Ok, Ok... Here is the answer

total of 23 games must be played.

In the first round, 12 games are played producing 12 winners. In round two, 6 games are played producing 6 winners. In round 3, 3 games are played producing 3 winners. In the next round, 2 of the previous round’s winners play, while the third waits to play the winner of that match for the championship. 12 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 23.