Darts Rules — How to Play Darts (Complete Beginner's Guide)
Everything you need to know to start playing darts — from the most popular game formats to scoring rules, etiquette and strategy. Whether you've never picked up a dart or you just need a refresher, this guide covers it all.
Understanding the Dartboard
Before learning any game, you need to understand how the dartboard is laid out and what each section is worth. Every standard dartboard has the same layout — the same one used in your local pub and at the PDC World Championship.
Board Segments & Scoring
The dartboard is divided into 20 numbered segments arranged in a specific order designed to punish inaccuracy. The numbers aren't sequential — 20 sits next to 1 and 5, so if you miss the 20, you're likely to score low.
| Segment | Location | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Large coloured sections (red/green or black/white) | Face value (1–20) |
| Double | Narrow outer ring | 2× face value |
| Treble | Narrow inner ring (halfway between bull and outer edge) | 3× face value |
| Outer Bull | Green ring around the centre | 25 points |
| Bullseye | Red circle in the dead centre | 50 points |
| Outside the scoring area | Beyond the outer doubles ring | 0 points |
Many beginners think the bullseye is the highest-scoring area. It's not — treble 20 (60 points) is worth more than the bullseye (50 points). That's why professionals aim at the top of the board, not the centre.
The Number Order
Starting from the top (12 o'clock position) and going clockwise, the numbers are:
The layout is deliberately designed so that high numbers sit next to low numbers. This means inaccurate throwers are punished — if you aim for 20 and miss slightly, you'll hit 1 or 5 instead of another high number.
General Rules — Applying to Every Game
Regardless of which game format you're playing, these rules always apply:
- Three darts per turn — each player throws three darts per turn, then retrieves them from the board before the next player throws
- Stand behind the oche — you must throw from behind the oche (throwing line) at all times. Your feet can touch the oche but must not cross it
- Darts must stay in the board — a dart only counts if it stays in the board until you retrieve it. If it bounces out or falls out before you pull your darts, it scores zero
- Bull-up decides who throws first — each player throws one dart at the bullseye. Closest to the centre goes first. In professional darts, this is called the "bull-up" or "diddle for the middle"
- Alternate turns — players take turns throwing. You must wait until the other player has retrieved their darts before approaching the board
- Score is called before retrieval — in competitive play, the score is called out or recorded before the player removes their darts from the board
How to Play 501 — The Most Popular Darts Game
501 is the standard game played in all professional darts — from your local league to the PDC World Championship. It's the game you see on TV when Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen are battling it out on stage.
Rules
Both players start at 501
Each player begins with a score of 501 points. There's no "double in" required — you start scoring from your very first dart.
Throw three darts, subtract the total
On each turn, throw three darts. Add up the total and subtract it from your remaining score. For example: if you score 60 (treble 20) + 20 (single 20) + 1 (single 1) = 81, your score goes from 501 to 420.
Keep counting down
Players alternate turns, each time subtracting their throw total from their remaining score. The goal is to reach exactly zero.
Finish on a double
Your final dart must land in a double segment (the narrow outer ring) or the bullseye (which counts as double 25). For example, if you have 32 remaining, you need to hit double 16. If you have 40 remaining, you need double 20.
First to zero wins
The first player to reach exactly zero with a double wins the leg. In professional darts, matches are played as best-of-legs or best-of-sets.
What Is a Bust?
Your turn is void (a "bust") if:
Your score goes below zero, your score reaches exactly 1 (because there's no double that equals 0.5), or your score reaches zero without your final dart being a double. When you bust, your score resets to what it was at the start of that turn and the next player throws.
Common Checkouts
A "checkout" is the combination of darts you need to finish the game. Here are the most common ones every player should know:
| Score Left | Checkout | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | T20, T20, Bull | Highest possible checkout 🔥 |
| 100 | T20, D20 | Common 2-dart finish |
| 80 | T20, D10 | Common 2-dart finish |
| 60 | S20, D20 | Easy 2-dart finish |
| 40 | D20 | 1-dart finish — the "tops" |
| 36 | D18 | 1-dart finish |
| 32 | D16 | 1-dart finish — very popular |
| 16 | D8 | 1-dart finish |
| 8 | D4 | 1-dart finish |
| 4 | D2 | 1-dart finish |
| 2 | D1 | 1-dart finish — lowest possible |
For a complete breakdown of every checkout from 170 down to 2, see our How to Score Darts guide.
