Before the start of the game, a toss is held, which determines the sides and the right of first serve. Badminton serving rules: the shuttle must be struck from below and the racket must not be lifted above the server’s waist. The use of deceptive/false serves is allowed. After serving, players may move freely around their court, but touching the net is strictly prohibited.

A badminton match shall consist of a maximum of three games. Each game is won by the player or team with 21 points. In a 20-20 game, two points are required and in a 29-29 game, one point is sufficient. These rules are also true for the Olympics.

The change of sides shall take place:

• after the completion of the first game;
• Before the third game (if it comes to it);
• after 11 points in the third game.

Breaks are possible in each of the games, but they shall be no more than 1 minute and provided that one of the sides has scored 11 points. The breaks between games are 2 minutes.