How to keep score in pickleball
By the PaddleBag team · Updated October 5, 2026 · Basahin sa Tagalog
Scoring is the part of pickleball that confuses new players the most. Once you know what the three numbers mean and who serves next, it clicks fast. Here's how it works, step by step.
The basics
- Most games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2.
- Only the serving team can score a point.
- Tournament games are sometimes played to 15 or 21, still win by 2.
- The server calls the score out loud before every serve.
What the three numbers mean (doubles)
In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2). A call of "4-2-1" means the serving team has 4, the receivers have 2, and the first server on the team is serving.
Each player on the serving team gets a turn to serve. When the first server loses a rally, their partner becomes server 2. When server 2 loses a rally, it's a side out and the serve goes to the other team.
Why games start at 0-0-2
To keep the start fair, only one player on the first serving team serves before the first side out. That player is treated as server 2, so the first call of the game is "0-0-2". After the first side out, both players on each team serve in turn as normal.
Where to stand when serving
The first serve of every service turn comes from the right side of the court. When the serving team wins a rally, the server switches sides with their partner and serves again to the other diagonal box. The receiving team does not switch sides.
A quick check: the player who started the game on the right should be on the right whenever their team's score is even, and on the left when it's odd. If that's off, someone is out of position.
Singles scoring
Singles uses two numbers: your score, then your opponent's score. There's no server number, because you're the only server. Serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it's odd.
Rally scoring
With rally scoring, a point is scored on every rally, no matter who served. Games move faster and are often played to 21. Some pro leagues and events use rally scoring, but most open play in the Philippines still uses traditional side-out scoring.
Before a game with new people, agree on the format first: side-out or rally, and what score you're playing to.
Common scoring mistakes
- Forgetting to switch sides after the serving team scores.
- Calling the receiving team's score first.
- Skipping server 2 and handing the serve straight to the other team.
- Starting the game at 0-0-1 instead of 0-0-2.
Keep score and rotate fairly at open play
Running a session? Smart Stack keeps the queue moving and records game scores so everyone gets a fair turn.
FAQ
What does 0-0-2 mean in pickleball?
It's the opening score in doubles: 0 for the serving team, 0 for the receiving team, and server 2. Only one player serves before the first side out, so they start as the second server.
Can you score when you are not serving in pickleball?
Not in traditional scoring. Only the serving team scores. If the receiving team wins the rally, they win the serve (or move to the second server), not a point. In rally scoring, either team can score on any rally.
What is a side out in pickleball?
A side out is when the serve passes from one team to the other, after both servers on the serving team have lost a rally.
Do you have to win by 2 in pickleball?
Yes. Games are usually played to 11 and must be won by 2 points, so a game can go past 11.