Pickleball Scoring: Fun, Frustrating, and Forgetful

Sponsored by Scorebutts to keep OPP free for readers.

If you’ve played more than a couple games of pickleball, you know the rallies are fast, the laughs are loud—and somewhere along the way, the score disappears. Pickleball’s scoring system is unique, tricky, and often the thing that separates a 2.5 player from a 2.0 rated player. Knowing how to keep track isn’t just about being correct—it’s about strategy, focus, and staying in rhythm. That’s why Scorebutts exists: to make sense of one of the quirkiest scoring systems in sports.

Pickleball doesn’t do rally scoring. Only the serving team can score, games usually go to 11, and you have to win by two. Add in side-outs and switching servers, and suddenly a simple “6–5–2” can feel like algebra. Just a few weeks ago, I spent five full minutes debating whether it was 6–7–1 or 7–7–2. (I was right, but proving it took longer than the rally that started the whole thing.) 

That’s the problem Scorebutts solves. Affix it to your paddle or hold it courtside—it’s lightweight, easy to flip, and intuitive. No batteries. No apps. No confusing setup. Just a clear, reliable score at a glance.

And the beauty of it? Scorebutts doesn’t intrude. It quietly sits there, letting you focus on dinks, drives, and drop shots without stopping to referee a scoring debate. Because let’s face it: pickleball is supposed to be fun. Losing your rhythm mid-match over a forgotten score? Not fun.

So the next time you step on the court, keep your head in the game and let Scorebutts handle the numbers. After all, knowing the score isn’t just about being right—it's about being able to focus on the game, have fun, and keep everything friendly and flowing.