Padel scoring rules: the 40-40 rule, Golden Point and Star Point
Padel is scored like tennis: points go 0, 15, 30, 40, game. Six games win a set, and most matches are the best of three sets.
The part that confuses most players is what happens at 40-40. The FIP 2026 rules give three ways to settle it. Here is how each one works, with a worked example.
How a game is scored
Each game starts at 0-0. The first point takes a side to 15, the second to 30, the third to 40, and the next one wins the game. If both sides reach 40, the score is 40-40, also called deuce, and the deuce rule decides how the game ends.
40-40: the three FIP 2026 options
Agree on the deuce rule before the match. The FIP 2026 rules list three options:
- Advantage (Option 1)
- The classic rule and the FIP default. The side that wins the point at 40-40 has advantage. Win the next point too and the game is yours; lose it and the score goes back to 40-40, as many times as it takes.
- Star Point (Option 2)
- Advantage with a limit. The first two times a game reaches 40-40 it is played with advantage. If both advantages are lost and the score comes back to 40-40 a third time, that point is the Star Point: whoever wins it wins the game.
- Golden Point (Option 3)
- Sudden death. The first point played at 40-40 decides the game.
On a deciding point (Golden Point or Star Point) the receiving pair chooses the side to receive on. In a mixed match, the receiver must be the same sex as the server.
Traicker also offers Hybrid: one advantage, then a sudden-death Star Point. It is not one of the three FIP options, but it keeps games short.
Sets and tiebreaks
A set goes to the first side to win six games with a two-game lead, so 6-4 or 7-5 finishes it. At 6-6 a tiebreak decides the set.
In the tiebreak, points are counted 1, 2, 3 and so on. The first side to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the tiebreak and the set 7-6: 7-5 ends it, but from 6-6 play goes on until one side leads by two. Players change ends every six points.
The deciding set at one set all
When a best-of-three match reaches one set all (two sets all in a best of five), the FIP 2026 rules allow the deciding set to be played in one of three formats:
- Full set
- A normal set to six games, with a tiebreak at 6-6.
- 7-point match tiebreak
- A single tiebreak replaces the set. The first side to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the match.
- 10-point super tiebreak
- The same, but first to 10 points with a two-point lead.
In Traicker you pick the format before the match or when the sets are level, on your iPhone or your Apple Watch. If nobody chooses within 30 seconds, a full set is played.
Changing sides
Players change ends after the first, third and every following odd game of a set. There is no rest after the first game of a set; the other changeovers allow up to 90 seconds. Between sets there is a break of up to 120 seconds, and players change ends there only if the set had an odd number of games.
Worked example: a Star Point game
Your Team and Opponents play with the Star Point rule, and the game reaches 40-40.
| Score | What happens |
|---|---|
| 40-40 | The first deuce of the game. It is played with advantage. |
| Advantage Your Team | Your Team wins the point and has the first advantage. |
| 40-40 | Opponents win the next point. The first advantage is gone; this second deuce is also played with advantage. |
| Advantage Opponents | Opponents win the point and have the second advantage. |
| 40-40 | Your Team wins the point. Both advantages have been used, so this third deuce is the Star Point. The receiving pair chooses the side to receive on. |
| Game Your Team | Your Team wins the Star Point and, with it, the game. |
With Golden Point, the first 40-40 would already have decided the game. With Advantage, it would continue until one side won two points in a row.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 40-40 rule in padel?
At 40-40 (deuce) the game is finished by the deuce rule agreed before the match. The FIP 2026 rules allow Advantage (win two points in a row), Star Point (two advantages, then a sudden-death point) or Golden Point (the next point wins).
What is the Golden Point in padel?
Golden Point is sudden death at 40-40: the next point wins the game. The receiving pair chooses the side to receive on, and in a mixed match the receiver must be the same sex as the server.
What is the Star Point in padel?
Star Point is one of the three scoring options in the FIP 2026 rules. The first two deuces of a game are played with advantage; if the score comes back to 40-40 a third time, the next point, the Star Point, wins the game.
How does a tiebreak work in padel?
At 6-6 a tiebreak decides the set. Points are counted 1, 2, 3, and the first side to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the set 7-6. Players change ends every six points.
What happens at one set all in padel?
Under the FIP 2026 rules the deciding set can be a full set, a 7-point match tiebreak or a 10-point super tiebreak; both tiebreaks are won by two clear points. Agree on the format before the match or when the sets are level.
When do you change sides in padel?
After every odd game of a set (1, 3, 5 and so on). There is no rest after the first game; the other changeovers allow up to 90 seconds, and the break between sets up to 120 seconds.
Score it on your Apple Watch
Traicker applies these rules for you: one tap per point on your iPhone or Apple Watch, even offline. Scoring is free.