How to play darts
The rules for complete beginners: how scoring works, how to play 501, what a bust, double out, leg and set are — and how to behave at the oche so you get invited back.
The most played game. Scores count down, and the first to reach zero wins the leg. Shorter matches use 301.
Three darts in treble 20. A visit is always three darts, then your opponent throws.
T20, T20 and the bull. Legs are finished on a double, and the bullseye counts as one.
The board and scoring
| Single | The large part of a segment. Scores the number printed at its edge. |
| Double | The narrow outer ring — twice the number. Legs are finished on a double. |
| Treble | The narrow inner ring — three times the number. T20 is 60, the most on the board. |
| Bull 25 | The green ring around the centre. |
| Bullseye 50 | The red centre. It counts as a double, so you can finish on it. |
| Miss | A dart outside the scoring area, or one that falls out of the board, scores 0. |
The numbers run clockwise from the 20. Low numbers sit next to high ones: miss the T20 and you land in the 1 or the 5.
501 step by step
- Throw for the bull to decide who starts: closest to the centre goes first. The start then alternates between legs.
- Players take turns in visits of three darts. The total is taken off your score.
- From 170 down you can check out: the remainder has to come down to exactly zero.
- The last dart must land in a double or the bullseye. With 32 left, you need D16.
- The first to check out wins the leg. Matches are played over several legs, longer ones in sets.
Bust — going over
If a visit ends below zero, on one (which can no longer be finished on a double) or on zero without a double, it is a bust. The whole visit is wiped and your score goes back to what it was before — even if the first two darts were good.
Example: 32 left. First dart 16 (16 left), second dart 20 → below zero, bust. The player stays on 32.
Legs and sets
A “first to 3 legs” match (best of 5) is won by whoever takes three legs first. Bigger matches group legs into sets, usually first to 3 legs each. The player who throws first alternates, because going first is an advantage.
X01 variants
| 301 / 501 / 701 | starting score — the higher, the longer the leg |
| Double Out | finish on a double; the tournament standard |
| Straight Out | finish on anything, good for complete beginners |
| Master Out | finish on a double or a treble |
| Double In | scoring only starts after your first double |
Cricket
The second most popular game. Only 15–20 and the bull are in play. Each number has to be closed with three hits (a double counts as two, a treble as three). On a number you have closed you score points until your opponent closes it too. Whoever has everything closed with more or equal points wins.
At the oche
The centre of the board is 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) above the floor, the oche 237 cm (7 ft 9¼ in) from the board (soft-tip usually 244 cm). See dartboard height and distance for how to hang it.
Do not step on or over the oche. Leaning over it is fine.
Retrieve your darts only once the visit has been scored. A dart that falls out does not count and is not rethrown.
Etiquette
Shake hands before and after the match.
When your opponent throws, stand behind them, quietly and out of their line of sight.
Keep an eye on your own score, but the scorer settles disputes — not an argument.
Praise a good shot. Never comment on your opponent’s bad luck.
Know the rules? Move on to tips to throw better, and find every finish in the checkout table.
More guides
Let the app count.
World of Darts keeps score, suggests the finish during the game and tracks your average, checkout % and 180s. Play solo, against a bot or online with live video of your opponent.