Rules Of Darts - 501 Darts

We are often asked what the definitive rules are for darts. There are of course many games that can be played on a standard dartboard, and indeed the many regional boards but the best known and the one played at professional standards is 501. The recognised standard world competition 501 darts game can be played with two players or with teams. The player aims to reach 0 down from 501, finishing on a double (the centre bullseye is here considered to be double 25).

An example of a 501 game may see a player throw his darts until he has 112 points remaining. He could then finish by throwing his 3 darts as follows;

Dart 1) treble 20

Dart 2) single 20

Dart 3) DOUBLE 16

Or

Dart 1) centre Bull

Dart 2) single 12

Dart 3) centre Bull

But that would of course be being a smart arse J

The perfect game would consist of 9 darts being thrown.

1 st 3 darts; treble 20, treble 20, treble 20

2 nd 3 darts: treble 20, treble 20, treble 20

3 rd 3 darts: treble 20, treble 17, double 15

but there are many, many variations.

Bobby George reckons this one is the ultimate 9 Dart path as it avoids darts being clumped to tightly together in one are and hence avoiding the dreaded bounce outs;

1 st 3 darts; treble 20, treble 19, centre bull

2 nd 3 darts; treble 20, treble 19, centre bull

3 rd 3 darts; treble 20, treble 19, centre bull

If a player busts his score by hitting a higher number than is required, that visits score is ignored and his score reverts to the number required before the visit (the darts are counted as thrown, with respect to his average darts thrown).

Variations of this game can be double start double finish ( a player must first hit a double before his score begins to be registerde) or single start, single finish ( this is a nice easy game for beginners)

301 is okay for quick games or solo practice

701 is a dart game for double teams as is 1001…. Whatever you like.