Common questions
What is SuperDebate?
SuperDebate is where people show up, get a topic, and debate. Judges score you on four core criteria: arguments, evidence, clarity, and persuasion. Think competitive sport, but for arguing. Anyone can join. No experience required.
What makes SuperDebate different?
SuperDebate is a league, not just an app. You get a topic, 5-10 minutes to prep, then you debate in front of judges who score you on four core criteria. Clubs run regular nights, results go on your record, and it all builds toward tournaments. Timed rounds, real judges, a winner on the merits.
Do I need debate experience to join?
No. Most people at a SuperDebate night have never debated before. Show up, pick a side, jump in. Watch one round if you want. By the second, you'll wish you were in it.
Is SuperDebate free to use?
It's free to join, compete in debates, and build your profile. Debating is free.
How can I get started with SuperDebate?
Sign up, find a club or event near you, and show up. You can watch a debate first if you want to see how it works. But honestly, just jump in.
What can I do without an account?
Quite a bit. Without signing in you can watch live and recorded debates and browse clubs, events, and topics. A free account adds the rest: voting on who won, creating or joining a debate, joining a club, judging with a full ballot, training, and building a profile.
What are SuperDebate's limits?
Debates run from 1v1 up to 5v5, with up to 10 debaters on stage, and can go as long as 180 minutes if you want a marathon. Clubs hold up to 100 members. Comments and posted arguments can be up to 5000 characters, uploads up to 10 MB, and invitations last 30 days before they expire.
How do I join a debate event?
Find events on our Events page, show up, and compete! Topics and sides are assigned at the event. You get 5-10 minutes of prep once the topic drops. Come ready to think fast.
How do debates work?
Debates range from 15-60 minutes, and a standard round runs about 28 minutes. Each debate includes opening statements, cross-examinations, rebuttals, and closings. Fast, fair, and scored.
How does debate scoring work?
Debaters are scored on four core criteria: arguments, evidence, clarity, and persuasion. Each is scored 1 to 5 and weighted equally, for a total out of 20. Judges leave written feedback with every mark, and the higher total wins. Organizers can adapt the criteria for their events.
What are Community Points?
Community Points are fun engagement rewards you earn for being active on the platform - posting practice arguments on topic pages, rating others' ideas, and organizing events. They're like Reddit karma - purely for online engagement, not related to actual debate competition scores.
Do I need to prepare topics?
Most events give you 5-10 minutes of prep time once your topic is revealed. Topics and sides are assigned at the event. Some events share topics in advance for deeper preparation. It's about quick thinking combined with solid argumentation.
What if I lose?
Losing is part of the game! Every debate makes you sharper. Stick around after to discuss with opponents and judges. The community aspect is as important as the competition.
What debate formats and lengths are there?
SuperDebate runs one flexible format with team sizes from 1v1 up to 5v5. Online you can pick 1v1, 2v2, or Relay, and set the pace to short (about 4 minutes), standard (about 10 minutes), long (about 20 minutes), or custom rounds. We do not run Oxford, Lincoln-Douglas, or Policy style formats, just our one flexible format.
Can I find someone to debate right now?
Yes. Use Find an Opponent: pick a topic and your side, and we match you with someone who wants the other side, then drop you both into a live 1 on 1 room. You can also jump into an open debate that already has a free seat.
Can I watch recorded debates?
Yes, and you do not need an account to watch. SuperDebate has featured recorded debates on big questions, like Jordan vs LeBron, that you can watch any time. Sign in and you can also score the debaters yourself and see how the community voted.
How do online video debates work?
Start one in one tap from the go live page: pick a topic, side, format, and pace, then share the link to bring in an opponent and an audience. The debate runs in a live video room with a speaking timer. Recording is on by default so it can become a watchable replay, and the host can turn it off.
What technology do I need to participate?
A computer or phone with a stable internet connection, a microphone, and ideally a camera. A headset and a quiet room make a big difference.
How do virtual debates work?
Virtual debates take place in our debate rooms, which include video conferencing, timer tools, and moderator controls. The platform ensures speaking times are enforced and provides spaces for judges to score and provide feedback.
Is my personal information secure?
Yes. Your information is protected under our Privacy Policy, you control what shows on your public profile, and we don't share your data with third parties without your consent.
Can I use SuperDebate on my mobile device?
Yes! Mobile is great for browsing topics, voting, and following events. For a live debate, use a desktop: bigger timer, steadier video, room to think.
How do I start a club?
Starting a club is easy! Create a Club page, set your location and schedule, then promote it to build your local community. We provide tools for event creation, member management, and growth tracking.
How do I become a judge?
There's no certification hoop. Learn the scorecard, do the quick onboarding on our How It Works: Judges page, and you can judge at your first event. Good judges are always in demand!
Can I host events in my city?
Yes. Create a club, find a venue, and start hosting. Cafes, libraries, and community centers all work. We handle the tech. You make it happen.
How do rankings work?
Two separate systems. Competition scores come from judges and decide who wins: those make your record. Community Points are karma for showing up: posting arguments, organizing events, being a regular. One builds your record, the other builds your reputation.
How do invitations work?
Organizers can invite you to a club or event by email or link, and you accept or decline from your email or your dashboard. Invitations expire after 30 days. For a live debate, a host can invite you to a seat, or you can request to join or challenge someone, and the host approves it.
