Darts Rules | How to Play Every Darts Game

Whether you?re throwing in a local league, practising at home, or trying to understand what you?re watching on TV, clear darts rules make the game simpler, fairer and far more enjoyable. On DartsStats.com we break down the essential rules, scoring and formats used across the most popular darts games, then show how small rule differences can change tactics, finishing routes and even the way you analyse matches for betting.

This guide covers standard steel-tip rules first (the most common in the UK), then moves through scoring, starting/finishing variations, match formats, and the rules for popular pub and practice games. If you?re new, you?ll also find etiquette basics and the most common beginner mistakes to avoid.

What Are Darts Rules?

Darts rules are the agreed set of standards that govern:

Where you throw from (the oche line and its distance from the board).
How scoring works (singles, doubles, trebles, bull).
What counts as a valid dart (and what happens when darts bounce out).
How you start and finish (straight in, double in, double out, etc.).
How a match is structured (legs, sets, best-of formats).

In organised play, rules are consistent and enforced by a marker/referee. In pub play, rules often vary slightly, so it?s smart to agree them before the first dart is thrown.

Standard Darts Rules Every Player Should Know

Dartboard Layout and Scoring Areas

A standard dartboard is split into 20 numbered segments (1?20). Each segment has three primary scoring areas:

Single (the large inner and outer single areas): scores face value (e.g., single 20 = 20).
Double ring (thin outer ring): scores double the face value (double 20 = 40).
Treble ring (thin middle ring): scores treble the face value (treble 20 = 60).

The centre contains the bull:

Outer bull = 25
Inner bull (bullseye) = 50

Any dart that lands outside the scoring areas (including the surrounding black ring/wire area beyond doubles) scores zero.

Throwing Distance and Oche Rules

The oche is the throw line. In standard steel-tip darts, the distance is measured horizontally from the face of the board to the oche:

Oche distance: 7ft 91?4in (2.37m)
Board height: bullseye at 5ft 8in (1.73m) from the floor

Key oche rules:

You must not step on or over the oche while releasing a dart (a ?foot fault? in formal play).
You can lean and follow through, but your leading foot must remain behind the line at the moment of release.
Retrieve darts only when the turn/visit is complete and it?s safe to approach the board.

Number of Darts Per Turn

A standard turn is called a visit. Each player throws up to three darts per visit.

If you finish the leg with dart one or two, you do not throw the remaining darts.
If a dart bounces out, it scores nothing and is not re-thrown.

Order of Play and Starting Throws

Most matches begin with a ?bull-up? (or similar agreed method) to decide who starts:

Each player throws one dart at the bull.
Closest to the bull starts (inner bull beats outer bull; if both hit 25/50, closest wire distance is used in many leagues).
If there?s a tie (same score and similar closeness), the bull-up is repeated.

After that, the right to throw first usually alternates by leg (unless a competition specifies otherwise).

Common Darts Scoring Rules

Singles, Doubles and Trebles Explained

Scoring is simply the segment value multiplied by the ring:

Single: value ? 1 (single 19 = 19)
Double: value ? 2 (double 16 = 32)
Treble: value ? 3 (treble 17 = 51)

Because of the treble ring, high scoring tends to focus on:

T20 (60) as the maximum for one dart
T19 (57) as the common alternative when T20 is blocked or unreliable

The Bullseye (25 and 50)

The bull is scored as:

25 for outer bull (green/red outer ring)
50 for inner bull (red centre)

In some formats (particularly certain pub rules or older league traditions), the bull may be treated differently for finishing (for example, being allowed as a ?double? equivalent). Always confirm before play if it matters to the game you?re playing.

Bust Rules Explained

A bust happens when a player?s score goes below zero, or reaches a finish that is not allowed under the game?s out rule (most commonly, leaving 1 in double-out games).

Standard bust rules in 501/301 double-out:

If you go below 0, you bust.
If you finish on 0 without a valid double, you bust.
If you leave 1 in double-out, you bust (because you can?t finish 1 with a double).
When you bust, your score reverts to what it was at the start of the visit and the remaining darts do not count.

This is a huge tactical rule: it?s often better to set up a comfortable double than to ?have a go? and risk busting.

Starting and Finishing Rules

Double In Rules (When Required)

Double in means you must start scoring only after hitting a double (or, in some variations, the bull). Until you double in:

Your darts score zero.
You can use the first visit(s) purely to hit an entry double (common entry doubles include D20, D18, D16, D10, D6).

Double-in is less common than straight-in, but it appears in some 301 leagues and certain pub games.

Double Out Rules (Standard Finishing)

Double out is the most common finishing rule in competitive 501. You must end the leg by hitting a double that takes your score exactly to zero.

Examples:

Score 40: finish with D20.
Score 32: finish with D16.
Score 50: finish with Bull (50) is not a double, but is typically accepted as a valid finishing dart in standard 501 (competition rules can specify; most pro play allows bull as a finish).

