Padel Scoring and Rules Explained

Padel scoring is identical to tennis. If you can already score a tennis match, the only new things to learn are how the serve works and how walls fit into a rally. This guide covers both, plus the rule details that surprise most beginners.

Each game is scored: 0 (called 'love'), 15, 30, 40, game. You need to win four points and have at least a two-point lead to win the game. If both teams reach 40-40, that's called 'deuce' — and from deuce you need to win two points in a row to win the game.

If a team wins one point at deuce, the score is 'advantage' to that team. If they win the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the score returns to deuce. Some recreational and tournament settings use a faster 'golden point' rule instead — see below.

A set goes to the first team to win six games, with a margin of at least two. So 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 are all valid set scores. If the games reach 5-5, you must keep playing until one team is ahead by two — typically 7-5. If the games reach 6-6, a tie-break is played to decide the set.

A standard match is best of three sets. If each team wins one set, a third set decides the match. Some short tournament formats play one long set or a 'super tie-break' as the third set.

When a set is tied at 6-6 in games, you play a tie-break. Scoring switches to simple counting: 1, 2, 3, etc. The first team to reach 7 points wins the tie-break and the set, but you must win by at least 2 points. So if it's 6-6 in the tie-break, you keep playing until one team leads by two.

Service order is specific: the first server serves one point, then service alternates between teams every two points. Players also switch ends every six total points to even out conditions.

The server stands behind the service line on their side of the court. They drop the ball, let it bounce once on the floor, then strike it below waist level into the opposite service box, diagonally. The ball must clear the net and land in the correct service box.

If the ball touches the net but lands in the right box, it's a 'let' and the server replays the serve with no penalty. If the ball misses the box, hits the side mesh before bouncing, or is struck above waist height, it's a fault. Two faults in a row and the receiving team wins the point.

After serving the first point, the server alternates sides — first from the right (deuce side), then left (advantage side), and so on. Within a team, the same player serves the entire game; the partner serves the next game.

After the ball bounces in your half, it can hit your back wall, side glass, or mesh, and it stays in play as long as you return it before the second bounce. You cannot return a ball that has hit your wall before it bounces on the floor — the floor bounce comes first, then the wall, then your return.

On returns, you can play the ball off your own back wall on purpose. Letting the ball pass you, rebound off the back glass, then striking it back is a fundamental defensive shot.

On the attacking side, you can also use the opponent's walls. A ball that lands in their court and bounces over the back glass is out. A ball that hits the metal mesh on the opponent's side without first bouncing on their floor is your point — they can't 'use' the mesh as part of a return.

Beginners often hit the serve from above their waist — the rule is the strike point must be at or below waist height, regardless of how high the bounce was. Practice it slow and low.

Another frequent mistake: returning a ball that has hit a wall before it bounces on the floor. The floor bounce must come first. If your opponent's smash hits your back wall and never touches your floor, it's their point.

And: walking behind another court while a point is in progress. Wait for the point to finish. It's not a rule of the game, but it is a rule of every padel club in the world.