Darts Rules — How to Play Darts (Complete Beginner's Guide)
Darts is one of those games that takes five minutes to learn and years to get good at. The rules themselves are straightforward — throw three darts, subtract your score, finish on a double. But there's more to it than that, and knowing the rules properly makes the game way more fun. Here's everything you need.
Understanding the Dartboard
Before you learn any game, you need to know how the board works. Every standard dartboard has the same layout — the same one hanging in your local pub is the same one at the PDC World Championship. Once you know what each bit is worth, everything else clicks into place.
Board Segments & Scoring
The board is split into 20 numbered segments, and they're arranged in a specific order that's designed to punish bad aim. The numbers aren't sequential — 20 sits next to 1 and 5, so if you miss the 20 by a fraction, you're probably scoring low. Cruel, but fair.
| 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 |
Most people think the bullseye is the highest-scoring spot on the board. It's not. Treble 20 is worth 60 points — the bullseye is only worth 50. That's why every professional aims at the top of the board, not the centre. The bullseye looks impressive but it's not the best use of your darts.
The Number Order
Starting from the top (12 o'clock, where 20 sits) and going clockwise:
The layout is deliberately designed to punish inaccuracy. High numbers always sit next to low numbers. Miss the 20 slightly left? You hit 1. Miss it right? You hit 5. The board doesn't forgive sloppy throwing.
General Rules — These Apply to Every Game
No matter which game you're playing, these rules are always in effect:
- Three darts per turn — throw your three, add them up, then go collect them before the next player steps up
- Stand behind the oche — your feet can touch the line but can't cross it. If you're leaning so far forward you're practically falling over, you've gone too far
- Darts must stay in the board — if a dart bounces out or falls out before you pull it, it scores zero. Tough luck. This is why sharp points matter
- Bull-up to decide who goes first — each player throws one dart at the bullseye. Closest to the middle goes first. In pubs you'll hear this called "diddle for the middle"
- Take turns — wait until the other player has collected their darts and stepped aside before you throw. Walking up while they're still at the board is bad form
- Score before you pull — in competitive play, your score gets called out or written down before you remove your darts from the board. This avoids arguments
How to Play 501 — The Standard Game of Darts
501 is the game. It's what they play on TV, what they play in every league, and what they play at the World Championship when Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are going at it in front of millions. If you only learn one darts game, make it this one.
Rules
Both players start at 501
Everyone begins on 501 points. No "double in" needed — your first dart counts straight away. Just step up and throw.
Throw three darts, subtract the total
Each turn you throw three darts and take the total off your score. So if you hit treble 20 (60), single 20 (20) and single 1 (1), that's 81 — your score goes from 501 down to 420.
Keep counting down
You and your opponent take turns, each time chipping away at your own score. The first one to reach exactly zero wins the leg.
You MUST finish on a double
This is the bit that makes 501 interesting. Your final dart has to land in a double (the thin outer ring) or the bullseye (which counts as double 25). Got 32 left? You need double 16. Got 40 left? Double 20 — also known as "tops". Can't just casually wander down to zero with any old single.
First to zero wins the leg
Hit your double, reach exactly zero, and the leg is yours. In professional darts, matches are played as best-of-legs or best-of-sets — so you might need to win several legs to take the match.
What Is a Bust?
Your turn is wiped (a "bust") if:
Your score drops below zero — bust. Your score lands on exactly 1 — bust (there's no double that equals half of 1). Your score hits zero but your last dart wasn't a double — also a bust. When you bust, your whole turn is scrubbed and your score goes back to what it was before you threw. Painful, but them's the rules.
Common Checkouts
A "checkout" is the combination of darts you need to finish the game. You don't need to memorise all of these right away, but knowing the common ones saves you time at the board:
| 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 — "tops" |
| 36 | D18 | 1-dart finish |
| 32 | D16 | 1-dart finish — everyone's favourite |
| 16 | D8 | 1-dart finish |
| 8 | D4 | 1-dart finish |
| 4 | D2 | 1-dart finish |
| 2 | D1 | 1-dart finish — lowest possible |
For the full checkout chart covering every finish from 170 down to 2, check out our How to Score Darts guide.
Try to leave yourself on 32 (double 16) whenever you can. Here's why: if you miss double 16 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. Miss again? 4 — double 2. Each miss gives you another shot on a double. It's the most forgiving number on the board and it's what the pros aim for.
