Dice Tennis Game: Rules, Point Chart and Odds
Dice tennis is a paper version of tennis for two players. Each roll of two dice is one point: the server has a small edge, there are aces and double faults, and the score runs just like the real thing, from 15 and 30 to deuce, advantage, games, sets and tiebreaks. All you need is two dice and a pencil, and it is a fun way to learn how tennis scoring works. Below is a simple home version with the exact chance of each result.
What you need
- Two six-sided dice, or a dice roller set to two dice.
- A scoresheet with a row for each player and a box for each game of the set.
- Two players. Each player is one tennis player.
- A coin flip to decide who serves first.
Who serves first
In real tennis a coin toss decides who serves first, and here a coin flip does the same job. The winner can choose to serve or to receive. After the first game the serve swaps every game, so both players serve the same number of games, give or take one.
How to play
- The server rolls both dice for each point, adds them up and looks at the chart below.
- Keep the score the tennis way: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, then game. At 40-40 the score is deuce, and a player must win two points in a row to take the game: the first is advantage, the second wins.
- Swap the server after every game.
- The first player to win six games with a lead of two wins the set. At 6-5 play one more game; at 6-6 play a tiebreak.
- In the tiebreak, points count 1, 2, 3 and so on. The first to 7 points with a lead of two wins the set 7-6. The player whose turn it is serves one point, then the serve swaps every two points.
- A match is the best of three sets.
This chart is a common style of home version, not an official game. Families and teachers often make their own, so agree on it before the first serve.
The point chart and the chance of each result
In the table, “Roll” is the total of the two dice, “Result” is what happens on that point and “Chance” is the exact probability of that total out of the 36 ways two dice can land.
| Roll | Result | Chance |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Ace: server wins the point | 1 in 36 |
| 5, 6, 7, 8 | Server wins the rally | 20 in 36 |
| 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 | Receiver wins the rally | 14 in 36 |
| 2 | Double fault: receiver wins the point | 1 in 36 |
Adding up the first two rows, the server wins 21 points in 36, which is exactly 7 in 12 or about 58%. That small edge is what makes serve important, just like in real tennis. You can read more about why the middle totals come up more often in our guide to dice probability.
How often does the server hold?
“Holding serve” means the server wins the game. With a 7 in 12 chance on every point, the server holds about 70% of the time, so about three games in ten are breaks of serve. About 29% of games reach deuce at least once. These numbers are worked out exactly from the chart, not simulated.
What does a set look like?
In the next table, “Set score” is the final score of a set from the winner’s side, and “Chance” is how likely that score is, worked out exactly with the swapping serve and the tiebreak at 6-6.
| Set score | Chance |
|---|---|
| 6-0 | about 2% |
| 6-1 | about 8% |
| 6-2 | about 15% |
| 6-3 | about 23% |
| 6-4 | about 26% |
| 7-5 | about 11% |
| 7-6 (tiebreak) | about 16% |
The most common result is 6-4, and about one set in six goes to a tiebreak. A set lasts just under 10 games on average. Because both players get the same edge on serve, it makes no difference to the chance of winning the set who serves first.
Tips
- Say the score out loud before every point, with the server’s score first, such as “30-15”. It is the best way to learn tennis scoring.
- Use a small mark for each point and a big mark for each game, so you can check the score if you lose track.
- For a shorter game, play one set, or a single tiebreak to 7.
- Play a tournament with four players: two semi-finals and a final, with a new coin flip before each match.
Classroom ideas
- Scoring: pupils learn love, 15, 30, 40, deuce and advantage by keeping the score of a real game.
- Fractions: pupils add up the server’s chances from the chart, 1 in 36 plus 20 in 36, and simplify 21 in 36 to 7 in 12.
- Tally and graph: each pair plays a set and the class makes a bar chart of set scores, then compares it with the table above.
- Fair pairs: pair up the class with a random name picker, then toss a coin for the first serve.
Variations
- Second serve: on a 2, the server gets a second serve and rolls again; only a 2 on the second roll is a double fault.
- Big server: one player is the big server and also wins on a 9, but loses on a 6 when receiving.
- Doubles: four players in two teams, and the serve passes around all four players in turn.
- No-ad scoring: at deuce, the next point wins the game. It makes the game shorter.
If you like sports played with dice, try dice cricket or dice football next.
Want a team game over a net? Read our dice volleyball game rules, with a rally chart, rally scoring and the exact odds of a set.
Want another sport for two dice? Try dice darts, a 301 countdown with trebles and a bullseye.
FAQ
How do you play tennis with dice?
The server rolls two dice for each point. A 12 is an ace and 5 to 8 wins the rally for the server; 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 wins it for the receiver and a 2 is a double fault. Keep the score just like real tennis.
What is the chance that the server wins a point?
With this chart it is exactly 21 in 36, which is 7 in 12 or about 58%.
How often does the server win the game?
About 70% of the time. About three games in ten are breaks of serve.
How often does a set go to a tiebreak?
About one set in six, worked out exactly from the chart.
Is it better to serve first?
In this game it makes no difference to who wins the set, because both players have the same edge on their own serve.
Can I play it without real dice?
Yes. A dice roller with two dice on a phone or classroom screen works the same, and both players can see the roll.