How to Play Darts Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide Dart Board Rules

This blog post will teach you everything you need to know about darts and help you improve your skills and enjoy your games more.

Introduction: Dart Board Rules

Darts is a game of skill, accuracy, and strategy that can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere. Whether you play it at home, a pub, or a tournament, darts are a fun and exciting way to challenge yourself and your friends. 

Darts can also improve your hand-eye coordination, concentration, and mental arithmetic. But do you know the Dart Board Rules? How do you set up your dart board? What are the different games you can play? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more.

To play darts, you need the following equipment:

• A good dartboard: The standard international dartboard is called the “clock” board. It is 18 inches in diameter and has 20 numbered, pie-shaped segments of equal size, plus the bull’s eye. The segments are divided into single, double, and triple zones by thin metal wires. The bull’s-eye consists of two concentric circles: the outer bull (green) and the inner bull (red).
• A set of three darts: You can choose between steel-tipped or soft-tipped, depending on your preference and the board you use. Steel-tipped darts are more durable and suitable for bristle boards, while soft-tipped darts are safer and compatible with electronic boards. A dart consists of four parts: the point, the barrel, the shaft, and the flight.
• A safe and well-lit place to play: You need to find a suitable location to hang your dartboard securely and have enough space to throw your darts without any obstruction or distraction. You also need to ensure that the area is well-lit to see the board clearly and avoid eye strain.
• A measuring tape or a ruler: You must measure the correct distance and height for your dart board and throwing line. The dart board height should be 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the center of the bull’s-eye. The distance from the front of the dartboard to the throwing line should be 7 feet 9 1/4 inches for steel-tipped darts and 8 feet for soft-tipped darts.

Games rules and variations:

501: 

This is the game that most professional darts matches play. The goal is to reduce your score from 501 to zero before your opponent does. However, you have to finish with a double or a bull’s-eye.

Each player takes turns throwing three darts per visit. The score of each dart is deducted from the player’s total score.

For example, if you start with 501 and throw a single 20, a triple 20, and a double 20 on your first visit, your score becomes 341 (501 – 20 – 60 – 80). The highest possible checkout is 170 (two treble 20s and a bull’s-eye).

What is the primary objective when playing the 501 dart game?

The main goal in 501 is to reduce your starting score from 501 to zero before your opponent does. The key is to strategize your throws to end the game with a precise hit on a double or a bull’s-eye, which is required to clinch the game.

Can you explain how scoring works in a 501 dart game?

Absolutely! In 501, each player takes turns to throw three darts per visit. The score for each dart thrown is subtracted from the player’s total score. For instance, if your opening score is 501 and you throw a single 20, a triple 20, and a double 20, your new score would be 341. This is calculated as 501 minus the sum of your throws (501 – 20 – 60 – 80). The highest score you can check out with is 170, achievable by landing two treble 20s followed by a bull’s-eye.

Cricket: 

This is a game of closing numbers and scoring points. The numbers in play are 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and bull’s-eye. The goal is to close all these numbers and have more points than your opponent at the end of the game. You have to hit a number three times with your darts to close it.

This can be done with three singles, a single, a double, or a triple. Once you close a number, you can score points if your opponent still needs to close it.

For example, if you close 20 and your opponent has not, you can score 20 points for each single 20, 40 points for each double 20, and 60 points for each triple 20 you hit.

The game ends when both players have closed all the numbers and the bull’s-eye, and the player with the most points wins. If both players have the same points, the game is a tie.

How do you close a number in the game of Cricket, and what does it mean for scoring?

In Cricket, you close a number by hitting it three times with your darts. This can be achieved with any combination of singles, doubles, or triples. Once a number is closed, you can begin scoring points on that number if your opponent hasn’t closed it yet.

For instance, if you’ve closed the number 20 and your opponent hasn’t, each single 20 you hit scores you 20 points, a double 20 scores 40 points, and a triple 20 scores 60 points.

What determines the end of a Cricket game and how is the winner decided?

The game concludes when both players have closed all the numbers from 20 down to 15, as well as the bull’s-eye. The winner is the player who has not only closed all the numbers but also accumulated the most points. If both players end up with the same number of points, the game is considered a tie.

