If you know how tennis is scored, you already know 90% of padel scoring. Points, games, sets and tiebreaks work the same way. The main difference is what happens at deuce — and the professional tours have experimented with it, so it is worth knowing the options.
Points: love, 15, 30, 40, game
| Points won | Called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Game (if two points ahead) |
The serving team's score is called first. For the full logic of points and games, see our tennis scoring guide — it applies to padel too.
Deuce: advantage or golden point?
When both teams reach 40 (40–40, "deuce"), there are two systems:
- Advantage: as in traditional tennis, a team must win two points in a row to take the game.
- Golden point (punto de oro): a single deciding point wins the game. The receiving team chooses which player receives it. This keeps games short and adds pressure, and it has been widely used in professional padel.
Professional tours have also trialled variations, such as allowing a limited number of advantages before a deciding point. In club and league play, the organiser decides — agree on the rule before you start.
Tactics at golden point: the receiving team chooses the receiver, so put your better returner on the side facing the server's weaker pattern — usually the backhand side.
Sets
A set is won by the first team to win six games with a two-game margin (6–4, 7–5). At 6–6, a tiebreak decides the set (7–6).
The tiebreak
- Points are counted 1, 2, 3…
- The player due to serve serves the first point; then the serve passes to the other team every two points, rotating through all four players.
- Teams change ends every six points.
- The first team to 7 points with a two-point margin wins the set.
Matches
Padel matches are best of three sets. To shorten matches, some tournaments, leagues and social events play a super tiebreak (first to 10 points, two clear) instead of a third set, or use shorter sets.
Changing ends
Teams change ends after the first game and then every two games (after odd-numbered games in the set), and every six points in a tiebreak — just like tennis.
Serving order
- Each team decides which partner serves first in the set; partners alternate serving games, keeping the same order.
- Each point is served diagonally, starting from the right-hand side.
- Receivers keep the same side (right or left) throughout a set; many pairs keep their sides for the whole match.
Reading a padel score
A result such as 6-4 3-6 7-6(5) means the first pair won the first set 6–4, lost the second 3–6 and won the third in a tiebreak, 7 points to 5. You can see real examples on our Premier Padel results and the padel calendar.
New to the game? Continue with padel rules explained.
Frequently asked questions
What is the golden point in padel?
At 40–40 (deuce), instead of playing advantage, the teams play a single deciding point: whoever wins it wins the game. The receiving team usually chooses which player receives.
Is padel scored the same as tennis?
Almost. Points, games, sets and tiebreaks work the same way. The main difference is that padel often uses a deciding point at deuce instead of advantage, and matches are always best of three sets.
Who serves in a padel tiebreak?
As in tennis: the player due to serve serves the first point, then the serve passes to the other team every two points. Teams change ends every six points.
What is a super tiebreak?
A tiebreak played to 10 points with a two-point margin, used in some tournaments and leagues instead of a full third set to shorten matches.