Rules and Formats

Board Setup and Measurements

Before any match can be played, the physical setup must adhere strictly to international regulations. Playing on a board with incorrect dimensions completely ruins muscle memory development.

It is critical to measure the throwing distance from the *face* of the dartboard, not from the wall. Since a standard bristle board is roughly 1.5 inches thick, measuring from the wall will result in a throwing distance that is too long. The diagonal measurement is the easiest way to confirm absolute accuracy: a string measured to 9 feet 7.5 inches running from the center of the bullseye to the rear of the throwing line ensures both height and distance are perfectly calibrated.

501: The Professional Standard

501 is the undisputed standard of competitive darts. Every major televised tournament, from the World Championship to the Premier League, uses this format.

The Objective: Both players start with a score of 501. The goal is to be the first player to reduce their score exactly to zero. Players take turns throwing three darts per visit. The total score of those three darts is subtracted from the remaining total.

The Finish (Double Out): The complexity of 501 lies in the finish. A player cannot simply reach zero by any means; the final dart thrown must land in a "double" segment (the outer ring) or the inner bullseye (which counts as double 25). For example, if a player has 40 points remaining, they must hit Double 20. Hitting a single 20 would leave them with 20 points, requiring a Double 10 on the next throw.

Busting: If a player scores more points than their remaining total, or reaches a score of 1, their turn is immediately over. This is called a "bust." Their score reverts back to what it was at the beginning of that turn.

301: The Pub Classic

301 follows identical mathematical rules to 501 but is shorter, making it popular in casual pub settings where quick turnover on the board is desired. However, 301 is traditionally played with a "Double In" rule. This means a player cannot begin scoring any points until they hit a double. Once a double is hit, the points for that dart, and all subsequent darts, are subtracted from 301. The finish remains a Double Out.

Cricket (American / Tactical)

While 501 is the global standard, Cricket is incredibly popular in North America. Unlike 501, which is purely subtractive, Cricket requires both accuracy and strategic decision-making.

The Objective: The game utilizes only the numbers 15 through 20, plus the Bullseye. The goal is to "close" all of these numbers and have equal or more points than your opponent.

Closing Numbers: To close a number, a player must score three of it. This can be done with three singles, a single and a double, or a single treble. Once a player closes a number, any further hits on that number accrue points for that player—but *only* if the opponent has not yet closed that number. If both players close a number, it becomes "dead" and no further points can be scored on it.

Winning: The game ends when a player has closed all their numbers and the bullseye, and holds a point total greater than or equal to their opponent. If a player closes all numbers but is trailing in points, they must continue scoring on open numbers to surpass their opponent's total before the game can end.

Basic Match Etiquette

Darts is a gentleman's game heavily reliant on courtesy. When your opponent is on the oche, you should stand quietly at least two feet behind them. Do not move into their line of sight, do not make sudden noises, and never pull your darts from the board until your score has been recorded and verbally confirmed. Finally, always shake hands or touch fists before and after the match.