Unlike many sports, pickleball scoring includes multiple numbers, server positions, and unique rules depending on whether the game is played in singles or doubles. Understanding scoring is essential because it affects strategy, positioning, and momentum throughout a match. This guide explains everything from the basic scoring system to advanced scenarios players encounter during competitive play.
How to Keep Score in Pickleball
Only the Serving Team Scores. In traditional pickleball scoring, only the serving team can score points. If the receiving team wins a rally, they do not score a point. Instead, they gain the serve. This concept is called side-out scoring. Example: Team A serves and wins the rally → Team A scores a point. Team A serves and loses the rally → No point is scored. The serve changes. The only difference is if time is running out you can opt for Rally Scoring in Pickleball instead.
What score do you play to in pickleball?
Almost always two sets of teams, or 2 players when playing singles, will play until one team reaches 11 points. In some tournaments you may need to play until 15 but in either regards but always the win-by-two rule always applies.
What do the 3 numbers in pickleball scoring mean?
Starting Score of a Doubles Pickleball Game or singles game always begins with 0-0-2. The first number is the score of the team who is serving, the second number is the score of the opposing team and the third number is who is serving (the first server or second server on that side). The first person scoring with a 0-0 score would say 0-0-1.
The only change to this is the very first serve of the game is 0-0-2 because the first side only gets 1 serve so the third number is 2. Every other subsequent score would go back to the rule above. To keep accurate track of things you can use our Pickleball Score Sheets Printable.
How to Win Points in a Pickleball Game
Points are earned when the serving team wins a rally, yes you must be serving in order to gain a point in the game. A rally ends when:
- The ball lands out of bounds, outside the lines
- A player hits the ball into the net
- A fault occurs meaning they miss the ball entirely
- The ball bounces twice before returning, that would be out
- A kitchen violation occurs, you cannot step into the kitchen and hit the ball without it bouncing first
If the serving team wins the rally, they gain a point and continue serving.
How to Keep Track of the Score
I have created a few PDFs as far as this goes. If you need to provide a reminder to your group you can tape this Pickleball Scoring Printable on the wall to remind everyone of the rules etc… Once you have determined a winner of that game you can write it on this Free Pickleball Bracket Sheet to have the winners play one another and work your way to one ultimate #1 in the group which can be fun.
FAQ
The easiest way to not lose track of what your score is to remember where you started. If you are serving at that same location (side) your score is even (0,2,4,6….). If you are serving on the side you didn’t start the game on your score will be odd. The third number will be 1 or 2 whether you are the first server or the second.
You should learn how to do it accurately before you start to play from the get go. The first number is the score of the serving team, the second number is the score of their opponent and the third number is whether you’re the first or second server. Example 0-0-2 would be a 0-0 score served by the second server.
