PaddleGeckoOpen the appPickleball scoring explained (side-out scoring)
Traditional pickleball uses side-out scoring: only the serving team can score. That one rule explains the three-number call, the 0-0-2 start, and why "server 2" exists. Here is the whole thing, with a rally-by-rally example.
The five rules that cover 95% of games
- Only the serving side scores. If the receiving team wins the rally, nobody scores. Instead, the serve moves on.
- Each doubles team gets two servers. When the first server loses a rally, their partner (server 2) serves. When server 2 loses a rally, it's a side-out and the other team serves.
- The game starts at 0-0-2. To offset the first-serve advantage, the team that serves first gets only one server in its first turn. That's why the first call is "zero, zero, two."
- After each point, the server switches sides with their partner and serves again, to the other diagonal. Receivers don't switch.
- Games go to 11, win by 2 (tournaments sometimes use 15 or 21). In a deciding game, teams change ends when the leader reaches 6 (in a game to 11).
Calling the score
In doubles the call is three numbers: serving team's score – receiving team's score – server number. "4-2-1" means the serving team has 4, the receivers have 2, and the first server is serving. In singles it's just two numbers.
Rally-by-rally example
Team Lime (Ana & Ben) vs. Team Sky (Cy & Dee). Lime serves first, and Ana starts on the right. This sequence was generated with the same scoring engine the app uses.
| Rally | Call | Server | Serves from | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 0-0-2 | Ana (Lime) | right | First serving team gets only one server, so the call starts at 0-0-2. |
| Lime wins rally | 1-0-2 | Ana | left | Serving team scores; Ana switches sides with Ben and serves again. |
| Lime wins rally | 2-0-2 | Ana | right | Another point; Ana switches back. |
| Sky wins rally | 0-2-1 | Cy (Sky) | right | Side-out (Lime was already on server 2). The call flips to Sky's score first, and the right-side player serves as server 1. |
| Sky wins rally | 1-2-1 | Cy | left | Sky scores; Cy switches sides. |
| Sky wins rally | 2-2-1 | Cy | right | Sky scores again. |
| Lime wins rally | 2-2-2 | Dee (Sky) | left | Fault on server 1, so no point. The serve passes to partner Dee, who serves from where she stands. |
| Sky wins rally | 3-2-2 | Dee | right | Sky scores; Dee switches sides. |
Which side do I serve from?
- After a side-out, the player standing on the right serves first.
- A quick check in doubles: when the serving team's score is even, the player who started the game on the right should be on the right. When it's odd, they should be on the left. If not, someone is out of position.
- Singles: serve from the right on an even score and the left on an odd score.
What about rally scoring?
In rally scoring, a point is scored on every rally no matter who served. Some pro leagues (such as Major League Pickleball) and some rec leagues use it for faster, more predictable game lengths. Most recreational and sanctioned play still uses side-out scoring, so check what your group or event uses. The official rules are published by USA Pickleball.
Common mistakes
- Calling "0-0-1" to start (it's 0-0-2).
- Giving the receiving team a point when they win a rally (they get the serve, not a point).
- Forgetting that after a side-out the right-side player serves, not whoever served last time.
Let the app keep scoreTap who won the rally; it handles every rule above
This is a plain-English summary for recreational play. For sanctioned events, follow the current USA Pickleball rulebook.
FAQ
Why does pickleball start at 0-0-2?
The team that serves first gets only one server in its first turn, to offset the advantage of serving first. Calling the starting server "server 2" means a single lost rally causes a side-out.
Can you score when you are not serving in pickleball?
Not in traditional side-out scoring. If the receiving team wins the rally, they win the serve (or the serve passes to server 2), but no point is scored. In rally scoring formats, every rally scores.
What does server 1 and server 2 mean?
In doubles both partners serve before a side-out. Whoever serves first after a side-out is server 1, and their partner is server 2. The server number is the third number in the score call.
Do you have to win by 2 in pickleball?
Yes. Games are usually played to 11 and must be won by 2, so a game can go 12-10, 13-11 and so on.
When do you switch sides in pickleball?
The server switches sides with their partner after each point they score. Teams change ends between games, and in a deciding game when the leading team first reaches 6 (in a game to 11).