Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, easy to learn, fast-paced, and exciting to watch. But if you’re new to the game, understanding how scoring works can take some time.
This guide explains everything from how points are won, to how the overall scoring system works.
1. How a Point Is Scored in Padel
Every rally starts with a serve and ends when one team fails to return the ball correctly.
You win a point if the opposing team lets the ball bounce twice on their side, hits it into the net, sends it out of bounds, or hits the wall or fence (on the opposition’s side) before the ball touches the ground on your side.
If the ball bounces once inside the court and then hits the glass or metal fence, it’s still in play. The walls are part of the game, that’s what makes padel so unique. The point only ends when a team can’t make a legal return.
2. How Points Are Counted
Padel uses the scoring language of tennis. The first point is called “15”, the second “30”, the third “40”, and if you win another after that (while leading by two points), you win the game.
So, for example, if you’re serving and win three rallies in a row, the score would be 40–0. If both sides reach 40-40, that’s called “deuce”. From there, one team must win two consecutive points; the first gives them an “advantage”, and the second wins them the game. If they lose the next point, the score returns to deuce.
3. The Golden Point Rule
Many modern tournaments use the golden point rule, which replaces the old deuce system to make matches faster and more exciting.
When the score reaches 40-40, there’s just one final rally to decide the game; no advantage, no repeated deuces. The receiving team gets to choose which player returns serve for that deciding point.
This simple rule adds tension and keeps matches moving, which is why it’s now used in most professional competitions such as the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel.
4. How Games and Sets Work
A padel match is divided into games and sets, just like tennis.
You need to win six games to win a set, but you must also lead by at least two games. So if the score is 6–4, that set is over. But if both teams reach 5–5, play continues until one side leads by two games, such as 7–5.
If both sides reach 6–6, a tie-break is played to decide the set.
Most matches are played as the best of three sets. Win two sets and you win the match.
5. How Tie-Breaks Work
A tie-break happens when both sides have won six games in a set.
In a tie-break, points are counted numerically instead of using 15, 30, and 40. The first team to reach seven points wins the tie-break, as long as they lead by two. If the score reaches 6–6, play continues until one team has that two-point lead.
Teams switch ends of the court every six points. The winner of the tie-break wins the set by seven games to six.
6. Serving Order and Rotation
Padel is always played in doubles, so there’s a clear rotation system for serving.
One player serves for the entire game, then the serve switches to the other team. Within each team, the players alternate who serves each time their turn comes around.
During a tie-break, the first player serves one point, then players take turns serving two points each. Teams also switch sides every six points to keep conditions fair.
7. Exceptions and Alternative Scoring Formats
While most padel matches follow the standard format, you might encounter some small variations depending on the competition or club.
Some amateur matches use “short sets”, where the first team to win four games takes the set. Others replace the third set with a longer tie-break to ten points instead of playing another full set.
In social or timed formats, matches may last for a fixed duration (for example, twenty minutes), and whichever team is leading at the end wins.
OBScoreboard supports all of these variations, making it easy to adjust scoring rules to suit any format.
8. How Digital Scoreboards Display Padel Scoring
Keeping track of padel scores manually can be confusing, especially with deuce, golden points, and tie-breaks. That’s why most broadcasters now use digital scoreboards to handle scoring automatically.
With a system like OBScoreboard, the scoreboard updates instantly as the operator inputs each point. It displays the current score, number of games and sets won, who’s serving, and even switches to numeric mode during a tie-break.
It also supports extras like team names, player names, flags or logos, and sponsor graphics; all updating live on screen, perfectly in sync with the action.
This makes it easy for small production teams or local clubs to deliver professional-quality streams that look just like major tournaments.
9. Why broadcasters use OBScoreboard for Padel
Automated scoring logic: OBScoreboard handles all padel rules — deuce, golden points, tie-breaks — automatically, so you never miss a score change.
Instant integration: It works with popular streaming tools like OBS, vMix, and Wirecast, so your overlays always stay perfectly in sync.
Sponsor-ready design: Add your logos and sponsors once, and they’ll appear consistently across all overlays.
Simple mobile control: Manage everything from a phone or tablet courtside, ideal for small crews.
Multi-sport flexibility: OBScoreboard isn’t just for padel — it also supports football, soccer, rugby, tennis, basketball, GAA, and more.
10. Key Takeaways
- A point in padel is won when your opponent fails to return the ball legally.
- Games are scored using tennis-style points (15, 30, 40, game).
- You need six games and a two-game lead to win a set, or a tie-break if it’s 6–6.
- Golden points replace advantage in many tournaments.
- Digital scoreboards like OBScoreboard automate all this logic, making live streams accurate, engaging, and sponsor-ready.
Upgrade your padel broadcasts with OBScoreboard
Whether you’re streaming club matches or national tournaments, OBScoreboard makes managing scores, overlays, and sponsor graphics effortless. It’s built for padel broadcasters who want professional results without the complexity — just fast, accurate, and reliable live scoring.