New Scoring System of Badminton

In General, BWF (Badminton World Federation) has introduced 3 major types of badminton scoring system in the past. It was started with traditional scoring system, ie: a match that consists of best of 3 games, each games consists of 15 points, except ladies single, which consists of 11 point per game.

In 2002, the BWF concerned with the unpredictable and often lengthy time required for matches, BWF decided to experiment with a different scoring system to improve the commercial and especially the broadcasting appeal of the sport. The new scoring system shortened games to 7 points and decided matches by the best of 5 games.

In 2005, the BWF experimented again with the scoring system, intending both to regulate the playing time and to simplify the system for television viewers. A match consists of best of 3 games, each game consists of 21 points. The experiment ended in May 2006, and the BWF adopted this new scoring system from August 2006 until now.

Followings are the details of new scoring system and traditional scoring system :

New scoring system (21-point system)

1. A match consists of the best of 3 games, each game consists of 21 points.

2. The side winning a rally adds a point to its score. (regardless which side was serving)

3. At 20 all(ie: 20-20), the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game.

4. At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point first, wins that game.

5. The side winning a game, will serve first in the next game.

6. When one side reaches 11 points, both player will get a 60 sec of break.

7. For doubles matches, only one service is allowed.

8. Player at right court will serve when even point. (eg: 0,2,4,6,8,10)

9. Player at left court will serve when odd point. (eg: 1,3,5,7,9,11)

10. Other old (15-point system) rules remain the same.

Traditional scoring system (15-point system)

1. A match consists of the best of 3 games, each game consists of 15 points.

Except ladies single which consists of 11 points each game.

2. Only the one who won the rally and with serve will get a point added to its score.

If he/she lose the rally, service will be transferred over to opponent and both do not gain any point.

3. The opponent now must win the rally in order to gain a point. If he does, he will gain a point and continue to hold the serve and will gain another if he win the rally again. If he lost the rally, the serve will be transferred to opposite side again with no point added to both side and this continue.

4. At 14 all, the side that not holding the serve can decide whether to play additional 3 points.

(for ladies single would be 10 all)

5. Player at right court will serve when even point. (eg: 0,2,4,6,8,10)

6. Player at left court will serve when odd point. (eg: 1,3,5,7,9,11)

7. 2 serves are allowed for doubles game (men doubles, women doubles or mix doubles)

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