How to Score in a Doubles Pickleball Game
At the beginning when you are learning how to play pickleball, scoring is a bit confusing for everyone. Once you understand it will become second nature once it is your turn to hit it crosscourt over the net to start the game but it is different from any other game out there. In doubles, well….there are 2 people on each side playing in pairs. That makes sense. MOST of the time everyone gets a turn to serve (which makes sense) until they lose that point and then it goes to their partner, and on to the other side EXCEPT for the first serve of the game. Let’s go over how to begin;
Basics of Pickleball Scoring in a Doubles Game
- First Number (0) = The serving team’s score.
- Second Number (0) = The receiving team’s score.
- Third Number (2) = The server number, which indicates that the game starts with the second server position.
The Starting Score of a Doubles Pickleball Game
When you first start the game you need to figure out which side has won the serve. You can do this by spinning your racket and have someone from the other side choose “serve up, or serve down”. Look at your paddle, if the writing is up and they called up then they get to serve. You could choose another way to determine this but this is pretty simple.
Once this is determined the person in the starting position will say the starting serve out loud for everyone to hear which is always zero, zero, two (or some say start instead of 2). Each of these numbers has a meaning and will be adjusted as so as the game continues and the score increases on either side of the court. Let’s understand more of these odd pickleball rules and why it starts off this way….. (affiliate links present)
Why Start at 0-0-2?
In doubles pickleball, each team typically has two opportunities to serve per turn, one for each partner. However, at the start of the game, only one partner from the first serving team serves before the serve switches to the opposing team. This is done to balance the advantage of serving first out at the start of everything.
- 0-0 means that neither side has scored anything
- The “2” number represents the server. Meaning that the serving team is on their second server (even though it’s the first serve of the game).
- After the initial serve of the wiffle ball and there is a fault or a side-out, then normal service rules apply. From there both players on each team will have the opportunity to serve during their team’s turn.
With players facing the net, the player on the right side of the pickleball court is the person who serves. Typically it is the side on the North that begins but that may differ in each gym if they for some reason have a different reason why the other side starts.
The team that did not serve first in game one will serve first in game two of a best-of-three series. This alternation ensures fairness by giving both teams the opportunity to start serving in one of the first two games. Scoring system remains the same, up to 11 or 2 more than the other side with this as well.
To win points the serving team scores. If you are serving and win the back and forth, your team scores 1 point. If the other side serves and you win the back and forth, you do NOT score a point, the serve passes to the next person.
Gameplay Example
- The game starts at 0-0-2, and Player A (on the serving team) serves.
- If the serving team loses the rally, the serve goes to the opposing team.
- The opposing team starts their serve sequence at 0-0-1, with Player X serving first.
- If/when they lose or miss it transitions to their teammate to serve which would become 0-0-2 since they are the second server.
Scoring Rules in Doubles
Scoring in doubles pickleball can initially seem a bit complex, but it’s straightforward once you understand the basics. Here’s a detailed explanation of the scoring rules in doubles pickleball:
Are Points Only Scored by the Serving Team?
Yes, this is true in pickleball and in almost all other racket sports as well. That means you can only score a point when your team is the side that is serving. The receiving team cannot score points; they can only gain the right to serve by winning a rally (this is called a “side-out”).
How many points do you need to win a doubles pickleball game?
Matches are usually played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points (e.g., 11-9 or 12-10). Some tournaments use alternate scoring formats, such as games to 15 or 21 points, also requiring a 2-point win margin.
How to Start a Doubles Game
At the beginning of the game, the score starts at 0-0-2. The “2” means the game starts with the second server position to balance the advantage of serving first. The first serving team has only one serve opportunity before a side-out occurs, at which point the opposing team gains the serve.
Each player on a team gets the chance to serve before a side-out occurs (except at the start of the game). The serving sequence works as follows: First Server (1): The first player serves until they lose a rally. Second Server (2): The second player on the same team serves until they lose a rally. After the second server loses the rally, it’s a side-out, and the opposing team gets to serve.
Do you switch sides when serving in pickleball?
Yes you do IF you won the point. Players only switch sides of the court with their partner when they score a point while serving. This means that the serving player and their partner stay in their current positions until their team earns a point. The opposing team’s positions stay the same on the other side even if their opponents are moving.
Do you switch sides of the court during a pickleball game?
No, switching usually only takes place after you play an entire game and are playing with the same group. This gives everyone an opportunity to serve and sometimes the lighting is different so it evens out the matches. The only time you would switch mid-game is if you are in a tournament where there is only 1 game played with the same 4 players. Most of the time halfway thru you would then switch to the other side to even the playing field.
How to Keep Track of the Score in Pickleball
If you have lost track of how many points each side has (which you will since you aren’t concentrating on that while playing), remember which side you started on. If you were the first server, the score is odd in nature. Meaning if you started the initial serve and you are in that position again and do have points, you have 1,3,5 etc… points. You will always have an odd score if you are once again in that place.
You then call the score out loud enough for everyone to hear in the format: [Serving Team Score] – [Receiving Team Score] – [Server Number]. For example it may sound like this mid-game; 3-2-1: The serving team has 3 points, the receiving team has 2 points, and it is the first server’s turn to serve. 5-7-2: The serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 7 points, and it is the second pickleball player’s turn to serve.
If you are hosting a round robin or tournament you can then post end scores on a pickleball bracket sheet. Each winning team will then move on to the next bracket slot to play that winner.
What does Side-Out mean?
A “side-out” occurs when both players on the serving team lose their serve. At this point: The serve is handed over to the opposing team. The opposing team starts with their first server (e.g., the score could now be 5-7-1).
Example of Pickleball Doubles Scoring
- The game starts at 0-0-2. Player A serves.
- Player A serves into the net. Side-out occurs, and the opposing team takes the serve.
- The score is now 0-0-1, with Player X on the new serving team serving.
- Player X wins the rally, making the score 1-0-1. Player X and their partner switch sides.
- Player X loses the next rally. Now it’s Player Y’s turn to serve, with the score at 1-0-2.
- Player Y loses the rally, resulting in a side-out. The serve goes back to the original team, with the score still 1-0.
How do you win a doubles game?
A team wins when they reach 11 points (or the agreed-upon target score) AND also must have a lead of at least 2 points. If the game is tied at 10-10, the play continues until one team achieves a 2-point lead (e.g., 12-10). In some tournaments you must play to 15 points which would follow these same rules where you must win by 2 more than the other side.
Tips for Scoring in Doubles
- Always announce the score loudly and clearly before serving. It helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone knows the current standing.
- Remember your position and whether you’re the first or second server for your team.
- If you’re unsure about the rules, consult the official USA Pickleball Rulebook, which outlines all scoring and gameplay details.
With a bit of practice, the scoring rules in doubles pickleball will become second nature, allowing you to focus on enjoying the game!
