Pickleball Scoring Rules: How Not to Lose Track and Embarrass Yourself

Pickleball’s popularity is exploding, but, let’s be honest, the scoring rules can sometimes feel trickier than actually returning a spin serve. If you’re new, you’ve probably wondered, “Why are there three numbers in the score? Am I losing, or just confused?” Here’s the core: you only score points when your team serves, and most games go to 11 points—win by 2. (If you’re in a tournament, buckle up, because games might go to 15 or even 21.)

Knowing the official pickleball rules can save you from confusion and maybe even earn you a little respect—at the very least, you’ll avoid those exasperated looks from friends. Remember, doubles games use three numbers, and the score always follows this order: your score, your opponents’ score, and your server number. That way, you’re never left guessing who should serve or why everyone’s out of place.

If your first games feel like a math quiz, don’t sweat it. Once you pick up the basics, calling the score will feel as natural as smashing a winner. Want to keep your game moving and your partner happy? Stick to these pickleball scoring rules right from the start.

Fundamentals Of Pickleball Scoring

Scoring in pickleball looks tricky at first, but give it a few games and you’ll be rattling off numbers and celebrating side outs like you’ve been playing for years. Knowing the rules, understanding the court, and having the right gear just makes winning by two even sweeter.

Basic Rules And Terminology

Pickleball scoring rules sound simple once you’ve played a little. In standard play, only the serving team gets points. Games usually go to 11 points, but you have to win by 2.

You’ll hear people call out three numbers before a serve. For doubles, those numbers mean server score, receiver score, and server number (1 or 2), so everyone knows what’s going on. If you’re lost, you’re in good company—most beginners feel that way at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.

When your team loses a rally while serving, that’s a side-out—and the other team takes over serving. Want more detail? Check out this pickleball scoring guide.

Understanding Pickleball Courts

Imagine a rectangle with enough lines to make you dizzy. The pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.

The baseline runs along the back, and the sides are called sidelines. The non-volley zone—better known as “the kitchen”—sits seven feet from the net on both sides. Don’t stand in there unless you want to break a rule.

Players can’t volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in the kitchen. If a shot lands out of bounds, that’s a freebie for your opponents. Learning where you can and can’t step helps you avoid faults and score more points.

Essential Equipment For Scoring Success

Having the right gear won’t magically make you a scoring master, but it definitely helps. Paddles are your main tool—pick one that feels comfortable in your hand.

Don’t show up with a tennis racket; people will stare, and you’ll probably lose. The pickleball itself is a light plastic ball full of holes, kind of like a whiffle ball that’s been hitting the gym.

Wear good court shoes so you can stop on a dime when chasing balls near the lines. If you want to keep score easily, try a wristband scorekeeper—or just call the score loud enough for everyone. The right gear lets you focus on the game and those tense “win by two” moments.

How Scoring Works In Pickleball

Pickleball scoring isn’t quite like tennis or ping pong. You don’t need to be a math whiz, but a decent memory helps.

Only the team serving can win points, and each player on a team gets a shot at serving before the other team takes over.

Point Scoring System Explained

Pickleball uses a side-out scoring system. The serving team is the only one who can rack up points—if you’re not serving, you’re just playing defense and hoping to get your turn.

Games usually play to 11 points, but you have to win by at least 2. So, if you’re at 10 and your partner starts celebrating, maybe hold off on the high-fives.

Each rally decides if you get a point or if someone else takes over serving. In doubles, you call out three numbers: your team’s score, the other team’s score, and your server number (1 or 2). In singles, it’s just two numbers—yours and your opponent’s.

If you want to feel like a secret agent, try calling out “6-4-1” or “8-7-2” with some flair. For a good breakdown, check out this beginner’s guide to pickleball scoring.

Game summary table for classic pickleball matches:

Game Type	Points To Win	Win Margin
Doubles	11	2
Singles	11	2

Serving Team vs. Receiving Team

Every rally starts with a serve. If you’re serving, you’re in control—at least until you lose the point.

Only the serving team can score. The receiving team can play their hearts out, but they’ll have to wait for their turn to serve before they can add to their score.

When the server loses a rally, the serve switches to their partner. If you’re the second server and lose the rally, the other team gets the serve.

That’s why the score callouts can sound like secret codes. The first team’s opening serve only uses one server before switching, which is a little different from other racket sports.

You keep serving, changing sides each time, until you lose a rally. After both servers lose their serve, the other team gets a shot. This back-and-forth continues, and things get tense—especially when your partner is staring at you, hoping you’ll keep the serve alive.

Players need to stick to the right sequence to avoid confusion (and maybe a little drama from opponents). If you want to dive into the details, check out the official serving and scoring rules.

Serving Rules And Scoring Opportunities

You’ll only score points when your team serves, which can feel a little unfair—especially after you pull off a great shot. If you want your next rally to count, you’ll need to remember a few key serving do’s (and don’ts) to keep your serve legal and the game running smoothly.

