Pickleball doubles scoring uses three numbers: [Serving Team Score] – [Receiving Team Score] – [Server Number 1 or 2]. You only score points when your team is serving. The game always starts at “0-0-2” because the starting team only gets one server before a side-out.
The very first time I picked up a pickleball paddle and drove down to my local tennis center to take a group lesson, the instructors warned, “you will all leave knowing how to play the game, but learning to keep score will take you months.”
Perhaps a bit of an overstatement, but I did wonder at the time if the scoring system was devised to filter out a segment of people unwilling to learn something new.
Drew Pierce is a USA Pickleball Ambassador, PPR certified coach, and tennis crossover who covers beginner tips, paddle releases, and the sport’s growing culture. Read more on his About page or tune into Pickle Rock Radio.