How to Keep Score in Pickleball (Without Your Brain Short-Circuiting Mid-Game)

How to Keep Score in Pickleball (Without Your Brain Short-Circuiting Mid-Game)

(Image via Yahoo Canada by Getty Images)

So, you’ve mastered hitting the ball over the net and staying out of the kitchen, but now someone just shouted “5-3-2” and you’re wondering if you signed up for a math class instead of a sport.

Welcome to pickleball scoring . . . the only thing harder than dinking.

But don’t worry. By the end of this hilariously simple guide, you’ll be calling scores with confidence, avoiding awkward “umm… what’s the score again?” moments and winning games like Genie Bouchard.

Pickleball scoring basics (a.k.a. why does this sound so confusing?)

First, let’s clear up the biggest misconception:

Pickleball scoring is NOT like tennis, ping-pong or literally any other sport that makes immediate sense.

  • Games are played to 11 points (win by 2).
  • Only the serving team can score. If the receiving team wins a rally, they don’t get a point . . . they just steal the serve like a thief in the night.
  • Doubles scoring involves three numbers. (Don’t panic, we’ll get to that.)

How to keep score in singles (the easy version, thank goodness!)

Singles scoring is as simple as it gets.

✔ You only need two numbers: Your score and your opponent’s score.
✔ You serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when your score is odd.
✔ Win the rally? Congrats, you get a point and keep serving. Lose it? Your opponent serves.

Example:

  • You’re winning 4-2. Since 4 is even, you serve from the right side.
  • You win the next point! Now it’s 5-2, so you switch to the left to serve.
  • You’re basically a pro now.

Pickleball singles scoring guide with court positions labeled for odd and even points. Learn how to keep score in singles pickleball without the confusion.

Related read: "Pickleball Rules: The Unofficial, Official Guide to Not Looking Like a Rookie."

Doubles scoring (a.k.a. where your brain might melt).

If singles scoring is like solving a basic Sudoku, then doubles scoring is like trying to build IKEA furniture with missing instructions.

The magic three-number system.

Pickleball doubles scoring has three numbers because... why not make things more complicated?

[Your Score] – [Opponent’s Score] – [Server Number]

✔ First number = Your team’s score.
✔ Second number = Opponent’s score.
✔ Third number = Whether the first or second server is serving.

Pickleball doubles scoring breakdown showing serving team’s score, receiving team’s score and current server number. Learn how to score in pickleball doubles easily.

Example: 6-4-2

  • Your team has 6 points.
  • The other team has 4 points.
  • You’re the second server on your team.

Confused? You’re not alone.

How serving works in doubles (a.k.a. the “wait, why are there two servers?” rule).

Each team gets TWO SERVES before losing possession . . . except at the very start of the game.

  1. First serve of the game is weird. The starting team only gets ONE serve before handing it over. That’s why games always start with "0-0-2."
  2. After that, normal rules apply. Each team gets two serves (one per player) before handing the ball over.

Pro tip: If you forget whether you're server 1 or 2, just fake confidence and hope your partner corrects you.

Related read: "What Is the Two-Bounce Rule in Pickleball?"

Winning the game (a.k.a. closing the deal like a champ).

✔ Games are played to 11, win by 2.
✔ Some tournaments go to 15 or 21, but you still have to win by 2.
✔ If you’re losing, just yell, “Play to 21?” and hope your opponent agrees.

Eugenie Bouchard joins professional pickleball league, bringing star power from tennis to the fast-growing sport. Learn why top athletes are making the switch to pickleball.(Image via Toronto Sun by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Common pickleball scoring mistakes (a.k.a. what NOT to do).

  • Forgetting the score – If you blank out, just ask “What’s the score?” and pray someone else knows.
  • Serving from the wrong side – Even scores = right side, odd scores = left. This is not the time to guess.
  • Calling the score wrong in doubles – If you say “5-7-1” when it’s really “5-7-2,” prepare for death stares.
  • Not saying the score loud enough – If no one hears you, it didn’t happen. Call it with confidence.

Final thoughts: you’re now a pickleball scoring genius

Congratulations! You now:

✔ Understand pickleball scoring better than 80% of players.
✔ Won’t panic when someone shouts “7-3-2.”
✔ Can confidently correct your friends when they mess up (which they will).

Ready to dominate the court? Grab a premium carbon fiber paddle from Nilk Pickleball and start winning games instead of just keeping score!

Final pro tip: If all else fails, just shout numbers loudly and hope for the best. Works an absolute treat!