We’ve got everything you need to know about padel scoring and how it compares to tennis
Padel scoring is pretty easy to pick up, but there are a few things about it that can throw people off a bit when you first get started. You’ll hear the same numbers as tennis, so it feels familiar, but things like deuce, tie breaks, and knowing when a set is actually won can get a bit confusing when you’re new to the game.
Once you understand how those parts work though, everything starts to fall into place and it becomes much easier to follow.
So here’s a simple breakdown of padel scoring and what makes it different from tennis.
How padel scoring works
Padel scoring follows the same basic point system as tennis. In every game, the score builds like this:
- 15 for the first point
- 30 for the second
- 40 for the third
If one team reaches 40 and wins the next point, they win the game.
The only time that changes is if both teams reach 40-40. That’s when you move into deuce.
You win points in padel when the other team can’t return the ball before it bounces twice, hits it into the net, or sends it out of play..
What happens at deuce
Deuce is the bit that usually causes confusion, but it’s simple once you see it in action.
In padel when you get to 40-40, the game doesn’t end on the next point. Instead, one team needs to win two points in a row.
The flow looks like this:
- Win one point from deuce and you get advantage
- Win the next point and you take the game
- Lose the next point and it goes back to deuce
Some clubs use a golden point instead, where the next point at 40-40 wins the game straight away. It speeds things up, but it’s not always used.
How sets work in padel scoring
Matches are usually played as best of three sets.
Each set is made up of games, and to win a set you need to reach six games and be at least two games clear. So:
- 6-4 wins the set
- 6-5 keeps the set going
- 7-5 wins the set
If both teams reach 6-6, a tie break is played to decide the set.
This is where padel scoring mirrors tennis almost exactly, which is why most people pick it up quite quickly.
How tie breaks work
A tie break is played at 6-6.
The aim is simple. First team to reach 7 points wins, but you still need to be two points clear. So if it gets to 7-6, play continues until one team pulls ahead.
Final thoughts
Padel scoring is basically the same as tennis, so there’s nothing complicated about it once you know the basics. Points, games, and sets all follow the same structure, with just a couple of small differences like tie breaks and the occasional golden point.
The main difference comes from how the game is played, not how it’s scored, so once you’ve got your head around it, you can just focus on playing and enjoying it.
SEE ALSO: Everything You Need to Know About The Padel Yard
