Padel rules and scoring

Padel is scored like tennis, two against two, on a court enclosed by glass and wire mesh. Here is everything you need to keep score properly and settle arguments on court.

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Scoring a game

A game is won in four points: 15, 30, 40, then game. The serving team’s score is always called first: “30-15” means the server is ahead.

At 40-40 it is deuce. The team that wins the next point has the advantage; if it wins the following point too, it wins the game. If it loses it, the score goes back to deuce.

The golden point

Many clubs and tournaments play the golden point: at 40-40, a single point decides the game, with no advantage. The receiving team chooses which of its two players receives the serve. It is faster, and every deuce becomes a big moment.

Games, sets and the tie-break

A set is won with six games and a two-game lead: 6-4, 7-5. At 6-6, a tie-break is played: the first to seven points with a two-point lead wins the set 7-6. A match is the best of three sets.

In the tie-break you count 1, 2, 3… The player whose turn it is serves the first point, then the serve passes to the other team and each player serves two points in turn. Players change ends every six points. Among friends, the third set is often replaced by a super tie-break to ten points.

The serve

The serve is underarm: the ball bounces behind the service line and the server hits it at waist height or below. It goes diagonally and must bounce in the opponents’ service box. Two attempts, as in tennis.

After the bounce, a serve that hits the glass is good; if it hits the wire mesh, it is a fault. A serve that clips the net and lands in the right box is replayed, unless it then hits the mesh.

The glass, the mesh and volleys

The ball must first bounce on the opponents’ side. If it hits a glass wall or the mesh on their side directly, the player who hit it loses the point.
After that bounce, it can hit the glass and the mesh as much as it likes: you play it as it comes off the wall.
You can hit the ball against your own walls to send it over: it only has to clear the net without touching the ground on your side.
Volleys are allowed everywhere, except on the return of serve, which is played after the bounce.
Touching the net with your body or racket loses the point. A ball that hits a player loses the point for that player’s team.

Frequently asked questions

How does scoring work in padel?

Like tennis: 15, 30, 40, then game. At 40-40 you need an advantage and then one more point, unless you play the golden point. Six games make a set, two sets win the match.

What is the golden point in padel?

At 40-40, a single point decides the game. The receiving team chooses who receives. It replaces advantage in many clubs and tournaments.

How does the tie-break work in padel?

At 6-6 in a set, the first to seven points with a two-point lead wins the set. The serve changes after the first point, then every two points, and players change ends every six points.

Do you serve overarm in padel?

No. The serve is underarm, with the ball hit at waist height or below, after a bounce behind the service line.

How are points counted in an Americano?

Differently: every point played counts. A match is played to a total number of points, for example 21, and each player scores their team’s points. Bandeja’s tournament generator keeps the count for you.

The score, kept for you

Bandeja’s score counter tracks games, sets, the tie-break and the golden point. Tournaments too. Free.

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