Pickleball Traditional Scoring: Cracking the Code Like a Courtboss

Traditional scoring is the original format for pickleball and is the most used scoring system in recreational and competitive play. It's known for its strategic depth and favors the server. In this system, points are scored only by the serving team. This method allows players to take more chances, as the worst-case scenario is not scoring a point.

In traditional scoring, singles players serve solo and call the score as two numbers, while doubles teams take turns as a duo and call the score as three numbers.

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How Traditional Scoring Works in Doubles

1. Points Are Scored Only on a Serve:
   • The serving team must win the rally to score a point.
   • If the receiving team wins the rally, no points are scored.
2. The Two-Serve Rule:
   • Each teammate serves, except at the start of the match.
     • First Server: Serves and rotates serve position after each point scored until their team loses a rally, then the serve passes to the Second Server.
     • Second Server: Continues serving and rotating serve position after each point scored until their team loses a rally, after which it's a side-out, and the serve switches to the opposing team.
   • Exception at the Start: The first team to serve begins with only one server (score starts at 0-0-2), which is meant to balance the game.
3. Calling the Score:
   • The server announces the score in this three-digit format:
     • Serving team's score
     • Receiving team's score
     • Server number (1 or 2)
   • Example: 5-3-1 means the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 3, and the first server is serving.
4. Winning the Game:
   • Games are typically played to 11 points, and the team must win by 2 points.
5. Regaining Service Control:
   • When a team regains service control, the player in the even position (left side of the court) becomes server number 1.

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How Traditional Scoring Works in Singles

1. Points Are Scored Only on a Serve:
   • The server must win the rally to score a point. The server continues to serve until they lose a rally, after which it's a side-out, and the serve switches to the opposing player.
   • If the receiving team wins the rally, no points are scored.
2. Server Position Based on Score:
   • If the server's score is even, they serve from the right side of the court; if their score is odd, they serve from the left side. 
3. Calling the Score:
   • The server announces the score in this two-digit format:
     • Serving team score
     • Receiving team score
4. Winning the Game:
   • Games are typically played to 11 points, and the team must win by 2 points.

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Why Traditional Scoring?

Traditional scoring's pace allows for thoughtful gameplay with more room for risk-taking, making it ideal for players who enjoy a strategic challenge and want time to develop game play.

Want to learn about a faster-paced alternative? Check out our guide to Rally Scoring.

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