Padel Star Point rule: how it works

How does the Star Point work?

The Star Point only matters when a game reaches deuce. Until then scoring is normal: 15, 30, 40, game. When both pairs have three points, the rulebook calls the score “deuce 1”. The next point gives “advantage 1”. If the pair with the advantage wins the following point, it wins the game. If it loses it, the score returns to “deuce 2” and the same thing happens once more with “advantage 2”. If the second advantage is lost too, the score is “deuce 3” and one deciding point, the Star Point, is played.

Because two advantages are the most that can be played, a Star Point game lasts eleven points at most: six to reach the first deuce, then advantage 1, deuce 2, advantage 2, deuce 3 and the Star Point. An advantage game has no limit, and a golden point game lasts seven points at most.

Who chooses the side on the Star Point?

The receiving pair chooses whether to receive the serve on the right or the left side of the court, and the two receivers cannot change positions to do it. The rule is about the side, not about who serves. Because the receivers cannot swap, choosing the side decides which of them returns the point.

In mixed matches the receiving player is the one of the same sex as the server, and again the receivers cannot swap. The rulebook states no exception for the deciding point, so the usual padel serve rules apply.

How is the Star Point different from the golden point?

Both end a game with one deciding point, and the rule about choosing the side is the same. What differs is when the deciding point arrives. The golden point is played at the first deuce. The Star Point comes only after two advantage cycles have failed to finish the game. Advantage itself has no such limit.

When was the Star Point introduced?

Several dates get quoted, and they belong to different events. The FIP General Assembly, which brings together 100 national federations, approved the Star Point unanimously on 28 November 2025 in Acapulco, Mexico. The FIP announced it publicly on 18 December 2025. The Rules of Padel that contain it carry the application date of 1 January 2026.

FIP's schedule had it starting with the FIP Bronze Melbourne, the first stage of the CUPRA FIP Tour, and making its Premier Padel debut at the Riyadh P1. Those are the announced dates. Play by play, which match used it first, is not something the FIP documents record.

Which competitions use the Star Point?

FIP announced it for four circuits in 2026: Premier Padel, the CUPRA FIP Tour, FIP Promises and the amateur FIP Beyond. Their rulebooks confirm it, each with its own match format around it. Other competitions set their own scoring, and the Premier Padel, Promises and Beyond rulebooks say FIP may authorise other scoring systems in their tournaments.

Does the Star Point replace the golden point?

On the FIP circuits it does, but the rulebook still lists all three methods. The Rules of Padel keep advantage (Option 1) and the golden point (Option 3) next to the Star Point (Option 2), and clubs, leagues and friendly matches can use whichever they agree on. The golden point has a history of its own, from World Padel Tour in 2020 to the FIP Tour rulebook, in the golden point guide.

Can you play the Star Point at your club?

Nothing stops you. It is Option 2 in the rulebook, and any club can use it for friendly matches and league games. What you need is a way to remember which deuce you are on, so call the score in FIP's words: “deuce 1”, “advantage 1”, “deuce 2” and so on. Everybody then knows whether the next deuce ends the game.

The Star Point only changes what happens at 40-40 inside a game. A set that reaches 6-6 still goes to a tiebreak, and the padel scoring rules cover the rest of the scoring. The free web scoreboard scores advantage and golden point, not the Star Point.