The Ultimate Guide to Darts: Scoring, Throwing, and Game Rules

If you want to have a good time and there’s a dartboard nearby, a game of darts is the perfect thing to play with friends and strangers alike. There are tons of different ways to play darts, and many of them follow the same basic scoring rules. We’ll walk you through how dartboard scoring works and how to throw darts properly, and then stick around for all the rules to fun, classic dart games you can try out right away!

Simple ‘01 Dart Game Rules

Start the game with either 501 or 301 points. Throw 3 darts each round to get points, earning double or triple a section’s value for hitting the outer or inner rings, respectively. Subtract the round’s points from your total score, and win the game if you’re the first to reach exactly 0 points.

Section 1 of 11:

Dartboard Scoring

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1
Earn the listed points for landing in a large “single” section. Every dartboard is numbered from 1-20 in non-sequential order around the board and has a triangular scoring section. If you throw a dart that lands in the larger areas on the board, you score the points for that section.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Dartboards may vary in color, but the single scoring spaces are usually white and black or red and black.
- The numbers are laid out in the same order on every dartboard.
2
Earn double the point value for landing in the section’s outer ring. The outer ring is usually green and red, but it may vary on your dartboard. If you throw a dart that lands in the outer ring for the section, you score twice as many points.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Example: If you land inside the double ring in the 18 section, you score 36 points.
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3
Score triple points for hitting the section’s inner ring. The inner ring is broken up into small green or red sections. When your dart hits this inner ring, multiply the section number by 3 to get your score.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Example: If you land inside the triple ring in the 18 section, you score 54 points.
- Hitting the triple 20 and earning 60 points is the highest score you can reach with a single dart.
4
Earn 25 or 50 points for hitting the outer or inner ring on the bullseye. The bullseye is in the center of the dartboard and is split into 2 parts. The inner section (usually red) is called the "double bull" or "cork," and the outer section (usually green) is known as the "single bull" or just "bull."^{[4]XResearch source}
- Hitting the out section of the bullseye is worth 25 points.
- Getting a perfect double bullseye is worth 50 points.

Section 2 of 11:

How to Throw Darts

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1
Stay behind the oche during your throw. The oche (OCK-ee) is the line on the floor that’s 7 feet 9 ¹⁄₄ inches (2.369 m) away from the dartboard. Whenever you’re about to throw a dart, position yourself at the oche and be careful not to cross it.^{[5]XResearch source}
- It’s okay for your arms and upper body to cross over the oche, but your feet must stay behind it.
2
Place one foot forward and point your shoulder at the dartboard. Turn to the side so the shoulder of your throwing hand faces the dartboard. Put your front foot up to the oche and shift your weight slightly forward so you stay balanced. Keep the ball of your back foot planted on the ground to keep you stable.^{[6]XResearch source}
- For right-handed players, keep your right foot in front and your left foot in back. For left-handed players, keep your left foot in front and your right foot in back.
- Avoid leaning forward or backward too far because it can make you lose your balance.
3
Hold the dart with your thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. Take the dart in your dominant hand and run it through your fingers until you find where it feels most stable. Position your thumb on one side of the dart and pinch it in place with your forefinger. Rest your middle finger on the dart to keep it stabilized and straight.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Try repositioning your fingers to whatever feels the most comfortable to you.
Extend your arm out in front of you and bend your elbow to a 90-degree angle. Keep the dart mostly horizontal but slightly angle the tip up. Line your elbow up with where you want to aim on the dartboard.^{[8]XResearch source}
5
Move your hand forward and follow through to throw the dart. Once you’re ready, bring your hand back. Then, quickly snap it forward and extend your fingers to throw the dart. Follow through so your fingers point down toward the ground after your throw.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Darts do not need a great deal of force to stick into the dartboard, so avoid trying to throw them really hard. If you throw them too hard, you could break the tips.
- Try to keep your body as still and balanced as possible throughout your throw so you have the most control.

Section 3 of 11:

501 or 301 Rules

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1
Throw 3 darts on your turn to earn points. Choose a player at random to go first. On your turn, throw one dart at a time at the board. Wherever the dart lands determines how many points you earn. Add the total points from the round together.^{[10]XResearch source}
- You can play 301 or 501 with any number of players.
2
Subtract the points you earned from your total score. Every player starts the game with 501 points (or 301 points for a shorter game). Subtract what you earned from your throws from your total and write your new score down.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Variation: If you want to make the game more difficult, only start subtracting points from a player’s score after they hit a double.
- If you want to play a longer game, then start with 701 or 901 points instead.
3
Be the first player to hit a double and reach exactly 0 points to win. Alternate turns and subtract points from your score. Once you’re close to 0, you must end the game by hitting a double that brings you to 0. If you go below 0, then reset your points to whatever you had at the start of the round.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Example: If you have 19 points left, you could hit a single 1 to bring your total to 18 and then hit the double 9 to win the game.
- Once you get your score below 171, it’s possible to win the game in a single turn no matter your point total. For example, if you have 170 points, you can go out by hitting the triple 20 twice and then the inner ring of the bullseye.

