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Advantage or golden point, which is the rule?
Both scoring systems exist. Golden point is the official default; a competition may choose advantage.
You arrive at a tournament and the organiser says games are played with advantage. You are used to golden point. Which is correct?
Both scoring systems exist. Golden point is the official default; a competition may choose advantage.
Why
The official rules score games at deuce with a single deciding point, the golden point, with the receiving pair choosing who receives. The rules also permit competitions to use the traditional advantage system, where a pair must win two points in a row from deuce. Both are legitimate; the competition regulations decide. The practical difference is tactical: under golden point the deuce point is a single high-pressure return, so who receives is a real decision.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Ask which system you are playing before the first game. Under golden point, one point at 40-40 decides the game; under advantage, you need two in a row.
Intermediate
Under golden point, the receiving pair's choice of receiver is an edge. Under advantage, the server has more room to be aggressive at deuce.
Advanced
Golden point favours the pair with the better return lob and the cooler head. Advantage favours the pair with the better serve-and-volley. Know which you are.
Common questions
You arrive at a tournament and the organiser says games are played with advantage. You are used to golden point. Which is correct?
Either. The competition decides, and the official default is golden point. Both scoring systems exist. Golden point is the official default; a competition may choose advantage. The official rules score games at deuce with a single deciding point, the golden point, with the receiving pair choosing who receives. The rules also permit competitions to use the traditional advantage system, where a pair must win two points in a row from deuce. Both are legitimate; the competition regulations decide. The practical difference is tactical: under golden point the deuce point is a single high-pressure return, so who receives is a real decision.
Why not advantage: golden point is only for professionals?
Golden point is used at every level, including club play, and is the official default.
What should a beginner do here?
Ask which system you are playing before the first game. Under golden point, one point at 40-40 decides the game; under advantage, you need two in a row.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Golden point favours the pair with the better return lob and the cooler head. Advantage favours the pair with the better serve-and-volley. Know which you are.
What do the rules say?
At deuce the official rules apply a golden point, with the receiving pair choosing who receives. Competitions may instead specify the advantage system.
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