Something You Can't Afford to Ignore

As a badminton player, you need to have complete information about badminton scoring.

It becomes extremely important to know every detail about badminton scoring when playing professionally. Here is a lucid description on badminton scoring to offer you an idea on how a player actually scores in this game.


The scoring system:

A badminton match is comprised of the best of three games of 21 points. It's a rally point system whereby whoever wins a rally, wins a point. In case, the score reaches 20 all, the side that gains a 2 point lead first wins the game. For instance, the score is 27-25, the side scoring 27 will win.

At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point is the winner of the game. The side winning a game is entitled to serve first in the next game.


Now this is the time for intervals and change of ends.

The players get a chance to enjoy up to a one minute interval when the leading score reaches eleven points. Players can change ends at the end of each game. When the leading score reaches eleven points in the third game, players can change ends.


The Scoring System and Service:

- When a player wins a rally, a point is added to his score.

- There are three games in a match; the player with an aim to score 21 points wins each game. In case, a score reaches 20 points, the player would continue until the other achieves a two point lead or his score reaches 30.

- A match starts with a coin toss between the players. The winner of the toss may either choose to serve or receive first. He may also choose a particular end he wishes and desires to occupy. Once the choice is made, the opponents have to agree with the remaining choice.

- In subsequent games, the winners of the previous game are offered to serve first. In case of the first rally of a doubles game the serving pair can decide on who would serve. The players change ends during the start of the second game. In case, a third game proceed the players would change ends at the start of the game as well as the point where the winning pair's score reaches 11 points.

- In case of singles, the serve must stand in his right service court when his score is even.

Additionally, we know that badminton is played either singles or doubles. There is a difference in scoring between these two.

During the doubles, only one player of the pair can serve. The service is passed on consecutively to the players. The one, who serves at the beginning of the game, serves from the right court if the score is even. If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point. Here, the same server serves again from the alternate service court.

If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. This side also becomes the new serving side. Now, the serve passes to the player who did not receive at the beginning of the game. If players serve from or receive in the wrong service court, the error is rectified when the mistake is discovered but the score is not corrected.

It is worthwhile here to note that badminton scoring is changing nowadays. For example, setting at 13 all has not been done for some years now with setting at 14 all only. In addition to that there are changes to the overall system as well involving playing games to 21, having one service hand only in doubles and winning a point on every rally. So that means if your opponents serve and lose the rally, you win the serve and a point.

Lastly, we must understand the lets. In case, a let is announced, the rally is resumed immediately and replayed without any changes in the score. A let can also be announced when the receiver is not ready while the service is being delivered.