Are you looking for fun and exciting games to play on a dart board? Check out this blog post for 25 engaging games to test your skills and challenge your friends.
Darts is a classic game that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. There is a dart game, whether you want to practice your aim, challenge your friends, or spice up your parties.
In this post, I will share 25 engaging games on a dart board that will keep you entertained for hours. Some games are well-known, while others are more obscure or creative. Let’s get started!
25 Games to Play on Dart Board
1. Cricket
Cricket is one of the most popular dart games in the world. The goal is to close out the numbers 15 to 20 and the bullseye before your opponent does. To close out a number, you need to hit it three times. You can score points by hitting a closed number while your opponent has yet to close it. The player with the most points at the end wins.
Cricket is a popular game in British and American darts, but there are some differences in the rules and equipment. You can learn more about American darts in our post here.
2. Around the World
Around the World is a simple game that tests your accuracy and consistency. The goal is to hit every number on the board from 1 to 20. After hitting the previous one, you can only move on to the next number. The first player to hit 20, and then the bullseye wins.
3. Shanghai
Shanghai is a variation of Around the World that adds some difficulty and excitement. The goal is to hit every number on the board in order, from 1 to 20, but you must also hit a single, double, and triple each number.
For example, if you are on number 5, you must hit a single 5, a double 5, and a triple five before moving on to number 6. The first player to complete the sequence wins. Alternatively, you can win instantly by hitting a Shanghai, a single, a double, and a triple of the same number in one turn.
4. Killer
The Killer is a game that requires some strategy and deception. The goal is to eliminate your opponents by hitting their assigned numbers. Each player throws one dart with their non-dominant hand to determine their number.
Then, each player has three darts per turn to hit their number twice to become a killer or hit another player’s number once to take away one of their lives. Each player starts with three lives and is out of the game once they lose all of them. The last player standing wins.
5. Halve-It
Halve-It is a game that punishes your mistakes harshly. The goal is to score as many points as possible by hitting specific targets on the board. To start, each player agrees on a list of targets to hit, such as 20, 19, double 16, triple 15, bullseye, etc.
Each player has three darts per turn to hit the target for that round. If they hit it, they score the points for that target. If they miss it, they halve their total score. The player with the most points at the end wins.
Halve-It is a game that can be played on any dart board, but some dart boards are better suited for different games and environments. You can find the best dart board for your needs in our post here.
6. Hare and Hounds
Hare and Hounds is a game that involves some chasing and escaping. The goal is to catch or outrun your opponent by hitting consecutive numbers on the board. To start, one player is designated as the hare and starts at number 20.
The other player is designated as the hound and starts at number 5. Each player has three darts per turn to hit their current number and move on to the next one in clockwise order. The hare wins if they reach number 5 before the hound catches them. The hound wins if they catch up with or overtake the hare.
7. Legs
Legs is a game that tests your endurance and stamina. The goal is to win as many legs as possible by being the first to reach zero from a starting score of 501 or 301. Each player has three darts per turn to subtract from their current score by hitting any number on the board.
However, they need to finish with a double or a bullseye. For example, if you have 40 left, you must hit double 20 to win the leg. The game can be played until one player wins a certain number of legs or until a time limit is reached.
Legs is a game that requires a lot of practice and consistency, especially when it comes to hitting doubles and finishing. You can improve your skills and confidence by using one of the best dart boards for a garage that we recommend in our post here.
8. Baseball
Baseball is a game that mimics the sport of baseball in a darts format. The goal is to score as many runs as possible by hitting specific numbers on the board corresponding to innings. Each player agrees on how many innings to play, usually nine or seven.
Each player has three darts per turn to hit the number for that inning. For example, in the first inning, the target is number 1. Each hit counts as a run, and doubles and triples count as two and three runs, respectively. The player with the most runs at the end wins.
9. Golf
Golf is another game that mimics the sport of golf in darts format. The goal is to hit each number on the board in as few darts as possible, like hitting each hole on a golf course in as few strokes as possible. Each player agrees on how many holes to play, usually 18 or 9. Each player has one dart per turn to hit the number for that hole.
For example, for hole 1, the target is number 1. The number of darts it takes to hit the target is the score for that hole. If the target is missed, the score is 5. The player with the lowest score at the end wins.
10. Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe is a game that requires some strategy and spatial awareness. The goal is to create a line of three Xs or Os on a 3×3 grid on the board. To start, each player chooses to be either X or O. Then, each player has one dart per turn to mark an empty square on the grid with their symbol. The first player to create a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of three symbols wins.
