Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Understanding the scoring system is essential for any beginner looking to enjoy the game fully. This guide will walk you through the basic rules of scoring, common terms used in pickleball scoring, and tips to help you keep track of points effectively.
Basic Rules of Scoring

1. Points are Only Scored by the Serving Team: In pickleball, only the team that serves can score points. If the serving team wins a rally, they earn a point; if they lose it, no points are awarded.

2. Games are Played to 11 Points: A standard game of pickleball is played to 11 points. However, a player or team must win by at least 2 points. If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one side leads by two points.

3. Match Structure: Matches are typically played as best-of-three games. The first team to win two games wins the match.

4. Switching Sides: Teams switch sides after one team reaches 6 points in a game (or at other predetermined intervals) to ensure fairness regarding court conditions like wind or sun.

5. Serving Sequence: Each player on a doubles team gets a turn to serve before their side loses service (when both players have served). The server must call out their score before each serve.