Practical tip: many players aim to leave favourite doubles (often D16, D20, D10) by choosing sensible routes rather than chasing maximums every visit.

Single Out and Master Out Variations

Two common alternatives to double-out:

Single out: you can finish on any single, double, treble or bull, as long as you hit exactly zero. This is friendlier for beginners and faster in casual play.
Master out: you must finish on a double or a treble. This increases finishing difficulty but offers more options than strict double-out.

These variations change checkout strategy. Under single-out, leaving 1 is fine (finish S1). Under double-out, leaving 1 is a bust risk and must be avoided.

Legs, Sets and Match Formats

What Is a Leg in Darts?

A leg is one complete game from the starting score (typically 501) down to zero under the agreed finishing rules. Players alternate visits until one checks out. In most match formats, the first player to win a set number of legs wins the match (or wins sets made up of legs).

What Is a Set in Darts?

A set is a group of legs. For example, ?best of 5 sets? might mean you need to win 3 sets, and each set could be ?best of 5 legs? (first to 3 legs) depending on the event. Sets add momentum swings and make the order of throw (who starts each leg) more strategically important.

Best-of Formats Explained

?Best of? tells you the maximum number of legs or sets:

Best of 11 legs: first to 6 legs wins.
Best of 7 legs: first to 4 legs wins.
Best of 5 sets: first to 3 sets wins (with a set containing a specified number of legs).

Format matters because shorter matches increase variance. Over fewer legs, a brief purple patch or a couple of missed doubles can decide everything.

Popular Darts Games and Their Rules

501 Darts Rules

501 is the standard competitive game:

Each player starts on 501.
Subtract your score each visit.
Most commonly played as straight in, double out.
You must finish on exactly zero with a valid double (or bull if permitted by the competition rules).

Typical approach: score heavily early (T20/T19), then switch to set up a favourite double and check out efficiently.

301 Darts Rules

301 is a shorter version often used in pubs and some leagues:

Start on 301.
Common variations: double in, double out (classic) or straight in, double out.

Because 301 is short, the opening can decide the leg quickly?especially if double-in is used and one player enters earlier.

Cricket Darts Rules

Cricket is a target-closing game (not a countdown):

Targets are usually 15?20 and bull.
You ?close? a number by hitting it three times (single = 1 mark, double = 2, treble = 3).
Once you?ve closed a number, you can score on it until your opponent also closes it.
Win by closing all numbers and having at least as many points as your opponent (exact rules vary).

Killer Darts Rules

Killer is a popular pub game for 3+ players:

Each player is assigned a number (often by throwing at the board; where you land determines your number).
Players must first become a ?killer? by hitting their own number a set number of times (commonly a double or three hits).
Once a killer, you can take lives off opponents by hitting their numbers.
Last player with lives remaining wins.

House rules vary widely (lives, how to become a killer, whether doubles are required), so agree them upfront.

Shanghai Darts Rules

Shanghai is a round-based scoring game:

Rounds run through numbers in order (often 1 to 20; sometimes includes bull as a final round).
In each round, you score only on that round?s number.
A ?Shanghai? is hitting single + double + treble of the round number in the same visit (often an instant win for that round or the whole game, depending on house rules).

Around the Clock Rules

Around the Clock (also ?Round the Board?) is ideal for beginners:

Hit 1, then 2, then 3… up to 20 (sometimes finishing on bull).
First player to complete the sequence wins.
Some versions require doubles or trebles only.

Halve-It Rules

Halve-It is a pressure game that punishes misses:

Each round has a target (for example: 20s, 19s, doubles, trebles, bull).
You score the total points from valid hits in that round.
If you score zero in a round, your overall score is halved.

It?s brilliant for practice because it rewards accuracy and composure rather than just power scoring.

Golf Darts Rules

Golf assigns ?holes? to numbers (commonly 1?9 or 1?18):

Each hole corresponds to a number.
Players throw three darts per hole and record a ?strokes? score based on where they hit (for example, treble = 1 stroke, double = 2, single = 3, miss = 5; variations exist).
Lowest total strokes wins.

Doubles Darts Rules

Doubles can mean either a doubles match (two players per team) or a game requiring doubles:

Doubles match format: partners alternate turns (each throws three darts per visit). Legs and sets work the same as singles.
Doubles-only game: only double ring scores (common practice game). Some versions require a double to start and/or finish.

In doubles matches, rhythm and order matter: one partner may be a stronger scorer, the other a stronger finisher, so teams often tailor routes to leave preferred doubles for the right player.

Official vs Pub Darts Rules

PDC and WDF Rule Differences

Most headline rules are consistent across major organisations, but differences can appear in:

Match format (legs vs sets, tiebreak legs, sudden-death rules).
Starting procedure (bull-up vs pre-assigned throw; alternation by leg).
Equipment regulations (dart length/weight limits, board standards, surround, lighting).
Conduct and pace of play (what?s permitted at the oche, timing, interruptions).

