How Pickleball Scoring Works: Doubles and Singles Explained

For many new players, the most confusing part of pickleball is not the shots, it is the score. Why are there three numbers? Why does it start at 0-0-2? Whose serve is it now? Relax, the system is logical once a few principles click. This article explains how pickleball scoring works step by step, for doubles and singles, so you can call the score with confidence in your next game.

The basics of pickleball scoring

In the traditional system used in most social games, there are three main rules to remember.

1. Only the serving side can score. If the receiving side wins a rally, they do not get a point, but they win the serve or move closer to it.
2. Games are usually played to 11 points. Some groups or tournaments choose 15 or 21.
3. You must win by two. At 10-10, play continues until one side leads by two points, for example 12-10.

What about rally scoring?

Some events and formats use rally scoring, where every rally earns a point for the side that wins it, whoever served. Before you start, make sure everyone agrees which system you are using.

What the three numbers mean in doubles

In doubles, the score is called as three numbers before every serve, in this order:

• First number: the serving side's score.
• Second number: the receiving side's score.
• Third number: whether it is the first or second server, so 1 or 2.

For example, 5-3-1 means the serving side has 5 points, the receiving side has 3, and the first server is serving.

Why start at 0-0-2?

At the start of a game, the side that serves first only gets one server for its opening turn. This reduces the advantage of serving first. That is why the opening score is called 0-0-2, as if the first server has already been used.

Service turns and player positions

This is the part that needs a little attention. Follow this sequence:

When the serving side wins a rally

The serving side scores a point. The server swaps sides with their partner and serves again to the opposite service court. The receiving side does not switch.

When the serving side loses a rally

• If the first server loses the rally, the serve passes to their partner, the second server, who serves from wherever they are standing.
• If the second server then loses a rally, it is a side out and the serve passes to the opponents.

After a side out

The player standing in the right-hand service court becomes the first server for that side.

A quick position check

When your side's score is even, the player who started the game on the right should be on the right. When it is odd, they should be on the left. If the positions do not match, someone has probably lost track of the service order.

How a game might start

Say Team A (Aina and Ben) serves first against Team B.

1. Aina serves from the right and calls 0-0-2. Team A wins the rally. The score becomes 1-0. Aina moves to the left.
2. Aina serves from the left and calls 1-0-2. Team A loses the rally. Because this is the opening turn, it is an immediate side out.
3. Team B now serves. The player on the right calls 0-1-1. If they lose the rally, their partner serves at 0-1-2.
4. If Team B's second server also loses a rally, the serve goes back to Team A.

Play through it a few times and the pattern becomes second nature.

Scoring in singles

Singles is simpler because there is only one player on each side.

• The score is called with just two numbers: the server's score, then the receiver's.
• The server serves from the right when their score is even and from the left when it is odd.
• If the server loses a rally, it is an immediate side out.

Calling the score

Call the score clearly before every serve. If there is a disagreement, pause and replay the last rally together in your head. In social games, agreeing together matters more than winning a single point.

Scoring mistakes beginners make

• Giving the receiving side a point. A receiving side that wins a rally only gains the serve, never a point.
• Forgetting the third number. In doubles the server number matters as much as the score.
• Switching sides after losing a rally. Players only swap after the serving side wins a point.

Wrapping up

In short: only the serving side scores, doubles uses three numbers, games usually go to 11 and must be won by two, and player positions follow an even or odd score. After a session or two you will be calling the score without a second thought.

The easiest way to learn is to play. Browse partner courts on our courts board or the options for pickleball courts near Shah Alam, then send your date and time on WhatsApp. We check with the host and the host confirms the slot.