This guide explains the rules for the most popular types of darts games, including scoring rules, exceptions, and special scenarios.
General Rules of Darts
Equipment
- A standard dartboard has 20 numbered sections and a bullseye.
- Each player uses three darts.
Dartboard Setup
- The dartboard must be mounted so the bullseye is exactly 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) from the ground.
- The board should be placed on a flat, vertical surface.
- The throwing line (oche) must be 7 ft 9.25 in (237 cm) from the dartboard, measured horizontally.
- The throwing area should be well-lit and free of obstructions.
Throwing Rules
- Players must stand behind the throwing line (oche).
- No part of the player’s foot or body may cross the line while throwing. Crossing the line makes the throw invalid.
- Each turn consists of three darts unless otherwise specified.
- Players should throw darts from a standing position unless a disability or injury requires them to sit or use another position.
- Each dart must be thrown carefully, one at a time, with the pointed end aimed at the dartboard. Throws made incorrectly will not count and are considered “foul throws.”
- A turn consists of up to three darts unless the game is won in fewer throws.
- If a player touches a dart already on the board during their turn, the turn ends immediately.
- Darts that bounce off or fall out of the board cannot be thrown again and will not earn points.
- Darts that fall before being retrieved do not count, and players or scorekeepers are not allowed to push darts into the board to hold them in place. Any affected darts will not score.
- If a player damages the dartboard when retrieving darts, they will receive a verbal warning. Further incidents in the same match may lead to penalties, including losing a leg, set, or the match.
Player Responsibilities
- Players must maintain proper decorum, avoid distracting opponents, and adhere to the rules.
- Ensure their darts meet competition standards.
- Confirm scores with the scorer or opponent before leaving the throwing area.
Dress Code
- In professional settings, players are required to wear collared shirts, trousers, and closed-toe shoes.
- Casual games typically have no strict dress code, but players should avoid wearing anything that hinders movement or violates venue rules.
Lighting
- The dartboard should be evenly lit to avoid shadows and ensure clear visibility.
- Overhead lighting or specialized dartboard lights are commonly used.
Starting and Finishing
- Players may determine the starting order with a “closest to the bullseye” throw.
- In games like 501 or 301, finishing often requires hitting a double or the bullseye to win.
- To finish and win, a player must land a dart in the double ring or the bullseye that equals half of their remaining score. This is known as a “double finish.”
- The bullseye is worth 50 points and can be used to complete a game if the score required is 50. The outer bullseye counts as a double 25.
- If a player scores more points than their remaining total, scores the exact points needed but does not finish with a double, or leaves a score of one, the throw does not count. The player’s score reverts to what it was before the turn began.
- A finish declared by the caller (referee) is valid only if the required double is achieved and the darts remain in the board until retrieved. If invalid, the player may continue throwing if they have darts remaining.
- The first player to finish with the correct double wins the leg or match.
- Any darts thrown after completing the game do not count.
- Matches may consist of legs (e.g., best of three, five, etc.) or sets (e.g., best of three sets). The first player to win the majority of legs or sets is declared the winner.
Order of Play
- Players take turns throwing three darts unless stated otherwise.
- The order is maintained throughout the game unless penalties or specific game rules dictate changes.
- The winner of the bull throw starts the match and also throws first in all odd-numbered legs, including any tie-breaker leg if needed. In matches with sets, the winner of the bull throw also throws first in all odd-numbered legs of odd-numbered sets.
- For the bull throw, each player (or one team member) throws one dart at the bullseye. The dart must stay in the board to count. If both players hit the bullseye or the outer bull, a re-throw is required in reverse order.
- The dart closest to the bullseye decides the winner of the bull throw. If one player hits the bullseye or outer bull without the opponent matching or exceeding it, they throw first in the match.
- Player names must be entered on the scoreboard in the same order as listed on the scorecard.
- In pairs or team events, where players throw in rotation, the order of throw must be displayed on the scoreboard before the match begins.
Scoring Rules
- Points are counted where the dart lands.
- Outer segments = number shown.
- Outer ring = double the number.
- Middle ring = triple the number.
- Bullseye outer ring = 25 points.
- Bullseye inner circle = 50 points.
Score Validity
- Only darts that stick to the board count.
- Darts landing on the wire or falling off score zero.
- The score is recorded after all three darts are thrown in a turn.
Variations and Exceptions
- Blind Draw: Players are paired randomly.
- Double-In Games: Players must hit a double to start scoring.
- Bounce-Out Rule: Some games allow rethrows for bounce-outs, while others don’t.
- Soft-Tip Darts: In electronic darts, bounce-outs might still register points.
Rules for Popular Darts Games
501 (and 301)
Scoring
- Starting Score: Each player begins with 501 (or 301) points.
- Subtract points scored in each turn from your total.
- Finish on a double or bullseye (e.g., if you need 40 points to win, you must hit double 20).
Bust Rule
- If your score goes below zero or you finish without a double, your turn ends, and your score reverts to its previous total.
Exceptions
- Some games allow beginners to skip the double-out rule.
Cricket
Target Numbers
- Only numbers 15-20 and the bullseye count.
- Close a number by hitting it three times (or one triple, or one double and a single).
Scoring
- If you’ve closed a number but your opponent hasn’t, additional hits score points.
- Example: If you hit triple 18, you score 54 points if your opponent hasn’t closed 18 yet.
Winning
- Close all numbers and have more points than your opponent.
- If both players close all numbers, the higher score wins.
Exceptions
- No points are scored if both players close the same number.
Around the Clock
Rules
- Players take turns trying to hit the next number in sequence.
- Darts that miss or hit out of order don’t count.
Winning
- The first player to hit all numbers and the bullseye wins.
Exceptions
- Advanced versions require hitting doubles or triples of each number.