Bust in Darts: What It Means & How the Rule Works | Oche

A bust is darts’ way of punishing an overcooked finish. Because you must land on exactly zero with a double, scoring too much — or the wrong way — wipes your whole turn. Understanding it is the key to safe, smart finishing.

The three ways to bust

In X01 games you bust if a visit:

1. Takes your score below zero (you scored more than you had left), or
2. Leaves you on exactly 1 — impossible to finish, because the lowest double is double 1 (which is 2), or
3. Reaches zero without finishing on a double (e.g. a single takes you out).

Any of these voids the visit.

What happens when you bust

When you bust, none of the darts in that visit count. Your score returns to exactly what it was at the start of the turn, and play passes to your opponent. So if you started the visit on 40 and busted, you’re back on 40 for your next turn.

A worked example

You’re on 32 (a clean double 16 finish):

• Dart 1: you aim at double 16 but hit single 16 → you’re on 16.
• Dart 2: you aim at double 8 but hit single 8 → you’re on 8.
• Dart 3: you go for double 4 but hit single 8 → that would take you to 0 without a double. Bust.

Your score reverts to 32 for next time — none of those darts counted.

How to avoid busting

• Leave yourself an even number you can finish on a double — see the double-out guide.
• Don’t blindly throw at trebles when you’re on a low finish; know your checkout routes.
• Remember the danger numbers: anything that could leave you on 1 or take you under 2.

The X01 scorer flags a bust the moment it happens and automatically restores your score — so there’s never an argument at the oche.