How to Play 301
301 is just a shorter version of 501. Same rules, same double-out finish, just starting from a lower number so games are quicker. It's popular in pubs and casual play when you want a faster game.
Rules
- Start at 301 — same as 501 but you begin 200 points lower
- Three darts per turn — subtract your total each turn, just like 501
- Double out required — your last dart has to hit a double. Same as 501
- Double in (optional) — some pub versions make you hit a double before you can start scoring. This isn't used in professional play, so agree on it before you start. "Are we doing double in?" is a question you'll hear a lot in pubs
- Bust rules — same as 501. Go below zero or land on 1, your turn is void
301 vs 501 — Quick Comparison
| 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, pub sessions |
How to Play Cricket
Cricket is massive in the US and it's the second most popular darts game worldwide. It's completely different to 501 — instead of counting down, you're trying to "close" specific numbers while scoring points. There's genuine strategy involved because you're constantly deciding whether to attack or defend.
Rules
Only 7 numbers matter
Forget the rest of the board. Cricket only uses 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the bullseye. Hit anything else and it doesn't count for anything.
Hit each number three times to "close" it
You need three marks on each number. A single = 1 mark. A double = 2 marks. A treble = 3 marks (closes it in one dart). So if you hit treble 20, boom — 20 is closed instantly.
Score points on numbers you've closed
Here's where it gets tactical. Once you've closed a number, any extra hits on it score you points — but only while your opponent's version of that number is still open. Once they close it too, nobody can score on it. This means you can rack up points on numbers your opponent hasn't closed yet.
Close everything and have the most points to win
First player to close all 7 numbers wins — but only if they've got equal or more points than their opponent. If you close everything but you're behind on points, you need to keep scoring on your opponent's open numbers until you catch up. This stops people just racing to close without scoring.
Cricket Scoreboard
Cricket uses marks to track progress. One hit = a slash (/). Two hits = an X. Three hits (closed) = a circle with an X (⊗). Here's what a game in progress looks like:
| 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) |
Go for 20 first — it's the highest number so it scores the most points once you've closed it. If your opponent closes something before you, don't panic — focus on shutting down whatever they're scoring on. Cricket is as much about defence as it is offence. Sometimes stopping your opponent scoring is more important than scoring yourself.
How to Play Around the Clock
If you're brand new to darts, start here. Around the Clock (also called "Round the Board") is the simplest game going — no maths, no strategy, just hit the right number. It's also genuinely useful practice because it forces you to aim at every part of the board instead of just hammering treble 20 all night.
Rules
- Start at 1 — your first target is the number 1
- Hit the target to advance — singles, doubles and trebles all count. Any part of that number works
- Three darts per turn — you can advance through multiple numbers in one turn if you hit them
- Go from 1 to 20 in order — no skipping ahead. You must hit each number before moving on
- Finish on the bullseye — after hitting 20, you need to hit the bull (outer or inner) to win
- First to finish wins — simple as that
Variations
Once the standard version gets too easy (or you want a challenge), try these:
| 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 teaches you the board layout faster than anything else. After a few games you'll know where every number is without thinking. Play a couple of rounds as a warm-up before every practice session — even experienced players do this. The doubles-only version is also brilliant practice for finishing games of 501.
How to Play Killer
Killer is the party game. Get three or more people, a few drinks, and this game gets properly dramatic. Players get knocked out one by one until only the killer is left standing. It always ends in shouting.
Rules
Everyone gets a number
Each player throws one dart with their non-throwing hand (so your weak hand). Whatever number you hit, that's your number for the game. This keeps it random and usually hilarious. Write everyone's name and number on the scoreboard.
Everyone starts with 3 lives
Write 3 lives next to each name. Some people use hearts (♥♥♥), some use tally marks. Doesn't matter — you've got 3 and you need to keep them.
Hit your own double to become a "Killer"
Before you can start attacking anyone, you have to hit the double of your own number. Until you do that, you can't take anyone's lives. Once you hit it, you're a Killer — stick a K next to your name on the board.
Hit other players' doubles to take their lives
Now the fun starts. As a Killer, every time you hit the double of another player's number, they lose a life. Only doubles count — singles and trebles do nothing. Pick your targets wisely. Or don't. Up to you.
Lose all your lives and you're out
When someone's lives hit zero, they're done. Grab a drink and watch the chaos unfold. Last person with lives remaining wins.
If a Killer accidentally hits their own double, they lose a life too. This adds a brilliant layer of tension — you can't just spray darts around the board recklessly. Agree on this before you start, because it will cause arguments if you don't.
