Tennis scoring, explained for beginners
Tennis points go 15, 30, 40, game — win four points to take a game. Six games win a set, by two, and at 6–6 you play a tiebreak to seven. Matches are best of three or five sets.
How do points work in a tennis game?
You start at love (zero), and each rally you win moves you up: 15, then 30, then 40, then the game. At 40–40 the score is deuce — you then need to win two points in a row to take the game.
What is deuce and advantage?
Deuce is 40–40. From deuce, the next point gives you advantage; win the following point and you take the game. If you lose it, you're back at deuce. In no-ad scoring, a single deciding point from deuce wins the game.
How do sets and tiebreaks work?
First to six games wins the set, but you must be two games clear. At 6–6 you play a tiebreak: first to seven points, again two clear, switching ends every six points.
How many sets win a match?
Most matches are best of three sets — first to two. Professional men's Grand Slam matches are best of five. RallyWith lets you set the format to whatever you and your opponent agree on.
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