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Franzi | Games
Franzi | Games 
How does Tennis work?
Game, set, match! Ever wondered how tennis actually works – and how you can bet on it with MERKUR BETS? We’ll break it down for you.
approx. 3 min.
How does Tennis work?
15, 30, 40, deuce?
Tennis Rules
The basic principle of tennis is simple:
Two players (in singles) or four players (in doubles) face each other on a rectangular court, separated by a net in the middle. The goal is to hit the ball over the net into the opponent’s side of the court in such a way that it cannot be returned according to the rules.
Tennis is played by the following rules:
- The ball may bounce only once before it must be returned.
- Points are scored when the opponent hits the ball out of bounds, into the net, or fails to return it in time.
- A match is divided into sets and games. The player who first wins a certain number of games takes the set. The one who wins the required number of sets (usually two or three) wins the match.
- Players alternate serves, and rallies continue until one side makes a mistake.
How Tennis Scoring Works
Scoring in Tennis works a little differently – and it’s all based on long traditions. Here’s a quick guide to the Tennis scoring system:
Game:
- The points in a game are counted as 15, 30, 40, and “game.”
- 0 points = “Love”
- 1 point = 15
- 2 points = 30
- 3 points = 40
- The next point after 40 wins the game.
- However, if both players reach 40, it’s called “Deuce.”
Deuce:
- At 40–40, a player must win two points in a row to win the game.
- The first point after Deuce gives “Advantage.”
- If the same player wins the following point, they win the game.
- If they lose the point, the score returns to Deuce.
Set:
- A set is usually won by the first player to reach six games, with at least a two-game lead.
- At 6–6, a tiebreak is often played.
Tiebreak:
- In a tiebreak, points are counted normally (1, 2, 3 …).
- The first to 7 points, with at least a two-point lead, wins the tiebreak and the set.
Match:
- A match is usually played as best of three sets (women’s matches and most men’s tournaments).
- At the men’s Grand Slams, matches are played as best of five sets.
Why is it scored that way?
The exact origin of the tennis scoring system isn’t fully clear – but there are a few theories:
French origin: Many believe the system comes from french Tennis. The points may have been based on a clock face: scores were counted in 15-minute intervals – 15, 30, 45 – with 45 later shortened to 40, followed by “game.”
Betting systems: Another theory is that the scoring developed from early betting practices, where wagers were placed in steps of 15.
Over time, the system simply established itself and, despite its unusual and complex nature, it has become one of the most distinctive features of Tennis.
Betting Options at MERKUR BETS
MERKUR BETS offers a wide betting portfolio for tennis fans. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options.
With a set bet, you predict the exact number of sets a player will win – or the precise final score in sets, such as 2:1 or 3:0.
With a tiebreak bet in tennis, you wager on whether a tiebreak will be played in a specific set or during the entire match.
With an Over/Under bet in tennis, you wager on whether the total number of games or sets in a match will be over (“Over”) or under (“Under”) a predefined line.
In a handicap bet in tennis, one player is given a fictional advantage or disadvantage in the form of games or sets before the match begins.
