Keeping Score in Pickleball
In the game of pickleball, scoring can be a nuanced aspect that varies slightly between singles and doubles play. Understanding the scoring system is crucial for both players and spectators to follow the progress of the match. If you’re new to the game and wondering how to keep score in pickleball, here’s a simple guide to help you:
1. Singles Scoring
- No second server; scoring is more straightforward.
- Serve from the right side when the server’s score is even.
- Serve from the left side when the server’s score is odd.
- Server’s score dictates serving position, not the receiver’s score.
- Receiver aligns according to the server’s score.
- Score is called as: server score, receiver score.
While doubles is far more popular than singles among all pickleball players. Single is common at the more advanced levels and professionals. More to come on singles in a future post.
2. Doubles Scoring
- Points scored only on the serve; receivers cannot score.
- Game starts with the server on the right side serving diagonally.
- Server switches sides after scoring a point, moving from right to left.
- Serving side alternates positions only after scoring.
- Receiving side does not change positions.
- Serve passes to the second server after the first server commits a fault. See First Server Exception below.
- Serve goes to the other team when the second server loses the serve.
- The player on the right serves first when serve changes teams.
3. Calling the Score
- Score called as three numbers in doubles.
- Sequence: server score, receiver score, server number (1 or 2).
- Match starts with the score called as “0-0-2.”
4. First Server Exception
- Only the player on the right serves during the first service turn.
- However, during the first service turn of a game, the first server is designated as the second server, hence “0-0-2” at the start.
- During the first service turn, the second server may also commonly state “0-0-Start” as the first server exception only occurs once over the course of each game.
- Why was the First Server Exception created? To minimize the advantage of being the first team to serve in the game. As you can only score on your serve, allowing the first service team to have both their first and second server serve would be significant advantage.
5. How do you determine the winning score?
- Typically, a game is played as the first team to 11 points. In tournament play, a match typically consists of the best 2 out of 3 games to 11 points.
- Remember, you must win by a margin of two points. If the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until one team has a two-point advantage and wins the game.
- Games to 15 points are also frequent, but more common in the consolation bracket of tournament play.
By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be able to keep score in pickleball and enjoy the game with your friends and fellow players. Coinciding with the rise of Major League Pickleball (MLP), rally scoring is becoming quite popular as it is widely considered more fan friendly. More to come on MLP and rally scoring in a future post.
Click here for the full USA Pickleball primer on scoring.
