Pickleball Scoring Rules: Doubles, Singles & Rally
Pickleball scoring looks confusing at first because doubles uses three numbers instead of two. But once you understand what each number represents, the system becomes much easier.
Under traditional side-out scoring, only the serving team can score a point. In doubles, you call the serving team’s score first, the receiving team’s score second, and the server number third.
So a score of 7-4-2 means the serving team has 7 points, the receiving team has 4, and the current player is that team’s second server.
USA Pickleball also recognizes a provisional rally-scoring format in which points can be awarded after rallies regardless of which side served. We’ll explain that separately below.
Pickleball scoring at a glance
| Rule | Traditional side-out scoring |
|---|---|
| Who can score? | Only the serving team |
| Doubles score | Three numbers: serving score, receiving score, server number |
| Singles score | Two numbers |
| Typical game | 11 points, win by 2 |
| Starting doubles score | 0-0-2 |
| Side out | Serve passes to the opponents after the team’s service turn ends |
If you’re completely new to the sport, our How to Play Pickleball guide covers scoring together with serving, the two-bounce rule, and the Kitchen.
How doubles pickleball scoring works
Traditional doubles scoring uses three numbers.
Serving team’s score – receiving team’s score – server number
For example:
6-3-1
- 6: the serving team’s score
- 3: the receiving team’s score
- 1: the current player is Server 1
If the same team’s second server were serving at the same score, the call would be 6-3-2.
What do Server 1 and Server 2 mean?
Server 1 and Server 2 do not permanently identify one player for the entire game.
Instead, they describe the serving order during the team’s current service turn.
When a team gains the serve after a side out, the player who serves first is Server 1. If that team later loses a rally, the partner becomes Server 2.
When Server 2 loses a rally, the service turn ends and the opponents receive the serve. This is called a side out.
Why does a doubles game start at 0-0-2?
The traditional starting score in doubles is:
0-0-2
This is one of the strangest rules for beginners.
Normally, both teammates get a chance to serve before a side out. But at the beginning of the game, the team that serves first gets only one server.
Calling that player Server 2 makes the normal scoring sequence work immediately: once the first serving team loses its service rally, the serve passes to the opponents.
After that first side out, both players on each team normally get their serving opportunity.
How does a team score a point?
In traditional side-out scoring, the serving team scores when it wins the rally.
If the receiving team wins the rally, it does not receive a point. Instead, one of two things happens:
- If Server 1 was serving, the team’s partner becomes Server 2.
- If Server 2 was serving, a side out occurs and the opponents gain the serve.
The exception is the very first service turn of the game, when the starting team begins with only one server.
When do doubles players switch sides?
The serving team’s two players switch their left-right positions whenever their team scores a point while serving.
The same server then serves again from the other side.
If the serving team loses the rally, the partners do not switch simply because the serve changes to their partner or the opponents.
The even-odd rule makes positioning easier
There is an easy way to check whether players are standing in the correct positions.
The player who started the game on the right side for a team will be on the right whenever that team’s score is even.
- Even team score: starting player is on the right
- Odd team score: starting player is on the left
This works because the teammates switch positions every time they score while serving.
Doubles scoring example
Imagine Team A starts the game.
- Team A starts at 0-0-2.
- Team A wins the rally. The score becomes 1-0-2.
- The two Team A players switch sides and the same server serves again.
- Team A loses the next rally.
- Because the opening server was already treated as Server 2, there is a side out.
- Team B now begins its normal service turn with Server 1.
From this point onward, Team B can normally use Server 1 and Server 2 before the next side out.
How singles scoring works
Singles scoring is simpler because there is no partner and therefore no Server 1 or Server 2.
You call only two numbers:
Server’s score – receiver’s score
A singles score might therefore be 5-3.
Under traditional side-out scoring, the server scores a point by winning the rally. If the receiver wins the rally, the serve changes sides without a point being awarded.
Which side do you serve from in singles?
