Badminton uses rally scoring to 21. Here is how a game, a match and the 30-point cap work.
If you play badminton with friends, you probably keep score without thinking about it. Here are the rules written down, in case the argument starts.
Rally scoring
Every rally scores a point, no matter who served. If you win the rally, you get the point.
A game goes to 21
The first side to 21 points wins the game. You must win by two points. At 20-20 the game continues until one side leads by two.
The cap at 30
If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins. So the highest possible score is 30-29.
A match is best of three
Win two games and you win the match. If it is one game each, a deciding third game is played to 21 with the same rules.
Who serves
- The side that wins a rally serves the next one.
- A server serves from the right court when their score is even, and from the left when it is odd.
- The server must hit the shuttle below 1.15 metres from the floor.
Changing ends
Players switch ends after each game. In a third game, they switch again when the leading side reaches 11.
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