Mastering the rhythmic 'three-number' chant of pickleball doubles scoring is the ultimate rite of passage for every new player. It is the moment you stop looking like a confused spectator and start looking like a seasoned athlete. When you step onto a pickleball court for the first time, the flurry of dinks and drives is exciting, but the second you hear someone shout '4-2-1,' you realize there is a whole mathematical language you need to learn.
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This guide breaks down the mechanics of pickleball doubles scoring to ensure you never lose track during your first league match. Whether you are aiming for a casual weekend game or preparing for a competitive tournament, understanding how these numbers work will make the transition from 'newbie' to 'competitor' seamless and stress-free.
The Anatomy of the Three-Number System
Unlike tennis or badminton, pickleball doubles scoring uses three distinct numbers. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of the game, our guide on Pickleball Scoring for Beginners: The 3-Number System Explained provides a great foundation. In doubles, the score is always announced as three digits: the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number.
The First Number: Serving Team Score
The first digit is always the score of the team currently holding the ball. If your team has 5 points, and you are serving, the first number you call is '5.' It doesn't matter if your opponents have 10 points or 0 points; your score always comes first when you are the server.
The Second Number: Receiving Team Score
The second digit represents the opponents' score. If you are serving and the opponents have 3 points, the second number is '3.'
The Third Number: The Server Number
This is where most beginners get tripped up. In pickleball doubles, each partner on a team gets a turn to serve before the ball is turned over to the other side (with one major exception at the start of the game). The third number is either a '1' or a '2,' indicating which partner is currently serving.
The 'Us, Them, Me' Mnemonic To keep it simple, memorize this phrase: "Us, Them, Me."
Us: Our score.
Them: Their score.
Me: Am I the first or second server?
Before every serve, the score must be called loudly. If you don’t call it, the serve isn't valid, and in many league settings, it can even result in a fault. Calling the score isn't just a rule; it’s a way to reset the focus of everyone on the court.
The '0-0-2' Rule: Starting the Game Correctly
One of the most frequent questions we see on forums (like when players ask What is the Best Pickleball Paddle According to Reddit?) is why the game starts with such a weird score. Why is the first serve of the game called '0-0-2' instead of '0-0-1'?
Why It Isn't 0-0-1
At the very start of a new game, the first serving team is only allowed one server. To signal this, the person starting the serve is designated as 'Server 2.' If they lose the rally, the ball immediately goes to the opposing team (a 'Side Out').
The Strategic Reason for the Single Server Start
This rule exists to prevent the first serving team from having an unfair advantage. Because the serving team has the first opportunity to score points, giving them two servers right away would create a statistical imbalance. By limiting the first team to only one server, the game remains competitive from the very first dink.
Visualizing the Start:
The game begins with the score 0-0-2.
The player on the right-hand (even) side of the court serves first.
If the serving team wins the point, the score becomes 1-0-2, and the partners switch sides.
If the serving team loses the point, it is a Side Out. The ball goes to the opponents, and their first server calls '0-0-1.'
Navigating the Rotation: Server 1 vs. Server 2
Once the initial '0-0-2' sequence is over, the game settles into a standard rotation. Understanding how to cycle through Server 1 and Server 2 is vital for maintaining the flow of the game.
Winning a Point as the Serving Team
When your team wins a rally while serving, you earn a point. The server then moves to the other side of their own court (from right to left, or vice versa) and serves again. The receiving team never switches sides when the serving team wins a point; they stay exactly where they are. This is a common mistake for those transitioning from other racket sports.
Losing a Rally as Server 1
If you are Server 1 and your team loses a rally, you do not lose the serve to the other team. Instead, the ball goes to your partner. Your partner remains in the same position they were in during the previous rally and becomes Server 2. The score would stay the same, but the third number would change from '1' to '2.'
Losing a Rally as Server 2 (The Side Out)
When Server 2 loses a rally, a 'Side Out' occurs. This means your team has exhausted both serving turns. The ball is handed over to the opponents. The player on the right-hand side of the opposing team becomes the new Server 1.
Practical Example: Imagine the score is 1-2-1. Your team (Server 1) wins the point. The score is now 2-2-1. You switch sides with your partner and serve again. This time, you lose the rally. The score is still 2-2, but now it is your partner’s turn. They call '2-2-2.' If they lose that rally, it’s a Side Out, and the opponents take the ball.
While you are focusing on the score, don't forget the importance of the Master the Pickleball Third Shot Drop: Step-by-Step Guide to help your team stay in the point long enough to actually win those serves!
The Even/Odd Secret: Using Your Position to Verify the Score
If you find yourself confused mid-game (which happens to everyone!), there is a 'secret' physical trick to verify the score. This is based on where you started the game.
The Right Side is Always Even
In pickleball, the right-hand side of the court is the 'Even' side, and the left-hand side is the 'Odd' side.
The 'Starting Right' Rule: Identify the player on your team who served first at the beginning of the game.
If your team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, etc.), that player should be on the right side of the court.
If your team’s score is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, etc.), that player should be on the left side of the court.
How to Use This in League Play
If you are playing in a league and the score is called as '5-4-1,' but the person who started the game on the right is currently standing on the right side, something is wrong. Since 5 is an odd number, that player should be on the left. This built-in check-and-balance system helps players resolve disputes without needing a referee.
If you're looking for a place to practice these positioning drills in a beautiful setting, we highly recommend our Guide to Del Cerro Pickleball: San Diego's Hidden Gem.
League Play Troubleshooting: Fixing Scoring Mistakes
In the heat of a match, mistakes happen. Knowing how to handle them gracefully is the mark of a true sportsman.
Serving from the Wrong Side or Out of Turn
If a player serves from the wrong side of the court or the wrong partner serves, it is a fault if it is caught before the next serve. In most social games, you simply replay the point or correct the position. However, in league play, if the server hits the ball while out of position, they lose the rally.
When the Opponents Disagree on the Score
Score disputes can ruin the fun of a game. To avoid this, always follow the 'Score Caller' rule: the server must call the score clearly. If the receiver disagrees, they must speak up before the ball is served. Once the ball is served, the score called is generally accepted as the correct one. If a dispute persists, it is common practice to return to the last score both teams agreed upon.