Your own score determines your serving position:
- Even score: serve from the right side
- Odd score: serve from the left side
For example, at 0, 2, 4, or 6 points you serve from the right. At 1, 3, 5, or 7 you serve from the left.
This even-right, odd-left pattern is one of the easiest ways to remember singles positioning.
How many points do you need to win?
A common pickleball game is played to 11 points, win by 2.
That means a score of 11-10 does not end the game. Play continues until one side leads by at least two points, such as 12-10, 13-11, or 16-14.
Other formats can use games to 15 or 21, particularly in organized competition, so always check the format before starting.
What is rally scoring in pickleball?
Rally scoring is an alternative system where a point can be awarded based on who wins the rally rather than limiting scoring to the serving side.
USA Pickleball has provisionally approved rally scoring for specified formats, so you may encounter both systems depending on the league or tournament.
| Side-out scoring | Rally scoring | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving team wins rally | Serving team scores | Serving team scores |
| Receiving team wins rally | No point; service sequence changes | Receiving team can score |
| Doubles server number | Server 1 / Server 2 | Rally formats use a different service sequence |
| Best for beginners to learn first | Yes, because it remains the familiar traditional format | Learn when your event uses it |
Because rally-scoring rules and tournament eligibility can change, check the current rules for an organized event rather than assuming it uses the same system as your recreational games.
Side-out scoring vs rally scoring
The biggest difference is what happens when the receiving side wins a rally.
In side-out scoring, winning as the receiver helps you regain or advance toward the serve, but it does not directly increase your score.
In rally scoring, the same rally may also produce a point.
For a new recreational player, learning traditional side-out scoring first is useful because it teaches the three-number doubles score and service rotation you will commonly encounter.
Common scoring mistakes
| Mistake | Correct idea |
|---|---|
| Thinking 6-4-2 means three team scores | The third number identifies Server 1 or Server 2. |
| Thinking one player is always Server 1 | The server number resets when a team begins a new service turn. |
| Starting a doubles game at 0-0-1 | Traditional doubles begins at 0-0-2. |
| Switching positions after losing a rally | In traditional scoring, the serving team switches sides when it scores. |
| Using three numbers in singles | Singles has no server number, so only two scores are called. |
| Assuming every game uses identical scoring | Check whether the game uses side-out or rally scoring. |
An easy way to remember doubles scoring
When someone calls 8-5-1, mentally translate it into:
- We have 8.
- They have 5.
- This is our first server.
That is essentially the entire three-number score.
The more difficult part is keeping track of where everyone belongs on the court. For that, remember the second shortcut: the player who started on the right will be on the right when the team’s score is even and on the left when it is odd.
The scoring rules beginners actually need
You do not need to memorize every tournament scoring provision before your first game. Start with these:
- In traditional scoring, only the serving team scores.
- Doubles calls three numbers: serving score, receiving score, server number.
- The traditional starting doubles score is 0-0-2.
- After the opening service turn, both teammates normally get a chance to serve.
- Most casual games are played to 11 and must be won by 2.
- In singles, serve from the right when your score is even and the left when it is odd.
- If an event uses rally scoring, confirm its scoring and service format before playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does pickleball use three numbers?
Doubles side-out scoring uses three numbers because the score call includes the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and whether the current player is Server 1 or Server 2.
What does 0-0-2 mean?
It means both teams have zero points and the current player is designated as Server 2. Traditional doubles starts this way because the first serving team receives only one server before the first side out.
Can you score when you are not serving?
Not in traditional side-out scoring. Under an applicable rally-scoring format, however, the receiving side can also earn points from rallies.
Do you have to win pickleball by two points?
Yes, standard game formats require a two-point winning margin. A game to 11 therefore continues beyond 11 if the score is 10-10.
Which side do you serve from at an even score?
In singles, you serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it is odd. Doubles positioning also uses the even-right and odd-left pattern to help track the starting player.
