Abstract: An on-line tournament management process includes a team substitution feature suitable when one tournament team loses a player to a disconnection or other unforeseen circumstance. The process may include maintaining roster information for first and second teams. Responsive to detecting a lost connection corresponding to a first player of the first team, performing substitution operations that may include: accessing skill level attributes of the first player, performing a search for a replacement player for replacing the first player in accordance with the skill level attributes and offering at least some eligible standby players, determined in accordance with criteria for matching the skill level attributes of the first player, a substitution spot corresponding to the open roster spot. After monitoring for an acceptance from an eligible player and not receiving an acceptance, additional eligible standby players may be offered the substitution spot.