How to Play Darts
Every darts game starts with the same basic action: stand behind the oche (throwing line), throw three darts at the board, add up your score. What makes darts endlessly engaging is the variety of games you can play on that same board.
The Board
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered segments, arranged in the Gamlin sequence (20, 1, 18, 4, 13, 6, 10, 15, 2, 17, 3, 19, 7, 16, 8, 11, 14, 9, 12, 5). The board also features:
- Single segments — The large areas, scoring face value
- Double ring — The narrow outer ring, scoring double the segment value
- Treble ring — The narrow ring halfway between centre and edge, scoring triple the segment value
- Outer bullseye (25) — The green ring around the centre
- Inner bullseye (50) — The small red circle at the dead centre
The maximum score with three darts is 180 (three treble 20s).
501 — The Standard Game
501 is the most widely played darts game in the world and the format used in virtually all competitive play.
How to Play
- Each player starts with a score of 501
- Players take turns throwing three darts
- The score of each throw is subtracted from the running total
- The game must be finished by hitting a double that reduces the score to exactly zero
- If a dart reduces the score below zero, or to exactly 1 (which is impossible to finish on a double), the turn is "bust" — the score resets to what it was before that turn
Strategy
- Opening phase — Aim for treble 20 (60 points per dart) to reduce the score quickly
- Middle phase — Continue scoring while keeping an eye on the route to a finish
- Finishing — When below 170 (the highest possible checkout), plan your route. For example, if you're on 100: treble 20 (60) leaves 40, which is double 20 — a two-dart finish
- Doubles mastery — The ability to hit doubles consistently is what separates good darts players from great ones
Key Checkouts to Know
- 170 — The highest checkout: treble 20, treble 20, bullseye
- 160 — Treble 20, treble 20, double 20
- 141 — Treble 20, treble 19, double 12
- 100 — Treble 20, double 20
- 40 — Double 20 (the most targeted double)
- 32 — Double 16 (the favourite finishing double for many players — miss yields 16, which is double 8, then double 4, then double 2, then double 1)
301 — The Quick Version
Identical to 501 but starting from 301. Some variations require a "double in" — you must hit a double to start scoring. This is common in North America. 301 games are shorter and often used in league play where time is limited.
Cricket (American-Style)
A tactical game, hugely popular in the USA and on electronic boards worldwide.
How to Play
- Numbers in play: 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and Bullseye
- Each player must "close" each number by hitting it three times (any combination of singles, doubles, and trebles — a treble counts as three hits, a double as two)
- Once a player has closed a number but their opponent hasn't, any further hits on that number add points to the closer's score
- The game ends when one player has closed all numbers and the bullseye, and has equal or more points than their opponent
Strategy
Cricket is as much about defence as offence. Close the numbers your opponent is scoring on to stop their run, and use your closed numbers to pile up points. Some players close everything quickly; others rack up big points on one or two numbers first.
Round the Clock (Around the Board)
A simple, excellent practice game that tests accuracy across the entire board.
How to Play
- Players must hit numbers 1 through 20 in order, then the bullseye
- Each turn, throw three darts at the current target number
- If you hit the target, move to the next number
- If you hit a double or treble of the target, you can skip ahead (double counts for 2 numbers, treble for 3)
- First player to complete 1-20 and the bullseye wins
This game is brilliant for beginners because it forces you to aim at every part of the board, not just the treble 20.
Killer
A social game, excellent for groups of 3 or more players.
How to Play
- Each player throws one dart with their non-dominant hand to determine their "number"
- Starting with 3 lives each, players take turns throwing at other players' numbers
- Hit another player's double to remove one of their lives
- Hit your own double to gain a life (usually capped at 5)
- The last player with lives remaining wins
Killer is chaotic, social, and ruthlessly competitive. Alliances form and crumble. It's the perfect party game.
Shanghai
A progressive game where players target each number in sequence.
How to Play
- Round 1: All players throw at 1. Round 2: at 2. And so on through 20
- Score is cumulative — singles, doubles, and trebles all count
- A "Shanghai" (hitting a single, double, and treble of the current round's number in one turn) is an instant win
- After 20 rounds, the highest cumulative score wins
Halve It
A high-stakes scoring game with a punishment mechanic.
How to Play
- Each round has a specified target (e.g., 20, 19, 18, double 17, treble 16, bullseye)
- If you score in the target during your turn, add the points to your running total
- If you fail to hit the target with any of your three darts, your total is halved
- After all rounds, highest total wins
The halving rule creates enormous pressure. A player with a commanding lead can be destroyed by one bad round.
Legs and Sets
In competitive pub darts and league play, matches are typically played as "legs" and "sets":
- A leg is a single game of 501 (or 301)
- A set is the best of a specified number of legs (typically best of 5)
- A match is the best of a specified number of sets
Darts Etiquette
Unwritten rules that make darts sociable:
- Wait your turn — Stand well behind and to the side of the player throwing
- Don't talk during their throw — Silence during the throw is expected
- Pull your own darts — Walk to the board only when it's your turn to retrieve
- Shake hands — Before and after the match
- Call your score honestly — In friendly games without a scorer, call it as it is
- Don't celebrate your opponent's miss — Bad form
- Buy a round — It's tradition in pub darts
Darts rules vary by region and league. The rules described here are the most commonly played versions. Always check local rules before league or tournament play.