Only the player or pair who is serving can win a point. If the serving player loses the point, the right to serve passes to the receiver. If set is not chosen, the match continues until one player or pair has a two point break over the other. Matches are contested over the best of three games, with players changing ends at the completion of each game. A five minute break is allowed before the commencement of a third game, while the break between the first and second games is 90 seconds.
Players also swap ends in a third game when the score reaches eight.
The match begins with a toss of a coin, the winner choosing whether to serve or receive, or which side of the court to begin on. When serving, the shuttlecock must be struck below the server s waist with the racket head below the server s hand, and the server must have both feet on the ground. The court is divided into four service courts. In doubles, the player on each team who serves first must begin in the right-hand service court. For each point won, the server swaps sides.