Duo queue means entering matchmaking as a party of exactly two players instead of alone. Both players are placed into the same match, usually on the same team, and the game balances the lobby around the pair.
Players say "duo queue", "duo q" or just "duo". "Looking for a duo" means they want one partner to queue with.
How players use it
- "Anyone want to duo queue ranked tonight? Gold, EU"
- "Duo with me for placements?"
- "We duo q'd all day and climbed two ranks"
- "LFG duo, Valorant, mic, no tilt"
How duo queue works
When you queue as a pair, the matchmaker has to rate two people as one unit. Games combine the two ratings in different ways and rarely publish the exact formula, but the goal is to find opponents of a comparable combined level. Many games also apply rules to parties.
- Rank gap limits. Several ranked modes restrict how far apart the two players can be, so that a high-ranked player cannot easily pull a much lower-ranked friend up. The exact limits differ by game and change over time, so check the current rules for your game.
- Mode restrictions. Some ranked modes only allow certain party sizes. League of Legends' Ranked Solo/Duo queue, for example, accepts players alone or in pairs only.
- Boosting rules. Playing a duo to lift another player's rank, especially for payment, is against the rules in most games. See boosting.
Why duo queue matters
Players who talk to each other have an edge over random teammates, which is why many players argue about whether duos should face other duos. Others argue that solo queue is unfair when opponents are coordinated. Our post on solo queue versus duo queue goes through the trade-offs, and the League of Legends duo queue guide covers one specific case.
Finding a duo partner
Pick someone with a similar rank, language and schedule. You can use Discord LFG channels or in-game chat, or open /find-players: apps like GameVerse show players online now for the same game and region and let you message them to agree on a session.
Related terms
- Solo queue: queueing alone.
- Premade: any group that queues together.
- LFG: the post used to find a partner.
- SBMM: skill-based matchmaking, which sets who you face.
FAQ
Is duo queue allowed in ranked?
In most games yes, often with limits such as a maximum rank gap between the two players. Some modes or seasons restrict it more, so check the game's current ranked rules.
Is duo queue better than solo queue?
It depends on your goals. A reliable partner and voice comms usually help, but your rating then depends on both of you, and queue times can be longer.
How do I find a duo partner?
Post an LFG in a Discord server or in-game, or message players who are online now through a player finder.