Padel Scoring Explained: A Simple Guide for New Players

Sports Analyst

Padel may be the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, but for beginners, one part can be confusing: the scoring system. The rallies are fun, the walls are exciting, but when someone shouts “15–30” or “deuce,” many new players pause and wonder what’s going on.

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Padel borrows its scoring rules from tennis, but with its own unique flow. Once you learn the basics, you’ll see how simple and fun padel scoring really is.

This guide breaks down padel scoring step by step, so you’ll never feel lost on the court again.

1. The Basics of Padel Scoring

Padel uses the same point system as tennis:

0 points = “Love”
1 point = 15
2 points = 30
3 points = 40
4 points = Game (if leading by 2)

👉 Example: If your team wins the first point of a game, the score becomes 15–0. Win the next point, it’s 30–0.

A team must win by 2 points to close out a game. If the score is tied at 40–40, that’s called deuce. From there, you need to win two points in a row:

Win one point = “Advantage”
Win the next = Game

If the opponents win the next point, it goes back to deuce.

2. How Many Games Make a Set?

A set is won by the first team to reach 6 games, with at least a 2-game lead.
- Example: 6–4 = Set won.
- If it’s 5–5, play continues until one team reaches 7–5.
If the score reaches 6–6, a tiebreak is played.

3. The Tiebreak Rule

Tiebreakers can seem complicated, but they’re actually straightforward:

Tiebreaks are played to 7 points, win by 2.
Scoring is simple numbers (1, 2, 3…) instead of 15–30–40.
Teams switch sides after every 6 points.

👉 Example: If your team wins 7–5 in the tiebreak, the set score becomes 7–6.

4. Winning the Match

Most padel matches are played as best of 3 sets. That means the first team to win 2 sets wins the match.

👉 Example final score: 6–3, 4–6, 6–2.

5. Serving & Rotation Rules

Scoring is tied directly to serving, so here’s what you need to know:

One player serves for the entire game.
The serve must always be diagonal into the opponent’s box.
After each game, the serve rotates to the next player (like in tennis doubles).
Each team alternates who serves first in their rotation.

👉 Beginner Tip: Keep track of who served last—it’s part of knowing the score.

6. Unique Situations in Padel Scoring

Golden Point Rule (Optional): In some tournaments, instead of playing “advantage,” the next point after deuce decides the game.
Let on Serve: If the serve clips the net but lands correctly in the box, it’s replayed (like tennis).
Faults: Two serving faults = losing the point.

7. A Real-Life Example of Scoring

Let’s say you’re playing with friends. Here’s how a game might unfold:

First rally: Your team wins → Score: 15–0.
Second rally: Opponents win → Score: 15–15.
Third rally: You win → 30–15.
Fourth rally: You win → 40–15.
Fifth rally: You win → Game!

Congrats. You just won your first game of padel. 🎉

8. Common Beginner Mistakes with Scoring

Forgetting to Call Out the Score – Always announce it before serving.
Mixing Up Tennis & Padel Rotations – In padel doubles, serving rotates more strictly.
Not Knowing When a Set Ends – Remember: 6 games with a 2-game lead (or tiebreak at 6–6).
Confusing Advantage & Deuce – Two consecutive points are needed to win from deuce.