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Padel Scoring Explained
Points build into games; games build into sets. At deuce, check which of the three scoring options your match uses.
Reading the points
| Points won in a game | Score called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love or zero |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Game, unless the score has reached deuce and the chosen format requires more points. |
Call the serving pair’s score first. For example, 30–15 means the servers have won two points and the receivers one. Both pairs reaching 40 creates deuce.
Three ways to resolve deuce
| Format | What happens at 40–40? |
|---|---|
| Advantage | A pair must win two consecutive points from deuce. If it loses the point after gaining advantage, the game returns to deuce. |
| Golden point | Play one deciding point immediately. Its winner takes the game. |
| Star Point | Play up to two advantage sequences. If neither closes the game, play one final deciding Star Point. |
FIP introduced Star Point for its Premier Padel, CUPRA FIP Tour, FIP Promises and FIP Beyond circuits in 2026. That does not mean every recreational club uses it. Agree the format before playing.
For the deciding Star Point or golden point, the receiving pair chooses the service side and keeps its established receiving positions. Mixed matches have an additional rule about the receiver matching the server’s sex; consult the competition’s regulations.
A Star Point example
- At 40–40, Pair A wins the next point: advantage 1.
- Pair B wins the following point: second deuce.
- Pair B wins again: advantage 2.
- Pair A wins the next point: third deuce.
- The next point is the Star Point. Its winner wins the game.
Either pair can win the two consecutive points needed to close the game earlier. “Two advantages” means two advantage sequences in total, not two for each pair.
Games, sets and the match
In the standard best-of-three-sets format, the first pair to win two sets wins the match. A set normally requires six games with a two-game lead: 6–4 wins a set, while 6–5 means play continues. A 7–5 finish also wins the set.
At 6–6, the standard tie-break is first to seven points with a two-point margin. A 7–6 tie-break score is not enough; play continues until the margin is two. Winning that tie-break records a 7–6 set score.
Serving in a tie-break
Follow the established serving order. The first server serves one point from the right; subsequent servers take two consecutive points, beginning from the left. The sequence is one serve, then two, two and so on. Points are counted 1, 2, 3 rather than 15, 30, 40.
Sources and review
Reviewed 26 October 2026. Standard doubles padel; FIP Rules of Padel effective 1 January 2026. Competition formats can vary. Practical exercises are introductory suggestions, not additional rules.