How To Serve—Correctly (And Legally!)

Serving in pickleball isn’t exactly Olympic-level, but it can feel that way when everyone’s watching. Keep it legal by hitting underhand, making contact below your waist, and keeping at least one foot behind the baseline.

Don’t try any fancy jump serves—they’re not allowed and will just get you in trouble. There are two ways to serve: the classic volley serve or the drop serve.

For a volley serve, you hit the ball out of the air. If you’d rather let gravity help, go for the drop serve—just let the ball bounce, then hit it.

Whichever you choose, keep your feet off the court and don’t step on the baseline. If your serve clips the net but lands in the right spot, that’s a “let serve”—you get to try again.

Only the serving team can score, so make those serves count if you want to win—not just look good.

The Double-Bounce Rule

Once you serve, both teams need to let the ball bounce once on their side before volleying. That’s the “double-bounce rule,” and ignoring it is a quick way to lose a point.

Here’s the gist:

• Serve: You hit the ball over, and it has to bounce in your opponent’s service box.
• Return: Your opponent returns it, and it must bounce on your side.
• Rally: Now you can volley, but only after each side has had a bounce.

This rule stops sneaky net smashes right after the serve. It slows things down and gives everyone a shot at the rally.

Break it, and you don’t just lose the rally—you lose a little dignity too. For more on how the double-bounce rule plays out, check this pickleball scoring guide.

Scoring In Doubles Pickleball

In doubles pickleball, you have to track more than just the score. You need to know the serving order and where you’re standing, or you’ll quickly get lost.

Doubles Play Sequence

Each team in doubles has two players. Don’t worry—it’s not twice as confusing, though it can feel that way sometimes.

You only score when your team is serving, not when you’re receiving. The score is called out as three numbers, like “5-3-1.” The first number is your team’s score, the second is your opponents’ score, and the third is the server number (1 or 2).

The server number shows which teammate is serving. When your team wins the serve back, the first server always starts on the right side.

If you’re the second server, you get your chance after your partner loses their serve. Most official doubles games use this three-number format for pickleball scoring.

Positioning On The Court

You and your partner stand on opposite sides of your team’s half of the court.

The server always starts on the right (even) court, while your partner hangs out on the left. It’s kind of like musical chairs—except everyone’s clutching a paddle and nobody wants to end up in the kitchen (that non-volley zone).

After every point you win while serving, you and your partner switch sides.

You only switch when you actually win a point. If you lose the rally, you either swap servers or hand the serve to the other team. It depends on whether you were the first or second server.

Remember: you can’t step into the kitchen to hit a ball out of the air. If you do, that’s a fault.

Not sure who should be serving or where you should stand? Check the score and try to recall who started the game serving for your team.

Mixing up positions can cost you points and, honestly, give your partner more ammo for playful teasing. For a deeper dive into proper placement, check out these pickleball positioning rules.

Singles Scoring Rules

Pickleball singles scoring is pretty straightforward, but it has its own quirks.

You’ll rely on sharp serves, clever returns, and smart court movement to snatch points from your opponent.

Singles Play Explained

In singles, it’s just you against one other player.

The court stays the same size as doubles, but you have to cover every inch yourself—it’s your own personal cardio test.

You can only score points while serving.

If you mess up or your return lands in the kitchen, your service turn ends, and your opponent gets to serve. Games usually go to 11 points, but you have to win by at least 2.

So if you’re stuck at 10 and your opponent keeps matching you, get ready to dig in.

Serve underhand, below your waist, and always from behind the baseline.

Your score determines which side you serve from: even scores (0, 2, 4…) mean you serve from the right, odd scores (1, 3, 5…) mean you serve from the left.

There’s no second server in singles—if you lose your point, your opponent takes over.

The rules don’t allow sneaky drop serves from the halfway line, either.

For more details, check out this breakdown of pickleball singles scoring rules.

Serving And Returning Tips

Winning in singles isn’t just about smacking the ball around—you’ve got to outthink your opponent from the very start.

Try serving deep, close to your opponent’s baseline, to make their return tougher.

Mix up your serves: hit a driven serve to keep them on their toes, or throw in a drop serve (if it’s allowed) to mess with their timing.

The main goal? Keep your opponent guessing.

When returning, stay near the baseline.

If you stand too close to the net, a deep serve will have you sprinting like it’s gym class.

Return deep shots to push your opponent back, or try a gentle drop shot if they seem slow to react.

Singles means tons of court to cover, so move smoothly and skip the frantic running.

If your opponent leaves a side open, just go for it.

For more tactical help, check out these pickleball singles serving strategies.

Faults, Out Of Bounds, And Other Mishaps

Nobody likes making mistakes in pickleball, but if you know the rules, you’ll argue less and play more.

