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Padel rules

Padel scoring, made simple.

Like tennis, with a few quirks. Here is everything you need to keep score, and which variants Padel Watch knows. Playing tennis? The end of the page covers what’s different there.

1 · Points

Four points to a game.

Every game starts at 0. Whoever wins the next point at 40 wins the game.

  1. 0
  2. 15
  3. 30
  4. 40
  5. Game

2 · Deuce

At 40 : 40 there are three variants.

Agree on one before the match.

  • Classic

    Whoever wins the next point has advantage. Win one more and the game is yours. Otherwise it’s deuce again.

    1. 40 : 40
    2. Advantage
    3. Game

  • Golden Point

    At 40 : 40 a single point decides. The receiving team chooses who returns.

    1. 40 : 40
    2. Game

  • Star Point

    FIP rule 2026: advantage is played twice. At the third deuce one point decides.

    1. 40 : 40
    2. Advantage
    3. 40 : 40
    4. Advantage
    5. 40 : 40
    6. Game

3 · Sets

Six games to a set.

A set goes to the team that first wins six games with a two-game lead. At 6 : 6 a tie-break decides.

  • Tie-break

    Counted 1, 2, 3 … The first to 7 points with a two-point lead wins.

    1. 6 : 6
    2. 7 : 5

  • Super tie-break

    Instead of a third set: a tie-break to 10, also with a two-point lead.

    1. 1 : 1 sets
    2. 10 : 8

  • Pro set

    A single set to 9 games. Tie-break at 8 : 8.

    1. 8 : 8
    2. 9 : 8

4 · Serve and sides

Who serves, and when do you switch?

  • The serve passes to the other team after every game, alternating within the team.
  • You serve underhand, diagonally into the opponents’ box.
  • Change sides after the 1st, 3rd, 5th … game of a set.
  • In a tie-break: one serve first, then two each. Change sides every six points.
  • Padel Watch shows serve and side changes on its own.

Extra: time limit

Only booked the court for an hour?

Not an official rule, but everyday club life: you play until time is up. The team with more sets wins, then more games. If it’s tied, the watch asks: “Leader wins” or “No winner”.

Tennis too

And in tennis?

Scoring works like padel: 0, 15, 30, 40, game. Six games to a set, tie-break at 6 : 6, same serve and side changes. What’s different: singles, deuce and a few formats.

  • Singles

    One player per side. The serve changes every game, always diagonal. Doubles counts like padel.

    1. 1 vs 1

  • No-Ad

    At 40 : 40 a single point decides. The receivers choose the side. Same logic as the Golden Point.

    1. 40 : 40
    2. Game

  • Best of 5

    Three sets to win instead of two, like at the Grand Slams.

    1. 2 : 2 sets
    2. 3 : 2

  • Fast4

    Sets to 4, a tie-break to 5 at 3 : 3. At 4 : 4 in the tie-break, one point decides. Always No-Ad, two sets to win.

    1. 3 : 3
    2. Tie-break
    3. 4 : 3

  • 10-point tie-break

    In the deciding set at 6 : 6, a tie-break to 10 with a two-point lead. The set ends 7 : 6. In best of 3 and best of 5.

    1. 6 : 6
    2. 10 : 8
    3. 7 : 6
  • Star Point is padel only. In tennis the deciding point is called No-Ad.
  • Padel Watch doesn’t count aces or double faults.

Padel based on the rules of the FIP (International Padel Federation), tennis on the ITF Rules of Tennis, 2026.

PLACEHOLDER · Link to the official rules