Baseball: 

This is a game that simulates the actual game of baseball. The numbers in play are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Each player represents a team and takes turns batting and pitching. The game consists of nine innings, and each inning has three outs. To bat, the player throws three darts at the number corresponding to the current inning.

For example, the player aims for number 1 in the first inning. The score of each dart determines the outcome of the hit. A single scores one run, a double scores two runs, a triple scores three runs, and bull’s-eye scores four runs (a home run). A miss or any other number is an out.

The player keeps throwing until he or she gets three outs or scores four runs in an inning. To pitch, the player tries to prevent the opponent from scoring by hitting the same number as the opponent is aiming for.

A hit on that number is an out for the opponent. The game ends after nine innings, and the team with the most runs wins.

How does batting work in the dart game ‘Baseball,’ and what are the scoring rules?

In ‘Baseball,’ batting involves aiming for the number that corresponds to the current inning. For example, in the first inning, you aim for number 1. The outcome of each dart throw determines your score:

• A single (hitting the number directly) scores one run.
• A double (hitting the outer double ring on the number) scores two runs.
• A triple (hitting the inner triple ring on the number) scores three runs.
• A bull’s-eye scores four runs (a home run). Any miss or hit on a different number counts as an out. You continue throwing until you achieve three outs or score four runs within the inning.

What is the objective of pitching in ‘Baseball,’ and how does the game conclude?

When pitching in ‘Baseball,’ your goal is to prevent the opponent from scoring by hitting the same number they are targeting. If you hit the number they aim for, it counts as an out for them. The game progresses through nine innings, similar to actual baseball, and ends once all innings are completed. The winner is the team with the most runs at the end of the ninth inning. If both teams have the same score, additional rules may apply to determine the winner.

Killer: 

This is a game of elimination and survival. The numbers in play are determined by the players. Each player throws one dart with the opposite hand to randomly select his or her number. If a player misses the board or hits a number already taken, he or she throws again.

Once all players have their numbers, they try to become killers and eliminate other players. To become a killer, a player has to hit a double of his or her number. Once a player is a killer, they can eliminate other players by hitting their doubles.

A player is eliminated when he or she is hit three times by a killer. The last player standing wins.

How does a player become a ‘killer’ in the game of Killer, and what advantage does it give?

 A player becomes a ‘killer’ by hitting a double of their own number. Once a player achieves this, they gain the ability to eliminate other players from the game. As a killer, when you hit a double of another player’s number, it counts as a strike against them. It’s a powerful position that allows you to target opponents and influence the outcome of the game.

What happens when a player is hit by a killer, and how is the winner determined?

When a killer hits a double of another player’s number, the targeted player receives a strike. After being struck three times, a player is eliminated from the game. The game continues until there’s only one player left standing, who is then declared the winner. It’s a thrilling game of strategy and precision, where staying under the radar can be as important as sharpshooting.

Shanghai: 

This is a game of scoring high and finishing fast. The numbers in play are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Each player takes turns throwing three darts at each number in sequence, starting with 1 and ending with 7.

The score of each dart is added to the player’s total score. For example, if you hit a single 1, a double 1, and a triple 1 on your first visit, your score becomes 9 (1 + 2 + 6). The game ends when all players have thrown at all seven numbers. The player with the highest score wins.

However, there is a shortcut to win the game instantly: if you hit a single, a double, and a triple of the same number in one visit (a Shanghai), you win regardless of your score.

What is the scoring strategy in the game of Shanghai, and how can a player win instantly?

In Shanghai, players aim to rack up the highest score by hitting the numbers 1 through 7 in sequence. Each dart’s score is added to the player’s total. For example, hitting a single 1, a double 1, and a triple 1 in one round would give you a score of 9 (1 + 2 \times 1 + 3 \times 11+2×1+3×1 ).

The game ends after all seven numbers have been played. However, there’s an exciting twist: if you hit a single, a double, and a triple of the same number in one visit, known as a ‘Shanghai,’ you win the game on the spot, no matter your current score!

How does the sequence of play work in Shanghai, and what determines the end of the game?

Each player takes turns throwing three darts at each number, starting with 1 and ending with 7, following the sequence of the numbers. The game concludes once all players have had their turn at all seven numbers. The player with the highest total score at the end is the winner, unless someone has achieved a ‘Shanghai,’ which grants them an immediate victory.

