Say three numbers, serve cross-court, and only servers win points.
If you’ve ever paused mid-rally to ask, “What’s the score?” this guide is for you. I’ll show you how to keep score in pickleball with clear steps, friendly tips, and real examples. By the end, you’ll call scores with confidence, avoid mix-ups, and enjoy cleaner, faster games.
How Pickleball Scoring Works
Pickleball uses side-out scoring. Only the team that serves can score a point. Games are usually to 11, and you must win by 2. Some games go to 15 or 21 in events.
Each rally starts with a serve from the right or left court. After a fault, either the second server serves or the other team gets the ball. This is the core of how to keep score in pickleball.
When you win a point, teammates switch sides. When you lose a rally, the server number changes or the serve goes to the other team. This rhythm is simple once you see it a few times.
The Three-Number Score Call Explained
In doubles, you call three numbers in order. First, your team’s score. Second, the other team’s score. Third, the server number: 1 or 2.
The game starts at 0-0-2. That means the serving team has the “second” server to begin. This keeps things fair. After that first side out, both players on each team get a turn to serve.
Examples that help with how to keep score in pickleball:
- You win the first rally as the starting server. Call 1-0-2 and switch sides with your partner.
- You lose the next rally. It becomes side out, and the other team calls 0-1-1.
- Later, you hear 7-6-1. That means your team has 7, they have 6, and your first server is up.
Serving Order and Court Positions
The right court is the even side. The left court is the odd side. If your team’s score is even, the serve comes from the right court. If it’s odd, the serve comes from the left.
Server numbers are tied to the service turn, not to a person for the whole game. The player who serves first in your team’s service turn is server 1. Your partner is server 2. If server 1 loses the rally, server 2 serves. If server 2 loses, it’s side out.
Quick checks for how to keep score in pickleball:
- Even score. The correct server should be on the right.
- Odd score. The correct server should be on the left.
- If your position feels off, pause and verify your team’s past points.
Singles vs. Doubles Scoring
Singles uses two numbers. Call your score first, then your opponent’s score. There is no server number in singles.
Serve from the right on even scores. Serve from the left on odd scores. The rest stays the same: only the server scores a point, and games are win by 2. This is the simplest way to learn how to keep score in pickleball before moving to doubles.
Step-by-Step: How To Keep Score In Pickleball During Play
Use this flow in every rally. Keep it simple and repeat it out loud.
- Call the score. Serving team’s score, receiving team’s score, then server 1 or 2.
- Serve cross-court. Aim to the opposite service box.
- Track the result. If you win the rally, add a point and switch sides with your partner.
- Keep serving. Same server keeps the ball after a winning rally.
- On a fault. Move to server 2 if server 1 just faulted. If server 2 faults, it’s side out.
Real example for how to keep score in pickleball:
- Start: 0-0-2. You serve from the right. You win. Call 1-0-2. Switch sides.
- You win again. Call 2-0-2. Switch sides.
- You fault. Side out. Opponents call 0-2-1 from the right.
- They win. Call 1-2-1. Switch sides. And so on.
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
These simple fixes will save you time and stress.
- Forgetting server number. Before you serve, say “I’m first server” or “second server.” Build a habit.
- Wrong court position. Check even or odd. Right court for even scores. Left for odd scores.
- Not switching sides after a point. If you win a point, you and your partner must switch courts.
- Calling the score too fast. Pause, face the other team, call the score, then serve.
- Quiet score calls. Be clear and loud. It helps everyone track how to keep score in pickleball.
I once used a small rubber band on my paddle edge. When I was server 1, I kept it near the tip. For server 2, I slid it down. It sounds small, but it cut out so many mix-ups.
Advanced Formats And House Rules
Standard play uses side-out scoring. But you may see rally scoring in some leagues and events. In rally scoring, every rally gives a point to someone.
If your group uses rally scoring for fun, agree on rules first. Decide game length, win by 2 or not, and who serves at 10-10. If you care about how to keep score in pickleball for events, know that side-out scoring is still the norm for most play.
Tools And Tips To Track The Score
You can build smart habits that make scoring easy.
- Repeat the score. Say it twice if needed, then breathe, then serve.
- Use a score string or bead counter on the net post.
- Wear a wrist counter if your group allows it.
- Create a cue. Touch your paddle to the court before you call the score.
- Do a huddle. In tight games, partners confirm “even or odd?” before the serve.
These small habits keep your mind clear and help with how to keep score in pickleball when rallies get wild.
Frequently Asked Questions of how to keep score in pickleball
What does 0-0-2 mean at the start?
It means the game starts with the second server. The first serve of the match is treated as server 2 to reduce advantage.
How do I know if I’m server 1 or server 2?
Server numbers apply to your team’s current service turn. The first teammate to serve in that turn is server 1, and the other is server 2.
Do you have to win by 2?
Yes, standard games are win by 2. Most games go to 11, but some events use 15 or 21.
Can the receiving team score points?
No, not in standard side-out scoring. Only the serving team can score a point.
What if someone calls the wrong score?
Stop play before the serve if you can. Correct the score together, confirm positions, and then resume.
Is singles scoring different from doubles?
Singles uses two numbers only. You call server’s score first, then receiver’s score, and serve from right on even scores, left on odd.
Conclusion
You now know how to keep score in pickleball like a pro. Call three numbers in doubles, serve from the correct side, switch after points, and track server order with simple habits. These steps make games smoother, fair, and more fun.
Put this guide to work in your next match. Practice your score call out loud before each serve. If this helped, share it with a partner, subscribe for more tips, or leave a question so I can help with your next step.