A wild card entry is a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that fails to qualify in the normal way). It is also known as an at-large berth or at-large bid). The term "wild card" is used in various sports and competitions, and its meaning can vary depending on the context. Here are some examples:
- In professional tennis tournaments, a wild card refers to a tournament entry awarded to a player at the discretion of the organizers).
- In North American professional sports leagues, "wild card" refers to a team that qualifies for the championship playoffs without winning their specific conference or division outright).
- In skiing competitions, a wild card can be given to an athlete who is not ranked or who is new to the sport.
- In tennis, a wild card can be given to a player whose world ranking is not high enough to qualify automatically for a tournament.
- In some competitions, a wild card can be awarded to a player or team at the discretion of the organizers.
In general, a wild card entry is a way for individuals or teams who may not have qualified through the normal process to still have a chance to compete. The criteria for awarding wild cards can vary depending on the sport or competition, and may be based on factors such as performance, potential, or other considerations.