Section 4 of 11:

Cricket Dart Game Rules

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1
Make a score sheet listing the numbers 15-20 and the bullseye. In order, list the numbers 15 through 20 in a vertical column. These sections are the only ones that score during the game. Put the players’ names on either side of the column.
- Cricket is usually a 2-, 3-, or 4-player game, but it can work with any number of players or teams.
2
Throw darts to hit the numbers 15-20 and the bullseye 3 times each. On your turn, throw 3 darts. When you hit one of the scoring sections, put a slash next to that number under your name. On the second hit, add a second slash to form an X. After the third hit, put a circle around the X to “close it out.”^{[13]XResearch source}
- If you hit the outer ring in a section, then it counts as 2 hits.
- If you hit the inner ring, it counts as 3 hits and immediately closes out that section.
- The outer ring on the bullseye counts as 1 hit and the inner ring counts as 2 hits.
- You can aim for the numbered sections in any order. It’s usually best to try aiming for 19, 20, and the bullseye first because they’re more high-valued.
3
Score points on numbers until your opponents close them out. If you’re the first person to close out a number, then you “own” that number. Any time you hit that numbered section, you earn points toward your total score. Once another player closes out the same number on their turn, then that section can no longer score.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Example: You throw 1 dart and hit the triple 20, immediately closing it out. If you hit the 20 section on your next throw, then you score 20 points.
Alternate turns until one person has closed out all of the numbered sections and the bullseye. If that person still has a lower score than their opponents, they must keep scoring on any sections they still own. Once they have a higher score than any other player, they win the game!^{[15]XResearch source}

Section 5 of 11:

Baseball Dart Game Rules

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1
Throw darts at the 1 section to score “runs.” You can play Baseball with any number of players. Choose a random player to take the first turn. During the first “inning” at the start of the game, only the 1 section is valid for scoring. Throw 3 darts during a turn, trying to hit areas in the 1 section to earn points.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Score 1 run for landing in a single spot in the section.
- Earn 2 runs for landing in the double ring on the outside of the dartboard.
- Gain 3 runs for hitting inside of the triple ring.
After all players play an inning, move on to the next numbered section in ascending order to score runs.^{[17]XResearch source}
After the 9th inning, count the total number of runs each player earned, and whoever scored the most wins the game!^{[18]XResearch source}

Section 6 of 11:

Around the World Rules

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1
Throw darts trying to hit the numbers in ascending order. You can play Around the World with any number of players. On your turn, throw 3 darts. Start by aiming for the 1 section on the board. If you hit anywhere within the section, including the double or triple rings, then you can move on to the next number.^{[19]XResearch source}
- If you aren’t able to hit the 1 section with any dart during your first turn, then you must try aiming for it again during your next turn before moving on to the 2 section.
2
Win the game after hitting all the numbers and the bullseye. Alternate taking turns and throwing darts to work your way through all the numbered sections. Once you hit the 20 section, then aim for the bullseye. Whoever is able to hit all the sections followed by the bullseye first wins the game!^{[20]XResearch source}
- Variation: Try the Shanghai version where each player aims for the same numbered section each round, and earn points for your darts. Go through sections 1–20 and try to earn the highest score.^{[21]XResearch source}

Section 7 of 11:

Killer Dart Game Rules

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1
Throw a dart with your non-dominant hand to pick your number. Hold the dart in your non-dominant hand and throw it at the board. Whichever number the dart lands on is considered your number throughout the rest of the game. Have every player take turns throwing until each person has a different number.^{[22]XResearch source}
- You can play Killer with any number of players, but it works best with 3 or more.
2
Aim for the double in your number’s section to become a killer. Choose a random turn order for the players. On your turn, throw 3 darts trying to hit the double ring in your number’s section. As soon as you hit the double for your number, you turn into a “killer.”^{[23]XResearch source}
- Once you become a killer, you stay one for the rest of the game. Put a “K” next to any player that becomes a killer.
Each player starts the game with 3 lives. Once you become a killer, aim for the double ring in another player’s numbered section. If you hit the double section, then the player with that number loses 1 life.^{[24]XResearch source}
Continue alternating turns trying to become the killer and making other players lose lives. When a player loses all 3 lives, they’re eliminated. The last player standing wins the game!

