If you're new to pickleball, one of the first things that can feel confusing is the scoring.
You win a rally—but don't get a point.
Someone calls out “6-4-2”—and you wonder why there are three numbers.
Then someone says “side out!” and suddenly the serve changes hands.
Don't worry. Once you understand the basic system, pickleball scoring becomes much easier.
There are two scoring methods you may encounter:
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Traditional scoring, also called side-out scoring
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Rally scoring
The biggest difference is simple:
In traditional side-out scoring, only the serving team can score a point.
In rally scoring, whoever wins the rally scores a point.
Let's break it down with plenty of examples.
Traditional Pickleball Scoring: Side-Out Scoring
The traditional pickleball scoring system is commonly called side-out scoring. This is is still the official method of scoring pickleball games.
The most important rule is:
Only the serving team can score a point.
If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point and continue their service turn.
If the serving team loses the rally, they don't lose a point—but they lose the serve.
That's called a side out.
The other team then gets the opportunity to serve and score.
What Is a Side Out?
A side out happens when the serving team loses a rally.
For example:
The score is:
5–3–1
Team A is serving.
Team B wins the rally.
Because this is traditional side-out scoring:
-
Team B does not get a point.
-
Team A's score remains 5.
-
Team A's service turn ends.
-
Team B gets the serve.
That's a side out.
The score is still:
5–3
But now Team B is serving.
Think of it this way:
Win the rally while serving → score a point.
Lose the rally while serving → side out.
Win the rally while receiving → earn the serve.
That's the foundation of traditional pickleball scoring.
Why Is It Called Side-Out Scoring?
The term side out comes from the idea that the serving side loses its opportunity to score and the service changes to the other side.
So when you hear someone yell:
“Side out!”
it means:
The serving team's service turn is over, and the other team gets the serve.
This is one of the most important pickleball terms to learn.
How Do You Call the Score?
Here's where pickleball gets interesting.
In traditional doubles pickleball, the score is normally called using three numbers:
Serving team's score – Receiving team's score – Server number
For example:
6–4–1
means:
-
6 = serving team's score
-
4 = receiving team's score
-
1 = first server
Or:
6–4–2
means:
-
6 = serving team's score
-
4 = receiving team's score
-
2 = second server
So when you hear:
“Six-four-two!”
the third number isn't another score.
It identifies which server is currently serving.
First Server and Second Server
In traditional doubles pickleball, each team normally gets two servers during its service turn.
This is another important concept.
Imagine Team A consists of:
Alex and Sam
Team A gets the serve.
First server
Alex is the first server.
If Alex wins the rally:
Team A scores a point.
Alex continues serving.
If Alex loses the rally:
Alex's service ends, and Sam becomes the second server.
Second server
Sam is now the second server.
If Sam wins the rally:
Team A scores a point, and Sam continues serving.
If Sam loses the rally:
Side out.
Team B gets the serve.
Example: Following a Service Turn
Let's say the score is:
4–2–1
Team A is serving and Alex is the first server.
Rally 1
Team A wins.
4–2–1 → 5–2–1
Team A scores a point.
Alex continues serving.
Rally 2
Team A loses.
No point is awarded.
Alex's service ends.
Sam becomes the second server.
The score is:
5–2–2
Rally 3
Team A wins.
5–2–2 → 6–2–2
Team A scores.
Sam continues serving.
Rally 4
Team A loses.
Side out.
Team B now gets the serve.
The score remains:
6–2
That's a complete service turn.
What Does “0–0–2” Mean?
You may hear something strange at the beginning of a doubles game:
“Zero-zero-two!”
Why start with 2 instead of 1?
There is a special rule for the beginning of a doubles game.
At the start of the game, only one player from the starting serving team gets to serve. If that player loses the rally, the serve immediately goes to the other team.
This is known as the first-server exception.
Therefore, the starting score is traditionally called:
0–0–2
The “2” indicates that the starting team is considered to be on its second-server position.
This prevents one team from receiving an extra service opportunity simply because it started the game.
An Easy Way to Remember the Three Numbers
When you hear a three-number score, think:
Score – Score – Server
For example:
8–6–2
means:
We're at 8, they're at 6, and we're on our second server.
