Padel Tie-Breaks and Super Tie-Breaks: Scores, Service Order and End Changes

An ordinary set tie-break is played to at least seven points with a two-point margin. A ten-point match tie-break, often called a super tie-break, can replace the final set when the match format provides for it. Neither is the same thing as a Golden Point at 40–40.

Check which format you are playing before starting. “Tie-break” describes a scoring stage, while “Golden Point” and “Star Point” normally describe how an ordinary game at deuce ends.

The set tie-break at 6–6

In the usual six-game set with a tie-break at 6–6, count points as 0, 1, 2 and so on. A 7–5 tie-break is finished. At 6–6 you continue: 7–6 is not enough, while 8–6 is. There is no fixed highest score if a two-point gap has not appeared.

The winner takes the set 7–6 in games. Keep the tie-break’s own point score separate when recording the result; a set score of 7–6 does not mean the tie-break was won by a one-point margin.

Who serves each point?

The player whose turn it is to serve starts with one point from the right court. The next player in the existing service order serves two points, beginning from the left court. Each player then serves two points in turn, preserving that order.

For a hypothetical order A1, B1, A2, B2, the sequence is:

Change ends after every six points. In this example, the end change after point 6 falls between B2’s two service points. B2 still serves point 7 after the change; moving ends does not reset the service order.

The ten-point match tie-break

If the match format replaces the deciding set with a ten-point match tie-break, it begins at one set all. Reach ten with a two-point margin: 10–8 finishes it, 10–9 does not, and 11–9 does. The winner wins the match rather than merely another ordinary game.

Confirm the starting server and the service and receiving orders for this deciding stage. Use the tie-break service pattern, rather than giving each player an entire service game.

FIP Promises’ 2026 regulations are an example of a competition combining Star Point in the first two sets with a ten-point match tie-break if required. The game rule and the match decider can therefore coexist without being interchangeable.

Do not transfer a special event rule

A Golden Point match does not automatically end an ordinary tie-break on the next point at 6–6 or 10–10. The standard two-point requirement continues.

Hexagon World Series announced a different format for 2027, including a deciding point at 10–10 in its super tie-breaks. That is an announced exception for that circuit, not the rule to apply to an ordinary 2026 club match.

Before the first tie-break point, state the target score and margin, name the starting server and check the next player in the order. Then count the points aloud; everyone has enough arithmetic to do already.