In short
Padel scoring is the same as tennis: points go 15, 30, 40 and game; six games win a set by two, with a tiebreak at 6-6; and matches are best of three sets. At 40-40, clubs use advantage or a golden point, and since 2026 professional events use the Star Point, which caps deuce at two advantages.
Updated
How do points work in a padel game?
Points in a game are called exactly as in tennis. Zero is "love", the first point is 15, the second 30, the third 40, and the fourth wins the game. The server's score is called first. When both pairs reach 40, the score is deuce, and what happens next depends on the format agreed for the match.
The International Padel Federation (FIP) rulebook in force from January 1, 2026 recognizes three ways to settle deuce: the traditional advantage, the Star Point and the golden point (Rule 1). Each is explained below.
How does deuce and advantage work?
Under the traditional advantage format, the pair that wins the point after deuce has "advantage". If they win the next point too, they win the game; if they lose it, the score returns to deuce. This can repeat indefinitely, so a single game can last a long time between evenly matched pairs. Many social games and some leagues still use it.
What is the golden point?
The golden point removes advantage altogether. At deuce, one deciding point is played and whoever wins it takes the game. Under FIP Rule 1, the receiving pair chooses whether to receive on the right or left side for that point, and they cannot switch positions once chosen. In mixed matches, the player who receives must be the same sex as the server.
The golden point keeps matches short and adds tension. Professional padel used it before switching to the Star Point in 2026, and it remains common in club play and amateur tournaments.
What is the Star Point in padel?
The Star Point is a hybrid between advantage and the golden point, approved unanimously by the FIP General Assembly on November 28, 2025. It works in three stages from the first deuce:
- First advantage: the pair that wins the next point has advantage. Winning the following point wins the game; losing it returns the score to deuce.
- Second advantage: the same again. Win it and the game is yours; lose it and play moves to the Star Point.
- Star Point: a single deciding point, played like a golden point, with the receivers choosing their side.
According to FIP's announcement of December 18, 2025, the Star Point is used from 2026 on the Premier Padel tour, the CUPRA FIP Tour, FIP Promises and the amateur FIP Beyond circuit. It debuted on the CUPRA FIP Tour in Melbourne in January 2026 and on Premier Padel at the Riyadh P1 in February 2026. It caps how long a deuce game can last while keeping a chance to come back from advantage down.
How many games are in a set, and how long is a match?
A set is won by the first pair to six games with a lead of at least two. At 5-5 the set continues to 7-5; at 6-6 a tiebreak decides it, giving a 7-6 set (Rule 1). A standard match is the best of three sets.
The rules also allow the third set to be played without a tiebreak if that is agreed in advance, in which case it continues until one pair leads by two games.
How does a padel tiebreak work?
A tiebreak is scored 1, 2, 3 and so on, and the first pair to seven points with a two-point lead wins it and the set. The player due to serve takes the first point from the right side. After that, each player serves two points in turn, following the set's serving order. Pairs change ends every six points. The player who did not open serving in the tiebreak starts serving the next set.
What shorter formats do clubs use?
FIP lists alternative formats that suit leagues, social sessions and court bookings of an hour or ninety minutes:
| Format | How it works | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage | Deuce continues until one pair wins two points in a row | Social play, some leagues |
| Golden point | One deciding point at deuce | Club play, many amateur events |
| Star Point | Up to two advantages, then a deciding point | Premier Padel and FIP circuits from 2026 |
| Mini set | First to four games by two, tiebreak at 4-4 | Short sessions, round robins |
| Match tiebreak | A tiebreak to 7 replaces the third set | Leagues, tight bookings |
| Super tiebreak | A tiebreak to 10 by two replaces the third set | Leagues and amateur tournaments |
Whatever format you use, agree it before the first serve, including how deuce is settled. Most disputes in club padel come from formats that were assumed rather than agreed.
How should you call the score during a match?
Call the server's score first, out loud, before each serve: "30-15", "40-love", "deuce". In a tiebreak, call the server's points first too. It sounds fussy, but it prevents most arguments, especially with the golden point or Star Point, where one lost point can decide the game.
Keep track of the serving order as well. Under Rule 6, each pair chooses who serves first at the start of every set, and that order cannot change until the next set. If someone serves out of turn, the correct player takes over as soon as the mistake is noticed and the points already played stand.
What does a scoring sequence look like?
Here is one deuce game played under the Star Point. The score reaches 40-40: deuce. Pair A wins the point, first advantage A. Pair B wins the next, back to deuce. Pair B wins again, second advantage B. Pair A wins, and now the score goes to the Star Point. The receiving pair picks a side, and the winner of that single point takes the game. Under the golden point the same game would have ended on the first point after 40-40; under advantage it could have continued.
The same scoring decides the pro tour, where Valor's pro padel coverage follows every Premier Padel event. For how ranking points add up across a season, see padel world rankings explained.
Padel scoring: frequently asked questions
Is padel scoring the same as tennis?
Almost. Points, games, sets and tiebreaks follow tennis. The difference is how often padel settles deuce with a deciding point, either the golden point or, at professional level since 2026, the Star Point.
Who chooses the side for the golden point?
The receiving pair chooses whether the deciding point is received on the right or the left, and they cannot change positions once they have chosen.
Do professionals still play the golden point?
Not on the main circuits. From 2026, Premier Padel and FIP's circuits use the Star Point, which allows two advantages before a deciding point.
How long does a padel match last?
It depends on the players and the format. Clubs usually sell court time in 60- or 90-minute slots, so groups often use the golden point, mini sets or a match tiebreak to finish inside the booking.
When do you change ends in padel?
After the first game, then after every odd game of the set (third, fifth and so on), and every six points during a tiebreak.
What is a super tiebreak?
A super tiebreak replaces a deciding third set. It is played like a normal tiebreak but to ten points, and a two-point lead is still required.
Sources
- International Padel Federation, Rules of Padel (review in force January 1, 2026), Rules 1, 5 and 6. Checked October 11, 2026.
- International Padel Federation, Introducing the "Star Point", December 18, 2025.
- Premier Padel and FIP, 2026 calendar and Star Point system announcement, December 18, 2025.
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