How Do You Score in Pickleball Without Starting a Scoreboard Argument

So, you’ve grabbed a paddle and stepped onto a pickleball court, but suddenly you’re thinking, “Wait, how do I actually score here?” You’re definitely not the only one with that question. In pickleball, you only score points when your team is serving and you win the rally. No sneaky points on defense, so you’ll have to earn every single one.

Pickleball rules can feel like a mashup of every family argument about backyard sports. Still, keeping track of points is easier than it first seems. Each time your team serves and wins, you bump your score up by one. First team to 11—assuming you’re ahead by two—takes the game.

Ever wonder what all those numbers mean when the server calls them out? This pickleball scoring guide breaks it down if you want a deeper dive.

You don’t need a math degree or a family referee to keep score—just some focus, a bit of memory, and maybe a partner who pays attention. Stick around for the details, a few laughs, and maybe a tip or two for scoring points (and bragging rights) in this fast-paced sport.

How Pickleball Scoring Works

Pickleball scoring seems tricky at first, but it’s mostly about knowing when you can earn points, who gets to serve, and what you need to win. Most games use the official rules from USA Pickleball, so you don’t have to make things up as you go.

Basic Scoring Rules

You can’t just show up and collect points for style or fancy sneakers. You only score in certain moments. In standard play, only the serving team can grab points.

If your team isn’t serving, you could hit highlight-reel shots all day, but your score won’t go anywhere. Games typically go to 11 points, but here’s the catch: you need to win by 2. So, if you hit 11 and your opponents have 10, don’t celebrate just yet.

You might keep rallying well past 11, especially if both sides dig in. These official rules are what you’ll see in both casual and competitive games. Curious? The USA Pickleball official scoring and positioning guide has more info.

When Points Are Scored

Here’s the main thing: only the serving side scores. You need to be serving—and win the rally—to get a point.

If you serve and hit the net, not only do you not score, but your chance to serve moves to your partner in doubles, or the ball goes to your opponents in singles.

You earn points when:

• The other team fails to return the ball inside the boundaries.
• Your opponents hit the ball out or into the net.
• Someone volleys in the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”—no dishwashing required).

You can play great defense, but until it’s your turn to serve, your score won’t budge. For more on this, check out this pickleball scoring guide.

How to Win a Game

Games usually go to 11, but you need to win by two. If it’s 11-10, the tension just keeps going. If both sides keep scoring, you might see games stretch to 12, 13, or more.

USA Pickleball’s official rules say this win-by-2 thing is the norm. Sometimes tournaments play to 15 or 21, but you always need that two-point gap. There’s nothing like thinking you’ve won, only to realize you need one more. You might want to keep your shoes tied tight just in case. For more details, here’s an overview of scoring rules.

Serving: The Gateway to Scoring

The serve isn’t just how you start the point—it’s the only way to get your team on the scoreboard. If you want to score, you’ll need to master the serve, the rotation, and why you can’t just smack it like you’re playing tennis.

The Serve Explained

First up: your serve must be underhand. No wild tennis swings allowed—pickleball rules say you have to hit below your waist.

Drop the ball, swing underhand, and send it diagonally over the net into the opposite service box. If your serve clips the net but still lands in the right spot, that’s a “let serve.” You get to redo the serve, no harm done.

But if your ball hits the net and bounces out of bounds, your turn ends instantly. And don’t step over the baseline before serving—your feet need to stay behind the line, so watch those toes.

Serving Sequence & Rotation

Serving has its own rhythm. In doubles, both you and your partner get to serve—except for the very first round, where just one player goes (the “first server”). You have to announce the score as three numbers: your team’s score, their score, and if you’re the first or second server. So, “2-3-1” means your team has 2, they have 3, and you’re the first server.

Win a point? You and your partner switch sides. Don’t stand still—rotate service courts after every point scored.

Lose a rally? The serve passes to your partner, who becomes the “second server.” If you lose again, the serve heads over to the other team.

For a visual walkthrough, check out the A Guide to Pickleball Scoring Rules.

