How to keep score in pickleball
How pickleball scoring works: the three numbers in doubles, why the game starts at 0-0-2, when you switch sides, and how singles and rally scoring differ.
The three numbers in doubles
Before each serve, the server calls three numbers:
- The serving team's score.
- The receiving team's score.
- The server number: 1 if this is the first partner to serve this turn, 2 if it is the second.
A worked example
| What happens | Score called next |
|---|---|
| Game starts. Team A serves first. | 0-0-2 |
| Team A wins the rally. The server switches sides. | 1-0-2 |
| Team A loses the rally. The first side out goes to Team B. | 0-1-1 |
| Team B wins the rally. | 1-1-1 |
| Team B loses the rally. Their second partner serves. | 1-1-2 |
| Team B loses again. Side out to Team A. | 1-1-1 |
The game starts at 0-0-2 because the first serving team only gets one server in its first turn. After that, every team gets two servers per turn.
Who serves from which side
When the serving team's score is even, the player who started the game on the right serves from the right. When it is odd, that player is on the left. This is the easiest way to check you are in the right place.
Only the serving team switches sides, and only after winning a point. The receivers never switch.
Singles scoring
Singles uses two numbers: the server's score, then the receiver's. Serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it is odd. There is no server number because there is only one server.
Rally scoring
Some leagues and pro events, including Major League Pickleball, use rally scoring, where a point is scored on every rally no matter who served. Games are usually longer, often to 21. Ask before you start which system the group plays.
Common questions
- Why does pickleball start at 0-0-2?
- To offset the advantage of serving first, the first serving team gets only one server in its opening turn. Calling that player server 2 means the next fault goes straight to the other team.
- Can you score when you are not serving?
- Not in traditional scoring. Only the serving team scores. Rally scoring, used in some leagues, gives a point on every rally.
- What score do you play to in pickleball?
- Usually 11, win by 2. Tournaments sometimes use 15 or 21.
Paddle rankings and tools
Keep reading
Find the paddle that fits your game
Answer a few questions about how you play and we rank all 812 paddles for you.