Rule 1.1 - Types of Games
Racquetball may be played by two or four players.  When played by two it is called "singles," and when played by four, "doubles."

Eldon says… In Edmonton, as in other centers, there is a version of the game that is played by three people referred to as Cutthroat.  Although the general rules of Racquetball Canada are used for serving, receiving and scoring, Cutthroat is not an official form of the game, so the rules may vary from club to club.  Opponents decide how the game will be scored, serving order, receiving order etc before starting the game. 

Rule 1.2 - Description
Racquetball, as the name implies, is a competitive game in which a racquet is used to serve and return the ball.

Rule 1.3 - Objective
The objective is to win each rally by serving or returning the ball so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in play.  A rally is over when a side makes an error, or is unable to return the ball before it touches the floor twice or three times in wheelchair racquetball.

Rule 1.4 - Points and Outs
Points are scored only by the serving side when it serves an ace or wins a rally.  When the serving side loses a rally, it loses the serve.  Losing the serve is called an "side-out" in singles, and "half-down" or "side-out" in doubles.

Eldon says… In Edmonton, as in other centers, there is a version of the game that allows point scoring for every rally.  It is referred to as “Hardcore.”  Hardcore, then, refers to a method of scoring points.  Although the general rules of Racquetball Canada are used for serving and receiving, some variations can occur.  In Edmonton, some leagues use Hardcore scoring to set up a handicapped ranking system to allow players with different skill levels to play a game on more or less “even” par.  Hardcore rules may vary from club to club. 

Note that the Official Rules on the Racquetball Canada Website refer to a Hand Out (see Rule 4.5-j(b)).  This is the same as a Side Out. 

Rule 1.5 - Game, Match and Tie Breaker
The length of a game, match or tie-breaker is set by the tournament committee, chosen from game formats to 11, 15, 21 or 31 points.  The winning margin shall be by 2 points in every game and every game format.

The committee may at its discretion, and upon providing mandatory advance announcement on the entry form, decide that a specific division (or divisions) will compete using only 1 serve per player.  In the event that only 1 serve per player is chosen, the rules will then be interpreted and enforced in the same way as if each serve initiated by a player is the "second" serve in a two serve match.

Eldon says… The most common tournament match format in Edmonton is 2 games to 15, with a tie breaker to 11.  Matches played with games scored to 21 or 31 points, although legal, tend to be too long to be played at tournaments.

During a recreational game, the opponents should decide the game format before starting the game.