Americano: everyone plays with everyone
An Americano needs four players per court; eight players on two courts is the classic setup. Every round you get a new partner and new opponents. Over the evening, everyone ideally partners everyone once – with eight players that takes seven rounds.
Matches are not played in games and sets. Each match lasts a fixed number of points in total: in a 24-point Americano the match ends when both teams' points add up to 24, for example 14–10. Every player gets the points their team won – 14 for each winner, 10 for each loser.
After the last round, the player with the most points wins. Because partners change every round, it is an individual competition and a great way to meet new players at the club.
Mexicano: pairings by the table
A Mexicano keeps the Americano scoring but changes how the teams are formed. The first round is drawn at random or by level. From round two, the current table decides: the top four players share the first court, the next four the second court, and so on.
On each court the four players are split so that the teams are balanced – a common rule is 1st and 3rd against 2nd and 4th. The result is close matches all evening, and the strongest players meet each other in the final rounds.
Americano vs Mexicano at a glance
| Americano | Mexicano | |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring | Points per match, counted per player | The same |
| Partners | Fixed rotation: everyone with everyone | Set by the table after each round |
| Matches | Mixed levels | Close: players of a similar level |
| Planning | Schedule fixed in advance | Next round depends on the last results |
| Best for | Meeting new players | Competitive groups |
How many points per match?
The total points set the length of a match. Choose them together with the serve block so that the rotation comes out even – then every player serves equally often:
| Total points | Serve block | Each player serves |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 4 serves | once (4 points) |
| 16 | 2 serves | twice (4 points) |
| 24 | 2 serves | 3 times (6 points) |
| 32 | 4 serves | twice (8 points) |
Fewer points per match mean more rounds in the same time – and more different partners.
Serve order in Americano and Mexicano
There are no service games, so the serve rotates by points. One player serves a block of points, then the serve passes to the other team in the usual doubles order: team A player 1, team B player 1, team A player 2, team B player 2.
- 2 serves per player – the serve changes often, and nobody serves a long block.
- 4 serves per player – closer to a normal game; common for 16 and 32 points.
- Like a tie-break – one serve for the first server, then two each.
Within a block, the server switches sides after every point.
Tips for your Americano evening
- Fix the points per match and the serve block before the first round.
- Use one scorer per court – a watch on one player's wrist is enough.
- Collect the results after every round and update the table; for a Mexicano, set the next pairings from it.
- Odd number of players? Let one player sit out each round and agree in advance how that round counts, for example with the average of the player's other rounds.
- A 24-point match can end 12–12. Accept the draw, or play an odd total such as 21.
Americano scoring in PadelCounter
PadelCounter scores each Americano or Mexicano match on court. Turn on Americano in the match rules, or tap the Americano 24 setup, then choose the points – 16, 24, 32, unlimited or any number from 1 to 100 – and the serve change: like a tie-break, or 2 or 4 serves per player. The scoreboard counts both teams' points toward the total and shows who serves.
- Points per match: 16, 24, 32, unlimited or 1–100
- Serve change like a tie-break, or every 2 or 4 serves
- Score from a watch, phone, tablet or Flic button
- Share the live score so the other courts can follow
Americano is part of PadelCounter Pro, with a free trial for new players. The draw and the table of the evening stay with you – a sheet of paper is enough.
Frequently asked questions
How many players do you need for an Americano?
Four per court. With eight players on two courts, everyone can partner everyone else once over seven rounds.
What is the difference between Americano and Mexicano?
The scoring is the same. An Americano follows a fixed rotation of partners; a Mexicano builds each round from the current table, so players of a similar level meet.
Who wins an Americano?
The player with the most points after the last round. Points are individual: each player gets the points their team won in every match.
How does the serve work in an Americano?
It rotates in blocks – usually 2 or 4 serves per player – through all four players in the normal doubles order. Pick a block that divides the total points evenly.
Does PadelCounter make the Americano draw?
No. PadelCounter scores each match on court, with your Americano's points total and serve change. The draw and the table are up to the organiser.