Pickleball Scoring – How Points Work in Singles and Doubles
Do you find pickleball scoring complicated? You're not alone. Especially in doubles, the three numbers and serve order can feel confusing the first few times.
However, once you understand what the numbers mean, the system is quite logical. In this guide, we'll explain step-by-step how points are scored in pickleball, why a doubles game starts with 0–0–2, when the serve changes, and how scoring differs between singles and doubles.
Want to get a handle on the whole game first? → Read our complete guide to pickleball rules
Pickleball Scoring – The Basics
Traditional pickleball most often uses a system called side-out scoring.
This means that:
- only the serving team or serving player can win a point
- if the receiving team wins the rally, they don't get a point, but the serve passes according to the serving order
- a game is often played to 11 points
- the team or player must typically win by at least a two-point margin
Other match formats also occur, especially in competitions. Therefore, always check the organizer's rules if you are playing in an organized competition.
Why Are Three Numbers Used in Doubles?
In doubles play, the score is indicated by three numbers.
Example:
7–3–1
The numbers mean:
- 7 – the serving team's score
- 3 – the opponents' score
- 1 – the team's first server serves
If the score is instead:
7–3–2
it means the same team still has 7 points, the opponents 3, but the team's second server is now serving.
Why Does a Doubles Game Start with 0–0–2?
A traditional doubles game with side-out scoring starts with:
0–0–2
This might seem strange since no one has actually served before.
The explanation is that the team that gets to start the match only gets one server during the very first serving round.
The first server is therefore treated as the team's second server.
This way, the team that starts serving doesn't get an extra large advantage by having two servers before the opponents get their first opportunity.
Example – How Points Work in Doubles
Let's take a concrete example.
The score is:
7–3–1
This means:
- the serving team has 7 points
- the opponents have 3 points
- the team's first server serves
The serving team wins the next rally.
The score becomes:
8–3–1
The same player continues to serve because the team won the point.
What Happens If the Team Loses the Next Point?
If the opponents win the next rally, they don't get a point in traditional side-out scoring.
Instead, the serve passes to the serving team's second player.
The score is still:
8–3–2
The last digit now shows that the team's second server is serving.
What Happens When the Second Server Loses?
If the second server also loses a rally, it's a side-out.
The serve then passes to the other team.
The score is now read from their perspective:
3–8–1
The new serving team has 3 points, the opponents 8, and the team's first server serves.
What Does Side-Out Mean?
Side-out means that the serve passes from one team to the other.
In doubles, this happens when both players on the serving team have lost their serving round.
The exception is the very first serving round of the game, where the starting team only gets one server.
How Long Does the Same Player Continue to Serve?
A player continues to serve as long as their own team wins the rallies.
Each time the team scores a point, the server switches sides and serves diagonally from the opposite service court.
When the team loses a rally, the serve passes according to the serving order.
Where Do You Serve From?
The server changes sides after each won point.
If the team's score is even, the player who started the serving round serves from the right side. When the team wins the point, the players switch sides and the next serve is hit from the left.
This means that the players' positions are always linked to the team's score and who started the serving round.
Singles Scoring
Singles scoring is simpler because there's only one player per side.
In traditional side-out scoring, only two numbers are stated:
serving player's score – opponent's score
Example:
6–4
The server has 6 points and the opponent has 4.
Which Side Do You Serve From in Singles?
Your own score determines which side you serve from:
- even score – serve from the right side
- odd score – serve from the left side
Example:
- 0–0 → right
- 1–0 → left
- 2–0 → right
- 3–1 → left
How Many Points Do You Play To?
A typical pickleball game is played to 11 points and must be won by at least two points.
This means, for example, that:
- 11–8 wins
- 11–10 is not enough
- 12–10 wins
- 13–11 wins
In tournaments, other formats may be used, such as games to 15 or 21 points, or best of several games.
Therefore, there isn't a single match length used in all contexts.
Do You Have to Call Out the Score?
Yes, in organized play, the score should normally be announced before the serve.
It's also a very good habit in casual recreational play.
By calling out the score, it becomes easier for all players to:
- keep track of the score
- know who should serve
- detect any potential mistakes before the next ball is played
What Is Rally Scoring?
Rally scoring is an alternative scoring system where every rally can result in a point, regardless of which team serves.
It therefore differs from traditional side-out scoring where only the serving team can score points.
Rally scoring may be used in certain competition and match formats.
If you're playing a tournament, you should therefore always check which scoring system the organizer is using.
Side-Out Scoring or Rally Scoring – What's the Difference?
The main difference is when points are awarded.
Side-out scoring
- only the serving team can score points
- the receiving team instead wins the right to serve
- traditional system in pickleball
Rally scoring
- every rally can result in a point
- both serving and receiving teams can score points
- can be used in certain organized formats
Common Scoring Mistakes
Some things cause extra confusion among new players:
- forgetting the third server number in doubles
- believing that opponents get a point when they win a rally in side-out scoring
- forgetting that the starting score is 0–0–2
- serving from the wrong side
- forgetting who is the first and second server, respectively
- reading the opponents' score first even though your own team is serving
If you get confused during the game, it's better to clarify the score immediately than to continue playing several points with incorrect positions.
A Simple Trick to Remember the Score
Always think:
Our points – their points – our server.
Example:
8–5–2
= we have 8, they have 5, and our second server is serving.
This is enough to understand the basics of doubles scoring.
Scoring in Competition
When playing an organized pickleball competition, you should always check the competition's specific rules.
The organizer can determine, among other things:
- side-out scoring or rally scoring
- how many points the game is played to
- best of one or several games
- any tie-break rules
- timeout rules
→ See upcoming pickleball competitions in Sweden
Video – Pickleball Scoring
Scoring often becomes much easier when you see the serving order visually.
The video below shows how points and serves work in doubles play.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pickleball Scoring
Why Does Pickleball Start with 0–0–2?
The starting team only gets one server during the first serving round. Therefore, the first server is treated as server number two, and the score starts with 0–0–2.
What Does 7–3–1 Mean?
The serving team has 7 points, the receiving team has 3, and the serving team's first server is serving.
Can You Score When You're Not Serving?
In traditional side-out scoring, no. Only the serving team can score points. In rally scoring, however, every rally can result in a point.
When Does the Serve Pass to the Opponents?
In doubles with side-out scoring, a side-out occurs when both players on the team have lost their serve. However, during the very first serving round of the match, the starting team only gets one server.
How Do You Score in Singles?
In singles, the server's score is stated first, followed by the opponent's. An even own score means serving from the right side, and an odd own score means serving from the left.
Do You Always Play to 11 Points?
No. 11 points is very common, but other formats are used in competitions. The match should normally be won by at least a two-point margin.
What Is Rally Scoring?
Rally scoring means that points can be awarded after every rally, regardless of who serves.
What Does Side-Out Mean?
Side-out means that the serve passes to the opponents.
Learn Scoring by Playing
Pickleball scoring can feel complicated the first time, especially in doubles. After a few games, however, the system usually starts to feel natural.
Just remember:
Our points – their points – server number.
And if you're unsure: always call out the score before the serve.
→ Learn all basic pickleball rules
→ Pickleball for beginners – complete guide to starting to play
→ Continue with our guides on technique, tactics, and fundamentals
