Darts rules
How to play darts
New to the oche or brushing up? Start with the basics — the board, scoring and finishing on a double — then dive into the full rules for every popular darts game.
Darts rules
The basics
Three things cover almost every darts game: how the board is laid out, how scoring works, and how you finish a leg.
The board
A standard board has 20 numbered segments plus the bullseye. The thin outer ring doubles a number, the thin inner ring trebles it, and the centre bull scores 50 (the outer bull 25).
Scoring
You throw three darts per turn. Each dart scores the value of the segment it lands in — singles count once, doubles twice and trebles three times. The highest possible score with three darts is 180 (three treble 20s).
Doubles, trebles & the bull
The treble 20 (60 points) is the highest single-dart score on the board, and the bullseye is itself a double. In most X01 games you must finish by landing your last dart in a double or the bull.
Every darts game, explained
Pick a game to read the full rules, scoring and a step-by-step how-to. Each guide links straight into the app so you can start scoring it.
X01 & scoring
X01 — 501, 301 & 701
The classic countdown games. Race from a set score to exactly zero, finishing on a double.
Rules501
The standard professional game: how a 501 leg is played, scored and finished.
Rules301
The shorter X01 game — often double-in, double-out — and how it differs from 501.
RulesScoring & the board
How singles, doubles, trebles and the bull score — and how to read the board.
RulesDouble out & finishing
Why most X01 games end on a double, and how checkouts and finishing work.
RulesThe bust rule
What happens when you score too much, land on one or miss the double — and how the turn resets.
Game modes
Cricket
Open and close 15–20 and the bull before your opponent in this tactical classic.
Game ModesAround the Clock
Hit every number from 1 to 20 in order — the simplest way to warm up.
Game ModesShanghai
Single, double and treble one number per round, with an instant-win Shanghai.
Game ModesKiller
Become a killer on your own double, then knock out your friends' lives.
Game ModesHalve It
Hit each round's target or watch your score get halved — brutal practice.
Game ModesBob's 27
Work the doubles from D1 to the bull in this classic finishing routine.
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