Padel is known for its fast rallies, fun atmosphere, and easy-to-learn format. If you’re new to the sport, one of the first things you need to get to grips with is how the scoring system works. Fortunately, it closely resembles tennis, but there are a few padel-specific nuances worth knowing. This guide walks you through how to score points, win games, take sets, and what to do during tiebreaks, so you can step onto the court with confidence.
The Basics of Padel Scoring
Padel scoring follows the same system as tennis: points progress in a sequence of 15, 30, 40, and game. Here’s how it breaks down:
- First point = 15
- Second point = 30
- Third point = 40
- Fourth point = Game (if the player/team has a two-point lead)
If both teams reach 40, the score is called “deuce.” From there, a team must win two consecutive points to win the game:
- First point after deuce = Advantage
- Win the next point = Game
- Lose the next point = Back to deuce
This can go back and forth until one team secures two points in a row.
How to Win a Set
A standard padel match is played as best of three sets. To win a set, a team must win six games with at least a two-game lead. If the score reaches 6-5, the leading team must win one more game to take the set 7-5. If the trailing team wins the next game, bringing it to 6-6, a tiebreak is triggered.
Understanding the Tiebreak
When both teams reach six games each in a set, a tiebreak is played to decide the winner of that set. The tiebreak has its own scoring system:
- Teams play to 7 points, and must win by at least 2 points.
- Points in a tiebreak are counted numerically: 1, 2, 3, etc., rather than 15-30-40.
- The team that wins the tiebreak wins the set by a score of 7-6.
The serve during a tiebreak follows a unique pattern:
- The player who begins serving serves one point from the right side.
- After that, players alternate serving two consecutive points, starting from the left.
- Teams change ends every 6 points.
Serving and Scoring Flow
The same player serves an entire game, alternating sides after each point. After each game, the serve rotates clockwise between all four players in a doubles match. This rotation ensures fairness and keeps play balanced.
Keeping Score in a Match
Here’s how a full padel match might look in terms of scorelines:
- 6-3, 6-4 (straight sets win)
- 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 (three-set match)
- 7-6, 6-3 (set won by tiebreak)
Match scores are always written with the winning team’s score first.
Tips for Remembering the Score
- Always announce the score before serving.
- Say your team’s score first if you’re serving.
- Keep a mental or physical note of games and sets, especially in casual matches.
Common Questions
Do you switch sides in padel? Yes. Players switch sides after every odd-numbered game (e.g. after game 1, 3, 5, etc.) to ensure fairness with sun, wind, and court conditions.
Is there sudden death? Not in most formats. Padel follows the traditional advantage system from deuce unless a tournament or league specifies otherwise.
Do you have to win by two games? Yes, except when a set reaches 6-6, in which case a tiebreak decides the winner.
Final Thoughts
Once you get used to the scoring flow, padel becomes even more enjoyable. The tennis-style scoring keeps matches exciting and competitive, while the smaller court and longer rallies mean there’s always action. Whether you’re playing casually or entering your first tournament, knowing how scoring works will help you stay focused and competitive from first serve to final point.
