Pickleball Doubles Scoring – 3-Number Scores, Side-Outs
Keeping score can be one of the more intimidating concepts for the new pickleball player when playing doubles. While games are generally played to 11 points (win by 2 points) there are nuances in doubles scoring. Although pickleball scoring is pretty straight-forward in singles, it can be particularly confusing when playing doubles.
Pickleball Doubles Scoring – A Summary
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- 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 serve of the game in which case only one player from the serving team (player on the right) 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 rotates 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.
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Points are only Scored Only on the Serve
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). This creates a “side-out” so they can serve and add to their score.
The Player on the Right Always Serves First to Start the Game & After a Side-out
To negate the advantage that the serving team has when serving first to start the game, only the player on the right side of the court gets to serve to start the game. 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.
You Won a Point – Now Rotate with your Partner!
If the serving team wins the rally (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.
What Happens When the Serving Team Loses a Rally?
When a rally is lost when the first server is serving (exception being the first service turn of the game), the serve goes to the partner. If 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.”
The Player Number is Announced as “2” During the First Service Turn of the Game
It is confusing at first, but important to note that the player number is announced as “2″. This is only on the very first service turn of the game. Again, the first serve is announced as 2 even though he/she is the first server! Remember, to start the game only one player get to serve. The player that started on the right side of the court gets a service on the first service turn of the game. Before the very first rally of the game, before any points have been played the score is announced as “0-0-2.”
Announcing the Score with 3 Numbers — Huh?
Pickleball doubles scores are always comprised of three numbers. The score is called out in the following order: (1) server’s score, (2) receiver’s score and (3) the server number. The service number is either 1 for the first server or 2 for the second server. Example: if the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team 4 points and the second of the two servers is serving, the score is announced as “5-4-2.”
Rally Scoring in Pickleball
Struggling with the scoring format or pace of play? Try rally scoring, It is much easier to understand and speeds up the game tremendously. Read our post on Rally Scoring