📈 TL;DR: Pickleball Scoring Rules
How does scoring work in pickleball?
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First to 11 points, must win by 2
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Only the serving team can score
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Doubles: Each team gets two serves per side-out
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Singles: Serve from the right when even, from the left when odd
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Call the score before serving: Your score – Opponent's score – Server number (1 or 2)
🏏 Why Learn Pickleball Scoring?
Because you can't yell "We won!" unless you actually know how. Whether you're just starting or already volleying like a pro at the US Open, this is your go-to guide for keeping score without losing your serve or your mind.
🌟 How to Score in Pickleball: The Basics
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Games are played to 11 points, win by 2
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You can only score when your team is serving
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The server always calls the score before serving
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In doubles, each team gets two servers per turn
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In singles, there’s one server and you switch sides based on score parity (even or odd)
🤝 Pickleball Doubles Scoring: Explained
✅ Doubles Scoring Rules:
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Only the serving team scores.
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A team gets two service turns (one per player) before side-out.
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First serve of the game starts at "0-0-2" to minimise first-serve advantage.
▶️ How Serving Works:
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Player on the right side (even court) serves diagonally.
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If the serving team wins the rally, server switches sides (left/right).
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Only the server switches sides when points are scored.
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Receiver never switches sides.
♻️ Server Rotation:
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Server #1 faults → Server #2 takes over.
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Server #2 faults → Side-out to the other team.
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Whoever is on the right side becomes Server #1 for that round only — it can change each time.
🔔 Reminder:
Score format is: Serving team score – Receiving team score – Server number (1 or 2)
Example: "3-2-2" = Your team has 3, theirs has 2 and your second server is serving.
🫠 Pickleball Singles Scoring: Even Easier
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Still play to 11 points, win by 2
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Only the server scores
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Serve from right when your score is even, from left when odd
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Switch sides after each point
🌟 Example:
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You're serving and the score is 6-3 → Serve from the right
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You're serving and it's 7-3 → Serve from the left
📅 Call the Score Like a Pro:
In singles, just say: Your score – Opponent’s score
📹 How to Call the Score in Pickleball
Calling the score is basically the secret handshake of pickleball.
| Position | What You Say |
|---|---|
| Doubles | "Me - You - Who" = Serving team score - Receiving team score - Server number |
| Singles | "Me - You" = Server score - Receiver score |
Always call it loudly and clearly before every serve. It's not just polite — it's required.
🛠 NILK Paddle Scoring Tips
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Always start at 0-0-2
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Only switch sides when you score (in doubles)
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Server number resets each time your team regains service
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Still confused? Yell "kitchen!" and reset — it's fine.
🚗 What You Need to Get Started
You don’t need a scoreboard — just a good pickleball paddle, great pickleball balls and a bad attitude...towards losing!
🚛 NILK Pickleball Starter Set:
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2 of the best Japanese Toray T700 carbon fiber paddles (Choose from Green Matcha or Tan Coco)
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3 Outdoor Pickleballs (your choice of white, green, yellow or all 3 (if you really want to spoil yourself)
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1 Canvas Tote = Style + Function
🔗 Shop the NILK Signature Pickleball Paddle Collection
❓ FAQ: Pickleball Scoring Questions (Structured for Google)
How many points do you play to in pickleball?
Pickleball is typically played to 11 points and you must win by 2.
Can both teams score in pickleball?
Nope. Only the serving team can score points.
What is the server number in pickleball?
The server number is either 1 or 2 in doubles and indicates which player is serving.
Why does pickleball start at 0-0-2?
To balance the advantage of serving first — the team only gets one serve on their first turn.
Does the server switch sides?
Yes, only when they win a point. The receiver never switches sides.
Do court dimensions change in singles?
Nope. Court size is always the same whether you’re playing singles or doubles.
🔗 Follow NILK Everywhere.. literally!
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Facebook 💒 — Like, share, obsess
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LinkedIn 📈 — For corporate pickleball energy
🔄 Keep Learning
🏋️ Final Serve
Now you know the rules, the rhythm and the reason NILK paddles exist, there's no excuse not to start playing North America's fastest growing sport today.
