In badminton doubles, each side (consisting of two players) 'rally' or use another method, such as calling a heads or tails, to see who gets to serve first. The person who wins the rally or heads-or-tails gets to choose who starts first.

It is important to note that on the FIRST serve of the game, only one player gets to serve. Once they lose their serve the other team gets it, and they continue on normally, allowing two serves per side (one for each player).

The question: Is it better to serve first, or let the other team?

I think it's always better to serve first, because it gives you a chance to reach the required 15 points to win the game; first to 15 wins.

Side note, if both teams get tied to 14 points, the team who reached 14 first gets to choose to play for either an additional 1 or 3 points.

<Modulus> jon
<Modulus> have a badminton quesiton for ya
<Modulus> when rallying for serve, its always best to take first right?
<Modulus> one guy said 'its the same' but shoudlnt the first be better?
<joe> hey guys.
<Modulus> hi
<Modulus> ugh
<Modulus> whats the word im looking for
<Modulus> contextual?
<Modulus> adsense = contextual ad network?
<wesley> yes
<itaca> jon: because promoting spec work doesn't benefit anyone
<jon> mod, it doesn't really matter.
<Modulus> jon, but if u serve first, u can reach 15 first..
<jon> infact, wait.
* jon thinks.
<jon> sorry, i'm thinking of doubles
<Modulus> cause lets say u serve first, u get a point, then lose it, they get a point,
<Modulus> me too
<Modulus> then u get a point then them
<jon> yeah, i would definitly serve first.
<jon> you gain nothing from letting them serve.
<Modulus> yeah
<Modulus> thats what i thought
<Modulus> also, is the racquet allowed to go over the net?
<jon> no
<itaca> nope
<Modulus> ok thanks
<jon> if its doubles i normally let them serve.
<Modulus> ? why
<jon> cos you just need to win 1 point, then you have 2 serves.
<Modulus> lol but listem na!
<Modulus> listen!
<Modulus> it makes no difference!
<Modulus> because what if u score?
<Modulus> u score first..
<Modulus> so serving first is alwys better, no?
<jon> when you're playing doubles the first server only gets 1 service, right?
<Modulus> yup
<jon> right.
<Modulus> so..?
<jon> i look at serves like, "lifes"
<jon> in a computer game or something.
<jon> yeah, you're a point down... but you have an extra life.
<ChrisG|sleep> www.google.com > badminton for newbies
<Modulus> heh but thats so wrong
<Modulus> it doesnt matter how many lives u have
<Modulus> u only get 2 at a time
<Modulus> but u win if u get 15 points
<Modulus> so u could have 9000 lives
<Modulus> and 1 point
<jon> its not very likly that you're going to win without losing 1 services.
<Modulus> vs a good player who has 14 points but only 1 life
<Modulus> ?
<Modulus> but its a free serve
<hjalmar> what if its tied in sets do you want to have the first serv in the last set?
<Modulus> thats how i see it.. a free serve
<Modulus> +1 extra life :P
<JC> #badminton
<JC> :P
<Modulus> hjalmar, first person to reach 14 gets to choose
<Modulus> betwen 1 and 3
<jon> it really depends on who you're playing.
<Modulus> really?
<jon> well, if they are shit at serving, just let them serve.
<Modulus> lol i dont get it i guess.. to me i dont see how not serving first is beneficial
<jon> smash it back at them, you then have 2 serves.
<Modulus> hmm
<Modulus> but..
<Modulus> that makes no difference
<jon> i don't know, you're probablly right.
<Modulus> lol
<Modulus> its a problem that will plague mankind for years
<jon> lol
<jon> its just simple maths.
<Modulus> im gonna post it on PFO, they love logic problems
<jon> link me to it when someone comes up with an answer.
<jon> anyway, back on topic,
<jon> i bought a new website today.

Jon said that, not me (Dunno why it cut off the usernames).

Yeah - I think going first has to be best.. but.. why do people say it doesn't really matter, or else sometimes they let us serve first LOL...

WHAT!?

Thats volleyball Irexes, its called rally scoring.

To the initial question, If each team were to score 1 point on every serve it would be wise to serve first even though you only get 1 serve. The reason is simple, the game is to 15. If it were to 16 it's a different story.

Starting off 1 to 0 means you need 7 side changes to win the other team needs 8

Oh wow, ill have to think about that later... on my way to badminton now.. interesting..

lol I'm not smart.

I'd choose to serve first.

Badminton is inside..