Let’s break down what can go wrong, when you lose a point, and why staying out of the kitchen matters—for your game and, let’s be honest, your pride.

The Many Ways To Fault

Faults are the ultimate buzzkill in pickleball.

They end your rally and give the serve or point to your opponent. Here are some classic ways to fault:

• Hitting Out Of Bounds: If the ball lands outside the lines, it’s out. No bonus points for dramatic dives.
• Not Clearing The Net: If your shot hits the net, that’s a fault—unless you want to blame the wind, I guess.
• Volleying Before The Double Bounce: The “double-bounce rule” says both sides have to let the ball bounce once after the serve before anyone volleys. Miss that, you’re at fault.
• Stepping On Lines During Serves: Your feet need to stay behind the line on the serve, like there’s an invisible fence for your toes.

Any of these mistakes make the ball “dead” and stop play right away.

Need a full list of what can ruin your rally? Check out these common pickleball mistakes and faults.

Kitchen And Non-Volley Zone Rules

The “kitchen” isn’t for snacks—it’s the seven-foot zone on both sides of the net, officially called the non-volley zone.

You can’t hit a volley (a shot in the air, before it bounces) while standing in this area.

If you’ve got even one toe in the kitchen while volleying, that’s a fault.

If you fall into the kitchen after your volley, that’s still a fault.

You can stand in the kitchen all day if you want—just don’t volley there.

Dinking (gently tapping the ball so it lands in the kitchen) is totally allowed and can be a sneaky move.

Respect the kitchen rules and stay quick on your feet. For more on what’s banned in the kitchen, check out the official rules around the kitchen and non-volley zone.

Common Mistakes And How Not To Embarrass Yourself

Nobody wants to be the person who argues about the score or serves out of turn.

Learning the scoring system, side-outs, and those sneaky let serves will help you avoid awkward moments and silent judgment from your partner.

Avoiding Scoring Confusion

Ever call the wrong score and pretend you were just testing your opponent’s memory?

Keeping the right score is half the battle, and even seasoned players get tripped up.

In doubles, you need to announce three numbers before every serve: your team’s score, their score, and your server number (1 or 2).

Mixing up the service sequence can earn you a death glare from your partner.

After each side-out, the person on the right serves for your team, and you only switch sides when you win a point on your serve.

Here’s a mini checklist so you don’t get caught:

• Announce the full score before every serve.
• Double-check who should serve.
• Switch sides with your partner after every point you win while serving.

If you’re not sure, just ask.

Nobody likes the person who fakes it and gets it wrong.

Let Serves And Side-Outs

If your serve clips the net and lands in the right service box, don’t panic.

That’s a let serve, and in pickleball, you just replay the serve. No points, no drama.

Now, about side-outs. It sounds official, but it just means your team lost the rally and the other side gets to serve.

One of the most common mistakes is not knowing whose serve it is after a side-out.

Remember:

• A side-out hands the serve to the other team.
• During your turn as server number 2, watch for that side-out.
• No points are scored on a let serve—so don’t claim a point you didn’t win!

Sometimes, games move so fast your head spins.

Take a breath, focus, and don’t treat a let serve or side-out like it’s a life-or-death moment. Just serve again and get back to the fun.

Official Guidelines And History

Official pickleball rules can get weirdly specific.

But who actually set them up? The journey from backyard experiments to rulebooks and tournaments is more interesting—and maybe a little weirder—than you’d expect.

usa pickleball And Official Rule Changes

usa pickleball keeps everything organized (well, as much as possible).

They’re the main referees of the sport, creating and updating the pickleball rules so you don’t have to argue with your neighbor over every point.

• Games go to 11 points, win by 2
• Only the serving team scores points
• Tournament play sometimes goes to 15 or even 21—just to keep things spicy

They introduce official rule changes every year.

Some are pretty dry (like clarifying how to serve), but others are wild—like the time they changed the “let serve” rule and everyone lost their minds at backyard matches.

Want to stay up-to-date? Check the USA Pickleball website. Trust me, your uncle’s house rules from 1980 aren’t going to cut it anymore.

The Grand Origin Story (Thank You, Joel Pritchard!)

Pickleball didn’t just appear out of nowhere. A few bored dads came up with it, and Joel Pritchard led the charge.

Back in 1965, Pritchard, who happened to be a Washington congressman, just wanted his kids to have something to do. So he grabbed a badminton court, a ping pong paddle, and a whiffle ball—honestly, it sounds like a mess, but somehow it worked.

You can thank Pritchard and his friends every time you yell “kitchen violation!” during a game. They made up the pickleball game rules on the fly, and the whole thing stuck.

Their strange backyard experiment just kept growing. Now, you’ll find a pickleball league in pretty much every retirement community from Florida to Seattle.

So next time you’re out there smacking plastic balls around instead of cleaning your garage, maybe give a little nod to Joel. He’s the guy who started it all.