What does 0-0-2 mean?

The three numbers

1. The serving team's score
2. The receiving team's score
3. The server number: 1 or 2

The whole score is called before every serve, and the server normally calls it.

Rules 6.B, 6.B.2, 6.C

Why 2 and not 1?

So the team that serves first doesn't get two servers before the other team serves at all. Only their starting server serves, as server 2; when they lose a rally, it's a side out.

Rules 5.B, 5.B.2

What happens after the first rally

Other formats start differently

Singles is called with two numbers, server's score first, so it starts at 0-0. Rally scoring also uses two numbers in doubles, so it starts at 0-0 too.

Rules 6.B.1, 14.A.3

Common mix-ups

• Starting at 0-0-1. The first serve of a doubles game is always 0-0-2.
• Calling your own score second. The serving team's score always comes first, even when they're behind.
• Thinking the 2 is the game number. It's the server number. Later in the game you'll hear calls like 4-2-2: the serving team has 4, the receivers 2, and it's their second server.

Try it with your own game in What's the call?

More scoring answers

• Who serves, and from which side?Which side to serve from, server 1 and server 2, and how to never lose track.
• Side-out vs rally scoringWho scores, how the call works, and what changed in 2026.
• Skinny singles rulesHalf-court singles, the official way: your own score picks your half.
• Kitchen rulesStanding in it, momentum, the line, the erne, and who calls the fault.
• What changed in 2026Rally scoring game point, spin serves, out calls and more.