Padel scoring: golden point and star point

Padel scoring basics

Points go 15, 30, 40, game (FIP Rules of Padel, Rule 1). The first pair to six games with a two-game margin wins the set, so 6-4 or 7-5; at six games all a tie-break decides it, 7-6. A match is the best of three sets, and the pairs may agree in advance to play a third set without a tie-break, in which case it runs until one pair leads by two games. Pairs change sides after the first, third and every odd game of a set (Rule 5.1).

Each game starts with a serve from the right side to the receiver diagonally opposite, then the sides alternate point by point (Rule 6.5). Before each set the pairs may choose which partner serves first, and that order then holds for the set (Rule 6.8). The keeper shows who serves and from which side after every point.

Golden point

Golden Point is the FIP’s “no advantage” option. At 40-40 the umpire calls deuce, and one deciding point, the golden point, settles the game. The receiving pair chooses whether to receive on the right or the left, and its players can’t swap positions for that point. In mixed matches the deciding point is received by the player of the same sex as the server. Golden Point caps every game at seven points.

Star point

Star Point sits between the other two. At 40-40 the umpire calls “deuce 1”, and the game is played with advantage as normal. If it goes back to deuce, that is “deuce 2”, and again the side with the next point has the advantage. If the game reaches “deuce 3”, one deciding point, the Star Point, is played, with the same receiving rules as the golden point: the receivers choose the side, they can’t swap, and in mixed matches the player of the server’s sex receives.

An example from 40-40: the server’s pair wins a point (advantage 1), loses the next (deuce 2), the receivers win one (advantage 2) and lose one (deuce 3). Now the next point wins the game, whoever wins it. In the keeper, the flag above the buttons turns to “Star point” at that moment.

Which system is used where

The FIP Rules of Padel, applied from 1 January 2026, list Advantage, Star Point and Golden Point as three options. As of 5 November 2026, the FIP’s own tour rulebooks choose Star Point: the Cupra FIP Tour rulebook for 2026 says Star Point is used in all its tournaments, and the Premier Padel men’s rulebook, version 2026/2, applied from 1 June 2026, says the same for every Premier Padel tournament. Both reserve the FIP’s right to authorise other systems. For club matches, leagues and Sunday games, the players or organiser pick one before the first serve, so check before you start.

Tie-breaks and super tie-breaks

A padel tie-break is first to 7 points with a two-point lead. It is started by the player whose turn it is to serve, who serves one point from the right; the opposing pair then serves the next two points, starting from the left, and from then on each pair serves two points in turn, keeping the set’s order of service. Pairs change ends after every six points, and the next set is started by the pair that did not begin serving in the tie-break.

The FIP rules also list shorter formats. Mini sets go to four games, with a tie-break at four all. At one set all, a tie-break to 7 or a super tie-break to 10, each needing a two-point margin, can replace the third set. Pick any of them in the settings.

Common mistakes

• Treating Star Point like Golden Point. The first 40-40 is not decisive; only the third deuce is.
• Letting the server choose the side on the deciding point. The receiving pair chooses, and can’t swap players.
• Serving two points to open a tie-break. The first server has one point only.
• Forgetting to change sides. Change after odd games, and every six points in a tie-break.

Playing tennis or pickleball as well? The tennis score keeper uses the same set and tie-break logic with No-Ad scoring, and the court planner has the 20 × 10 m padel court with its service lines.