Evolution and History of the Badminton Scoring System


The BWF will vote in May on a proposal to change the badminton scoring system after proposals from Badminton Indonesia and Badminton Maldives. Presently, matches are played in a best of three games format with each game played for 21 points. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game. The change proposes a drift to best of five games with each game being played for 11 points (11*5). This is done to increase the excitement of the sport and make it more television-friendly. 

Did you know that this proposed format for 11 points was used in badminton a while ago? Take a look at the history and evolution of the badminton scoring system since its inception. 

Also read: Badminton Service Rules: An Exquisite Guide

History of the Badminton Scoring System 

  • 15*3 & 11*3
  • 7*5
  • 21*3 

Original System – 15*3 & 11*3

In the original scoring system which dates back to 1873, a match was decided in a best of three games of 15 points each. However, this was only for men’s singles and all doubles fixtures. In the case of women singles, each game was played for 11 points.           

An important element in this format was that only the person serving could win a point. If the receiver would win the point, only the service would change without any point being added to any player. This was called a service-over. This means that there can be endless service overs without anyone scoring any points. 

Conversely, in doubles where there are two players on each side. Therefore, if the server loses the rally, the service will be transferred to the partner giving the team a second chance to serve. However, if the second server also loses the rally, then the service is transferred to the opponents. If the server’s team wins the rally, they gain a point. 

Additionally, if the score reached 13-all in a 15 point match, then the player reaching 13 points first has the option of :

  • Setting- In this, the score moves back to 0-0, and the first player to reach 5 points takes the game OR
  • Directly going for the win by playing for 15 points. 

If the score reaches 14-all, then the player reaching 14 points first has the option of- 

  • Setting- if they choose to set, the score becomes 0-0 and the first player to reach 3 points wins the game. 
  • Play straight through 15

In a game of 11 points, the setting would occur at 9 and 19 points with setting to 3 and 2 points respectively. Moreover, in a game of 21 points, the setting would take place at 19 and 20 points with a setting to 5 and 3 points respectively. 

2002 Scoring system- 7*5

Concerning the unpredictability and time-consuming issues with the previous system, the BWF decided to experiment with a new scoring system in 2002. In this new scoring system, the games were shortened to 7 points in a best of five games format. The first player to reach 7 points would win the game. However, if the score was 6-6, then the player to reach 6 first would decide to set it till 8 or 7 points. 

However, the matches continued to get time-consuming. Finally, the system was crashed out after the Commonwealth Games in 2002. 

Rally Point System- 21*3

Soon in 2005, the BWF decided to try out the 21 point system which is the current scoring system used to date. Importantly, the removal of service overs saved a considerable amount of time. It was officially adopted in 2006 and is been used till now. 

The important element of this system was the rally point scoring in which the winner of the rally wins a point irrespective of whoever serves. A match is best of three games lengthened to 21 points. Whoever reaches 21 points first wins the game. In case of a tie of 20-20, the first player to lead by 2 points wins the game (24-22,26-24..) However, scoring is limited to 30 points and at 29-all the player who reaches 30 points first wins the game. This is known as the golden point. 

Further, in this system, there is a 60-sec break after 11 points and 2 min break after a game. 

Current Scoring System

Proposed System: 11*5

The new proposed system is an 11*5 scoring system in which the best of 5 games would be played of 11 points each. This will be an interesting system and the BWF will vote on this system post the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. 

Anushree Burad

Qualified as an MBA in Sports Management. A Sports fanatic and a passionate badminton player. My passion for sports drove me to foray into sports writing. This is my attempt at translating my thoughts into words. Looking forward to contributing to Sports through my writing.

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