How do you play pickleball? Pickleball is a fun and engaging racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. To play, you'll need a pickleball court, a net, a paddle, and a plastic ball with holes. Two or four players can participate. The objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opposing team's court without letting it bounce twice on your side. Serving, volleying, and strategic positioning are key components of the game. The first team to reach 11 points (win by 2) wins the game, and matches are typically played as best-of-three.