Comprehensive Guide to Darts Rules: Everything You Need to Know

Darts is one of those games that seems simple until someone asks “wait, do I have to finish on a double?” This guide has you covered. We’ll walk through board setup, the most popular games, and all those little rules that nobody remembers to explain.

Table of Contents

• Dartboard Setup & Basics
• X01 Games (301, 501, 701)
• Cricket
• Around the Clock
• Shanghai
• Other Popular Games
• Helpful Resources

Dartboard Setup & Basics

Before diving into game rules, let’s ensure your dartboard is set up correctly.

Official Measurements

Pro Tip: Ensure at least 2 feet (60cm) clearance on either side of the board for safety.

Understanding the Dartboard

The standard “clock” dartboard features:

• 20 numbered segments (1-20)
• Single areas - Score face value
• Double ring (outer narrow ring) - Score 2× the number
• Triple ring (inner narrow ring) - Score 3× the number
• Outer bullseye (Bull) - 25 points
• Inner bullseye (Double Bull) - 50 points

The maximum possible score with three darts is 180 (three triple-20s), known as a “ton-eighty.”

General Rules

• Each player throws 3 darts per turn
• Darts must stick - bounced or fallen darts don’t score
• Order of play is determined by throwing at the bullseye (closest goes first) or coin flip
• Retrieve darts only after all three throws

X01 Games (301, 501, 701)

The X01 family is the standard format for professional darts competitions, including the PDC World Championship. For quick reference, see our complete X01 rules page.

Objective

Reduce your score from the starting number (301, 501, 701, etc.) to exactly zero, finishing with a double or bullseye.

How to Play

1. Both players/teams start with the same score (typically 501 in professional play)
2. Take turns throwing 3 darts
3. Subtract each turn’s total from your remaining score
4. First to reach exactly zero wins the leg

Key Rules

Double Out (Required): Your final dart must land in a double segment or the bullseye. For example, if you have 32 remaining, you must hit double-16 to win.

Busting: If you score more than needed, go to exactly 1, or reach 0 without a double, your turn is “bust.” Your score reverts to what it was before that turn.

Variants

Double-In (Optional): Some games require hitting a double before you can start scoring. This is used in the PDC World Grand Prix.

Strategy Tips

• Aim for triple-20 (60 points) for maximum scoring
• Work toward “favorite” checkout numbers like 32 (allows multiple attempts: D16 → D8 → D4 → D2 → D1)
• Learn common checkouts (out shots) to finish efficiently

Cricket

Cricket is the most popular darts game in American pubs and bars. It combines scoring with strategic elements that make every game unique.

Objective

Close all cricket numbers (15-20 and bullseye) while accumulating the highest score.

Numbers in Play

• 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15
• Bullseye (inner bull = 2 marks, outer bull = 1 mark)

How to Play

1. Close a number by hitting it 3 times (any combination of singles, doubles, or triples)
2. A single = 1 mark, double = 2 marks, triple = 3 marks
3. Once YOU close a number but your opponent hasn’t, you score points each time you hit it
4. Once BOTH players close a number, it’s dead and neither can score on it
5. Win by closing all numbers while having equal or higher points

Scoreboard Notation

Track hits with:

• / = 1 hit
• X = 2 hits
• ⊗ (circled X) = 3 hits (closed)

Example Turn

Player A throws: Triple-20, Single-20, Double-18

Result: Closes 20 (3 marks) and gets 2 marks on 18

Strategy Tips

• Close high numbers first (20, 19, 18) to score more points
• Play defense by closing your opponent’s open scoring numbers
• Save the bullseye for last - it’s the hardest target
• Balance offense (scoring) and defense (closing opponent’s numbers)

Variants

Around the Clock

Also called “Around the World,” this is the perfect game for beginners and a great accuracy warm-up for experienced players. For quick reference, see our complete Around the Clock rules page.

Objective

Hit each number on the board in sequence from 1 to 20, then finish with the bullseye.

How to Play

1. Each player takes turns throwing 3 darts
2. Hit numbers in order: 1, 2, 3… up to 20
3. Any segment of the number counts (single, double, or triple)
4. If you miss your target with all 3 darts, wait for your next turn
5. First player to hit 1-20 and then the bullseye wins

Variants

Shanghai

Shanghai is exciting because anyone can win at any moment, regardless of their score.

Objective

Score the most points through 20 rounds OR hit a “Shanghai” for an instant win.

How to Play

1. Each round corresponds to a number (Round 1 = 1s, Round 2 = 2s, etc.)
2. Throw 3 darts per round, aiming only at that round’s number
3. Score points: single = face value, double = 2×, triple = 3×
4. Darts landing outside the target number score nothing
5. After 20 rounds, highest score wins

The Shanghai (Instant Win)

Hit the single, double, AND triple of the current number in one turn to win immediately—regardless of your score!

Example: In Round 5, hitting Single-5, Double-5, and Triple-5 (in any order) = instant victory.

Why Shanghai is Great

• Underdogs always have a chance (Shanghai possibility)
• Teaches the whole board - not just T20
• Works with large groups - any number of players
• Scalable difficulty - play 1-7 for quick games or 1-20 for full sessions

Other Popular Games

Half-It

Hit specific targets each round. Miss all three darts? Your score is halved!

Baseball

9 innings, aiming at numbers 1-9 in sequence. Score runs based on hits.

English Cricket

One player “bats” (scores points over 40) while the other “bowls” (aims for the bullseye to get wickets).

Legs

Race to hit every number on the board. First to complete all 20 segments wins.

Helpful Resources

DartsOn Rules & Tools

• All Darts Game Rules - Quick reference for all game types
• Standard Cricket Rules - Detailed cricket scoring guide
• Around the Clock Rules - Rules for the classic accuracy game
• Darts Checkout Calculator - Find the best finish for any score

Official Rules & Organizations

• Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) - Professional tour rules and regulations
• World Darts Federation (WDF) - International governing body
• Darts Regulation Authority Rule Book - Complete tournament regulations

Guides & Tutorials

• DartsLive Darts 101 - Interactive beginner’s guide
• DartHelp.com - 501 Guide - Detailed 501 instructions with tips

Out Charts

Learning checkout combinations is essential for X01 games. Use our Darts Checkout Calculator for any score, or memorize these key ones:

Final Thoughts

Darts is a game that rewards practice, patience, and precision. Whether you’re playing casual games with friends or competing in leagues, understanding the rules enhances your enjoyment and performance.

Quick Tips for New Players:

1. Start with Around the Clock to learn the board
2. Move to 301 before attempting 501
3. Practice doubles - they’re crucial for finishing games
4. Learn basic checkout combinations (32, 40, 50, 60)
5. Most importantly - have fun!

Ready to track your games and improve your skills? Try Dartson to log your matches, track statistics, and see your progress over time.

Game on! 🎯