Pickleball is a fun and fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton. It’s becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam thanks to its accessibility and social nature. However, the Pickleball scoring system can seem confusing to many beginners. Don’t worry! In this article, Olaben will guide you through the simplest and most understandable way to score in both singles and doubles Pickleball matches.
1. Basic Principles of Pickleball Scoring
In Pickleball, only the serving team can score points. This differs from tennis, where both sides can earn points. A standard Pickleball game is played to 11 points, and the winning team must lead by at least 2 points (for example, 11–9).
In competitive matches, games may be played to 15 or 21 points, but the “win by 2” rule always applies.
Example: if the score is 10–10, the game continues until one side reaches 12–10.
2. How to Read and Understand Pickleball Scores
A Pickleball score consists of three numbers, always read in the following order:
(Server’s score) – (Receiver’s score) – (Server number)
For example, a score of 5–3–2 means:
- The serving team has 5 points.
- The receiving team has 3 points.
- The person serving is the second server of their team.
In doubles Pickleball, each team gets two serves per side (except at the very start of the game, when only one player serves). Once both players on a team lose their serve, the ball is handed over to the opponents — this is called a “side out.”
3. Scoring Rules for Singles Pickleball (1 vs 1)
In singles Pickleball, each player only has one serve per turn. The scoring rules remain the same — only the server can score points, and the game ends when one player reaches 11 points and leads by at least 2.
Here’s the key difference:
- If the server’s score is even (0, 2, 4...), they serve from the right side.
- If the score is odd (1, 3, 5...), they serve from the left side.
This alternating serve pattern ensures balance between sides of the court and helps players develop better positioning awareness during matches.
4. Scoring Rules for Doubles Pickleball (2 vs 2)
Doubles Pickleball is the most popular format of the game. Each team has two players, and both get a chance to serve (except for the first serving turn of the match).
Here’s how scoring works in doubles:
- The serving team starts on the right side of the court.
- If they win a rally, they switch sides and continue serving.
- If they lose a rally, the second player on that team serves next.
- When both players have lost their serves, the serve passes to the other team (side out).
Example: If Team A has 4 points, Team B has 2, and the second player on Team A is serving, the score is announced as 4–2–2.
Conclusion
At first, the Pickleball scoring system might seem complicated, but it becomes second nature after a few practice games. Understanding how to keep score correctly helps you stay focused, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and build smarter strategies during matches.
To improve your skills, start with short games, practice proper grip and movement techniques, and use the right equipment. Playing with a Pickleball paddle from Olaben can make a big difference — designed with balanced weight, excellent grip, and optimal control, helping you play more confidently and enjoy every moment on the court.
Keep practicing regularly, and you’ll soon master both the rules and rhythm of Pickleball — an energetic and exciting sport that’s easy to love.
