Pickleball Scoring Explained: Doubles & Singles Made Simple

Before striking every serve in doubles pickleball, the server must call the score loudly. The score always has three numbers in this exact order:

Number 1: Serving Team's Score.

Number 2: Receiving Team's Score.

Number 3: Server Number (1 or 2).

For example, calling '5 - 3 - 1' means: the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and Server 1 is serving.

At the beginning of every game, the starting player on the right-hand service court is Server 1.

When the serving team's score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), the team's original Server 1 will always be on the right side of the court.

When the serving team's score is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), Server 1 will be on the left side of the court.

If you ever forget who is serving or what the score is, check your position: if your score is 5 and your original Server 1 is on the right side, you are out of position.

To eliminate the unfair advantage of having two full serving turns at the start of a game, the rules dictate that the first serving team only gets one serve.

Because of this, the match begins with the score called as '0 - 0 - 2'.

If the serving team loses the very first rally, it is an immediate side-out, and the serve transfers to the opposing team, who now get both server turns (Server 1, then Server 2).

Singles scoring is simpler because there is no partner. Only 2 numbers are called: Server Score, then Receiver Score.

Positioning in singles is strictly governed by the server's score:

- Even score (0, 2, 4, 6...): Serve from the right court to the diagonal right court.

- Odd score (1, 3, 5, 7...): Serve from the left court to the diagonal left court.

The receiver mirrors the server: if the server is serving from the right, the receiver stands diagonally across in their right court.