camp or the retirees’ tour
How VAIR uses AI, camera systems, and smart player data to give us finally giving us real-deal skill evaluation
What separates a rec rating from a verified one, and why that tiny decimal point can make a huge difference
How clubs are using smart tech, solid pickleball techniques, and juicy game insights to create the matchups we actually want
So grab your margarita, tune in, and find out how the new VAIR rating system could mean better matchups, fewer mismatches, and way more fun for the whole pickleball community.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Dinks on Tap
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
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Pickleball Doubles Partnerships and Why Team Chemistry Matters with Captain Molly Bonner
You can perfect your third shot drop… but can you survive a 10-day pickleball trip with your doubles partner and still want to split a margarita after?
This week, we’re talking all things chemistry on and off the court. We’re covering pro-led clinics in Spain, silent side-eyes during rec play, and everything in between as we dig into what really holds a team together (and what quietly breaks it).
First, we catch up with Stephen Moore of Pickleball Trips, the boutique travel company blending adventure travel with pro-level play. From Japan to Costa Rica to courtside ceviche in Spain, Stephen takes us behind the scenes of how his family turned their love of sport and travel into world-class pickleball tours. Yes, there’s travel with purpose, but there’s also stretchy pants, five-star meals, and a whole lot of dinking with locals.
Then, we sit down with Molly Bonner, the team mom, hug dealer, and unofficial snack coordinator of the Dinking Buddies, to talk about what really happens behind the paddles. This isn’t just about dinks and drops. We’re talking team dynamics, emotion in sports, and what it takes to stay connected when you’re trying to win without losing your cool (or your bestie).
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why picking a pickleball partner can feel weirdly similar to dating (yes, really)
How a shared competitive mindset can totally bond you or quietly blow things up
The underrated magic of trust and why it’s way more clutch than your drop shot
What actually makes team chemistry click (and how to know when it’s off)
The messy middle: conflict, growth, and navigating partnership like a grown-up
And all the stuff no one teaches you in pickleball clinics, but probably should!
So if travel and play is your love language, consider this your official invite. From coaching sessions in Patagonia to building real connection with your doubles partner, this episode has the vibes and the insight. Paddle up, press play, and let’s go.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Dinks on Tap
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
Acerca de Dinks On Tap: The Happy Hour Pickleball Podcast
Ever wondered what the big deal is about Pickleball? Welcome to Dinks on Tap, where the pickleball paddle meets the margarita. We’re Casie and Lauren, your pickleball partners in crime, here to spill the beans on why pickleball is more than just a game. It’s that “more” part we’re so drawn to. That “more” part which we highly suspect is about rediscovering PLAY in our lives and bringing FUN into focus. Let’s be clear, we’re not pros. We’re just a couple of recreational players who notice, marvel, and revel in the nuances that make up the juice to this fruit’s fine squeeze. In each episode we’ll look at the life breathing behind, within, underneath and alongside the game... That momentum shift on the court, (“Why am I so ‘off’ today?”), the Fourth Man Struggle (“Seriously, who else can we get to play?”), the camaraderie that turns strangers into friends (“Do you want to exchange numbers?”) and various other dynamics that go beyond the dink to make up the humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom we find between the lines. So join us! Pour a glass, squeeze a lime, and let’s get under the hood of just how good it feels to rediscover PLAY in our lives.
México