How Pickleball Scoring
Works.
A complete guide to pickleball scoring - side-out scoring, the three-number score call, server rotation, and why doubles games start at server 2.
Side-out scoring
Pickleball uses side-out scoring: only the serving side can score a point. If the receiving side wins the rally, no point is scored - instead, the serve passes to the other side. This is called a side out.
This is different from rally-point sports like table tennis or badminton, where either side can score on any rally. In pickleball, winning a rally while receiving just earns you the serve, not a point.
The three-number score call
In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2) - for example, "4-2-1".
The server number tells both teams which of the two serving players is currently serving. It matters because a serving team gets two turns to serve (one per player) before a side out - except right at the start of the game.
Why games start at server 2
At the very start of each game, the serving team only gets one server before their first side out, not two. Under official rules, that starting player is called server 2, not server 1 - the game begins at 0-0-2.
This exists to balance the total number of service turns each team gets across the game. Without it, the team that serves first would get an extra service turn every game.
We cover this in full in our server number deep dive.
Doubles serve rotation
Games and match format
Games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2 clear points. Longer formats to 15 or 21 are common in tournaments and extended play.
Most matches are best of 3 games. Scorepion also supports best of 1 for quick matches and best of 5 for longer sessions.
Never lose track of the server again.
Scorepion tracks server number, side-outs and score automatically - all shown clearly on your Apple Watch or Wear OS watch, so nobody has to keep count in their head.
