Why is the first call of a game 0-0-2?

Because the team that starts the game has only one server: the rules treat it as if the first server had already lost the serve. That way the starting team has no double advantage. From the next game on, both teams have two servers.

Can the receiver score?

In traditional scoring no: by winning the rally it gets the serve, or sends the serve to the opponents' second server. With rally scoring yes: every rally is worth a point.

How many points do you need to win?

Eleven, with at least a two-point lead; at 10-all play continues until one team is two points ahead. Tournaments also use 15 and 21.

Are there sets in pickleball?

No: there are games, and a match is played best of 1, 3 or 5 games. There are no sets and no tie-breaks.

Pickleball Scoring: the Call, the Side Out, Games to 11

Pickleball does not count like tennis: no 15, 30 and 40, but points that go up one at a time, and only for the serving side. The three-number call before every serve, the side out and the game to 11 confuse anyone coming from tennis or padel. Here are the scoring rules, with the numbers of the USA Pickleball 2026 rulebook.

Only the serving side scores

In traditional scoring a point is scored only on serve (rule 4.A). If the receiving side wins the rally it earns nothing: it gets the serve, or, in doubles, sends the serve to the opponents' second server. This is why a game can last a long time with the score standing still.

The three-number call

Before every serve the server says three numbers (rule 4.D.1): their team's points, the opponents' points and the server number, 1 or 2. "4 - 2 - 1" means: us 4, you 2, first server serving. In singles there are two numbers, because there is only one server.

The side out and the two servers in doubles

When the serving team loses the rally, the serve passes to the second server of the same team; when that server loses too, it is a side out: the serve goes to the opponents, who start again from server 1. Exception at the start of every game: the team that begins has only one server, which is why the first call is "0 - 0 - 2" (rule 4.B.6).

Which side you serve from

With your own score even (0, 2, 4…) the server serves from the right side, with an odd score from the left (rule 4.B.1). In doubles each player has a starting side for the game, and the two partners switch places every time they score. If a team is on the wrong side, something is off in the score: it is the simplest check.

Games to 11, best of three

A game is won at 11 points with at least a two-point lead; at 10-all play goes on (rule 12.A)
Tournaments also play games to 15 or 21, always win by two; some team formats close a game even with a one-point lead
A match is usually best of three games; tournaments also play a single game or five games
The trailing side never loses points: in pickleball the score only goes up

Rally scoring

From 2026 the USA Pickleball rulebook allows rally scoring as a provisional rule: every rally is worth a point, whoever serves, and the serve still changes hands with the side out. Games become shorter and more predictable, and team events often use it. With rally scoring the call stays at two or three numbers, as in traditional scoring.

Changes of ends

Ends change after every game (rule 21.F.2) and, in the deciding game or in a single-game match, when the first team reaches 6 points in a game to 11, 8 in a game to 15, 11 in a game to 21 (rules 21.B.1-3). After the change the same server keeps serving.

Pickleball scoring