In pickleball, only the serving side can score a point, and a point is won when the opponent faults. Games are usually played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: your team’s score, the other team’s score, and the server number (1 or 2).
The scoring feels unusual at first because you do not win points on your opponent’s serve. You only stop them from scoring.
The basic scoring rules
- Only the serving team scores. If the receiving team wins the rally, no point is awarded; the serve simply passes over.
- Games go to 11, win by 2. Some tournaments play to 15 or 21, still win by 2.
- A fault ends the rally. Faults include hitting the ball out, into the net, or volleying in the kitchen.
How to call the score in doubles
In doubles you say three numbers before each serve, for example “4-2-1”:
- Your team’s score (4)
- The opposing team’s score (2)
- The server number (1 or 2), which tells everyone whether the first or second server is serving
At the very start of a game the score is called “0-0-2” (also said as “0-0-start”), because the first serving team only gets one server in the opening service turn.
How serving and scoring work together
Each time your team wins a rally on your serve, you score a point and the same server switches sides and serves again. When your team faults, the serve moves to the second server. Once both partners have lost their serve, the serve passes to the other team. This is called a side-out.
Singles is simpler: you still only score on your serve, and you call just two numbers, your score and your opponent’s score.
A quick scoring example
- You serve at 0-0-2 and win the rally. Score becomes 1-0-2, and you switch sides and serve again.
- You lose the next rally. No point to the other team. Because it is the start, the serve goes straight to the opponents (side-out).
- The opponents now serve at 0-1-1 and play continues.
With a little practice, calling the score becomes automatic.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you score on the other team’s serve?
No. In pickleball only the serving side can win a point. If you win a rally on the opponent’s serve, you gain the serve, not a point.
What are the three numbers in pickleball scoring?
They are your team’s score, the opposing team’s score, and the server number (1 or 2). For example, “6-3-2” means your team has 6, theirs has 3, and the second server is serving.
Do you have to win by 2 in pickleball?
Yes. Games go to 11 (or 15 or 21 in some formats), but you must lead by at least 2 points to win. If it reaches 10-10, play continues until one side leads by 2.
Why does the game start at 0-0-2?
The first serving team gets only one server in the opening turn, so it is called with a “2” (or “start”) to keep the rest of the game consistent.
