Blog/Pickleball Rules
PICKLEBALL RULES - SERVER NUMBER

What Does
"Server 2"
Mean?

Every pickleball doubles game starts with server 2, not server 1. Here is exactly why, and what it means for the score.

The short answer

In doubles, the serving team only gets one server before their first side out - and by rule, that player is called server 2, not server 1. The game starts at 0-0-2.

This exists to balance the total number of service turns each team gets across the game. Without it, whichever team served first would always get an extra service turn.

Why the score has three numbers

In pickleball 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 third number tells everyone on court which of the two serving players is currently serving. It matters because losing a rally on serve as server 1 does not end your team's turn - it just passes the serve to server 2.

How it plays out step by step

1
Game starts at 0-0-2
The serving team's first server is called server 2, not server 1. This is a fixed rule, not a choice.
2
Server 2 loses the rally
It is an immediate side out - there is no server 1 turn on the very first service sequence of the game.
3
From then on, both partners serve
On every side out after the first, the new serving team starts with server 1. If server 1 loses a rally, server 2 serves next.
4
Side out
Once both server 1 and server 2 have lost a rally, the serve passes fully to the other team, which then starts at server 1.

Does this apply to singles?

No. Server numbers only exist in doubles, since there are two players per side who take turns serving. In singles, there is one player per side, so the score is called with just two numbers - no server number needed.

Does Scorepion track this?

Yes. Scorepion shows the correct score format, including the server number, throughout the whole match. Nobody has to remember whether it is server 1 or server 2.

Common questions

Why does the score start at 0-0-2?
At the start of each game, the serving team only gets one server before their first side out, and that player is by rule called server 2. This balances the total service turns each team gets over the game.
Does singles pickleball have a server number?
No. Server numbers only apply in doubles, since there are two players per side. In singles there is one player per side, so the score is called with just two numbers.
What happens after both partners lose their serve?
Once server 1 and server 2 have both lost a rally on serve, the serve passes fully to the other team - a side out. The new serving team then starts at server 1.
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