Guides
How to keep score in padel without arguing
Points go 15, 30, 40, game. Six games with a two-game lead win a set, with a tie-break at 6–6. The server calls the score before each serve, server's score first. Agree on the deuce rule and match format before you start.
Padel is fast and social, and the score is usually the first casualty. A long rally, a lob over the net player, a change of ends, and suddenly four people remember four different scores. A few habits fix most of it.
The scoring basics
- Points: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game. You need a two-point lead to win a game, or a deciding point if you play golden point or Star point.
- Games: the first pair to 6 games with a two-game lead wins the set, for example 6–4 or 7–5.
- Tie-break: at 6–6, the first pair to 7 points with a two-point lead takes the set 7–6.
- Match: usually best of 3 sets. Some leagues replace the third set with a super tie-break to 10.
Want the full detail? Read padel scoring rules explained.
Agree on four things before the first serve
- Deuce rule: advantage, golden point or Star point. Compare them here.
- Match length: one set, best of 3 or best of 5.
- Deciding set: a full set or a super tie-break.
- Who serves first: spin a racket, and let each pair pick its first server.
Call the score out loud
The server calls the score before every serve, with the server's score first. "30–15" means the serving pair has 30. Say the games at every change of ends: "4–3 to us." If someone disagrees, sort it out then, not three games later.
When you disagree
- Go back to the last score everyone agrees on and replay from there.
- If you cannot agree on one point, replay it. It is quicker than a debate.
- Keep the call simple and friendly. You will play these people again next week.
Do not forget the serving side
Each game starts from the right, and the server switches side after every point. Lost track? Count the points played in the game: even, serve from the right; odd, from the left. More on serving order.
Or just tap your wrist
The easiest way to stop arguing is to let one device keep the score. With PadelWin on Apple Watch, you tap the bottom half when your pair wins a point and the top half when the other pair does. It counts points, games and sets, shows who serves from which side, and lets you undo a wrong tap. Scoring is free, and Pro keeps your full history and stats on iPhone.