Understanding Badminton's Crucial 30-Point Rule

what is the 30th point rule in badminton

Badminton is a popular sport with a dedicated fan following worldwide. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) outlines the rules of the game, which include the scoring system. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or pair to get their 30th point wins the game. This is known as the 30th-point rule in badminton.

Characteristics Values
What is the rule? If the score reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins.
Why is it needed? To prevent games from dragging on too long, especially at the top level of play.
When to stop playing If you reach 30 points, as it is the upper limit.

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Scoring system

Badminton can be played as singles or doubles. In singles, two players compete against each other, whereas in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. The scoring system differs slightly between singles and doubles.

Singles

In singles badminton, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points. Each player will retain their serve as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them, but the service courts do not change.

Doubles

In doubles badminton, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving while alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve, but their service courts do not change. The serve does not alternate between partners; it stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and get the serve.

Scoring Format

In both singles and doubles matches, the first side to reach 21 points wins the game. A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to whichever side wins the rally. If the score reaches 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to get their 30th point wins. This rule is intended to prevent games from dragging on for too long, especially at the top levels of play. When playing socially, a match is typically one game (or set). However, in competitive play, a match is the best of three sets, meaning you need to win two sets to win the overall match.

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Serving rules

The first thing to know about serving in badminton is that each point starts with a serve. The server hits the shuttlecock underarm and below waist height, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards, into the diagonal service box. The shuttlecock must be hit below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court.

In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server starts on the right-hand side and keeps serving, alternating sides with their partner, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, the serve passes to them, but they do not change their service courts.

The serve must go beyond the front service line but, in singles, it can also go into the back tram lines. In doubles, the whole court is in play during a rally, but the serve cannot go into the back tram line.

Each player will retain serve as long as they keep winning points. If the score reaches 20-20, a side must win by two clear points, and if the score reaches 29-29, the first side to get their 30th point wins.

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Changing ends

The rules of badminton dictate that players change sides with each serve when they win consecutive points while serving. For example, a player serves from the right service court when they have an even number of points and from the left service court when they have an odd number of points. This is known as the even/odd rule.

In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, the serve passes to them, but their service courts do not change.

It's important to note that players never change their service courts unless they win a point while their side is serving. This ensures that players do not serve to the same person in two consecutive rallies and that the new server is the one who wasn't serving previously.

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Rally rules

The aim of badminton is to be the first player or pair to score 21 points. However, if the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins. This is known as the '30th-point rule'.

A badminton serve must be hit underarm and below the waist of the server. The birdie (or shuttlecock) should not bounce and must be hit below waist height. It should also be hit diagonally into the opponent's service box. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards.

In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from this side every time they have an even number of points. They will serve from the left service court when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, alternating sides with their partner, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them.

During a rally, players must wait for the birdie to cross the net before playing a shot. They can follow through over the net, but touching the net with any part of the body or racket results in a point being conceded to the other side. Players can return the shuttlecock from inside or outside the court, but the serve must go beyond the front service line.

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Match format

A badminton match is played as the best of three games. The first side to 21 points wins a game. If the score reaches 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins the game.

In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. They will serve from the left service court when they have an odd number of points. Each player will retain serve for as long as they keep winning points.

In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side takes the point, they assume the serve. The serve does not alternate between partners; it stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and get the serve. The receiver never changes their service court.

A badminton serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole of the shuttle should be below 1.15 meters from the surface of the court when hit by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce. After a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. The rules do not allow second serves.

Frequently asked questions

If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or pair to get their 30th point wins. This rule is intended to prevent games from dragging on too long.

The first player or pair to score 21 points wins a game. However, if the score reaches 20-20, a side must win by two clear points.

In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points.

A badminton match is the best of three games.

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