
How to Keep Score
Keeping score in pickleball is relatively simple and follows a similar format to other racket sports like tennis. Here are the basic rules for keeping score in pickleball:
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Each game is played to 11 points, and the winner must win by a margin of two points.
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The game begins with one player serving the ball diagonally across the court to the opponent's service area.
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If the serving team wins the rally, they earn a point, and the same player continues to serve.
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If the receiving team wins the rally, they earn the serve and have the opportunity to score points.
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The receiving team cannot score a point until they have won the serve.
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The serving team must alternate sides of the court with each point scored, and the player serving must also alternate sides with each serve.
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If the score reaches 10-10, the game enters into a "win by two" situation, meaning that the winner must win by a margin of two points.
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In pickleball tournaments or other competitive play, games are often played as a best-of-three or best-of-five series, meaning that the first player to win two or three games wins the match.