Last Updated on January 22, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

Darts is a popular pub and bar game where players throw small, pointed missiles (darts) at a circular target (dartboard) fixed to a wall. The goal is to score points by hitting specific areas on the board, with the bullseye being the highest point value. The game is often played in a series of rounds, and players take turns throwing three darts per round. It’s a fun way to test your precision, focus, and aim while enjoying friendly competition with others.

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How to Play Darts

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Darts Setup

1. Dartboard Placement:
   • Height: The dartboard should be hung so that the bullseye is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) from the floor.
   • Throw Line (Oche): The throwing line should be 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters) from the face of the dartboard.
2. Dartboard Layout:
   • The dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, each scoring from 1 to 20 points.
   • The outer bullseye is worth 25 points.
   • The inner bullseye (the center) is worth 50 points.
   • The outer ring scores double points.
   • The inner ring (between the bullseye and the outer ring) scores triple points.

Basic Rules

1. Starting the Game:
   • To determine who goes first, each player throws one dart at the bullseye. The player closest to the bullseye starts the game.
2. Throwing Darts:
   • Each player throws three darts per turn.
   • The score for each dart is the value of the section it lands in. Bullseye is worth 50 and Outer bullseye is worth 25. In addition to that, the inner ring of a number is worth triple (refered to as a treble), and the outer ring is worth double.
3. Winning the Game: The player with the highest score after a set number of rounds wins (for two people, 25 rounds is good) .

Game Variants

For a complete guide on all the most popular dart games and their rules, checkout this article!

501

Objective: Reduce your score from 501 to exactly zero.

1. Starting Score:
   • Each player starts with a score of 501.
2. Scoring:
   • The score for each turn is the total of the three darts thrown.
   • The total score for each turn is subtracted from the player’s current total.
3. Winning:
   • To win, a player must reduce their score to exactly zero.
   • The final dart must land in a double or the bullseye. For example, if a player has 32 points remaining, they must hit double 16 to win.
4. Bust Rule:
   • If a player scores more than the remaining points or hits a zero without landing on a double, it’s called a “bust.” The player’s score for that turn is invalid, and their score reverts to what it was before that turn.

Cricket

Objective: Close all your numbers (20 through 15 and bullseye) and have the highest or equal score.

1. Numbers to Close:
   • Players aim to close the numbers 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and the bullseye by hitting each number three times.
2. Scoring:
   • A number is considered “closed” once a player has hit it three times.
   • Hitting a number’s double counts as two hits, and hitting its triple counts as three hits.
3. Scoring Points:
   • Once a player closes a number, they can score points by hitting that number until the opponent also closes that number.
   • Points are the face value of the number hit. For example, hitting a triple 20 scores 60 points.
4. Winning:
   • The game ends when all the numbers and the bullseye are closed by at least one player.
   • The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
   • If both players are tied on points, the first player to close all the numbers wins.

General Etiquette and Rules

• Stand Behind the Oche: Players must stand behind the throw line when throwing their darts.
• No Interference: Players should not distract or interfere with their opponent’s throws.
• Scorekeeping: Accurate scorekeeping is essential. Usually, one player or an impartial person keeps the score.

Darts FAQ

Tips for a Fun Game

• Practice: Regular practice improves accuracy and consistency.
• Focus: Concentrate on your throw and maintain a steady hand.
• Good Sportsmanship: Always play fair and respect your opponent.

Darts is a versatile and enjoyable game that combines skill, precision, and strategy. Whether you’re playing a casual game of 501 or a competitive match of Cricket, understanding the rules and practicing regularly will enhance your experience.