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

Squash is a brutal, fast-moving game that requires skill, speed, and supreme fitness. The ball can reach speeds of up to 270kmh and players strength can be severely sapped, but the games end – much more than most other sports.

Squash’s origins date back to the 19th century and was initially called squash racquets, to distinguish it from the game of racquets. At the Harrow School, located on the outskirts of London, young students who were unable to compete with older pupils for the racquets courts, they invented their own game using a rubber ball instead of a hard one, and the game of Squash was born. Like tennis, squash is a racket sport, but it is played on a four-walled court with a softer ball, leading to faster rallies and different strategies compared to tennis.

Although squash is not currently an Olympic sport, it is featured in other major international competitions such as the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Squash Championships.

The aim of Squash

The aim of squash is where two players on a court hit a ball using their rackets against a wall. The game’s objective is to strike the ball against the front wall and to make the ball bounce twice on the floor before the opposing player can return the ball or make them hit it out of play. A common way to achieve this is by playing a kill shot—a powerful, low shot aimed just above the tin on the front wall, making the ball bounce very low and fast, which is difficult for the opponent to retrieve.

Rules of Squash

A coin toss is used to decide which player serves first at the start of a squash match.

The fundamental principle is to keep hitting the ball against the front wall until your opponent cannot return it anymore within a rally.

When a player serves, they must keep at least one foot in the service box. The first serve of each rally must follow specific rules, and only one attempt is allowed.

Once struck, the ball must hit the front wall first between the service line and the out line, landing in the area behind the short line on the opposite side of the court. If the ball does not land in the correct area or hits more than one side wall before landing, it is considered a fault serve. Fault serves include the ball not landing in the designated service zone or hitting more than one side wall before bouncing. If a fault serve occurs, the server loses the rally and the receiving player becomes the server.

Once the rally is in session, players must continue to hit the wall above the board and below the out line. The out line marks the upper boundary of the playable area; if the ball touches or crosses the out line, it is considered out of bounds.

Between each shot, the ball is only permitted to hit the floor once but can be hit as many times at the walls as the player wishes.

After each point, players switch sides to ensure fair play.

If a player fails to strike the ball before it either bounces twice, hits outside the out line, or strikes the ball into the floor before it hits the front wall, then they lose the rally to the opposing player. If the ball touches the ceiling or any other non-playable surface, it is also considered out of play and the player loses the rally.

A player can also lose a rally if the ball hits them or their clothing before they strike the ball. If a player is hindered from playing a shot, a penalty hinder may be called, which can result in the rally being replayed or awarded to the hindered player, depending on the situation.

Squash equipment

Squash balls

Players use a different ball depending on their standard. The different colours are:

• Blue – fast
• Red – medium
• Green or white – slow
• Yellow – super slow
• Double Yellow – extra super slow; the competition standard ball

Squash racquets

Modern squash racquets have come a long way since the wooden ones of the 19th century. Today they are usually comprised of a mix of materials like kevlar and graphite.

Squash courts

A standard squash court has precise court dimensions: it is 21 feet wide and 40 feet long. Squash is played in a four walled court, which includes the front and back walls as well as each side wall. The front and back walls are crucial for defining the court’s layout, with the back walls enclosing the playing area and the side wall influencing shot angles and strategy.

The court has a front and back, with lines making a half court line and the back being separated into three “boxes” – the front half, the back-left quarter and the back-right quarter. Both the back two boxes contain smaller service boxes.

The “T” created between the three boxes is pivotal for players to place themselves during rallies to control the game. The squash court floor-markings are only used when players are serving. The line and land of the ball are important for determining shot placement and whether the ball is in or out of bounds.

Scoring in Squash

The scoring system in squash and racquetball plays a crucial role in shaping match play, influencing match length, style, and viewer engagement.

The World Squash Federation uses British scoring, also known as the traditional scoring system, where you can only score points when a player is serving. Thus, should a player receiving the rally from a serving opponent, the score does not change. That player becomes the server and can then play to win a point. In effect, you need to win two rallies to score a point.

