Pickleball rules

Pickleball formats and variations

The ways a game is commonly played, what changes in each, and which you can score free on 1SCOR.

Checked against the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, 2026 editionLast checked Read the official rulebook ↗

At a glance

FormatGame toWho scoresUsually playedFree scorer
Standard11, win by 2Serving side onlyBest of 3 or 5 gamesYes
Longer single game15 or 21, win by 2Serving side onlyOne game; big round robins may play one game to 11Not yet
Rally scoring11, 15 or 21, win by 2Whoever wins the rallySome events (provisional rule)Yes
Singles11, win by 2Serving player onlyBest of 3 gamesYes
STANDARD

Side-out scoring to 11

The rulebook’s standard game.

  • Only the serving side scores Rule 4.A
  • Both partners serve, except in the first turn Rule 5.B
  • Score call in three numbers: “4–2–1” Rule 6.B.2
Doubles or singlesScore this format →

Games to 15 or 21

One longer game in place of best of 3.

  • Same scoring, to 15 or 21, won by 2 Rule 15.C, 15.C.1.c, 15.C.1.d
  • Ends change at 8 (to 15) or 11 (to 21) Rule 21.B.2, 21.B.3
Not in the free scorer yet

Rally scoring

Provisional in 2026. Not used in double-elimination doubles, Golden Ticket or national championship events.

  • Every rally wins a point, game point included Rule 14.A.2
  • One server a side; score call “4–2” Rule 14.A.3, 14.A.5
  • Games to 11, 15 or 21 Rule 15.C.2
Doubles or singlesScore this format →

Singles

One player a side, full court.

  • One server, so a lost rally is a side out Rule 5.A.2, 5.A.3
  • Serve from the right when your score is even, left when odd Rule 5.A.1
  • Score call in two numbers: “4–2” Rule 6.B.1
Side-out or rally scoringScore this format →

Rules are written by 1SCOR in our own words and checked against the official rulebook. They are not the rulebook: for anything official, read the rulebook itself.