Last Updated on January 5, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team
Dart games have remained popular for generations because they combine skill, focus, and social play in a way few other games can. With just a dartboard, a set of darts, and a scoreboard, players of all experience levels can enjoy dozens of different variations. Whether you are throwing casually at home or playing against a serious opponent, dart games reward precision, strategy, and adaptability.
While many people first encounter darts through the traditional game of 501, that format is only one small part of the darts world. There are dart games designed to improve accuracy, games that emphasize pressure and elimination, and others that exist purely for fun with friends or family. Some games focus on hitting a single number repeatedly, others move you to the next number each turn, and some can end instantly with a single perfect shot.
This guide explains how dart games work, why different variations exist, and which popular games are best depending on skill level, group size, and goals.
What Makes Dart Games Unique?
Unlike many competitive games, darts can be adapted endlessly without changing the equipment. The same dartboard can support:
- Scoring-based games with a set score
- Accuracy drills targeting specific target numbers
- Elimination formats where the last player wins
- Team games inspired by the traditional game of cricket
- Quick sudden death games for parties
Because dart games vary so widely, they provide constant feedback to players. A missed shot is immediately visible, while a clean hit in the treble ring or bullseye offers instant reward. This balance of challenge and satisfaction is why darts remains so addictive.
Core Categories of Dart Games
Understanding the main categories helps players choose the right game for the situation.
- Scoring Games: The aim of the game is to reach a set score or finish on a specific target. These games reward consistency and counting under pressure.
- Accuracy and Precision Games: These games focus on hitting a specific target number, a single number, or a difficult area like the treble ring or bullseye.
- Elimination Games: Players lose lives or are knocked out entirely. The end of the game occurs when only one player remains.
- Race and Chase Games: Players move around the dartboard in order, trying to reach the next number before an opponent catches them.
- Social and Party Games: Designed for large groups, these games often feature different variations and fast rounds.
Best Dart Games by Skill Level
| Skill Level | Dart Games | Why They Work |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Around the Clock, Hare and Hounds, Tic-Tac-Toe, Nine Lives | Teaches board layout, low pressure, clear target number |
| Beginner–Intermediate | Baseball, Football, 51 by 5’s, Prisoner | Introduces scoring and strategy |
| Intermediate | American Cricket, Mickey Mouse, Mulligan, Halve-It | Requires accuracy and decision-making |
| Intermediate–Advanced | Killer, Blind Killer, Knockout, Snooker | Punishes mistakes and rewards precision |
| Advanced / Practice | 501, Chase the Dragon, Doubles-only Around the Clock | Trains finishing, triples, and pressure shots |
Scoring-Based Dart Games
The ’01 Dart Games (501, 301, 701)
In these games, players start with a set score and subtract points with every shot. The first player to reach exactly zero—usually by finishing on a double wins. The outer bull (green ring) is worth 25 points, and the inner bull (red/black center) is worth 50 points. The rest of the numbers equal their value.
- 501 is the professional standard
- 301 is beginner-friendly
- Higher numbers suit teams
For a more advanced variations force players to finish on a double or bullseye, which increases the planning necessary to win.
Example of a Leg and a Set in Professional 501
In professional 501, a leg is one complete game played from 501 down to exactly zero, finished on a double or the bullseye. Players take turns throwing three darts, usually aiming for the 20 or 19 treble ring on the dartboard to score quickly while setting up a safe finish.
A set is made up of 3 legs and the first to 7 sets wins the match.
For example, Player A starts the leg by scoring heavily with three T20s, leaving 321. Player B trails and only hits one T20, and 2 20s, with a remaining score of 401. On player As next turn they hit two T19s and one T20, their remaining score is now 147. Player B hits one T20, one 5, and one T19 and has a remaining score of 279. Player A now needs to hit either T20, T17, D18 or T19, T18, D18 in order to win. This continues until one player hit exactly what they need to get to 0.
51 by 5’s (All Fives)
In this game, raw scoring isn’t enough. After three darts, the total must be divisible by five or the player scores nothing.
Eg:
A score of 60 becomes 12 points
A score of 59 scores zero
The winner is the first player to reach 51 points. This game emphasizes grouping and controlled shots rather than chasing triples recklessly.