11. Scram
Scram is a game that involves cooperation and competition. The goal is to protect or attack your partner’s score by hitting specific numbers on the board. To start, each player pairs up with another player and decides who will be the scorer and the blocker. The scorers try to score as many points as possible by hitting any number on the board, while the blockers try to prevent the other team’s scorer from scoring by hitting their current score.
For example, if team A’s scorer has 60 points and team B’s blocker hits 60, team A’s score is reduced to zero. The game can be played until one team reaches a certain score or a time limit.
12. Bob’s 27
Bob’s 27 is a game that improves your doubles skills. The goal is to score as many points as possible by hitting every double on the board, from 1 to 20, and the bullseye. To start, each player has a score of 27. Each player has three darts per turn to hit double for that round.
For example, in the first round, the target is double 1. If they hit it, they add the points for that double to their score. If they miss it, they subtract the points for that double from their score. The player with the most points at the end wins.
13. Chase the Dragon
Chase the Dragon is a game that challenges your accuracy and consistency. The goal is to hit every segment on the board in order, from 1 to 20, and then the bullseye, without missing or hitting any segment twice. Each player has three darts per turn to hit as many segments as possible.
For example, if you hit 1, 2, and 3 in your first turn, you need to hit 4 in your next turn. If you miss or hit any segment twice, you lose and must start over from 1. The first player to complete the sequence wins.
14. Noughts and Crosses
Noughts and Crosses is another name for Tic-Tac-Toe (see game #10).
15. Grand National
Grand National is a game that simulates a horse race in darts format. The goal is to be the first to reach the finish line by hitting specific numbers on the board corresponding to horses. To start, each player chooses a horse from number 1 to number 6 (or more if there are more players).
Then, each player has three darts per turn to hit their horse number and move forward one space on a track with ten spaces (or more if there are more players). The first player to reach the finish line wins.
16. Castle
Castle is a game that involves some strategy and defense. The goal is to either build your castle or destroy your opponent’s castle by hitting specific numbers on the board corresponding to different parts of a castle. To start, each player has an empty castle that consists of four walls (numbered 14, 15, 16, and 17), four towers (numbered 18, 19, double bullseye), and a flag (numbered triple bullseye).
Each player has three darts per turn to either hit their castle numbers and build them up or hit their opponent’s castle numbers and knock them down. For example, if you hit number 14 once, you build one wall for yourself.
If you hit number 14 twice, you knock down two walls for your opponent. The first player to build all their castle parts or destroy all their opponent’s castle parts wins.
17. Blind Killer
Blind Killer is a variation of Killer (see game #4) that adds mystery and suspense. The goal is to eliminate your opponents by hitting their assigned numbers, but you don’t know who has which number.
To start, each player throws one dart with their non-dominant hand to determine their number, but they don’t reveal it to anyone. Then, each player has three darts per turn to hit their number twice to become a killer or hit another player’s number once to take away one of their lives.
Each player starts with three lives and is out of the game once they lose all of them. The last player standing wins.
18. Round the Clock
Round the Clock is another name for Around the World (see game #2).
19. High Score
High Score is a game that tests your scoring ability. The goal is to score as many points as possible by hitting any number on the board. Each player has three darts per turn to score as many points as possible. The game can be played until one player reaches a certain score or a time limit.
20. Diddle for the Middle
Diddle for the Middle is a game that determines who goes first in another game of darts. The goal is to hit the bullseye or as close to it as possible with one dart. Each player throws one dart at the bullseye, and the player whose dart is closest to the center goes first in the next game.
21. Shanghai Surprise
Shanghai Surprise is a variation of Shanghai (see game #3) that adds some randomness and excitement. The goal is to hit every number on the board in order, from 1 to 20, but you must also hit a single, double, and triple each number.
However, instead of choosing the number for each round, you spin a wheel or draw a card to determine the number. For example, if you spin the wheel and get number 5, you must hit a single 5, a double 5, and a triple five before moving on to the next round.
The first player to complete the sequence wins. Alternatively, you can win instantly by hitting a Shanghai, a single, a double, and a triple of the same number in one turn.
22. Split Score
Split Score is a game that requires some math skills and strategy. The goal is to reach zero from a starting score of 301 or 501 by hitting any number on the board and splitting it into two parts. Each player has three darts per turn to subtract from their current score by hitting any number on the board and splitting it into two parts that add up to that number.
For example, if you have 100 left and hit 36, you can split it into 18 and 18 or 24 and 12, or any other combination that adds up to 36.
