How to Keep Score in Pickleball: A Beginner’s Guide

Pickleball has quickly grown from a backyard hobby into one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Whether you're playing recreationally or entering local tournaments, knowing how to keep score in pickleball is essential. Unlike tennis or badminton, pickleball scoring has its own set of unique rules that can confuse beginners at first. But once you grasp the fundamentals, it becomes instinctive.

Understanding the Basics of Pickleball Scoring

Pickleball uses a rally-based rotation system with side-outs, meaning only the serving team can score points. This is different from rally scoring, which awards points on every rally regardless of who served—a system sometimes used in informal games but not official tournaments.

Here are the core principles:

• Games are typically played to 11 points, but must be won by at least 2.
• Only the serving team can score.
• In doubles, every team member has an opportunity to serve, except the initial server of the game.
• The score is always called as three numbers in doubles: server’s score – receiver’s score – server number (1 or 2).

How to Keep Score in Doubles Pickleball

Doubles is the most popular format in pickleball, and understanding how scoring works in this format is key.

Initial Serve

At the beginning of the game, the team that serves first will only get one chance to serve before the serve switches to the other team. This aims to remove the benefit of serving first.

So, the first server’s score call starts with: 0–0–2
This means:

• Server’s team has 0 points
• Receiving team has 0 points
• The server is the second server (even though it’s the first turn), indicating that after this rally, serve will switch sides.

Subsequent Serves

After the initial side-out, both players on each team get a chance to serve in each turn. Here's how it flows:

• Server 1 serves and continues serving if they win the rally.
• If they lose a rally, Server 2 gets to serve.
• If Server 2 also loses a rally, it’s a side-out—serve goes to the other team.

Every time a point is won while serving, the server switches sides (left to right or right to left). When a team fails to win both serves, their rivals gain the serve.

Calling the Score

When announcing the score prior to serving in doubles:

• First say your team’s score
• Then say the opponent’s score
• Then say whether you are server 1 or 2

Example: If your team has 5 points, the other team has 3, and you are the second server on your team, the score call is: 5–3–2

How to Keep Score in Singles Pickleball

Singles scoring is simpler than doubles because there is only one server per side.

Basic Rules

• You can only score on your serve.
• The game is played to 11 points, win by 2.
• When the server wins a rally, they score a point and switch sides (left or right).
• When the server loses a rally, it’s a side-out and the opponent becomes the server.

Score Call Format

In singles, you only call two numbers:

• Your score
• Opponent’s score

Example: If you have 6 points and your opponent has 4, you call: 6–4

The side from which you serve is also dictated by your score:

• Even score = right side
• Odd score = left side

This helps players keep track of their own positions without extra markers.

Visual Guide: Pickleball Scoring in Action

Let’s walk through a sample doubles rally:

1. Team A starts the game:

· First serve: Score is 0–0–2

· When Team A fails to win the rally, the service right transfers to Team B

2. Team B's first server serves:

· Score: 0–0–1

· They win the rally → now it's 1–0–1

· Server switches sides and continues

3. Eventually, both Team B servers lose → Side-out to Team A

· Score: 2–0–1

· Team A scores → 3–0–1

· Loses next rally → Server 2 serves: 3–0–2

By tracking each step clearly and calling scores aloud, confusion is minimized.

Common Mistakes When Keeping Score in Pickleball

Even experienced players occasionally make mistakes. Here are the most frequent ones to avoid:

1. Calling the Score Incorrectly

This can lead to confusion, especially in doubles. Always call your team’s score first, then the opponent’s, then the server number.

2. Forgetting the Server Number

Especially in doubles, it's easy to forget whether you're Server 1 or 2. Many players use wristbands, visual cues, or a mental trick (like remembering who started on the right side).

3. Serving from the Wrong Side

This happens when players forget the rule:

· Even score → right side

· Odd score → left side
This rule applies in both singles and doubles.

4. Changing Servers After Every Point in Singles

Unlike tennis, you do not switch servers after every point. Only the player who won the rally and earned a point continues serving until they fail to win.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pickleball Scoring

Q1: Do you switch sides after every point in pickleball?

A: No. In doubles, you only switch sides when your team wins a point while serving. In singles matches, players switch sides exclusively when the server gains a point. If the receiving team wins the rally, no one switches sides.

Q2: What happens if I call the wrong score before serving?

A: If the mistake is caught before the serve is made, correct it and start over. If the serve is made and the rally is completed, the point usually stands unless a referee or opponent disputes the score based on official rules.

Q3: Can both players on a team serve during one turn in doubles?

A: Yes, both players get a chance to serve—Player 1 serves until a rally is lost, then Player 2 takes over. Once both lose a rally, it's a side-out and the opposing team serves.

Q4: How do I remember if I’m Server 1 or Server 2?

A: The player initiating play from the right side of the court at the game’s outset is consistently designated as Server 1. You maintain that designation even if you switch sides later.

Q5: Do tournaments use different scoring rules?

A: Most official tournaments follow traditional side-out scoring to 11 points, win by 2. However, some recreational leagues may experiment with rally scoring or longer games to 15 or 21. Always check the tournament format in advance.

Tips for Keeping Score Accurately

If you're new to pickleball, here are some helpful tips to avoid getting lost in the scoring:

· Always announce the score loudly before serving—it helps both teams stay oriented.

· Use a scorekeeping app or wrist scoreboard during practice games.

· Designate one player as the score tracker, especially in informal games.

· After every side-out, take a moment to verify who should be serving and from which side.

· For tournament games, refer to the official USA Pickleball Rulebook to understand score challenges or referee protocols.

What About Rally Scoring?

While traditional scoring remains the official standard in most leagues and tournaments, rally scoring is being tested in some formats, especially recreational play or doubles clubs.

With rally scoring:

· A point is awarded in each rally, irrespective of which team was serving.

· Games are often played to 15 or 21, win by 2.

· This system speeds up games and simplifies scoring for newcomers.

otably, in competitive settings, the traditional side-out scoring system remains the standard in 2025.

Learning how to keep score in pickleball may feel confusing at first, but once you understand the rhythm of serves, sides, and score calls, it becomes intuitive. Whether you’re playing singles or doubles, the key is consistency and communication.

So next time you step onto the court, serve confidently, call your score clearly, and enjoy the game. Scoring isn’t just a formality—it’s part of the strategy that makes pickleball so fun and fast-paced.