Pickleball Scoring Rules – a Complete Guide
This post has been updated in 2026 according to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook (2026).
One of the more intimidating concepts for the new pickleball player when playing doubles is the pressure of keeping score. While games are generally played to 11 points (win by 2 points), there are nevertheless scoring nuances in pickleball. This guide explains everything you need to know about scoring in pickleball so you can be confident on the court.
How Pickleball Doubles Side-out Scoring Works
Pickleball has traditionally used a side-out scoring system where only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11 or 15 points, win by 2 points.
- Points can only be scored by the serving team – the receiving team cannot score.
- Both players (server #1 and server #2) on the serving team will get a chance to serve and score points for their team before relinquishing the serve to the other team. The one exception to this occurs during the very first serving rotation of the game in which case only one player from the serving team (server #2) will get to serve before the other team earns the side-out.
- At the start of the game – and after any subsequent side-out – the player positioned on the right side of the court (even side) serves first.
- If the serving team wins the rally, a point is scored. The server then changes sides with his/her partner and serves to the receiver in the opposite court.
- This same server keeps serving (and rotating with his/her partner) until the receiving team wins a rally – at which time the server’s partner will serve.
- If both players on the serving team have served – or if it’s after the first serving rotation of the game, then it’s a “side-out” and the team receiving serve will now become the serving team.
- After every side-out, the server number “resets,” with the person positioned on the right (even court) becoming server #1 and his/her partner who is positioned on the left becoming server #2. (Note: In the course of the game, a player can be server #1 or #2 – it simply depends on where her/she is positioned [given the score] at the side-out).
- Score is announced as 3 numbers.
5 Helpful Pickleball Scoring Tips When Playing Doubles Using Side-Out Scoring
The following scoring tips, along with the official rules from USA Pickleball, will help you accurately keep score when playing doubles using traditional, side-out scoring. By remembering these scoring tips, you will, no doubt, feel much more comfortable and confident on the pickleball court.
1. Points are Scored Only on the Serve (Side-out Scoring)
The first thing to understand about pickleball scoring is that points are scored only on the serve. The receiving team cannot score. This applies to both singles and doubles. Obviously, while the serving team wants to win the rally to score points, the objective of the receiving team is to win the rally(s) and induce a “side-out” so they can serve and, ultimately, add to their score.
Rule #4.A
Standard Scoring. A point is scored by serving the ball and winning the rally. (See Rule 14.A.2 for the rally scoring option.)
Rally scoring – while not widely popular – is the exception. In rally scoring, a point is scored on every rally, regardless of who has served. To the delight of most, rally scoring is not widely adopted, and the pickleball community has overwhelmingly voiced its preference for traditional scoring over rally scoring!
Rule #14.A
(Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. Rally scoring may be used for singles and doubles.
Rule #14.A.2
Point Scoring. A point is scored by the singles player or doubles team that wins each rally. (Modifies Rule 4.A)
2. The Player on the Right Always Serves First to Start the Game & After a Side-out
To negate the inherent advantage that the serving team has when serving first to start the game, only one player – the player on the right side of the court – gets to serve during the first service turn of the game. After this initial service turn, each subsequent service turn is comprised of serves by both players on the serving team – beginning with the player on the right side of the court.
Rule #5.B.2
Designation of First and Second Servers. After each side out, service begins with the player correctly positioned on the right side according to the team’s score.
3. Rotate with your Partner When You Win a Point on your Serve!
If the serving team wins the rally (thereby, scoring a point) – the server rotates sides (from right-to-left or left-to-right) with his/her partner and serves to the receiver in the opposite court. Each time a point is scored, the partners on the serving side alternate sides. The receiving side never alternates sides.
When a rally is lost when the first server is serving (with the exception of the first service turn of the game), the serve goes to the partner. When a rally is lost when the second server is serving, the serve reverts to the other team. When the serve reverts to the other team it’s called a “side-out.”
Rule #5.B.5
Duration of First Server. The first server serves, alternating between right and left serving areas after each point is won, until the serving team loses a rally. The serve then passes to the second server.
Rule #5.B.6
Duration of Second Server. The second server serves, alternating between right and left serving areas after each point is won, until the serving team loses a rally, which results in a side out.
4. Announce 3 Numbers When Calling the Score
Pickleball doubles scores – as opposed to singles scores – are always comprised of three numbers, called out in the following order:
- Server’s score
- Receiver’s score
- Server number (either 1 for the first server or 2 for the second server)
For example, if the serving team has tallied 5 points, the receiving team 4 points and the second of the two servers is serving, the score would be announced as “5-4-2.”
Rule #6.B.2
Doubles. For doubles play, the score must be called as three numbers: the serving team’s score, then the receiving team’s score, then the server number. To start each game, the score will be called as “zero – zero – two.”
5. Why is the First Server Number 2 in Pickleball when Starting a Game?
0-0-2 starts the game! It may be extraordinarily confusing at first, but it’s important to note that the player number (the 3rd number) is typically announced as “2” in the very first service turn of the game – even though he/she is the first server!
Remember, only one player – the player that started on the right side of the court – gets a service turn on the first service turn of the game. Prior to the very first rally of the game – before any points have been played – the score would be announced as “0-0-2.”
Although not “official,” many will call the score as 0-0-START to begin the game.
Common Scoring Mistakes (Doubles Side-out Scoring)
- Serving prior to calling the score
- Confusing the first and second server
- Forgetting to alternate sides when scoring a point on the serve
- Announcing the score as 0-0-START to begin the game, instead of 0-0-2
Rally Scoring
While most rec play and tournaments continue to use traditional, side-out scoring, there is another type of scoring available. As of 2025, rally scoring has been provisionally approved in the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook. In rally scoring, a point is awarded after every rally, no matter which team served.
-> Check this out for more on Rally Scoring.
Singles VS. Doubles Scoring
Singles scoring is very similar to doubles scoring. However, there are two main differences. Firstly, there is no second server when playing singles. Because there is no second server, only two numbers are called when announcing the score. Also, because there is no second server, once the server loses the rally, side-out goes to the opponent. Secondly, the server’s score dictates whether he/she serves from the right side or the left side.
Side-out, Singles Scoring | Side-out, Doubles Scoring | |
Games Played to | 11 or 15 | 11 or 15 |
When a Fault Occurs, the Ball Goes To… | Opponent | 2nd Server or Opponent |
Score Announced As… | 2 Numbers | 3 Numbers |
Side From Which to Initially Serve After Side-out | Serve from Right (Even Score) or the Left (Odd Score) | Always from the Right Side |
-> Check this out for more on Singles Scoring.
FAQs
What happens if the server does not announce the score before the serve is hit?
To avoid a fault, the entire score must be called before the server hits the serve.
What happens if the receiver stops play because an incorrect score was announced?
When an incorrect score is called and the rally is stopped before the return of serve and before the ball becomes dead, the rally must be replayed with the correct score called. However, when a player stops a rally to challenge a correct score call, it is a fault against the player who stopped the rally.
Can you score on the opponent’s serve?
No, whether playing singles or doubles, only the serving team can earn points in traditional, side-out scoring. In rally scoring, however, a point is awarded after every rally.
Related Articles
For a complete overview of Scoring mentioned in this guide, check out the articles below:
- First Server Band
- MLP Scoring Format
- Rally Scoring
- Scoring in Singles Pickleball
- Starting Score in Pickleball
Learn More About Pickleball Rules
Scoring is part of our complete pickleball rules guide. For the full rules, including serving, kitchen, double bounce, and faults, visit Pickleball Rules.
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