How to Score in Pickleball – Quick Beginner’s Guide

django unchained
Sep 10
2 min read

Pickleball is fast, fun, and beginner-friendly — but scoring can confuse new players at first. This quick guide will explain how to score in pickleball so you can step onto the court with confidence.

Why Scoring in Pickleball Is Different

Unlike tennis or badminton, only the serving team can score points. This makes rallies longer, fairer, and more exciting. Understanding how to score in pickleball is the first step to enjoying the game.

The Basics of Pickleball Scoring

Games are typically played to 11 points.
A team must win by 2 points.
Only the serving side can win a point.

👉 Example: If you serve and win the rally, you score. If you lose the rally, no one scores — but the serve passes.

The Three-Number Score Call

In doubles play, scoring is announced with three numbers:

Server’s score – Receiver’s score – Server number.

If the score is 3-2-1, it means:

The serving team has 3 points.
The receiving team has 2 points.
It is the first server’s turn.

Rotation of Serve

Each team has two servers (except at the start of the game).
When one server loses their rally, the second server takes over.
After both servers lose, the serve passes to the other team.

This system ensures balance — everyone gets to serve, and rallies stay competitive.

Scoring in Singles vs Doubles

Singles: Same rules apply, but each player serves alone.
Doubles: Most common in India, especially in clubs and gated communities.

Quick Recap

Games go to 11, win by 2.
Only servers score points.
Scores are called with three numbers.
Serve rotates between teammates in doubles.

Once you master how to score in pickleball, the game feels intuitive and flows quickly.