Always try to leave yourself on an even number — ideally 32 or 40. Double 16 (32) is the most popular finishing double because if you miss on the inside and hit single 16, you're left on 16 — which is double 8. Miss that inside, you're on 8 — double 4. This "downward spiral" gives you multiple chances.
How to Play 301
301 is a shorter version of 501 — same concept, just starting from a lower number. It's popular in pub darts and casual games because it's quicker to play.
Rules
- Start at 301 — each player begins with 301 points instead of 501
- Throw three darts per turn — subtract your total from your remaining score each turn
- Double out required — just like 501, you must finish on a double
- Double in (optional) — some versions require you to hit a double before you can start scoring. This is common in pub darts but not used in professional play. Agree on this rule before you start
- Bust rules — same as 501. If you go below zero or reach 1, your turn is void
301 vs 501 — When to Play Each
| Feature | 501 | 301 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 501 | 301 |
| Game length | Longer (12–20 darts typical) | Shorter (9–15 darts typical) |
| Double in | Not required | Optional (agree before playing) |
| Double out | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Used professionally | ✅ Yes — all PDC events | ❌ Rarely |
| Best for | Competitive play, practice | Quick games, casual sessions |
How to Play Cricket
Cricket is the second most popular darts game worldwide and the most popular in the United States. It's a strategic game that requires both accuracy and tactical thinking — you're not just scoring points, you're deciding where to score them.
Rules
Only 7 numbers matter
Cricket uses only the numbers 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the bullseye. All other numbers on the board are irrelevant.
Hit each number three times to "close" it
You need three marks on each number to close it. A single counts as 1 mark, a double counts as 2 marks, and a treble counts as 3 marks. So one treble closes a number instantly.
Score points on open numbers
Once you've closed a number, any further hits on it score points — but only if your opponent hasn't also closed it. Once both players have closed a number, it's dead and no one can score on it.
Win by closing all numbers with equal or more points
The first player to close all 7 numbers wins — but only if they have equal or more points than their opponent. If you close everything but have fewer points, you must keep scoring until you catch up.
Cricket Scoreboard
Cricket uses a specific scoreboard layout with marks (/, X, ⊗) to track progress:
| Player 1 | Number | Player 2 |
|---|---|---|
| ⊗ (closed) | 20 | XX (2 marks) |
| XX (2 marks) | 19 | ⊗ (closed) |
| / (1 mark) | 18 | / (1 mark) |
| — (0 marks) | 17 | XX (2 marks) |
| ⊗ (closed) | 16 | — (0 marks) |
| / (1 mark) | 15 | — (0 marks) |
| — (0 marks) | Bull | / (1 mark) |
Start by closing 20 first — it's the highest number so it scores the most points. If you're behind on points, focus on closing your opponent's open scoring numbers to shut them down. Cricket is as much about defence as it is about offence.
How to Play Around the Clock
Around the Clock (also called "Round the Board") is the best game for absolute beginners. It teaches you to aim at every number on the board and helps you learn the layout quickly. No maths required — just hit the right number.
Rules
- Start at 1 — your first target is the number 1 segment
- Hit the target number to advance — singles, doubles and trebles all count. Any part of the numbered segment works
- Three darts per turn — you can advance multiple numbers in a single turn if you hit the right targets
- Work through 1 to 20 in order — you must hit each number before moving to the next
- Finish with the bullseye — after hitting 20, you must hit the bullseye (either outer bull or inner bull) to win
- First to finish wins — the first player to complete all 21 targets wins the game
Variations
| Variation | Rule Change | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Any part of the number counts | 🟢 Easy |
| Doubles Only | Must hit the double of each number | 🔴 Hard |
| Trebles Only | Must hit the treble of each number | 🔴 Very Hard |
| Doubles skip | Hitting a double lets you skip the next number | 🟡 Medium |
Around the Clock forces you to aim at every part of the board — not just treble 20. This builds familiarity with the board layout and improves your accuracy across all segments. Play a few rounds of this before every practice session as a warm-up.
How to Play Killer
Killer is the ultimate party darts game. It works best with 3 or more players and gets more dramatic as the game goes on — players get eliminated one by one until only the killer remains.
Rules
Each player gets a number
Every player throws one dart with their non-throwing hand. Whatever number they hit becomes their number for the game. Write each player's name and number on the scoreboard.
Each player starts with 3 lives
Write 3 lives (or hearts ♥♥♥) next to each player's name. These are the lives they need to protect.
Hit your own double to become a "Killer"
Before you can attack other players, you must hit the double of your own number. Once you do, you become a Killer and a K is written next to your name.
