Why does pickleball start at 0-0-2?

To offset the advantage of serving first, the opening serving team gets only one server before the serve passes to the other team, so play starts as if the first server were already used.

Can the receiving team score in pickleball?

Not under traditional side-out scoring. The receiving team must win the serve back first. Some leagues use rally scoring, where every rally earns a point.

How to Keep Score in Pickleball

4 video lessons

The three-number call, finally explained.

Quick answer & tips ▾

In doubles, the score is called as three numbers before every serve: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, then the server number, 1 or 2. Only the serving team can win a point. If they lose the rally, the serve passes to their partner, or to the other team once both partners have served.

Games start at 0-0-2, because the first serving team only gets one server in the opening turn. The serving team switches sides after each point it wins, which is how you can check who should be serving from where: when the first server's team score is even, they serve from the right.

Key tips

Always say all three numbers before you serve.
Remember the first serve of the game is called 0-0-2.
Only switch sides with your partner after your team wins a point on serve.
If you lose track, work out positions from the starting server and whether the score is even or odd.

FAQ

Why does pickleball start at 0-0-2?: To offset the advantage of serving first, the opening serving team gets only one server before the serve passes to the other team, so play starts as if the first server were already used.
Can the receiving team score in pickleball?: Not under traditional side-out scoring. The receiving team must win the serve back first. Some leagues use rally scoring, where every rally earns a point.