Padel scoring explained

Padel scoring is the same as tennis. Points go 15, 30, 40, game. The first team to six games wins the set, with a two-game lead, and a tie-break decides the set at 6 games all. Matches are best of three sets. At 40 all, clubs use advantage, golden point or star point.

Points in a game

The server's score is called first. "30 15" means the serving team has 30.

What happens at 40 all?

The official rules allow three ways to settle a game at 40 all. Agree which one you are using before you start.

Option 1: Advantage

The classic. At 40 all it is "deuce". Win the next point and you have "advantage". Win again and you take the game. Lose it and you are back to deuce. It continues until a team wins two points in a row.

Option 2: Star point

Part of the FIP rules that apply from 2026. You play advantage twice, then a deciding point:

1. At 40 all it is "deuce 1". The next point gives "advantage 1".
2. If the advantage is lost, it is "deuce 2", and the next point gives "advantage 2".
3. If that advantage is lost too, it is "deuce 3" and the next point is the star point. Whoever wins it wins the game.

For the star point, the receiving team chooses whether to receive on the right or the left, and they cannot swap positions. In mixed doubles, the player receiving is the same sex as the server.

Option 3: Golden point

The fastest. At 40 all, the next point wins the game. The receiving team chooses which side to receive on, and cannot swap positions. Many social games use golden point because it keeps matches short and every close game ends on a moment of drama.

Worked example

Your team serves. You win the first point (15 love), lose the next two (15 30), then win two (40 30, then 40 40).

• Advantage: deuce. You need two points in a row.
• Golden point: next point wins the game.
• Star point: deuce 1. You can still lose up to two advantages before a single deciding point.

Sets

• First to six games wins the set, with a lead of at least two.
• At 5 games all, play on: a team wins 7 5.
• At 6 games all, play a tie-break.
• A match is best of three sets. If agreed beforehand, the third set can be played without a tie-break, until one team leads by two games.

How a tie-break works

1. Count points as 0, 1, 2, 3 and so on.
2. First team to seven points with a two-point lead wins the tie-break, and the set 7 6. If needed, keep going until someone leads by two.
3. The player whose turn it is serves one point from the right side.
4. The next player in the order serves the following two points, starting from the left. After that, each player serves two points in turn.
5. Swap ends every six points.
6. The next set is started by the team that did not serve first in the tie-break.

Shorter formats your club might use

The rules also allow some shorter formats, often seen in social leagues and tournaments:

• Mini set to four games. First to four with a two-game lead. Tie-break at 4 all.
• Match tie-break. At one set all, play one tie-break to seven (two clear) instead of a third set.
• Super tie-break. At one set all, play a tie-break to ten (two clear) instead of a third set.