Open play fills courts on quiet nights and brings new players in. It also gets messy fast. Here is a simple way to run it.
Eight players a court works well: four playing and four waiting, so nobody sits out more than one game. Six a court means shorter waits; ten or more and people start leaving. Multiply by the courts you're using and that is your limit for the night.
Let players join and pay ahead, per head. You know your numbers, no-shows drop, and nobody argues at the desk. Close sign-ups when you reach the limit.
Mark the open play courts as taken for those hours so nobody books them for private play by mistake.
Use one queue that everyone can see. The next four waiting go on the next free court. Mix partners so the same pairs don't play together all night, and try to match levels where you can.
Games to 11, win by 2, one game then off. Record the winners so regulars can see how they're doing.
If there's room, add them at the desk and take payment there. If it's full, say so and point them to the next session.
Courtside Ops does all six for you: per-court limits, online sign-up and payment, points for every player who joins, automatic court blocking, a live queue on a tablet and a "fully booked" notice when the session fills.