Hit other players' doubles to remove their lives
As a Killer, every time you hit the double of another player's number, they lose one life. Trebles don't count — only doubles.
Lose all lives and you're out
When a player's lives reach zero, they're eliminated. The last player with lives remaining wins.
If a Killer accidentally hits their own double, they lose a life too. This prevents players from being reckless and adds an extra layer of tension. Agree on this rule before the game starts.
Other Popular Dart Games
Once you've mastered the main formats, here are a few more games worth trying:
🀄 Shanghai
Players take turns aiming at a specific number each round — round 1 aims at 1s, round 2 aims at 2s, and so on up to 20. Your score each round is the total of your hits on that number only. The twist: if you hit a single, double AND treble of the target number in the same turn, that's a "Shanghai" and you win instantly — regardless of score.
✂️ Halve-It
A preset list of targets is written on the scoreboard (e.g. 20, 19, 18, any double, any treble, bullseye). Each round, players throw three darts at the designated target. If you score on the target, those points are added to your total. If you miss completely (zero hits on the target), your total score is halved. Highest score after all rounds wins.
🎰 Knockout
Players throw in order. Each player must score higher than the previous player's throw. If you score lower or equal, you gain a letter (K-N-O-C-K-O-U-T). Spell out the full word and you're eliminated. Last player standing wins. Similar to "Horse" in basketball.
🏏 Scram
Two-player game played in two rounds. In round one, the "stopper" tries to close numbers by hitting them while the "scorer" tries to score as many points as possible on open numbers. In round two, the roles swap. Highest scorer wins.
Darts Etiquette — The Unwritten Rules
Darts has a strong culture of sportsmanship and respect. These aren't official rules, but breaking them will earn you dirty looks at the pub:
Shake hands before and after every match
This is non-negotiable in darts culture — from the pub to the PDC stage. A fist bump also works.
Stay quiet when your opponent is throwing
Don't talk, move around or distract the other player during their throw. Stand to the side and out of their sight line.
Don't take too long
Nobody likes a slow player. Step up, throw your three darts, collect them and step aside. Professional players throw a full turn in under 30 seconds.
Don't stand directly behind the thrower
Stand to the side of the throwing area, not directly behind them. Being in someone's peripheral vision while they throw is distracting.
Acknowledge good darts
If your opponent hits a 180 or a big checkout, acknowledge it. A simple "good darts" or a nod goes a long way. In professional darts, even opponents applaud big finishes.
Offer to buy a drink
In pub darts, it's traditional for the loser to buy the winner a drink. Not mandatory, but it's a nice touch and part of the social culture of darts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic rules of darts?
Players take turns throwing three darts at the board from behind the oche (throwing line). The most common game is 501 — each player starts at 501 points and subtracts their score each turn, aiming to reach exactly zero. The final dart must land in a double segment or the bullseye to win.
How do you play 501 darts?
Each player starts with 501 points. On each turn, you throw three darts and subtract the total score from your remaining points. You must finish by hitting a double — the narrow outer ring of any number, or the bullseye (worth 50). If you go below zero or hit exactly 1, your turn is void and your score resets to what it was before that turn.
What does "double out" mean in darts?
Double out means you must hit a double segment (the narrow outer ring) with your final dart to win the game. For example, if you have 32 remaining, you need to hit double 16. If you have 40 remaining, you need double 20. The bullseye (50) also counts as a valid double out.
How do you play Cricket darts?
Cricket uses only the numbers 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the bullseye. To "close" a number, you must hit it three times — singles count as one, doubles as two and trebles as three. Once you've closed a number, any further hits score points until your opponent also closes it. The winner is the first player to close all numbers and have equal or more points.
What is a "bust" in darts?
A bust occurs when your score goes below zero, reaches exactly 1, or reaches zero without your final dart being a double. When you bust, your turn is void and your score resets to what it was at the start of that turn.
Who throws first in darts?
The order is decided by a "bull-up" — each player throws one dart at the bullseye. The player whose dart lands closest to the centre throws first. In professional darts, the order alternates between legs and sets.
How do you play Around the Clock darts?
Each player must hit every number on the board in order from 1 to 20, then finish on the bullseye. You throw three darts per turn and must hit the current target number before moving to the next. Singles, doubles and trebles all count. The first player to complete all numbers and hit the bullseye wins.
What is the maximum score you can get with three darts?
The maximum score with three darts is 180 — achieved by hitting treble 20 (60 points) with all three darts. This is the highest possible score in a single turn and is celebrated in professional darts with the iconic "ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY!" call from the announcer.
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