The Star Point Rule in Padel Explained

The Star Point is one of the biggest changes to padel’s official rules in recent years. Introduced by the International Padel Federation (FIP) in January 2026, it offers a middle ground between unlimited advantage play and the single golden point. Here is exactly how it works.

Why Was the Star Point Introduced?

Before 2026, the FIP rulebook offered two scoring options at deuce:

• Advantage mode — play continues until one pair wins two consecutive points. Games can last a long time.
• Golden Point — a single deciding point played immediately at deuce. Fast but controversial.

The Star Point sits between these two. It gives players a chance to break the deuce multiple times before a single decisive point is forced, reducing the luck element of the golden point while keeping matches from dragging on indefinitely.

How the Star Point Works Step by Step

The score up to 40-40 is identical to normal padel scoring. Once both pairs reach three points each (deuce), the Star Point format plays out as follows:

First deuce — “Deuce 1”

• The pair that wins the next point is called “Advantage 1”
• If that same pair wins the following point, they win the game
• If they lose it, the score returns to “Deuce 2”

Second deuce — “Deuce 2”

• The pair that wins the next point is called “Advantage 2”
• If that same pair wins the following point, they win the game
• If they lose it, the score moves to “Deuce 3”

Third deuce — the Star Point

• A single deciding point is played — the “Star Point”
• The receiving pair chooses whether to receive the serve on the right or left side of the court
• The players of the receiving pair cannot change positions to receive — they stay where they are and simply choose which side gets the serve
• Whichever pair wins this point wins the game

So unlike the golden point (which triggers at the first deuce), the Star Point only comes into play after both pairs have had two failed chances to close out the game.

Mixed Doubles Rule

In mixed doubles matches, the player who receives the Star Point must be the same gender as the server. As with all Star Point rules, the receiving pair cannot change positions to make this happen.

Is the Star Point Compulsory?

No. The FIP rulebook lists three scoring options:

1. Advantage — play until one pair wins two consecutive points
2. Star Point — the format described above
3. Golden Point — single deciding point at the first deuce

The format must be agreed before the match starts. At professional FIP events, the Star Point format is the one being adopted. For recreational play, any of the three options is valid.

How Is It Different From the Golden Point?

	Golden Point	Star Point
Triggers at	First deuce	Third deuce
Points played	1	Up to 5 before the deciding point
Receiver chooses side?	Yes	Yes
Can receivers change position?	No	No

The key difference is that the Star Point gives each pair two attempts to win two points in a row before a single deciding point is forced. It rewards consistency rather than a single moment of luck or nerve.

A Practical Example

The score is 40-40. Here is one possible sequence under Star Point rules:

1. Pair A wins the next point → Advantage 1 to Pair A
2. Pair B wins the next point → back to Deuce 2
3. Pair B wins the next point → Advantage 2 to Pair B
4. Pair A wins the next point → Deuce 3 — Star Point is next
5. The receiving pair chooses which side to receive on. One point is played. The winner takes the game.

Where to Find the Official Rule

The Star Point is defined in Rule 1 (Score in a Game), Option 2 of the FIP Rules of Padel, Review of application 01.01.2026, adopted at the FIP General Meeting in Acapulco, Mexico on 28 November 2025.

For a full overview of how padel scoring works — sets, tie-breaks, and alternative formats — see Scoring System.

For a comparison of how deuce works in padel versus tennis, see Padel vs Tennis — Key Rule Differences.