# What does 4-2-1 mean in pickleball?

https://picklecall.app/features/pickleball-score-call · Included · Kallos Labs

> In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, then the server number, 1 or 2. So 4-2-1 means the serving team has 4, the receivers have 2, and the first server is serving. Pickle Call shows the call in large type before every serve.

## How it works

After each rally you tap the side that won it, and Pickle Call works out the new call: points, side outs and the server number. In doubles with side-out scoring the call has three numbers (4-2-1); in singles it has two (4-2), and with rally scoring it is the two scores (7-5). The call is always said from the serving side’s point of view, so the first number belongs to whoever serves next. Banners tell you at game point, match point and when to switch ends.

## When people use it

- A doubles game where nobody can agree whether it is 4-2-1 or 4-2-2
- Scoring for friends from the side of the court and reading the call out loud
- Learning to call the score correctly as a new player

## Questions

### Why does a doubles game start at 0-0-2?

Only one player on the first serving team serves in the first turn, so that player starts as the second server. Pickle Call starts every side-out doubles game at 0-0-2 for you.

### How is the score called in singles?

Two numbers: the server’s score, then the receiver’s score, such as 4-2. There is no server number in singles.

### Can I undo a wrong tap?

Yes. Undo takes back the last rally, and you can keep undoing all the way to the first serve.