The quick version
First to seven points with a two-point lead wins. A serves point one; B serves the next two; then alternate two-point serving blocks. Serve point one from the right, then alternate left/right every point. Change ends after each six total points.
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Choose sides and the finish
Use the inner singles sidelines and both baselines for rallies. The wide doubles alleys are out. The two small boxes beside the net are service boxes; their lines count in. Warm up together, including a few serves, and remove loose balls from the court.
Toss a coin. The winner chooses first serve/receive or an end; the other player makes the remaining choice. Call the first server A and the other B. Start at zero. Seven with a two-point lead wins, so 7–5 finishes but 7–6 continues. Agree before starting whether you want just one tiebreak or a best-of-three series.
Serve and play the points
Start on the right
A serves point one from behind the right half of their baseline into B's diagonally opposite service box. Keep the feet off the baseline and court while serving, and within the extended center mark and singles sideline. Release the ball and hit before it bounces; an underarm serve is legal.
Use two serve attempts
If the first serve misses its box or fails to cross, try a second from the same side. Two faults give the receiver the point. A serve touching the net and then landing in the correct box is a let: repeat that attempt, retaining a first fault if one already happened. Wait until the receiver is ready.
Return, then rally
The receiver must let the serve bounce once before hitting. After the return, either player may volley or let the ball bounce once. Return it across the net into the singles court before its second bounce. A net-brushing rally ball that lands in is good. The player who hits out, fails to return, touches the net while the ball is live, or is struck by the live ball loses the point.
Follow the serve sequence
B serves point two from the left and point three from the right. A serves points four and five, left then right. Keep alternating two-point blocks this way. Every point changes the serving half, even when the server changes. After six total points, change ends; B still serves point seven, completing B's block.
Call and finish
Before serving, call your score first. Write totals if changing score order feels confusing. Change ends again at 12, 18 and further multiples of six total points. At 6–6, continue the same pattern until someone leads by two. For another standalone tiebreak, reset to zero and let the previous opening receiver serve first; this rematch arrangement is a house choice.
Make disputed balls manageable
Each player calls balls on their own side; count an uncertain line ball in. A ball touching a boundary is in. Keep a small serve-order note: A, BB, AA, BB. Do not restart the two-point blocks when changing ends.
For outside interference, stop the point promptly and replay it after clearing the court. Retrieve balls between points instead of leaving them behind either player's feet.
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Ideas & Twists
Choose a variation together before you start.
Tennis tiebreak · See main rules
Suggested standalone variationTen-point contest
Change only the target to ten, still winning by two. Keep the same one-then-two serve blocks, alternating serving halves and six-point end changes. At 9–9, continue until a two-point lead. The ITF recognizes a ten-point match tiebreak in specific match situations; playing one on its own here is the group's chosen format.
Tennis tiebreak · See main rules
Suggested house variationTwo-court ladder
With four players and two courts, label one court upper and one lower, and draw the starting singles pairings. Both courts play ordinary seven-point tiebreaks and wait for both to finish. Upper winner stays upper; lower loser stays lower; the other two swap courts. Play three rounds, resetting scores and alternating each court's opening server each round. The upper-court winner in round three wins the ladder.
About this guide
Uses ITF 2026 point rules and ordinary seven-point tiebreak serving. Standalone contests, rematch order and ladder are suggestions. Six-point end changes apply here; organized competitions may use the alternative Coman procedure.
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