Padel scoring: golden point, Star Point and tie-breaks
If you know tennis scoring, you already know 90% of padel scoring. The interesting part is what happens at 40–40, where padel has three different options, including a brand-new one on the 2026 professional tour.
Points: 15, 30, 40, game
A game is scored exactly as in tennis. Zero is called "love", then 15, 30, 40, game. The server's score is always called first, so "30–15" means the serving pair has won two points and the receivers one.
The only question is what happens when both pairs reach 40. The FIP rulebook offers three options, and the organiser of your match or league decides which one you play.
Option 1: advantage (deuce)
This is the classic version and still the default in most social games. At 40–40 the score is deuce. Win the next point and you have advantage. Win the following point too and the game is yours; lose it and you are back to deuce. In theory a game can go on forever.
Option 2: the Star Point (new in 2026)
For the 2026 season, the FIP and Premier Padel introduced a middle ground called the Star Point, first used at the FIP Bronze Melbourne in January 2026 and on the Premier Padel tour from the Riyadh P1 in February. It works like this:
- 40–40: deuce, play an advantage point as normal.
- Back to deuce? Play a second advantage.
- Still level at the third deuce? The next point is the Star Point, and whoever wins it wins the game.
The receiving pair chooses which player receives the Star Point, and can't switch once chosen. The idea is to give players a fair chance to win a game "properly" with advantage, while still capping how long a game can last.
Ask before the first serve. Social games mostly play advantage, leagues often use golden point, and events following the 2026 pro format use the Star Point. Agreeing up front saves an argument at 40–40.
Option 3: the golden point
The golden point removes advantage completely. At 40–40 a single point decides the game. As with the Star Point, the receiving pair chooses which of them receives it, from the left or the right box, and they can't switch once chosen.
The golden point became famous in the final World Padel Tour seasons, before the professional game went back to advantage scoring and then, in 2026, to the Star Point. Many leagues and tournaments still use it because it keeps matches short and makes every 40–40 dramatic.
Sets: first to six, two clear
A set goes to the first pair to win six games with a two-game lead. At 5–5 you play on: 7–5 wins the set. At 6–6 you play a tie-break. A standard match is best of three sets.
Pairs change ends after the first game and then after every two games, on the odd totals (1, 3, 5 and so on), so neither side keeps the better light or the calmer wind for long.
The tie-break, step by step
In a tie-break, points are counted simply: 1, 2, 3 and so on. The first pair to seven points with a two-point lead wins the tie-break and the set, 7–6.
- The player whose turn it is to serve serves the first point from the right.
- After that, the serve passes to the other pair, who serve two points, starting from the left.
- From then on, the serve alternates every two points, following the normal player rotation.
- Pairs change ends every six points.
The super tie-break
When court time is tight, many clubs and leagues replace the third set with a super tie-break, sometimes called a match tie-break: first to 10 points with a two-point lead, played at one set all. It takes a few minutes instead of the best part of an hour. The FIP rules also allow mini-sets to four games, used in some junior and social formats.
Worked example
Ana and Leo are serving at 40–30. They lose the point: 40–40. They're playing golden point, so the receivers choose their forehand player on the right box. Leo serves, wins the rally, and the game is theirs. Under advantage scoring that same point would only have given them advantage, and under the Star Point it would have been the first of up to three deuces.
Scoring etiquette
- The server calls the score before each point, loud enough for all four players.
- Call your own side's lines and doubles honestly. On a close ball, the point usually goes to the opponents.
- If nobody agrees on the score, go back to the last score everyone agrees on.
Serving order through a set
In doubles, each player serves a whole game, and the serve rotates around all four players. If Ana and Leo play Sara and Tom, the order might be Ana, Sara, Leo, Tom, then Ana again. Each pair decides which partner serves first in its opening service game, and keeps that order for the set.
Within a game, the server starts from the right-hand side and switches sides after every point.
Scoring cheat sheet
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| 40–40, advantage scoring | Deuce. Win two points in a row to take the game |
| 40–40, golden point | One deciding point. Receivers choose who receives |
| 40–40, Star Point | Up to two advantages. At the third deuce, one deciding point |
| 5–5 in games | Play on. 7–5 wins the set |
| 6–6 in games | Tie-break to 7, two clear |
| One set all | Third set, or a super tie-break to 10 if agreed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the golden point in padel?
A single deciding point played at 40–40, with no advantage. The receiving pair chooses which player receives it.
What is the Star Point in padel?
A scoring option introduced by the FIP in 2026 and used on the professional tour: up to two advantages are played at deuce, and if the score reaches a third deuce, the next point decides the game.
How many games are in a padel set?
First to six games with a two-game lead. At 6–6 a tie-break decides the set.
How many sets are in a padel match?
Usually best of three. Many leagues replace the third set with a super tie-break to 10 points.
Who serves first in a tie-break?
The player whose turn it is to serve takes the first point from the right. After that, each pair serves two points in turn.