For fans and bettors, format is the biggest practical difference: a set-play match can swing quickly even if one player has the better overall averages.

Common Pub Rule Variations

In pubs, it?s normal to see local rules such as:

Single-out instead of double-out to keep games moving.
Double-in used for 301 but not for 501.
Bull counts as double for finishing (or bull required to finish).
Re-throw bounce-outs (not standard; clarify before starting).

Agree the rules before the first leg?especially bust rules, finishing rules and what happens on bounce-outs.

Soft-Tip vs Steel-Tip Darts Rules

Board Differences

Steel-tip uses a bristle board and metal-tipped darts. Soft-tip uses plastic-tipped darts and an electronic board with smaller holes.

Soft-tip boards often have larger doubles/trebles and sometimes different bull dimensions.
Electronic boards automatically calculate scores and can restrict invalid finishes depending on settings.

Scoring and Game Rule Changes

Soft-tip formats can vary by venue or machine settings, but common differences include:

Game options (open-in/open-out, double-out, master-out) selectable per match.
Handicap settings (starting scores adjusted for players of different levels).
Automatic bust handling based on the chosen out rule.

If you switch between steel-tip and soft-tip, treat them as related but distinct games?especially when practising for league play.

Beginner Darts Rules and Etiquette

Basic Darts Etiquette

Stand still and stay quiet when someone is throwing.
Wait behind the thrower and out of their eyeline.
Don?t retrieve darts early; approach the board only when the visit is complete and it?s your turn.
Call your score clearly (or confirm it with the marker) before it?s recorded.
Own your mistakes: if you touch the board or pull a dart that might affect another, stop and ask the marker/opponent.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Not knowing bust rules and accidentally ?finishing? on a single in double-out.
Chasing T20 at all costs instead of switching to a better scoring bed for your throw.
Ignoring set-up darts (e.g., throwing at bull on 62 when 12 leaves D20).
Standing too close to the oche line or stepping over on release.
Rushing doubles rather than taking a consistent routine.

Betting context: understanding rules helps you interpret stats properly. For example, a player who consistently leaves a ?bogey number? (like 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, 159) may score well but convert fewer checkouts, which can matter in leg-by-leg markets.

Betting scenario 1 (legs handicap with a set-play format): Suppose a match is best of 11 legs (first to 6). If you see a legs handicap line of Player A -1.5 legs at 4/5, A needs to win by 2+ legs (e.g., 6?4 or 6?3). Knowing the match is short helps you judge variance: a couple of missed doubles can flip a 6?4 into a 5?6. If the format were longer (best of 19), the stronger player?s edge often has more time to show.

Betting scenario 2 (checkout/bust impact on ?highest checkout? props): In double-out 501, a player on 170 can finish with T20, T20, Bull (the maximum checkout). If a market lists ?Player B highest checkout over 100.5? at 10/11, understanding finishing routes matters: players who set up bull finishes or regularly leave 121?170 opportunities are more likely to land a 101+ checkout than players who repeatedly leave two-dart finishes like 40 or 32. Bust rules also matter?on 170, any miss still allows a set-up, but on 161 (T20, T17, Bull) a wrong segment can force a reset and reduce big-checkout chances.

FAQs

Do you need a double to start in darts?: Not always. Most 501 games are straight in (you start scoring immediately). Some 301 games and certain league/pub formats use double in, meaning you must hit a double before any scoring counts.
Do you always have to finish on a double?: No. The standard competitive rule in 501 is double out, but casual games may use single out (finish on anything) or master out (finish on a double or treble). Always agree the out rule before playing.
What happens if you bust?: Your score returns to what it was at the start of the visit, and any darts thrown after the bust do not count. In double-out games, leaving 1 or finishing without a double also counts as a bust.
How far away is the oche?: In standard steel-tip darts, the oche is 7ft 91?4in (2.37m) from the face of the board, measured horizontally.
How many darts are in a turn?: Up to three darts per visit. If you check out with the first or second dart, you don?t throw the remaining darts.
What is the easiest darts game to learn?: Around the Clock is usually the easiest because it teaches basic targeting without complicated maths. For a simple scoring game, 301 with single-out is beginner-friendly and keeps legs short.

The Final Throw

Darts is simple at its core?three darts per visit, clear scoring areas, and an agreed start and finish?but small details (double-in, double-out, bust rules, legs vs sets) massively affect how games play out. If you understand the rules properly, you?ll make better choices at the board: safer set-ups, fewer busts, and more consistent finishing.

For watching and analysing matches, rules and format are the foundation. A short best-of leg match can be swingy; a longer format tends to reward the stronger player over time. Likewise, knowing which out rule is in play helps you interpret checkout percentages, big-finish potential and momentum after missed doubles.

If you choose to bet, use rules knowledge to stay disciplined: compare formats, understand how many legs are needed to cover a handicap, and recognise how bust rules influence scoring patterns and finishing chances. Only stake what you can afford to lose, and take breaks if betting stops being fun.

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