Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Whether you’re just picking up a paddle or you've played a few games, one of the most confusing parts for beginners is keeping score. Don’t worry—it’s simpler than it seems once you get the hang of it.
The Basics of Pickleball Scoring
Pickleball can be played in either singles or doubles, but the scoring system is the same in both with just a few slight variations.
-Games are typically played to 11 points, but some games go to 15 or 21 in tournaments.
-You must win by 2 points (e.g., 11–9 is a win; 11–10 is not).
-Only the serving team can score points. If the receiving team wins a rally, no point is awarded, but they may gain the opportunity to serve.
Understanding the Score Call (Doubles)
In doubles pickleball, the score is announced using three numbers in this order:
-Serving team’s score
-Receiving team’s score
-Server number (either 1 or 2)
For example:
“4 – 2 – 1” means:
-The serving team has 4 points.
-The receiving team has 2 points.
-The first server of the team is serving.
Serving Rotation in Doubles:
-The game begins with only one player on the first team serving. This is a special rule to balance the initial advantage.
-After that, each team gets two serves—one per player—during their turn at serving.
-When the first server on a team loses the rally, the serve goes to their partner (the second server).
-If the second server loses the rally, the serve goes to the other team.
This “two chances per team” rule keeps the game flowing while ensuring fairness.
If you are injured while training or in a match, see a doctor who can help you recover and get back on the court quickly. Visit our provider guide by clicking here to find the right doctor for you.