To win a game of squash, players must reach nine points, winning three games out of 5 to win a squash match. In some match formats, such as in racquetball, matches are played over two games, each to 15 points, and if players split the two games, a tiebreaker game to 11 points is played. There are also doubles matches, which involve two players per side and have their own specific rules for serving, positioning, and often require a larger court.

Although if players use American scoring, then the game would continue to whoever would reach 15 points first. The American scoring is not used as it was more physically demanding and generally the fitter players would win, not necessarily the better players.

Should the score reach eight-all, the non-serving player can choose whether they wish to play to nine points or ten.

During play, players can at times be hindered or unable to see as they attempt to play their next shot and can ask for a let. Should the referee grant this, she or he can decide whether the point should be replayed or to award the rally to the hindered player.

Tactics of Squash

The top players know that the easiest way to win at squash is to tire their opponent out by doing the majority of the running in rallies. During these rallies, players take turns hitting the ball, and the number of ball passes between them can influence the flow and intensity of the game.

Whilst being a physically fit player, you also have to be as shrewd as a chess player, weighing up where to play your shots, where your opponent has positioned themselves and all this at less than a second’s notice. The physical and mental demands are high, and a player’s ability to play—encompassing technical skills, fitness, and tactical awareness—greatly affects match outcomes.

The ball can directly hit the front wall, or it can be struck to either back wall or side walls before being returned to the front wall. One point to note is that the ball must hit the front wall first before touching the floor. Players attempt to confuse their opponents with various combinations of play to gain an advantage. When under pressure, a player may use a defensive shot, such as a boast or drop, to buy time and recover their position. The way the ball bounces off the walls and floor is used strategically to create openings and force errors.

Players attempt to place themselves at the “T” of the court. If they are at the “T”, they are in greater control of where to strike the ball and thus, a better position to win the game. Evaluating the opponent’s ability is crucial, as it allows players to adjust their tactics and exploit weaknesses.

Plus, keeping the ball as low as possible diminishes the opposition players chances of reaching the ball to return it to the front wall.

The back two corners are the most critical areas on a squash court.

If the opponent does manage to return the ball out of the corner, then the other player is in a commanding position to control the rally after that from the “T”.

Community and events in Squash

The world of squash is as dynamic off the court as it is during a rally. The sport boasts a passionate global community, with countless tournaments and events taking place throughout the year. The Professional Squash Association (PSA) leads the way for professional players, organizing major competitions like the World Squash Championships and maintaining a global ranking system that highlights the best in the game.

Squash clubs and racquetball courts can be found in cities and towns worldwide, offering a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels. These clubs often provide coaching, training programs, and social events, making it easy to improve your game and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Whether you’re playing racquetball or squash, the sense of camaraderie and support is a big part of what makes these sports so enjoyable.

Countries like Egypt, England, and the United States are hotbeds for world squash, producing top-ranked players and hosting prestigious tournaments. Squash also features in major multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games, showcasing the sport to a wider audience.

No matter where you are in the world, the squash community is open and inclusive, providing endless opportunities to play, compete, and be part of a thriving sport.

How to bet on squash: know the game

With this guide to squash, you should have enough to get started watching this brutal and physically demanding game. Due to its hurricane-paced nature, betting on squash can be very exciting and unpredictable.

Squash is typically played in a best-of-five-game format, with each game played to 11 points. A player must win by two clear points. Matches are fast, intensely physical, and often decided by razor-thin margins.

Key factors to consider when betting on squash:

• Player form and fitness – squash requires peak conditioning; even minor fatigue can shift the outcome.
• Head-to-head records – some players consistently outperform specific opponents.
• Court conditions – temperature and humidity can affect ball speed and bounce.
• Playing style – some players thrive in long rallies; others rely on aggressive, short-point play.
• Tournament level – motivation and pressure vary between major tournaments and minor tour events.

Popular squash betting markets include:

• Match winner
• Total games (over/under)
• Correct game score
• Handicap betting
• Outright tournament winner

If you’re just starting out, explore betting tipsters who specialise in racket sports or individual events. More experienced punters may benefit from using arbitrage betting software to find discrepancies in odds across bookmakers.

Whether you’re new to the game or keen to bet with insight, squash’s explosive rallies and tactical depth make it a compelling watch—and an engaging betting opportunity.