Serving Team Advantage

Only the serving team racks up points. So, you could defend like a champ, but unless you’re serving, your score stays put.

The pressure lands on the serving team every time. That serve is your ticket to scoring. But if you mess up, you hand your turn to your partner or, worse, the other team.

In doubles, the rotation keeps going in the same order, so try to remember who’s up next—and who owes you for that last missed shot.

If you want to win, become a serving machine. Serve well, keep the order, and you’ll be in the running for victory—and maybe some well-earned bragging rights. More about serving and scoring? Here’s a breakdown on how to keep score in pickleball.

Singles Scoring Dynamics

Singles in pickleball feels a bit like chess, but with sweat and fewer rules to remember. You’ll need to track your points, switch sides, and serve with intention if you want those bragging rights.

Scoring Structure in Singles

In singles pickleball, your score is yours, and your opponent’s is theirs. Only the server gets to score points.

If you lose your serve, your opponent doesn’t get a point—they just get their turn to serve.

Here’s a quick table to help:

Server’s Score	Serving Side	What To Do
Even	Right-hand side	Serve from right, try not to trip
Odd	Left-hand side	Serve from left, act confident

Your score decides your serving side. Even score? Serve from the right. Odd? Move to the left.

Call out your score before each serve—sometimes it’s a humblebrag, sometimes it’s just so you remember. First to 11 wins, but you need a two-point lead.

Singles Play Strategies

You have to cover every inch of the court. No one’s coming to bail you out if you chase a bad shot.

Try to keep your opponent moving and aim serves deep into the corners. That’ll make your rival guess and scramble.

Mix up your serve placement and speed. Sometimes a fast serve catches them off guard, sometimes a slow one lulls them to sleep—then you surprise them.

Keep an eye on your feet: foot faults are an easy way to lose a serve.

Singles players need stamina, quick feet, and the strategic mind of someone dodging the slowest grocery line. Don’t just trade shots—look for patterns, anticipate, and remember: in singles, every point is gold. If you forget the score, just call out whatever sounds good. (Kidding! Be honest—unless you’re losing.)

Doubles Pickleball: Twosomes and Tallies

Doubles pickleball is organized chaos. You and your partner need to work together, serve in the right order, and keep score with three numbers. Doubles scoring feels different from singles, and knowing who’s first and second server keeps you from accidentally handing points to the other team.

How Doubles Scoring Differs

In doubles, you announce the score with three numbers: your team’s points, the other team’s points, and the server number (1 or 2). So, if you have 3, they have 2, and you’re the second server, you call “3-2-2.”

Only the serving team can score—sorry, no points for the receivers. Both players on a team get a turn serving, except at the very start, when only one player serves before the ball goes to the other team.

If every game started with both servers, pickleball might never end—or at least not before dinner. For more details, check out this guide on doubles pickleball scoring.

Roles of First and Second Servers

The “first server” is the one who kicks things off—usually your partner if you lost at rock-paper-scissors. When the first server messes up or loses a rally, the “second server” grabs the paddle and jumps in.

You swap roles after your team loses both serves, and then the other team gets a turn.

Here’s how it usually works:

• First Server: Starts on the right side.
• Second Server: Steps in after a fault or side out.

Every time your team wins a point, you switch sides of the court. This constant movement keeps you thinking, if nothing else.

When both servers lose their turn, that’s a “side out,” and your opponents get to serve. This routine keeps the serving order straight and prevents the game from turning into chaos.

You can check out more about calling the score and some nitty-gritty details here.

Key Rules That Affect Scoring

Pickleball scoring isn’t just about luck or brute force. There are a few clever rules you need to follow if you want your points to actually count.

You have to pay attention to bouncing rules, line calls, and try your best to avoid faults. Some days, the court feels like it’s out to get you.

Double-Bounce Rule

Before you go full tennis pro and smash the ball, remember the double-bounce rule—or the two-bounce rule, depending on who you ask.

After the serve, the ball has to bounce once on the receiver’s side, then once on the server’s side before anyone can volley.

