Know the game: what smart fans need to know about Badminton

Around since the 16th century, Badminton is very popular in Asian countries, especially China and India, where the world’s best players hail from. England played a crucial role in the development and codification of modern badminton, establishing early rules and organizing some of the first competitions.

The pinnacle event on the Badminton calendar is the Summer Olympic games, held every four years. Badminton features a wide range of international competitions, governed by the International Badminton Federation (now known as the Badminton World Federation), which oversees the sport’s rules and global tournaments.

Badminton is one of the world’s most popular sports in Asia and is gaining recognition internationally. The sport’s global scope is reflected in its international competitions and its growing status among popular sports worldwide.

The aim of badminton

The objective of badminton is to win enough rallies to gain points, thus winning the match. To do that, players strike the shuttle with their racket so it passes over the net and lands within the opponents court.

The opposing player or team are also looking to do the same by returning the shuttle into the opposite of their court. Players must anticipate their opponent’s moves and respond quickly. In badminton, players and teams can win points off opponents’ mistakes; for example, if the shuttle is hit under the net, out of the court, struck into the net, or when opponents fail to return the shuttle properly.

You’ll notice players “leaving” the shuttle if they believe it will fall outside of the court. If the shuttle looks like it is going out of the court, but the opposition still returns the shuttle – the rally continues.

Unlike tennis, where the ball can bounce once on the ground, badminton does not. As soon as the shuttlecock touches the ground, the rally ends, and a point is won.

The shuttlecock is designed to fly cork first, which gives it stability and affects its speed and flight path.

You must hit the shuttle once only before it goes over the net (even in doubles). Thus, badminton is not like volleyball, where several players can touch the ball three times before returning it back over the net.

Scoring in badminton

Badminton is governed by basic badminton rules that outline gameplay, scoring, court dimensions, and match structure. The scoring system in badminton awards points when the shuttle is struck over the net and lands in the opposition’s court before they can return it. Points can also be scored on opponent’s mistakes, such as if the shuttle lands outside of the court or is struck into the net.

Games are won when one player or team reaches 21 points—this is how a player or team wins a game. A match is won by winning two games out of three. Players or teams must win two out of three games to claim overall victory. The first game, second game, and third game each have specific badminton rules for changing ends and scoring, with players switching sides at the start of the second game and during the third game when a player reaches 11 points.

If the score is tied at 20-20, play continues until one side is two points ahead. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game. Players earn ranking points based on their performance in matches and tournaments, which influence their international ranking and qualification for major events.

When serving, players must stand within the correct service courts, which are marked areas on the court that determine legal serving positions and are essential for proper gameplay according to badminton rules.

Badminton matches and equipment

Badminton is both a singles and doubles game. In singles, you have one player versus another, known as a men’s singles or women’s singles match. In doubles, two pairs of players (pairs) compete against each other, forming teams of two. These doubles matches involve two pairs, and either player on a pair can hit the shuttle. Pairs must coordinate their positioning and tactics to maximize their effectiveness on the court.

There are five disciplines in badminton, each representing a different type of match:

• Men’s singles

• Women’s singles

• Men’s doubles

• Women’s doubles

• Mixed doubles (each team has a man and a woman)

Badminton players use a stringed racquet, similar to that of tennis racquets but with a smaller head and much lighter weight. The racquet plays a crucial role in shot control, allowing players to execute precise strokes and deception. The shuttle, also known as a shuttlecock or birdie, has a hard half-round ball at the bottom with feathers or a skirt made from synthetic material attached to it along a plastic wire frame.

To obtain maximum impact when striking the shuttle, players aim to hit the hard ball part of the shuttle, as this provides a faster shot that is harder to return by the opposition. Hitting the feathers or synthetic skirt produces a softer shot that can be quickly returned.

Badminton courts are 13.4m x 6.1m with a net across the middle of the court. Along the edges of the court are two sets of lines (they look like tram lines) – the inner lines are used as the boundary for a singles match, the outer lines, for doubles matches. The court also features a service court on each side, divided by the short service line, which is 1.98 metres from the net. Players serve from either the right service court or left service court depending on their score, and the short service line marks the minimum distance a serve must travel to be valid.

Basic rules of badminton

Badminton is a fast-paced game, so you’ll need to master the below basics if you are to follow the game:

At the start of a match, a coin toss determines which player or team has the first choice, and the other side has the remaining choice—either to serve, receive, or select a court end.

When serving, players must serve diagonally across the net to the opposing player or team player. The serving side is determined by the server’s score: in singles, if the server’s score is even, they serve from the right side; if odd, from the left. In doubles, similar rules apply, with the serving side changing based on the score and previous rally. The server strikes the shuttle below the waist with an underarm motion, and must stand within the correct service court. Unlike tennis, in badminton there is no second serve so if a player makes a mistake, either hitting the shuttle out or into the net, the opposition obtains a point.

When serving, players are not permitted to serve overarm, only underarm.

Once a successful serve has been made, and a rally initiated – players, both singles and doubles are allowed to move around the court as they wish, like tennis, including hitting the shuttle from out of the court boundaries.

Points are scored when the shuttle is struck and lands within the boundaries of the opposing team’s court.

Additional points are scored if the opposition hits the shuttle into the net or lands outside of the court.

Players are not allowed to touch any part of the net with any part of their body. If they do, the opposition receives a point.

Further faults include if the shuttle is hit twice or caught in the racket when striking.

Matches are umpired by a referee and line judges who monitor if the shuttle lands over the lines or not. The match referee has the overriding authority on infringements and faults.

For players who persistently foul within the match, the referee also has the power to dock that player (or team if a doubles match) of further points for infringements.

In major tournaments, the level of competition and the amount of prize money at stake can significantly influence player motivation and the intensity of matches.

How to bet on badminton: know the game

With this guide to badminton, you should have enough to get started watching and betting on your first badminton match. Master these basics, and you’ll find yourself begging to know more about this fast-paced game that is played throughout the calendar year, culminating in the ultimate tournament – badminton at the Olympic games. Badminton is recognized as the fastest racquet sport, with shuttlecock speeds unmatched by other racquet games.

Badminton features five main event categories: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. These categories are featured in major tournaments and world championships, including prestigious competitions like the Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, Sudirman Cup, and the BWF World Championships. Matches are played best of three games to 21 points, with fast-paced rallies, strategic net play, and sharp smashes defining the action. The performance of athletes in these international competitions is a key factor in determining outcomes and betting strategies.

What to consider when betting:

• Head-to-head history: Some players have clear mental or stylistic edges over others.

• Court surface and venue: Conditions can vary slightly, especially between fast and slow courts.

• Recent form: Look at recent tournament performance, particularly in Asia and Europe where badminton is strongest.

• Fatigue and scheduling: Players in multiple events (e.g. doubles and singles) may be less consistent.

• Opponents and team dynamics: Analyze how one team or player matches up against their opponents, considering strengths, weaknesses, and tactical approaches.

Common bet types include match winner, correct score, handicap betting, and total points over/under.

If you’re new to badminton betting, explore insights from specialist betting tipsters. For deeper odds analysis and line shopping, consider arbitrage betting software to identify market inefficiencies.

While badminton is not among the most popular sports globally, especially in regions like America, it is highly competitive at the Olympics and in international tournaments. Badminton rewards timing, agility, and discipline—and for the smart bettor, it’s a sport full of valuable betting opportunities.