Dart Game Scoring

As mentioned earlier, each section of the dart board corresponds to a different point value. The highest-valued team is the Triple 20, worth 60 points. The second highest-valued team is the Treble 19, worth 57 points. The point values of each section of the dart board are as follows:

• Triple 20: 60 points
• Triple 19: 57 points
• Triple 18: 54 points
• Triple 17: 51 points
• Triple 16: 48 points
• Triple 15: 45 points
• Bullseye (inner): 50 points
• Bullseye (outer): 25 points
• Double 20: 40 points
• Double 19: 38 points
• Double 18: 36 points
• Double 17: 34 points
• Double 16: 32 points
• Double 15: 30 points
• Single 20: 25 points
• Single 19: 24 points
• Single 18: 22 points
• Single 17: 20 points
• Single 16: 18 points
• Single 15: 16 points

If you need more details on the scoring rules, check out our dart board and dart rules page. Check out our guide on dartboard scoring.

Scoring Strategy:

While playing darts, it’s not just about hitting the board but hitting the right spots that can give you more points. One of the most effective strategies to score more points is to aim for the treble 20, which is the center of the board. This area is worth the most points on the board; hitting it consistently can quickly improve your score.

Another area to focus on is the bullseye, which is the center of the board. Hitting the bullseye is worth 50 points and can help you win the game quickly.

Throwing Techniques:

While playing darts, your throwing technique can significantly affect your game. The three most common throwing techniques are underhand, overhand, and sidearm throws.

The underhand throw is the most common technique, and it involves throwing the dart from below the shoulder level. This technique is ideal for beginners and those who want to improve their accuracy.

The overhand throw involves throwing the dart from above shoulder level. This technique is helpful for those who want to throw with more power and speed.

The sidearm throw involves throwing the dart with a sideways motion. This technique is helpful for those who want to add spin to their throw and can effectively hit difficult spots on the board.

Why is the underhand throw considered ideal for beginners in darts?

The underhand throw is often recommended for beginners because it allows for a more natural and controlled motion. Throwing from below the shoulder level helps players focus on their accuracy without the added complexity of power dynamics. It’s a great way to get comfortable with the dart’s trajectory and develop a consistent throwing pattern.

How does the sidearm throw differ from other dart throwing techniques, and when is it most effective?

The sidearm throw is unique because it involves a sideways motion, which can impart a spin to the dart. This technique can be particularly effective when trying to navigate around obstacles, such as other darts that might block a straight path to the target. It’s also useful for hitting those difficult spots on the board that require a more angular approach.

Tips for Beginners:

If you’re new to darts, here are some tips to help you get started:

• Focus on hitting the board consistently before trying to aim for specific spots
• Start with a lighter dart and gradually move to heavier ones as you improve
• Stand at the correct distance from the board (7 feet 9 1/4 inches for standard games)
• Keep your throwing arm straight and follow through after releasing the dart
• Practice regularly to improve your accuracy and technique

For more reading about the Dart board.

Final Words:

Ready to step up your game? Dart Sports Pro is your ultimate guide to mastering the art of darts. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, our comprehensive range of electronic dartboards and accessories will help you play like a pro. Don’t just aim; hit the mark with precision every time.

Looking to perfect your throw or learn new techniques? Visit us at Dart Sports Pro for expert tips, tricks, and all the gear you need.

What’s the one dart tip that improved your game the most? Share your experiences and join the conversation below!

Common Queries:

How high should the dart board be mounted on the wall? The center of the bullseye should be 5 feet 8 inches from the floor.

What is the regulation distance for throwing darts? The regulation distance is 7 feet 9 1/4 inches from the front of the board.

Can you stand closer to the board while playing? No, 7 feet 9 1/4 inches is the minimum distance required to play the game.

Can you move the dartboard once it has been mounted? The dart board can be moved but must still be mounted at the correct height and distance from the throw line.

What maximum score can be achieved in one turn? The maximum score achieved in one turn is 180 points, three treble 20s.

Are there any special rules for playing doubles or triples? Yes, in doubles or triple games, each team or player must take turns throwing their darts, and the score is added up at the end of each round.

Can you hit the wire or metal ring around the board and score points? Only darts that stick in the board count toward the score.