Squash Scoring: PAR vs Hand-in, Hand-out (English) Scoring
Squash has two scoring systems, and older players still argue about which is better. Here's how each one works and which one you should be playing.
The short answer
PAR vs English scoring in squash comes down to one question: who can score? In PAR (point-a-rally) scoring, the winner of every rally gets a point and games go to 11, win by 2. In English (hand-in, hand-out) scoring, only the server can score and games go to 9, with a choice of 9 or 10 at 8-all.
What is PAR scoring in squash?
PAR stands for point-a-rally. Win the rally, win a point. It doesn't matter who served.
Here's how it works under the current World Squash Rules of Singles Squash:
- The winner of a rally scores 1 point and serves the next rally.
- Each game is played to 11.
- At 10-all, play continues until someone leads by 2. So 12-10, 13-11 and so on.
- A match is normally best of 5 games, but can be best of 3.
PAR is the only scoring system in the current World Squash rules. England Squash follows the World Squash rules too, as its rules page says. And the PSA Squash Tour plays all its men's and women's matches with PAR to 11.
For a full walk-through of the modern game, see how squash scoring works.
What is hand-in, hand-out (English) scoring?
Hand-in, hand-out is the old system. It's often called English scoring, and for a long time it was the standard in Britain and many Commonwealth countries.
The big difference: only the server can score.
- If the server wins the rally, they get a point and serve again.
- If the receiver wins the rally, they don't get a point. They just win the serve. That's the "hand-out".
- Games are played to 9.
- At 8-all, the receiver (the player who reached 8 first) chooses to play to 9 ("set one") or to 10 ("set two").
- Matches were also best of 5 games.
"Hand-in" means the player currently serving. "Hand-out" means they've just lost the serve. You'll still hear older players say "hand-out" when the serve changes, even in PAR games.
How do PAR and English scoring compare?
| Feature | PAR scoring | English scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Who can score | Either player | Only the server |
| Game length | First to 11 | First to 9 |
| Close finish | Win by 2 from 10-all | At 8-all, receiver picks 9 or 10 |
| Used in official rules | Yes, today's standard | No, now a club variant |
| Typical game | Shorter and more predictable | Can run long |
The biggest practical difference is time. Under English scoring, you can play rally after rally with no change to the score, as the serve swaps back and forth. Games can drag on. With PAR, every rally moves the score, so games have a much more even length.
Why did squash switch to PAR scoring?
The pro game moved to PAR during the 2000s, and it became the official scoring system in the world rules. The reasons most often given are simple.
- Games are more predictable in length. Easier for TV, tournaments and court bookings.
- Every rally matters. No "wasted" rallies where the receiver wins but nothing changes on the scoreboard.
- More attacking squash. Under English scoring, a player could grind out long, safe rallies with no risk while receiving. With PAR, losing a rally always costs you a point, so going for winners is rewarded more.
Fans of English scoring say it rewards fitness and patience, and that comebacks feel more dramatic. They have a point. But at almost every level, PAR is now what you'll play.
Does the serve work differently in each system?
Not really. The serving rules are the same in both. Under World Squash rules, at the start of each game and after each change of server, the server picks which service box to serve from. While they keep the serve, they must switch boxes each time.
The difference is just what happens after a rally. In PAR, the rally winner serves next and gets a point. In English scoring, the rally winner serves next, but only gets a point if they were already serving.
Keeping track of which box to serve from trips up a lot of club players. Our guide to squash serve rules and faults covers the details.
Which scoring should you use at your club?
Use PAR to 11 unless your group has agreed otherwise. It's the official system, it's what leagues and tournaments use, and it's what new players learn.
A few clubs and social groups still play English scoring, often for fun or out of habit. If you're joining a game, just ask before the first rally. "PAR to 11?" is enough.
Some quick tips:
- Playing a newer player? Use PAR. It's easier to follow because every rally changes the score.
- Want a long, tough workout? English scoring to 9 can make for long games.
- Keeping the score is hard in both. Call the score before every serve, server's score first.
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