An adaptive spin latch system is provided for use in a multiprocessor computer system. The spin latch system includes a run queue, a spin latch module and a wait queue. The run queue is adapted to store agent index data correlated to at least one agent in run mode. The spin latch module is adapted to put the at least one agent into sleep mode for a period of time correlated to a number of agents awaiting access to a resource. The wait queue is adapted to store agent index data correlated to the at least one agent in sleep mode. A method of regulating access by agents to a resource in a multiprocessor computing system is also provided.