Understand scoring in doubles pickleball

Doubles pickleball uses a unique three-number scoring system. The score is called as: serving team's score, receiving team's score, then server number (1 or 2). For example, "6-3-2" means the serving team has 6, receiving team has 3, and server #2 is serving.

How It Works

1. Games are played to 11 points, win by 2
2. Only the serving team can score (side-out scoring)
3. Every game starts at 0-0-2 — the first serving team gets only one server
4. When the serving team scores, the server switches sides with their partner
5. After both servers lose their serve, it's a "side-out" and the other team serves

Tips

• The starting score of 0-0-2 prevents the first-serving team from having an unfair advantage
• In singles, only two numbers are called (server's score, receiver's score)
• Some leagues use rally scoring where every rally awards a point regardless of who served