All these questions assume 16 entrants or less and at least four set-ups.

how long does a ladder typically need to run for each person to get a reasonable number of matches?

Also, how does the system handle people who typically play longer matches? For ex, in theory, shouldn't playing more sets increase the likelihood that someone in a similar tier will get a higher score?*

*For more specification on the question about a competitor having a longer than average set, say for the sake of this question dudutsai or vinodh is entering this tournament, and say they have an average match length of 12 minutes or have one or more matches that goes to an absurd 18 minutes. Doesn't this necessarily disadvantage them and the person they're playing against?

If someone loses three sets or more in a row, wouldn't this encourage them to drop out earlier than they normally would?
And on that note, how easily can the system adapt to adding more people? For say a two hour period, what's the latest a person can arrive and reasonably play enough matches to have a chance of finishing top 5, assuming they have the skill to do so?

What's the best way to organize a ladder into bracket? Top 8 after two hours end, or first to a certain threshold of points and the remaining spots get decided after two hours end?

How often do rematches happen in a two hour period?

Finally, what's the maximum amount of entrants you'd recommend can do a ladder with in a two-three hour period with only four set-ups?