Play is sometimes said to be paradoxical because it displays one quality and the opposite of that quality at the same time. One of the best examples of this is the copresence of order and disorder. This article explores the differences between orderly and disorderly play. The author emphasizes the ways in which any event can be said to be orderly or disorderly; the identification of cultural, social, and psychological sources of order; and the importance of this theme in the work of some prominent play scholars. Following this, the author suggests a variety of functions for both orderly and disorderly play.