The system of scoring in tennis is unique among sports. Instead of a simple numeric system, tennis incorporates specific terms and numbers: zero points is "love," the first point is 15, the second point is 30, the third point is 40 and the fourth point wins a game. A tie score in the later point of a game is called "deuce."
Deuce
When opponents both win three points in a game, the score is 40 to 40, or deuce. This means a player or team has to score two more points to win the game.
Advantage
Winning a point after deuce gives a player "advantage." If the player scores another point after advantage, she takes the game. If her opponent scores the first point after advantage, the score goes back to deuce. This continues until one player or team manages to get advantage, then score the next point.
No-Ad Scoring
Jimmy Van Alen came up with a method of scoring called "no-ad," according to USTA.com. In no-ad matches, there is no advantage after deuce. The scoring system may or may not use one, two, three and four as points rather than 15, 30, 40 and game. When players each reach deuce at three points, 40 to 40, in a typical match, whomever scores the next point wins.
The official rules of the International Tennis Federation allow the receiving player to decide on which side of the court from he prefers to receive. In mixed doubles, members of the same gender always serve to each other. In regular doubles, the receiving team members are not allowed to change court positions for the deciding point.
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