Baseball Darts
Like Cricket, the goal of Baseball darts is to score more runs than your opponent. The game can be played individually or with two teams. Players take turns throwing darts in innings, starting with the 1-segment and progressing through to the 9-segment. Singles count as one point, doubles as two, and trebles as three, with a maximum possible score of 81. The player or team with the highest total after the ninth inning wins.
You can add variations to make the game more exciting, such as the “7th Innings Catch,” where failing to score in the seventh inning halves your total points.
Accuracy and Precision Dart Games
Around the Clock
Players must hit numbers 1 through 20 in order. Each turn focuses on one specific target number before advancing to the next number.
Variants include:
- Doubles only
- Trebles only
- Bullseye finish
This is one of the best dart games for improving accuracy and confidence.
180 Around the Clock
180 Around the Clock is a precision-based dart game where players must hit numbers in order from 1 through 20. Each turn, a player throws three darts and advances to the next number only after hitting the current target. The treble ring can be used to jump ahead faster, rewarding accuracy and strong shot selection. The first player to hit or pass 20 wins the game. This format emphasizes consistency over raw scoring power.
Chase the Dragon
Chase the Dragon challenges players to hit specific target numbers in sequence, usually following the outer ring of the dartboard. Players must hit each required number before moving on, and missing a shot wastes valuable turns. Because progress depends on accuracy rather than high scores, every dart provides immediate feedback. The winner is the first player to complete the full sequence. Different variations can increase difficulty by requiring doubles or trebles.
Cricket-Style Dart Games
American Cricket
American Cricket is one of the most popular dart games and is played using the numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye. Players must hit each number three times to “close” it, using singles, doubles, or trebles. Once a number is closed, additional hits score points unless the opponent has also closed that number.
The game ends when one player closes all numbers and has the highest score. Strategy revolves around deciding when to score and when to block an opponent.
English Cricket (Traditional Game of Cricket)
English Cricket darts differs from the American version by closely following the structure of real cricket. One side bats while the other bowls, and teams alternate innings rather than playing simultaneously. The game works with two players or with larger groups divided into two teams.
During an innings, the batting team throws to score as many points as possible, adding all points to their total. At the same time, the bowling team aims specifically for the bullseye to take wickets. Hitting the outer bull counts as one wicket, while the inner bull removes two wickets.
When the bowling team has taken all 10 wickets, the innings ends. The teams then switch roles, with the new batting team trying to surpass the original score before losing all 10 of their wickets. The winner is the team that scores the most runs while batting.
Mickey Mouse and Mulligan
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is closely related to American Cricket but uses a fixed sequence of scoring numbers. Instead of only a few targets, the scoreboard runs from 20 down to 12, followed by the bullseye. The objective is to be the first player to score three total hits on each number before moving on.
Play begins on the 20 segment, where a single counts as one hit, a double as two hits, and a treble as three hits. After recording three hits on 20, you advance to 19, then 18, continuing downward in order. Once numbers 20 through 12 are completed, players finish by hitting the bullseye, with the outer bull counting as one hit and the inner bull as two. The first player to complete all required hits in sequence wins the game.
Mulligan
Mulligan is another Cricket-style darts game that adds an element of randomness. Instead of using a fixed set of numbers, six numbers are chosen at random at the start of the game. Players must score three total hits on each selected number, followed by the bullseye, all in the order determined at the beginning.
Scoring works the same way as in Cricket: singles count as one hit, doubles as two, and trebles as three. The first player to successfully complete all six numbers in sequence and then close the bullseye wins the game.
Elimination and Pressure Dart Games
Killer
Killer is a popular darts game for larger groups and adds a competitive elimination element. To set up, players take turns throwing a single dart at the board to claim a number. Wherever the dart lands becomes that player’s segment, and each number may only be assigned to one person. If a player hits a segment that is already taken, they continue throwing until they claim an unused number.
Before the game begins, agree on how many lives each player will start with. On your turn, you first need to become a “killer” by hitting your own number three times in total, with singles counting as one hit, doubles as two, and trebles as three. Once you have reached three hits on your number, you may start aiming for other players’ segments to remove one of their lives with each successful hit.
