How padel scoring works - golden point and tiebreaks explained
Whether you're new to padel or just watching your first match, the scoring system might seem confusing at first—but it’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.
Padel scoring is almost identical to tennis, with a few padel-specific twists—like the golden point, the super tiebreak, and the let serve. Let’s break it all down so you can keep score like a pro.
Basic scoring structure
Padel uses the traditional tennis point system within each game:
- 0 points = Love
- 1 point = 15
- 2 points = 30
- 3 points = 40
- 4 points = Game (if you lead by 2 points)
What happens at 40–40?
There are two possible formats depending on the match:
Deuce (traditional rule)
- At 40–40, the score is called deuce
- One team must win two consecutive points:
- First point = advantage
- Second point = game
- If the team with advantage loses the next point, it returns to deuce
Golden point (modern rule)
Many leagues and tournaments now use the golden point rule to speed up matches:
- At 40–40, one deciding point is played
- The receiving team chooses which side will receive
- The winner of that point wins the game
This format keeps the pace fast and adds pressure at key moments.
Games, sets, and matches
Padel matches are typically played as best of 3 sets.
- A set is won by the first team to win 6 games, with at least a 2-game lead
- If the score reaches 6–6, a tiebreak is played
Tiebreak rules
- First to 7 points, win by 2
- Scoring is numeric: 1, 2, 3, and so on
- Teams switch sides every 6 points
What is a super tiebreak?
In casual matches or tournaments with time limits, the third set is often replaced by a super tiebreak.
- First to 10 points, win by 2
- Scoring is numeric
- Teams switch sides every 6 points
It’s fast, exciting, and keeps matches within a set timeframe.
Who serves and when?
Padel follows a fixed serving rotation:
- Teams alternate serving every game
- Within each team, players take turns serving during their team’s turn
So: Player A serves all points in Game 1, Player C serves all points in Game 2, and so on.
Serving rules:
- Serve is underhand after one bounce
- The server must stand behind the service line
- The ball must land in the opposite diagonal service box
- You get two chances per serve
- If the ball hits the net but still lands in the correct service box, it’s called a let serve and is replayed
Match example
Here’s how a typical match might look:
| Set | Score |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6–4 (Team A) |
| 2 | 5–7 (Team B) |
| 3 | 10–7 (Team A wins super tiebreak) |
In this example, Team A wins the match 2–1, with a super tiebreak as the decider.
Where to play and watch padel
Now that you know how padel scoring works, why not hit the court or catch a match?
Check out some great padel cities in the US:
Or explore all padel courts near you.
Padel scoring might sound fancy with its love, deuce, and tiebreaks—but once you're on the court, it all makes sense. Whether you're playing with traditional deuce or modern golden point, matches stay exciting and competitive. And with super tiebreaks and let serves, the rules are easy to learn but hard to master.
Ready to serve it up? Visit the homepage to find a court near you and play your first match!