40-40 in padel is known as deuce, meaning both pairs have won 3 points within a single game. There are two widely adopted official ways to resolve a 40-40 tie:

Traditional Advantage Rule (Classic Format)

Identical to tennis scoring. After 40-40:

The winner of the next point gets Advantage.

If the advantaged pair wins the following point, they win the game.

If they lose the point, the score returns to 40-40 (deuce).

Play continues until one pair secures two consecutive points to close out the game. This format is still used in many local leagues and recreational tournaments.

Golden Point Rule (Most common in clubs & professional tours)

This is the popular sudden-death format widely used worldwide for commercial padel clubs, Premier Padel and most amateur play.

Once the score reaches 40-40:

One single decisive point decides the whole game. No advantage phase.

The receiving pair chooses which side of the court they will receive the serve.

The winner of this single rally wins the game immediately.

New 2026 FIP professional rules also introduced the Star Point system: play up to two advantages normally; if the score returns to deuce again, a Golden Point decides the game.

Most commercial padel clubs adopt the Golden Point rule to shorten match duration, improve court turnover and maximize booking revenue.