Badminton in : Rally-point scoring

Since 2006, every rally scores a point regardless of who served, replacing the old service-only system. A game is played to 21 points; the winner must lead by at least two, so a game can extend past 21 in a deuce. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins at 30 — the absolute cap. A side that wins a rally serves next. Winning two games takes the match, and there is no need to play a third game if the first two are won.

The serve must be delivered underhand and, since 2018, struck below a fixed height of 1.15 metres from the court, with the racket shaft pointing downward. Both feet stay stationary and in contact with the floor. The shuttle is hit diagonally into the opponent's service court. The server's score determines the court used: from the right (even) court when the score is even, from the left (odd) court when it is odd. A wrong service court or an illegal action is a service fault.

In singles the court is 5.18 metres wide, using the inner side lines but the outer (long) back boundary. The narrow side tramlines are out. The long, thin singles court rewards deep clears and precise placement into the four corners, forcing the opponent to cover the maximum distance from a central base. A serve must land beyond the short service line and inside the singles side and long boundary lines.