When you click +1 for a point, ScoreCastr decides what that point means: a new score in the game, a game won, a set won, a tiebreak or the end of the match. Knowing the rules it follows helps you trust the scorebug and fix it fast when a point goes to the wrong player. This guide explains them.
Points in a game
Each +1 moves the player along: 0, 15, 30, 40. From 40, the next point wins the game, unless the other player is also on 40.
Deuce and advantage: at 40-40, the next point gives that player the advantage. The dashboard shows ADV; the Apex and Primetime scorebugs show AD.
- If the player with the advantage wins the next point, they win the game.
- If the other player wins it, the score goes back to 40-40.
There's no limit on how many times a game goes back to deuce. ScoreCastr always plays advantage games; there's no no-ad (deciding point) setting, so for a no-ad match, click +1 twice for the player who wins the deciding point at 40-40. That wins the game the normal way, with the serve switch, though that player's points won counts one extra.
When a game is won, the points go back to 0-0, the winner's games go up by one, and the serve switches.
Games in a set
A set goes to six games, won by two:
| Games | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6-0 to 6-4 | Set won |
| 6-5 | Play on |
| 7-5 | Set won |
| 6-6 | Tiebreak |
When a set is won, its score is saved (the scorebug shows each finished set), the games go back to 0-0 and the winner's sets go up by one.
The tiebreak
At 6-6, ScoreCastr starts a tiebreak in any set, including the last one.
- TIE-BREAK lights up under ADDITIONAL DISPLAYS, and the Classic scorebug shows a TB tag (Apex and Primetime show TIEBREAK).
- The regular +1 and -1 buttons turn grey. Use the +1 and -1 in the TIE-BREAK panel that appears.
- Tiebreak points count 1, 2, 3 and so on. The first player to seven, at least two ahead, wins.
The set is saved as 7-6, and the scorebug shows both players' tiebreak points next to it. The serve during and after the tiebreak is handled for you; see Tennis serve tracking.
Sets in a match
You choose the match length when you create it, with Best of Sets:
| Best of | Sets to win |
|---|---|
| 1 Set | 1 |
| 3 Sets | 2 |
| 5 Sets | 3 |
When a player reaches that number, the match is over: (Match Complete) appears next to the card title, the scoring buttons lock and the scorebug shows MATCH COMPLETE and the winner. Apex and Primetime give the winner a trophy and dim the other row.
Points won
Every +1 also counts toward that player's points won for the match, and -1 takes one off, including tiebreak points. With the Starter plan you'll see the totals and percentages under Points Won in the sidebar's Match Statistics.
Fix a wrong score
Most mistakes are one point given to the wrong player:
- Within a game: click -1 for the wrong player and +1 for the right one. From ADV, -1 goes back to 40.
- Set a point score directly: use the 0, 15, 30, 40, ADV row for that player. Clicking 40 when the other player has ADV puts the game back to 40-40.
- A game went to the wrong player: -1 can't undo a finished game. Use GAMES -1 for the wrong player and +1 for the right one, then set the points with the direct buttons.
- A set is wrong: use the SETS -1 and +1 buttons.
The direct buttons only set the number you choose. They don't finish a game, set or match by themselves, and they don't change points won. After a fix, carry on with +1 and the counting picks up from there.
Checklist
- Best of Sets matches the event's format
- Every point scored with +1, not the direct buttons
- Tiebreak points scored in the TIE-BREAK panel
- Deciding points at 40-40 scored with two clicks, if your event plays no-ad
- Sets and games checked after any fix