Fifteen points constitute the usual game, except for women's singles (in which 11 points are played). When the score is tied at 13-all, the side reaching it first chooses to finish the game at 15 or to set the game at 5 points. When tied at 14-all, he/she chooses to play 1 or 3 points. Similarly, in 11-point games, the score may be set at 3 when the score is 9-all and at 2 when 10-all.

The service must be delivered to the diagonal service court. A bird that lands on a line is considered good. In singles, the bird must land in the long, narrow court and in doubles in the short, wide court. A let serve is one in which the bird touches the top of the net but lands in the proper court. A service that is let is served again. It is a fault unless it lands in the service court.

Only one service (trial) is allowed per inning (not like tennis, where two trials are allowed), unless the bird is missed entirely or it is a "good" let. The service alternates to courts starting in the right-hand court for doubles at all times. In singles, the service starts in the right-hand court at the beginning of the game, but thereafter service is made from the right-hand court when the score is even (for that side) and from the left-hand court when the score is odd (for that side). Only one hand is allowed the side beginning the serve in doubles the first inning and two hands are allowed each inning thereafter.

It is a fault (loss of service or hand for the serving-side and loss of point for receiving-side) when:

1. service is illegal; i.e., the bird is struck when above the waist or the head of the racket is higher than the hand when hit.

2. service or played shot lands outside the specified court, passes through or under the net, or hits a player or obstruction outside the court.

3. server or receiver steps out of his proper court before delivery of serve or feints in any way before the service. Only the person served to may return the bird.

4. a player reaches over the net to hit a bird (he/she may follow a shot over).

5. a player touches the net with his/her racket or any part of his/her body.

6. a player hits the bird twice or momentarily holds or throws it with his/her racket.

7. a player fails to return the bird to the opponent's proper court. (He/she cannot hit a doubtful bird and call "out," as permitted in some sports.)

8. the server steps forward as he/she serves.

9. the bird is hit on the rim or neck of the racket - called a "wood."