The Lab vs The Fort: Which Pickleball Club Is Right for You?
The short answer
If you want to play good games against good players, come to The Lab. It's in Miami, every open play session is DUPR skill-verified (not self-rated), there's no waiting between games, you play 2+ hours nonstop, and it's led by former pro Juan Carlos Saez. The Lab is built for competitive players who want to get better. If you just want a social experience, maybe The Fort, in Fort Lauderdale, is better for you.
What's the short answer?
If you want to play good games against good players, come to The Lab. If you just want a social experience, maybe The Fort is better for you.
The Lab is built for players who want competitive games and want to get better:
- Every session is DUPR skill-verified, not self-rated, so everyone on your court is at your level.
- No waiting between games. You play 2+ hours nonstop.
- It's led by a former pro, Juan Carlos Saez (JC).
- It's in Miami, so there's no drive to Fort Lauderdale, where The Fort is located.
Why do good games make you a better player?
To keep improving, you need to play consistently with players at your level or better. Easy games don't teach you much, and games against players far above you end before you can try anything.
That's the whole idea behind The Lab. Every open play session is DUPR skill-verified, with courts split into:
- 3.0–3.6
- 3.7–4.4
- 4.5+ Challenge Court
You book the court that matches your DUPR rating, so every game is competitive from the first point. When you start winning comfortably on your court, it's time to move up. New to the numbers? Read what pickleball skill levels mean.
What does DUPR skill-verified mean?
It means your level is based on your DUPR rating, not on a guess. Players without a rating attend a weekly club rating session before they play open play, so we can place them on the right court. Message us to book a spot.
For the basics of the rating itself, read how DUPR ratings work or how the club rating session works.
How much will you actually play?
A lot. At The Lab there's no waiting between games, so you play 2+ hours nonstop, game after game, against players at your level.
When we surveyed our players, most said they want to play about twice as often as they do now. More real games per visit is the fastest way to get there.
Open play runs Monday to Thursday 6–9 PM and Saturday to Sunday 9 AM–12 PM. Friday Socials are coming soon. See the schedule.
Who will help you improve?
The Lab is led by Juan Carlos Saez (JC), a former professional pickleball player. The club started as a group of friends pushing each other to get better, and that's still the culture.
- Private lessons with JC are booked by text or WhatsApp. See coaching.
- Group clinics are coming soon.
- The DUPR Ladder League is coming soon: seeded by DUPR, games to a hard 11, ranked by points, with players moving up and down each week. Read what a DUPR ladder league is or join the waitlist on leagues.
Stuck at a level? Read how to break through a pickleball plateau.
Where is The Lab?
The Lab is at 1255 NW 135th St, North Miami, FL 33168, with free on-site parking. Our players come from all over Miami. Based on the approximate road distances on our visiting Miami page, it's about 7–9 miles from Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura, and about 10 miles from Downtown Miami.
The Fort is in Fort Lauderdale, according to its website.
Which is right for you?
Come to The Lab if you:
- Want to play good games against good players.
- Want every game at your level or better, with DUPR skill-verified sessions.
- Want to play 2+ hours nonstop with no waiting between games.
- Want to get better, at a club led by a former pro.
- Live in Miami and don't want to drive to Fort Lauderdale.
If you just want a social experience, maybe The Fort is better for you.
At The Lab, every session is DUPR skill-verified, not self-rated. If you want good games every day and want to get better, The Lab is the place.
How do you start at The Lab?
- Create a free member account on Playbypoint. Drop-ins are $18.
- Bring your DUPR rating, or message us to book the weekly club rating session.
- Play unlimited as a founding member for $99/month (first 50 members, then $139/month). See the membership page.
The quick version
If you want to play good games against good players, come to The Lab in Miami: DUPR skill-verified sessions, no waiting, 2+ hours nonstop, and a club led by former pro JC that's built to make you a better player. If you just want a social experience, maybe The Fort is better for you.
See the schedule · Compare memberships · Book on Playbypoint
FAQ
Which is better for competitive players?
If you want good games against good players, come to The Lab. Every open play session is DUPR skill-verified, courts are split by level (3.0–3.6, 3.7–4.4 and a 4.5+ Challenge Court), there's no waiting between games, and you play 2+ hours nonstop.
Is The Fort in Miami?
No. The Fort is in Fort Lauderdale. The Lab is in Miami, at 1255 NW 135th St, North Miami, FL 33168.
Will playing at The Lab make me a better player?
That's what it's built for. You play steady games against players at your level or better, for 2+ hours with no waiting, at a club led by former pro Juan Carlos Saez. Private lessons with JC are available too.
I don't have a DUPR rating. Can I still play at The Lab?
Yes. Players without a rating attend a weekly club rating session first, so we can place you on the right court. Message us to book a spot.