Pickleball Doubles Rules
Doubles adds partner rotation, server number, and side-out decisions.
Plain-English rules
Both partners usually get a serve before side-out, except the first service sequence of the game.
After each side-out, the first server begins from the right, whether the team score is even or odd.
The team's original starting server belongs on the right at an even score and the left at an odd score; their partner uses the opposite side.
Partners switch sides only after their team wins a point on serve.
The score is called as server score, receiver score, server number.
Returners do not switch sides after winning a rally unless they later score on serve.
Official source
This page references the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook (PDF), published by USA Pickleball. Check event or league rules as well when a local format differs.
Relevant rulebook sections: 5.B, 6.B.2.
Edition 2026. Source checked .
Examples
At 6-3-2, the serving team has 6, the receiving team has 3, and the second server is serving.
After a side-out at 5-3, the player correctly positioned on the right serves first, even though 5 is odd.
If the serving team loses on second server, it is side-out.
Quick answers
Who serves first in doubles?
One player starts from the right side. The first serving team only gets one server before side-out.
Do partners switch every point?
Only the serving team switches after scoring a point.