This rule keeps things fair and helps rallies last longer. Everyone, no matter how competitive, has to let those first two shots bounce.

It keeps the game from being a race to the net for a cheap point.

If you volley before the second bounce, it’s a fault. Your opponent gets a point, or if you’re serving, you might lose your turn.

So, just let it bounce—seriously, it’s not worth the groans from your teammate.

Faults and Side-Outs

Everyone makes mistakes, but in pickleball, those mistakes are called faults. You might hit the ball out, miss it entirely, volley in the kitchen, or break that pesky double-bounce rule.

Each fault matters because it can lead to a side-out. When your team faults while serving, the other team gets to serve.

You can’t score unless you’re serving, so play smart and avoid silly errors.

Here’s a quick list of classic faults:

• Hitting the net with the ball (unless it’s a serve that still lands in)
• Stepping into the kitchen while volleying
• Breaking the double-bounce rule

Rack up too many faults, and you’ll find yourself watching more than playing. If you want more details, check this pickleball scoring guide.

Out of Bounds Calls

Calling balls out of bounds can get heated. A ball is out if it lands completely outside the lines.

If it touches any part of the sideline or baseline, it’s still good—so keep those eyes sharp.

Try to be honest with your line calls. If you’re not sure, give your opponent the benefit of the doubt.

Ask your opponents to do the same, but don’t be afraid to joke about bringing a magnifying glass.

If you call a ball out and it isn’t, your team gets the fault. Out-of-bounds calls can swing a match, especially when things are close.

For more on line etiquette, check pickleball scoring rules. Bad line calls can haunt you—just saying.

Mastering the Art of Volleying

Volleying in pickleball is more than just smacking the ball mid-air. It’s about control, quick hands, and knowing where your feet and paddle are.

Solid volleying helps you own the net and flip defense into offense.

Volley Basics

A volley means hitting the ball before it bounces. Sounds easy, right?

But at the net, things move fast. To improve your volleys, try these:

• Keep your paddle up and in front—think “zombie arms,” but less creepy.
• Use a short, controlled swing so you don’t launch the ball into orbit.
• Watch the ball closely; squinting is optional.

The best volleys happen slightly out in front, with a soft grip. Don’t squeeze the life out of your paddle.

Aim for your opponent’s weaker side, usually their backhand. Power isn’t everything—sometimes a soft, sneaky volley works better than a smash.

If you want to level up, check out these pro volley tips and drills.

Net Play and The Kitchen

The net is where things get spicy, and the kitchen (the non-volley zone) is right up front. You can’t volley while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line, so be careful with your feet.

Even if you volley outside the kitchen but your momentum drags you in, that’s still a fault.

Good players hover just behind the kitchen line, knees bent and paddle ready. From here, you can reach most shots without breaking the rules.

Mix up your volleys with soft dinks and quick punch volleys at the net. If you’re feeling bold, aim deep and make your opponent move using these net play strategies.

Don’t be the one who foot-faults and loses the point. Stay out of the kitchen unless you’re grabbing a snack.

Paddles, Balls, and Court Positioning

Winning pickleball isn’t just about chasing the ball like a caffeinated golden retriever. You need to know how to hold your paddle, where to send the ball, and what your feet are doing—ideally, not tripping over each other.

Let’s break down the basics so you don’t look totally lost.

Proper Paddle Contact

Treat your paddle like it’s part of your hand, not a lunch tray. Hold it with a relaxed but steady grip—no need to crush it or toss it mid-swing.

Key tips for paddle contact:

• Keep your paddle face open and angled a bit upward.
• Hit the ball in front of your body.
• Try a continental grip (handshake grip) for both forehand and backhand shots.
• Don’t just whack the ball; focus on control and finesse.

If you swing late or stretch too far, you’ll probably send the ball out or straight into the net. React quickly, move your feet, and always keep your paddle ready.

Basically, keep your paddle alert—even if you aren’t.

