How to Keep Score in Pickleball

Finally understand that confusing three-number score • 5 min read

Pickleball scoring confuses everyone at first. Why are there three numbers? What's "0-0-2"? Why did the serve switch?

Don't worry — once you understand the logic, it's actually simple. Let's break it down.

The Score Format (Doubles)

4 - 2 - 1

Your Score Their Score Server #

Points to Win

Win By

Serve Team Scores

The Basic Rules

Games to 11, win by 2: First team to 11 wins, but you need to win by at least 2 points (so 11-9 wins, but 10-10 continues)
Only the serving team scores: If you're receiving and win the rally, you don't get a point — you just get the serve
Three-number score (doubles): Your score, their score, which server you are (1 or 2)
Two-number score (singles): Your score, their score

Understanding the Three Numbers

In doubles, the score is always called as three numbers:

Example: "4-2-1"

4 - 2 - 1

4 = Your team's score
2 = Opponent's score
1 = You're the first server on your team

The third number (1 or 2) tells everyone which server is currently serving. This matters because:

When server 1 loses a rally, server 2 serves next
When server 2 loses a rally, the serve goes to the other team (side out)

How Serving Works in Doubles

Start of Game: 0-0-2

The game starts at "0-0-2" (also called "0-0-Start"). The first serving team only gets one serve to start — server 2. This prevents a big advantage from serving first.

Score a Point = Keep Serving

When you score, your team keeps the serve. The two partners switch sides (right to left, left to right) and the same person serves again.

Lose Rally as Server 1 = Server 2's Turn

If server 1 loses the rally, no points change — but now server 2 serves. Players don't switch sides.

Lose Rally as Server 2 = Side Out

If server 2 loses the rally, the serve goes to the other team (side out). The player on the right side of the other team becomes server 1.

Positioning: The Even/Odd Rule

Here's the trick to always knowing where to stand:

When your score is EVEN (0, 2, 4, 6...): The player who started on the right side should be on the right side
When your score is ODD (1, 3, 5, 7...): The player who started on the right side should be on the left side

The server always serves from the right side when the score is even, left side when odd.

Quick Check

Before serving, look at your score. If it's even and you're on the right, you're good. If it's odd and you're on the left, you're good. If something doesn't match, someone's in the wrong spot!

Singles Scoring (Simpler!)

Singles scoring is easier — just two numbers:

Example: "3-2"

3 - 2

3 = Your score
2 = Opponent's score

Positioning still follows the even/odd rule:

Your score is even: Serve from the right
Your score is odd: Serve from the left

📋 Scoring Cheat Sheet

Game Start

Call "0-0-2" (or "0-0-Start") — first team gets one serve only

You Score

Switch sides with partner, same person serves again

Server 1 Loses

Server 2 serves next, stay in same spots

Server 2 Loses

Side out — other team serves, player on right starts

Even Score

Starting right player on right, serve from right

Odd Score

Starting right player on left, serve from left

Common Mistake: Forgetting to switch sides after scoring. When YOUR team scores, you and your partner switch. When you lose the rally to your partner's serve, you DON'T switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the game start at 0-0-2?

To balance the advantage of serving first. If the first team got two serves (both players), they'd have a big advantage. Starting at "server 2" means the first team only gets one serve before a side out.

What if we forget the score?

Ask! It happens all the time. If no one remembers, try to reconstruct it or agree on a fair score. In casual play, it's not a big deal.

Can the receiving team score?

No. If the receiving team wins the rally, they get the serve but no point. This is called a "side out." Only the serving team can score.

What if we go past 11-11?

Keep playing until someone wins by 2. So 12-10, 13-11, 14-12, etc. There's no cap.

Who calls the score?

The server calls the score before each serve. In tournaments, there may be a referee who calls it.

How do I remember if I'm server 1 or 2?

At the start of each side out, the player on the right is always server 1. After that, just remember whether you've served yet this rotation.