Section 8 of 11:

Cat and Mouse Rules

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1
Choose players to be the cat and the mouse. Cat and Mouse is a simple 2-player game, so find a friend to play with you. Choose one player who will be the “mouse” trying to get around the dartboard. The other player becomes the “cat” who will try to catch the mouse.^{[25]XResearch source}
- This game is sometimes referred to as “Hares and Hounds.”
2
Throw darts to hit the numbers in clockwise order. The mouse player goes first and starts at the 20 section of the board while the cat goes second and starts in the 5 section. During their turn, players throw 3 darts. Players first must hit anywhere in their current section to move to the next clockwise section. Write down the section where you end so you don’t forget between rounds.^{[26]XResearch source}
- Example: On the first turn, the mouse player hits the 20 section with their first dart. The player moves on to the 1 section. If they’re able to hit that section as well with the next dart, then they move to the 18 section.
- Players can move a maximum of 3 sections forward on their turn.
If you’re playing as the mouse, try to work your way around the board faster than the cat player. If you’re able to hit every numbered section of the board and end back on the 20, then you win the game!^{[27]XResearch source}
When you’re playing as the cat, try to catch up to the mouse if they miss one of their throws. If you’re on the section behind the mouse and you throw a dart into their section, you’ve caught them and win the game.

Section 9 of 11:

English Cricket Rules

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English Cricket is a 2-player game, so find one other person to play with. Players take turns scoring as the “batter” while the other person is the “bowler” who tries to stop them from scoring.^{[28]XResearch source}
2
As the batter, score more than 40 points to earn runs. The batter takes the first turn of the game. Throw 3 darts during a turn trying to earn the most points. Once the batter scores at least 40 points during their throws, any additional points are considered runs earned for the round.^{[29]XResearch source}
- Example: If you scored 47 points on your turn, 47 - 40 = 7 runs earned for the round.
- You can score any section of the dartboard, but aim for the doubles and triples of higher numbers so you’re more likely to earn points.
3
As the bowler, aim for the bullseye to remove the wickets. The bowler takes their turn immediately after the batter. The bowler has 9 “wickets” that they need to remove to stop the batter from scoring. The bowler only removes wickets when they get a bullseye. Remove 1 wicket for hitting the bullseye’s outer ring or get rid of 2 wickets for hitting the inner ring.^{[30]XResearch source}
- In some variations of the game, you may play with 10 or more wickets instead.
After a bowler removes all of the wickets during the round, they become the new batter and try to score runs. The other player becomes the bowler. After the bowler removes their 9 wickets, whoever scored the most runs wins the game!

Section 10 of 11:

51 by 5s Rules

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1
Throw darts to earn a score that’s divisible by 5. On your turn, take 3 darts and try to earn as many points as possible. However, you’re only allowed to score if your total points at the end of your turn if the number ends in a 0 or 5.^{[31]XResearch source}
- You can play 51 by 5s with any number of players.
- Try to aim for the 5, 10, 15, 20, and bullseye during your throws so you’re more likely to score points.
2
Divide your score by 5 to determine your points for the round. If your score is evenly divisible by 5 after your turn, then divide it. Write your points down and keep a running total between rounds.^{[32]XResearch source}
- Example: If you scored 60 points during your turn, then 60 ÷ 5 = 12 points for the round.
3
Win the game when you reach 51 points. Alternate taking turns with the other players to try scoring points. Whoever reaches 51 points exactly on their turn is the winner!^{[33]XResearch source}
- Example: If you have 48 total points, the total from your throws must equal exactly 15 for you to win (15 ÷ 5 = 3, 48 + 3 = 51). If you scored 20 during the round, you earn 0 points for the round because you went over.
- Alternatively, you may start with 51 points and subtract your score from the total each round. You win once you hit 0 exactly.

Section 11 of 11:

Legs Dart Game Rules

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1
Throw 3 darts and count the points. You can play Legs with any number of players, so choose anyone at random to throw first. On their turn, a player throws their 3 darts trying to earn as many points as possible. Write the point total down so other players remember it.
- Any dart that misses the board counts as 0 points.
- Every section on the dart board scores, but try aiming for the 19, 20, and bullseye sections since they’ll earn you the most points.
2
Lose a “leg” for scoring fewer points than the previous player. Each player starts the game with 3 legs. The next player takes their 3 darts and tries to score points equal to or higher than the person who threw right before them to stay safe. If the player gets a lower score, then they lose one of their legs.
- You only have to earn more points than the person directly before you. If one player earned 50 points and the player before you only earned 25 points, then you only have to earn 25 points or higher to stay safe.
Keep taking turns and trying to earn the highest number of points. Once there’s only one player left in the game, they automatically win!

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How do I decide who throws first?
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Using the traditional rules, both of you would throw a dart at the board. Whoever's dart is closest to the center would go first.
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How high is the dartboard from the ground?
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Standard height from the floor to the bullseye on the dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches, while the oche (distance between the front of the board and the toeline) should measure 7 feet 9.25 inches.
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Does player 1 remove her three darts before player 2 begins?
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Yes. After every turn, the player removes their three darts for the next player.
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Tips

Always be careful that there’s no one in between the person throwing and the dartboard so people don’t get injured while you play.
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When playing '01', always practise hitting your doubles. They can be very tricky and practicing will help you start and end the game easier.
Go for one number at a time when you're playing Cricket. That way your aim won't be off trying for different numbers in the same turn.

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