How badminton scoring works

A match is best of three games

Each game is played to 21 points. The first side to win two games wins the match, so a match ends in either two or three games.

You must win by two points

Reaching 21 first is not always enough. If the score reaches 20-20, play continues until one side leads by two: 22-20, 23-21, and so on. This is called deuce or setting.

29-29 is sudden death

The two-point rule stops at 29-29. The next rally decides the game, and whoever wins it takes the game 30-29. This is the only point in badminton where a one-point margin wins a game.

The winner of the rally serves next

Win the rally and you win the point and the serve. In doubles the serve passes to the side, not back to a specific player: the pair keeps the serve and the two partners swap service courts only when they win a point on their own serve.

Even and odd service courts

Serve from the right-hand court when your score is even (0, 2, 4...) and from the left-hand court when it is odd. If you are unsure where to stand, check your own score first — it decides the box every time.

Changing ends and the interval

Sides change ends after each game, and again when the leading side reaches 11 points in a deciding third game. There is a 60-second interval at 11 points in every game and a 120-second interval between games.

Common scoring mistakes at club level

• Calling the score server's-score-first — always call your own score first.
• Standing in the wrong box after a long deuce; recount from your own score.
• Assuming 21 ends the game when the score is 21-20. It does not.
• In doubles, swapping partners after losing a rally. You only swap after you score.