If you lose any of your own lives, you must regain them by hitting your assigned number again until you return to your starting total. You can also accidentally lose lives by hitting your own segment while trying to attack another player. The game continues until only one player remains with at least one life, and that player is declared the winner.
Blind Killer
Blind Killer adds unpredictability to the standard Killer format. Players do not know their own number at the start and only discover it after successfully hitting it. This forces players to aim broadly and adjust quickly once their target is revealed. After becoming a killer, players can eliminate opponents as usual. The last surviving player wins.
Knockout
Knockout is a fast-paced dart game focused on pressure and scoring consistency. Players throw in turn, and anyone who scores fewer points than the previous player loses a life. Once a player runs out of lives, they are eliminated from the game. The round continues until only one player remains. Knockout is ideal for larger groups and quick games.
Sudden Death
Sudden Death is a high-pressure format where a single mistake can end the game. Players often aim for a specific target number, and missing it results in immediate elimination. In some variations, the lowest scorer each round is removed. The game continues until one player remains. This format rewards composure and accuracy under pressure.
Race and Chase Dart Games
Hare and Hounds
Hare and Hounds is a simple darts game ideal for beginners or children. Played between two players, one takes the role of the hare and the other the hound. The hare starts on 20, and the hound on 5. Players take turns in a clockwise sequence, aiming to hit each number in order. The hare wins by completing the circuit back to 20, while the hound wins by catching up to the hare first.
Grand National
Inspired by the famous horse race, Grand National is a darts game where players move around the board in an anticlockwise direction. Each player takes turns throwing three darts, with each segment representing a hurdle. Starting on 20, you must hit at least one segment on your turn—missing a segment means you “fall at the hurdle” and are eliminated. The first player to complete a full circuit of the board wins the game.
Social and Creative Dart Games
Football
Players take turns aiming for the bullseye. Once a player hits it, they can begin targeting any double on the board, including the bullseye itself. Each successful double counts as one goal, and the first player to reach 10 goals by hitting 10 doubles wins the game.
Tic-Tac-Toe Darts
Before the game begins, draw a standard tic-tac-toe grid with nine spaces. Place the bullseye in the center and fill the remaining eight spaces with other dartboard segments. Players or teams take turns aiming for the numbers on the board. The game follows traditional tic-tac-toe rules, with the first player or team to get three in a row declared the winner.
Prisoner
This game works best with five players but can also be enjoyed with just two. The goal is to hit each segment from 1 to 20 in order, moving clockwise around the board. If a player misses a target, their dart stays on the board as a “prisoner” for one turn. Other players can try to “free the prisoner” by hitting that same segment, which also earns them an extra dart. Play continues until a player successfully lands a dart in every segment from 1 through 20 in sequence.
Shanghai
The goal of this game is to score a single, a double, and a treble on the same number during one turn. Completing this combination, known as a “Shanghai,” wins the game for the first player to achieve it.
Snooker Darts
This game can be played one-on-one or with two teams. Players take turns aiming to score points in a sequence that mirrors snooker: first a red, then a color, then a red again, and so on. Reds are scored by hitting any number from 1 to 15 and are worth 1 point each. Colored segments must be hit precisely to earn points, with values assigned as follows: yellow (16) – 2 points, green (17) – 3 points, brown (18) – 4 points, blue (19) – 5 points, pink (20) – 6 points, and black (bullseye or outer bull) – 7 points.
Electronic Dartboards and Modern Play
Electronic dartboards automatically track scoring, display feedback on a digital scoreboard, and often include dozens of built-in dart games.
They are ideal for:
- Casual home play
- Kids learning darts
- Large groups
Soft-tip darts also reduce injury risk while maintaining accuracy training.
Why Playing Different Dart Games Matters
Playing only one format limits growth. Different dart games develop different skills:
- Scoring games build consistency
- Accuracy games improve precision
- Elimination games teach pressure control
Rotating games keeps practice fresh and makes players more complete.
Final Thoughts on Dart Games
Dart games offer something for everyone—from beginners learning how to hit a single number to advanced players chasing perfect triples under pressure.
Whether you’re playing casually or competitively, the right dart game transforms every throw into a meaningful shot.
