Newby question on selecting a single post from a category

Don’t use multiple query_posts in a single page. Use get_posts instead.

https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Template_Tags/query_posts

Important note

The query_posts function is intended to be used to modify the main page Loop only. It is not intended as a means to create secondary Loops on the page. If you want to create separate Loops outside of the main one, you should create separate WP_Query objects and use those instead. Use of query_posts on Loops other than the main one can result in your main Loop becoming incorrect and possibly displaying things that you were not expecting.

The query_posts function overrides and replaces the main query for the page. To save your sanity, do not use it for any other purpose.

https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Template_Tags/get_posts

thanks, I’ll dive into that info ??

I think I did it ?? (will I be ninja one day too? haha :P)

I now have it like this, would you agree or do you have another pointer for me on my way to woosha?

<?php
 $lastposts = get_posts('category=3');
 foreach($lastposts as $post) :
    setup_postdata($post);
 ?>

  <table>
  <tr>
  <td><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to <?php the_title_attribute(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></td><td>
<?php if (!get_post_meta($post->ID, "image-portfolio", true)) : // Show no image if page doesn't contain image in custom field ?>
<?php else : ?>
<div class="portfolio-border">
<a href="<?php echo get_post_meta($post->ID, "url-portfolio", true); ?>" title="View Project Details for <?php the_title(); ?>">
<img src="<?php echo get_post_meta($post->ID, "image-portfolio", $single = true); ?>" width="25" alt="Preview - <?php the_title(); ?>" /></a>
</div>
<?php endif; ?></td>
</tr>
</table>
 <?php endforeach; ?>

<?php
 $lastposts = get_posts('category=4');
 foreach($lastposts as $post) :
    setup_postdata($post);
 ?>

  <table>
  <tr>
  <td><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to <?php the_title_attribute(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></td><td>
<?php if (!get_post_meta($post->ID, "image-portfolio", true)) : // Show no image if page doesn't contain image in custom field ?>
<?php else : ?>
<div class="portfolio-border">
<a href="<?php echo get_post_meta($post->ID, "url-portfolio", true); ?>" title="View Project Details for <?php the_title(); ?>">
<img src="<?php echo get_post_meta($post->ID, "image-portfolio", $single = true); ?>" width="25" alt="Preview - <?php the_title(); ?>" /></a>
</div>
<?php endif; ?></td>
</tr>
</table>
 <?php endforeach; ?>

Would you recommende to use categories to determine which post goes where on the competition chart?

My plan would be to have 32 posts (every competitor a post) and then on the template select 1a as the competitor for round 1 (competing against 1b) If 1a would win, I would asign category 8a to him, being a competitor in the next round too.

I know it’s not really building a blog, but I love WP, would be cool if I can add this chart to an event site that would have the regular blog and pages functionality too.

thanks already ??