Other Games Worth Knowing
Once you've got the main ones down, these are great for mixing things up:
🀄 Shanghai
Each round, everyone aims at a specific number — round 1 is 1s, round 2 is 2s, all the way up to 20. Your score each round is whatever you hit on that number. But here's 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. Doesn't matter what the scores are. It's a mic-drop moment.
✂️ Halve-It
A list of targets goes on the board (e.g. 20, 19, 18, any double, any treble, bullseye). Each round, everyone throws three darts at that round's target. Hit it? Those points get added to your total. Miss it completely — as in, zero hits on the target? Your total score gets halved. It's brutal. One bad round and you're in trouble. Highest score after all rounds wins.
🎰 Knockout
Players throw in order and each player has to score higher than the previous player. If you score lower or equal, you pick up a letter — K, N, O, C, K, O, U, T. Spell the whole word and you're eliminated. Last one standing wins. It's basically "Horse" from basketball but with darts. Gets tense quickly.
🏏 Scram
Two-player game, two rounds. In round one, one player is the "stopper" trying to close numbers by hitting them, while the other is the "scorer" trying to rack up points on whatever's still open. Round two, you swap roles. Whoever scored more points in their scoring round wins. Simple but surprisingly tactical.
Darts Etiquette — The Unwritten Rules
These aren't in any rulebook but they're taken seriously. Break them and you'll get looks. Follow them and people will enjoy playing with you. It's not complicated — it's basically just "don't be annoying":
Shake hands before and after
Every match. Every time. Pub game, league game, World Championship — doesn't matter. Fist bump works too. Just acknowledge each other like human beings.
Shut up when they're throwing
Don't talk, don't move around, don't stand in their eyeline. Step to the side and stay quiet until they've thrown all three. You'd want the same courtesy.
Don't take forever
Step up, throw your three, collect them, move aside. Nobody wants to watch you stare at the board for 45 seconds between darts. The pros throw a full turn in under 30 seconds. You don't need to be that quick, but don't be the person who holds everyone up.
Don't stand behind the thrower
Stand to the side, not directly behind them. Having someone in your peripheral vision while you're trying to throw is distracting and annoying.
Say "good darts" when they hit something great
If your opponent nails a 180 or a big checkout, acknowledge it. A nod, a "nice darts", a round of applause — whatever feels right. Even in professional darts, opponents clap big finishes. It's part of the culture.
Loser buys the drinks
In pub darts, it's traditional for the loser to get a round in. Not a requirement, but it's a nice touch and it's been going on for decades. Part of what makes darts a social game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic rules of darts?
Take turns throwing three darts at the board from behind the oche. The most common game is 501 — start at 501, subtract your score each turn, and try to reach exactly zero. Your last dart has to hit a double or the bullseye. That's the short version. The rest is practice.
How do you play 501 darts?
Both players start on 501. Each turn you throw three darts and take the total off your score. Keep going until someone reaches exactly zero — but the final dart must land in a double (the thin outer ring) or the bullseye. Go below zero or land on 1? That's a bust — your score goes back to what it was before that turn.
What does "double out" mean in darts?
It means your last dart has to hit a double segment to win. Got 32 left? You need double 16. Got 40? Double 20 (also called "tops"). The bullseye counts too — it's technically double 25. You can't just casually hit a single to finish.
How do you play Cricket darts?
Only numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye matter. Hit each number three times to close it — singles count as one, doubles as two, trebles as three. Once you've closed a number, hitting it again scores you points until your opponent closes it too. First to close everything with equal or more points wins.
What is a "bust" in darts?
A bust is when your finish goes wrong. Your score drops below zero, hits exactly 1 (no double equals half of 1), or reaches zero without a double. When you bust, your whole turn is wiped and your score goes back to what it was before you threw. It stings.
Who throws first in darts?
Each player throws one dart at the bullseye — closest to the centre goes first. It's called a "bull-up" or "diddle for the middle". In professional matches, the order alternates between legs and sets.
How do you play Around the Clock darts?
Hit every number from 1 to 20 in order, then finish on the bullseye. Three darts per turn, singles doubles and trebles all count. First person through all 21 targets wins. It's the best beginner game because it teaches you the whole board.
What is the maximum score you can get with three darts?
180. Three treble 20s. 60 + 60 + 60. When it happens on TV the whole venue goes mad — "ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY!" It's the iconic moment in darts and it never gets old.
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