Rules
Pickleball Scoring Rules
Pickleball scoring has two rules that confuse beginners: only the serving team can score, and you must call the score before every serve. Once you understand these two concepts, the entire scoring system makes sense.
The three core scoring rules
Only the serving team scores
If the serving team wins the rally, they earn 1 point. If the receiving team wins the rally, a side out occurs, service changes, but no point is scored. Games go to 11, win by 2.
Call the score before every serve
The server must audibly call the score before every single serve. In doubles: serving score – receiving score – server number (e.g., '4-2-1'). In singles: serving score – receiving score (e.g., '4-2').
In doubles, each team gets two serves per side out
Both players on the serving team serve (one after the other) before a side out occurs. Exception: at the start of the game, the first team to serve only gets one server (called '0-0-2').
Score call format
Doubles (3 numbers)
4 – 2 – 1
4 = serving team score
2 = receiving team score
1 = first server serving
Singles (2 numbers)
4 – 2
4 = server's score
2 = receiver's score
(No server number in singles)
Score call examples
Start of game. Score is 0-0. The first server exception means the starting team only gets one server, so this team is already on Server 2.
Serving team has 3 points. Receiving team has 1 point. It's the first server's turn (Server 1) for the serving team.
Serving team has 5 points. Receiving team also has 5 points. It's the second server's turn (Server 2).
Match point. Serving team needs one more point to win. Server 1 is serving. One win and the game ends.
Common scoring mistakes
Not calling the score
The server must call the score before every serve, it's a rule, not a suggestion. Get in the habit immediately to avoid disputes.
Calling score after serving
The score must be called before the serve. Serving before calling can technically be a fault and always risks score disputes.
Mixing up server number
Server number (1 or 2) resets to 1 each time service is received. You're Server 1 when you're the first to serve for your team in a given turn.
Thinking you score when receiving
Only the serving team scores in standard scoring. Winning a rally while receiving gets you the serve, not a point.
Forgetting the first server exception
At game start, the team serving first only gets one server (they call '0-0-2'). This balances the serve advantage. Many beginners give the first team two serves.
Frequently asked questions
How does scoring work in pickleball doubles?
In pickleball doubles, only the serving team can score. If the serving team wins the rally, they earn a point and the same server continues. If the receiving team wins the rally, a side out occurs and service transfers to the other team, no point is scored. Each team gets two serves per side out (one per player), except at the start of the game when only one player serves. Games go to 11 points, win by 2.
What is the serve rotation in doubles pickleball?
In doubles, both players serve before the side out. Server 1 serves until the rally is lost, then Server 2 serves. After Server 2 loses the rally, the side out occurs and service transfers to the other team. Exception: at the start of the game, only one player serves first (called the 'first server exception') to balance the advantage of starting with service.
How do you call the score in pickleball?
The server must call the score before every serve. In doubles, call three numbers: serving team score, receiving team score, server number. Example: '4-2-1' means the serving team has 4 points, receiving team has 2, and it's the first server's turn. In singles, call two numbers: serving score then receiving score. The score must be called clearly enough for all players to hear before the serve is hit.
What is a side out in pickleball?
A side out in pickleball occurs when service transfers from the serving team to the receiving team. This happens when both servers on the serving team lose their respective rallies (in doubles) or when the server loses a rally (in singles). No point is scored on a side out, only the serve changes hands. The team that received service then becomes the serving team, and their score starts where it was last.
Next steps
Put this into action
Use what you just read to find a game, get on court, and show up prepared.