Hitting the Ball with Precision

You don’t need to be a ninja, but you do need accuracy if you want to score. Decide where you want the ball to go before you swing.

Try to hit the ball with the center of your paddle for more control and fewer embarrassing shanks.

How to hit with precision:

• Use smooth, controlled swings.
• Aim for open spots—where your opponents aren’t.
• Mix up your shots: soft dinks, hard drives, or lobs keep your rivals guessing.
• Watch the ball all the way until you hit it. Don’t just swing and hope.

Precision keeps your shots in play and away from the neighbor’s yard.

Staying in the Service Courts

Your feet might not be lightning fast, but being in the right spot matters. The service court decides if your serve counts, and good positioning helps you pounce or defend.

Tips for staying in position:

• Serve from behind the baseline and within the right side—no creative footwork needed.
• Stay out of the kitchen unless the rules allow it.
• After serving, move forward and get ready, but don’t sprint into the kitchen like it’s free food day.
• Communicate with your partner if you’re playing doubles—yelling works, but planning works better.

The better your court positioning, the better your odds of keeping rallies alive and winning points—even if you’re not the fastest out there.

Pickleball Strategies for Racking Up Points

Scoring in pickleball isn’t just about hitting hard. Smart play at the net and from the baseline makes a big difference, especially as you face tougher players.

Dinking for Dollars (or Points!)

Dinking looks innocent, but don’t underestimate it. The dink is a soft, controlled shot from near the net, meant to drop in your opponent’s kitchen.

It’s like chess—move your opponent around, wait for a mistake, then attack.

To master dinking, keep your paddle out front and stay low with bent knees. You’ll look athletic and feel ready for anything.

Prepare early so you can handle awkward bounces without panicking.

Aim at your opponent’s feet or the corners. The more they scramble, the more likely they’ll pop the ball up for an easy smash.

Most experts agree: the kitchen is where you’ll rack up points, especially if you keep your opponent guessing (see more pickleball tips).

If your dink game isn’t great, don’t stress—everyone starts somewhere. Think of it as gently coaxing your rival into a mistake, without risking injury or embarrassment.

Tactical Baseline Play

Baseline play isn’t just about blasting the ball. A deep serve is a great weapon—hit it deep into your opponent’s court, especially toward their backhand.

This keeps them away from the net, which is where most scoring happens.

If you’re stuck at the baseline, stay calm. Hit your return deep, then step forward.

Try to transition to the net as soon as you can, because most points are won up close.

Change up your shots—don’t always aim for the same spot. Make your opponent move side to side.

A little unpredictability goes a long way. For extra trickiness, try serving or returning low and hard to give your opponent less time to react (more baseline ideas in this article on scoring while serving).

Comparing Pickleball Scoring with Tennis

Pickleball scoring might look simple at first, but it has its own quirks. You might expect it to copy tennis, but pickleball likes to keep things interesting.

Key Differences to Know

If you’ve played tennis, you probably know how weird the scoring sounds: 15, 30, 40, and then suddenly “deuce.” Pickleball doesn’t bother with any of that. It just counts points in order—1, 2, 3, and so on.

In pickleball, only the server gets to score. That’s a big shift from tennis, where you can win a point on any rally. So even if you run your opponent ragged, you might not score unless it’s your serve. Fair? Maybe, maybe not, but that’s how it goes.

Tennis sticks with the classic game-set-match setup. You rack up games, then sets, always chasing that win (or at least two sets). Pickleball keeps it simple: first to 11 points, but you still have to win by two. If you both hit 10, things get tense—someone has to pull ahead.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Tennis	Pickleball
Point counting	0, 15, 30, 40, game	1, 2, 3 … to 11
Who can score	Either player/team	Only the server’s side
Game structure	Games, sets, matches	First to 11, win by 2
Serve attempts	Two per service	One per service

If you want to dig deeper into the scoring quirks, take a look at this detailed breakdown of pickleball vs. tennis.

If you’re getting tired of tennis’s confusing lingo, pickleball’s simple scoring could be a breath of fresh air.