However, you must finish with an exact zero split, meaning both parts are zero. For example, if you have 40 left, you must hit double 20 and split it into zero and zero.
23. Bermuda Triangle
Bermuda Triangle is a game that tests your accuracy and consistency in hitting specific targets on the board. The goal is to score as many points as possible by hitting three different segments on the board: single bullseye (green), double bullseye (red), and triple 13 (black).
Each player has three darts per turn to hit these segments and score points according to their values: single bullseye = 25 points, double bullseye = 50 points, triple 13 = 39 points. However, if you hit any other segment on the board, you lose all your points for that turn. The game can be played until one player reaches a certain score or a time limit.
24. Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a variation of Cricket (see game #1) that adds some difficulty and fun. The goal is to close out the numbers 20 to 15 and the bullseye before your opponent does, but you also need to close out Mickey Mouse’s ears and nose on the board. Mickey Mouse’s ears are the double and triple segments of numbers 16 and 8, and his nose is the single bullseye segment (green).
You need to hit it three times to close out a number, ear, or nose. You can score points by hitting a closed number, an ear, or a nose while your opponent has not yet closed it. The player with the most points at the end wins.
25. Follow the Leader
Follow the Leader is a game that involves imitation and creativity. The goal is to copy or improve your opponent’s shots by hitting the same or better segments on the board. To start, one player is designated as the leader and throws one dart at any segment on the board. The other player has to follow by throwing one dart at the same or better segment on the board.
For example, if the leader hits a single 20, the follower must hit a single 20, a double 20, or a triple 20. If the follower succeeds, they become the new leader and throw one dart at any segment on the board. If the follower fails, they lose a life, and the leader throws another dart at any segment on the board.
Each player starts with three lives and is out of the game once they lose all of them. The last player standing wins.
For more reading about the Dartboard Reviews & Guide, and more about Dart Sports Pro.
Final words:
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about 25 engaging games on the dart board. These games will keep you entertained and challenged for hours, whether alone or with your friends. Mix and match these games or create variations to suit your preferences and skill levels. The possibilities are endless!
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please leave them below. I would love to hear from you and learn from your experience. Also, don’t forget to share this post with your fellow dart enthusiasts and invite them to join the fun.
If you are new to darts or want to learn more about the basics, you can check out our posts on how far you stand away from a dart board and what are dart boards made out of.
FAQ section:
Q: What are some benefits of playing dart games? A: Playing dart games can improve hand-eye coordination, concentration, mental math, and social skills. It can also reduce stress, boost your mood, and provide entertainment.
Q: What are some tips for playing dart games better? A: Some tips for playing dart games better are:
- Practice regularly and consistently
- Find a comfortable and balanced stance.
- Hold the dart with a relaxed and steady grip.
- Aim with your dominant eye and align the dart with your target.
- Throw the dart with a smooth and controlled motion.
- Follow through with your arm and wrist.
- Learn from your mistakes and adjust accordingly.
Q: What are some equipment and accessories for playing dart games? A: Some equipment and accessories for playing dart games are:
- A dartboard is made of sisal fiber or electronic material.
- A set of darts that suits your preference and style.
- A dart mat or a raised oche to mark the throwing line.
- A scoreboard or a scoring app to keep track of the scores.
- A cabinet or a surround to protect the wall from stray darts.
- A light or a lamp to illuminate the board.
- A spinner or a card to randomize the game selection.
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid in dart games? A: Some common mistakes to avoid in dart games are:
- Throwing too hard or too soft.
- Snatching or jerking the dart.
- Losing focus or getting distracted.
- Rushing or hesitating the throw.
- Changing your technique or equipment too often.
- Getting frustrated or overconfident.
Q: How do I choose the right darts for me? A: Choosing the right darts depends on your preference and style. However, some general factors to consider are:
- The dart’s weight affects the speed and trajectory of the throw. Most darts range from 18 to 26 grams, and you can experiment with different weights to find your optimal balance.
- The shape and size of the flight affect the dart’s stability and drag. There are various types of flights, such as standard, slim, pear, kite, etc., and you can try different ones to see how they affect your throw.
- The length and texture of the shaft, affect the grip and balance of the dart. There are different materials for shafts, such as nylon, aluminum, titanium, etc., and you can choose one that feels comfortable and durable.
- The tip of the dart affects the compatibility and safety of the dart. There are two types of tips: steel and soft. Steel tips are used for sisal fiberboards, while soft tips are used for electronic boards. It would be best to use a sharpener or a point protector to maintain the tip quality.
Thank you for reading, and happy darting! 🎯
