Your first match feels much calmer when everyone agrees the numbers before the first serve. Padel scoring is the same basic system used in tennis, but a few padel habits and club-session customs can catch beginners out. Once you know what to call, when to swap ends, and how games turn into sets, you can focus on playing rather than counting.
Most beginner confusion comes from three places: deuce, tie-breaks, and whose turn it is to serve. Sort those before you start and the rest becomes a simple rhythm.
What to know first
- Points in a game go love, 15, 30, 40, then game.
- The server usually calls the score before each point, with the serving pair’s score first.
- A set is usually first to 6 games, with a 2-game lead needed.
- At 6-6, many matches use a tie-break, usually first to 7 points with a 2-point lead.
- At deuce, your group must agree whether to play advantage scoring or a deciding point.
If you are playing a social mix-in rather than a fixed match, scoring can be slightly more relaxed because time, rotations and court bookings matter. For a smoother session, it helps when the organiser also has a fair plan for partners; this guide to rotating partners fairly at a padel club session explains a simple way to avoid awkward pairings.
Step 1: Count points inside each game
Every game starts at love-all. If the serving pair wins the first point, the score is 15-love. If the receiving pair wins the next point, it becomes 15-all. The sequence is love, 15, 30, 40, game.
Here is a simple game example:
- Start: love-all.
- Serving pair wins the point: 15-love.
- Receiving pair wins the next point: 15-all.
- Serving pair wins again: 30-15.
- Serving pair wins again: 40-15.
- Serving pair wins the next point: game to the serving pair.
The key habit is to say the score before the serve, not after the rally has already started. This gives all four players a chance to correct it before the point matters.
Step 2: Deal with deuce before it becomes awkward
When both pairs reach 40, the score is deuce. From there, clubs commonly use one of two methods.
Advantage scoring
With advantage scoring, a pair must win two points in a row from deuce. If the serving pair wins the first point after deuce, call advantage server. If they win the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the score returns to deuce.
Deciding point
Some club sessions use a single deciding point at deuce to keep matches moving. You may hear this called a golden point. In that format, the next point wins the game. The receiving pair usually chooses which side receives, then the point is played.
Neither system is difficult, but mixing them mid-game causes arguments. Before the warm-up ends, ask: “Are we playing advantage or deciding point at deuce?” That one question prevents most scoring disputes in beginner matches.
Step 3: Keep the serving order clear
Padel is normally played as doubles, so four people are involved in the order. At the start of a set, the first pair chooses who serves the opening game. The other pair chooses who serves the second game. After that, the serve alternates between pairs and between partners in that same sequence.
Within each service game, the server starts from the right-hand side and serves diagonally into the opposite service box. After every point, the server switches side: right, left, right, left. If the server accidentally stands on the wrong side, stop before the serve and reset. It is easier to fix before the point than debate afterwards.
The receiving pair also has a pattern. One player receives on the right side and the other receives on the left side for that set. They should not swap receiving sides halfway through the set unless the format you are playing specifically allows it.
Step 4: Turn games into a set
Once a pair wins a game, add it to the set score. For example, if your pair wins the first game, the set score is 1-0. If the other pair wins the next two games, they lead 2-1.
A normal set is won by the first pair to reach 6 games with at least a 2-game lead. So 6-4 wins the set, but 6-5 does not. If the score reaches 6-5, play one more game. If it becomes 7-5, the set is over. If it becomes 6-6, play the tie-break format agreed before the match.
For short club bookings, you may not play a full set. Many beginner groups play one timed set, first to 4 games, or a match tie-break instead. That is fine as long as everyone knows the format before the first point.
Step 5: Play a tie-break without losing the order
A standard tie-break is counted in simple numbers: 1, 2, 3 and so on. The usual target is 7 points, but you must win by 2. So 7-5 wins the tie-break, while 7-6 does not. Keep playing until one pair leads by 2 points.
The serving order changes slightly in a tie-break:
- The player whose turn it is to serve serves the first point from the right-hand side.
- After that, each player serves two points in the established order.
- Players alternate service side after each point.
- Pairs change ends after every 6 points played.
For example, Player A serves one point. Player B then serves two points. Player C serves two, Player D serves two, and the pattern continues. Do not restart the order just because it is a tie-break; carry on from whose turn it should be.
Step 6: Know when to change ends
In a set, players usually change ends after the first game and then after every odd number of games. That means you change at 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3 and so on. You do not change after 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3.
In a tie-break, change ends after every 6 points. For example, change at 4-2, 3-3, 6-6 or 8-4. The easiest check is to add the tie-break points together. If the total is 6, 12 or 18, change ends.
A simple match example
Imagine you and your partner start serving. You win the first game, so the set score is 1-0. Your opponents serve and hold, so it is 1-1. Your partner serves next and loses, so your opponents lead 2-1. Because three games have been played, you change ends.
Later, the set reaches 5-5. Your opponents win the next game and lead 6-5, but they have not won the set because they only lead by one game. You win the next game, making it 6-6. You then play a tie-break. If you win it 7-4, you win the set 7-6.
Once you understand that flow, the numbers become much less intimidating. You are simply counting points, then games, then sets.
Quick checks before the first serve
- Agree the match format: full set, short set, timed match or match tie-break.
- Decide what happens at deuce: advantage or deciding point.
- Confirm who serves first for each pair.
- Call the score before every serve, with the serving pair’s score first.
- Check side changes after odd games and every 6 tie-break points.
- Restart the score conversation calmly if anyone loses track.
Score pressure can make beginners rush, stand still or play the next ball without a plan. Once the counting feels automatic, it is worth putting the same calm structure into your movement; these simple padel footwork drills are a useful next step after your first few matches.
Common questions
Is padel scoring exactly the same as tennis?
It is very similar: love, 15, 30, 40, game, sets and tie-breaks. The main thing to check is whether your club session uses advantage scoring or a deciding point at deuce.
Who calls the score in padel?
The server normally calls the score before each point. They call their pair’s score first, then the receiving pair’s score.
What score do we start from after changing ends?
The score does not reset when you change ends. Carry on from the current game or set score; the end change only switches court sides.
What if we forget the score during a rally?
Finish the rally, then calmly agree the most recent score all four players remember. If nobody is sure, replaying the point is usually the fairest beginner-friendly solution.
Do beginners have to play a full best-of-three match?
No. Many first matches are one set, a timed game or a match tie-break. Use the format that fits your court time and energy level.
What to remember
Keep the score out loud, agree the deuce rule early, and track whose turn it is to serve. Those three habits solve most first-match problems. You do not need to sound like an umpire; you only need to be clear enough that all four players know where the game stands.
After your first match, the next challenge is finding more suitable games at your level. If you are looking for organised club play, our MATCHi app review for joining club games explains how it can help beginners find sessions without guessing where they fit.
