Win by 2 explained, sport by sport
Win by 2 (deuce) means that when the score is tied just before the target, play continues until one side leads by two points. Volleyball, badminton, table tennis and pickleball all use it, and some sports, like badminton, add a cap so a game can't go on forever.
Points to win and win-by-2 by sport
These are the common rally-scoring rules. If your league or club uses different rules, follow those.
| Sport | Points to win | Win by 2 | Cap | Usual sets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volleyball | 25 (deciding set 15) | Yes | None | Best of 5 |
| Badminton | 21 | Yes | 30 (first to 30 at 29–29) | Best of 3 |
| Table tennis | 11 | Yes | None | Best of 5 or 7 |
| Pickleball | 11 | Yes | None | Single game or best of 3 |
| Cornhole | 21 | Usually no | - | Single game |
When a deuce game ends
In table tennis, once it's 10–10, 11–10 doesn't end the game. Someone needs 12–10, or 13–11, 15–13 and so on.
In badminton you need a two-point lead from 20–20, but at 29–29 the first side to 30 wins.
Setting win by 2 in a scoreboard app
In Tallibo, picking a sport on the New match screen fills in points to win, win by 2 and the number of sets.
- New match → pick volleyball, badminton, table tennis or pickleball
- Check that Win by 2 is on
- Choose single game, best of 3 or best of 5
- When a side leads by two at the target, the set is saved and the board resets
FAQ
- How long can deuce go on?
- Volleyball, table tennis and pickleball have no cap, so play continues until someone leads by two. Badminton caps at 30.
- How many points is the last volleyball set?
- The deciding fifth set is played to 15, still win by 2.
- Can the game end at 21 without deuce?
- Yes. Turn off Win by 2 in Tallibo and the first side to reach the target wins.
Let Tallibo track deuce and sets
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