How squash scoring works
Squash has two scoring systems with different names in different countries, and clubs frequently use both. Knowing which one you are on matters more than knowing either one well.
Point-a-rally to 11
The modern standard, adopted in 2009. Every rally scores regardless of who served. Games go to 11 and must be won by two, so 12-10 and 15-13 are legal. A match is best of five games.
English scoring to 9
Also called hand-in hand-out or British scoring. Only the server can score. Winning a rally as receiver wins the serve, not a point. Games go to 9, and at 8-8 the receiver chooses whether the game is played to 9 or 10.
Which is which
If somebody says "PAR" they mean point-a-rally to 11. If they say "English" or "hand-in hand-out" they mean the older system to 9. American scoring is another name for point-a-rally, historically played to 15.
Serving
The server chooses which box to serve from at the start of a hand, then alternates boxes after each point won. Losing the rally loses the serve.
Box leagues
Most club squash is organized into boxes of four to six players who all play each other over a month, with promotion and relegation between boxes. That is a round robin per box, and the standings sort on wins then point difference.
What Score All does with these rules
PAR to 11
Point-a-rally scoring: every rally is a point, whoever served. Games go to 11, win by two, and a match is best of five. This is the modern standard everywhere.
English scoring to 9
Only the server can score. Win a rally on your opponent's serve and you get the serve, not a point. Games go to 9. It makes for longer, more attritional games, which is exactly why some clubs kept it.
Serving side
The server chooses which box to serve from at the start of a hand and alternates after each point won. The console tracks the serving player.
Box leagues
Most club squash is played as a box league: small groups, everyone plays everyone, promotion and relegation between boxes each month. That is a round robin per box.
Squash scoring FAQ
How many points is a squash game?
11 under point-a-rally scoring, win by two. English scoring uses games to 9.
What is hand-in hand-out?
The older English system where only the server scores. Winning a rally as receiver gives you the serve rather than a point.
What is PAR 11 scoring in squash?
Point-a-rally to 11, win by two, best of five games. Every rally scores regardless of who served.
What is English scoring in squash?
Hand-in hand-out: only the server scores, and games go to 9. It was the standard before 2009 and is still played socially.
Can I run a squash box league?
Yes. Each box is a round robin, and the standings sort themselves by wins and point difference.