That's all you need to remember.
Traditional (Side-out) Scoring: A Complete Rally-by-Rally Example
Let's play through a few rallies.
We'll call the teams:
Team A: Alex & Sam
Team B: Jamie & Taylor
The game begins:
0–0–2
Team A serves.
Rally 1
Team A wins.
1–0–2
Team A gets a point.
Rally 2
Team A wins again.
2–0–2
Another point.
Rally 3
Team B wins.
No point for Team B.
Side out.
Team B gets the serve.
Score:
2–0
Rally 4
Team B wins.
2–1–1
Team B scores a point.
Rally 5
Team A wins the rally.
Because Team B was serving, Team A does not get a point.
Instead:
Side out.
Team A gets the serve.
Score remains:
2–1
Rally 6
Team A wins.
3–1–1
Now Team A gets a point.
Notice the difference?
Team A won two rallies:
-
One while receiving → side out
-
One while serving → point
That's traditional side-out scoring.
The Most Important Traditional Scoring Rule
If you remember only one thing, remember this:
In side-out scoring, you must be serving to score.
Winning a rally while receiving is still valuable.
It gives you the serve, which gives your team the opportunity to score.
What Is Rally Scoring?
Rally scoring works differently.
With rally scoring:
Every rally results in a point.
It doesn't matter which team served.
If you win the rally:
You get a point.
If your opponent wins:
They get a point.
There is no traditional side-out in the sense of a rally changing the serve without changing the score.
Traditional vs. Rally Scoring: Same Rally, Different Result
Suppose the score is:
5–4
Team A is serving.
Team B wins the rally.
Traditional side-out scoring
Team B wins the rally.
No point.
Score: 5–4
Team B gets the serve.
That's a side out.
Rally scoring
Team B wins the rally.
Team B gets a point.
Score: 5–5
Team B gets the serve.
Same rally.
Different scoring system.
Why Do Players Like Rally Scoring?
Rally scoring is straightforward:
Every rally = a point for someone.
That can make games:
-
Easier for beginners to understand
-
Easier for spectators to follow
-
Faster to score
-
More predictable in length
It's also convenient for organized play where keeping track of every service turn can be cumbersome.
Depending on the event and format, you may encounter rally scoring in competitive pickleball.
Do You Still Need to Know Side-Out Scoring?
Absolutely.
If you're playing recreational pickleball, you're very likely to encounter traditional side-out scoring.
And even if you eventually play rally-scoring games, understanding side-out scoring helps you understand many of the terms and traditions of the sport.
Games Are Usually Played to 11
A standard pickleball game is generally played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points.
So:
11–9 → Game
But:
11–10 → Keep playing
The game could continue:
12–10 → Game
Or:
11–11
then:
12–11
then:
12–12
and so on.
Eventually, one team needs a two-point advantage.
For example:
14–12 → Game
Always check the rules for your particular league, tournament, or format because games may also be played to other point totals.
How to Keep Score Without Losing Your Mind
When you're learning, it's completely normal to forget the score.
You can make things much easier with a few simple tools.
1. Pickleball Scoring Apps
A scoring app can keep track of:
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Score
-
Server
-
Service changes
-
Game point
-
Win-by-two situations
This can be especially useful when you're learning the game or playing with people who are still getting comfortable with scoring.
2. A Physical Score Tracker
Sometimes you don't want to pull out your phone in the middle of a game.
A physical score tracker gives you a quick visual reference without needing a screen, battery, or app.
DinkLayer Pickleball Score Tracker
The DinkLayer PickleTracker score tracker is designed for exactly this kind of situation.
Instead of trying to remember:
“Was that 6–5 or 7–5?”
you can simply update the score and keep playing.
It's useful for:
-
Recreational games
-
Open play
-
Pickleball clubs
-
Backyard games
-
Families and beginners
-
Players who prefer a physical scoring aid
No app. No battery. Just keep score and play.
Shop the DinkLayer PickleTracker score tracker →
Official Pickleball Rules & Resources
For the most current rules, always refer to the official resources from USA Pickleball:
Rules and sanctioned formats can vary depending on the event, so official USA Pickleball rules are the best reference for tournament play.
