Glossary
Pistol round
In one line: The first round of each half: everyone starts with 800 credits, so only pistols, light armor and a few abilities.
What it means
The pistol round is the first round of each half (round 1 and the first round after switching sides). Everyone has 800 credits: enough for a better pistol, light armor or some abilities, not all of them.
It is worth more than one round: the winners have money for round two while the losers have to save, and they often win round three too. So you play it with a plan, staying close to get trades (pistol duels are fast and random).
An example
In round one your team buys a pistol each and light armor where possible. You all go B together: five pistols against the two defenders there. Round won, and in round two you can afford SMGs.