How do you earn points in badminton? How far does a game last? And when do you win the match?

Is your mind cluttered with these questions and trying to understand badminton’s scoring system? Then this article will answer all those questions for you.

If you are trying to learn the sport or want to start playing badminton, then you must know how the scoring system works in badminton. Fortunately, the scoring system isn’t too difficult to understand.

So, in this article, we’ll give you a rundown of the scoring system used in badminton.

But before that, let’s see how the scoring system has evolved over the years.

Badminton Scoring System: History

For starters, the initial scoring system dates back to 1877, when the first official rules came into effect. Back then, a badminton match consisted of the best of three sets. And the player winning 15 points first would take the game.

If there was a tie on 14-14, then one of the players/pairs needed to win the game by a two-point gap (16-14 or 17-15). Each game could go on to 17 points, which were the maximum points one could get to win a game.

If a player/pair won two straight games (2-0) or won by 2-1, then they were adjudged winners of the match.

This system was in place for almost 125 years until 2002. Then a new system came, with five sets of 7 points each.

So the shuttler who reached 7 points first would win the game. If the scores were level at 6-6, then one of the shuttlers/pairs had to win the game by an 8-6 or 8-7 point difference. A set could stretch for a maximum of 8 points.

Since it was the best of five sets system, players needed to either win three straight sets or win by a 3-2 margin to claim the match.

This system, though, didn’t last long and made way for the current system, which has been in use now since 2005.

So what’s the current scoring system in badminton?

The current system follows the best of three games in a badminton match in all disciplines. The player/pair to bag 21 points first, with a two-point lead over the opponent, wins the game.

If the scores are level at 20-20, then you can’t win the game by 21-20. You need to have a lead of two points. So the game will continue until one side has a clear two-point lead.

The maximum a game can go far is 30 points. So if you win 30 points first, then you will win the set. 

You will also win the game if the scores reach 30-29. Since 30 is the maximum you can go, there is no need to lead by two points in this case.

With the best of three sets system in place, you either win two back-to-back games or make it 2-1 to win the match.

There was a proposal to change this system to five sets of 11 points in 2021, but it didn’t get the required support.

Now that you understand how to win games and matches, let’s see how you earn points in badminton.

Earning Points in Badminton

First things first, you get a point once you win a rally. Now what’s rally? When you and your opponent hit the shuttle back and forth without dropping it on the court, it is known as a rally.

You also get to serve the shuttle after winning the rally and point. The serve remains with you as long as you win rallies. If you lose a rally, then your opponent will get a chance to serve. (You can learn more about service rules in badminton here.)

Now how do you win points? Well, there are a few ways.

You can win a point if the shuttle hit by you touches your opponent’s court, including the sidelines and baselines. If your opponent’s return smash hits the net or passes below it, or the shuttle lands outside the designated court, then you will get a point.

Another way you can earn a point is when your opponent touches the net with their body, racket, or other equipment. You can also earn points when your opponent makes any faults or fouls during play.

That’s all you need to know about badminton’s scoring system. Now you can step on the court and start winning the points, games, and matches.

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