Best 5 popular Darts rules that you must know

What is a Darts game?

The game of darts is an indoor game. It consists of two or more players throwing sharp pointed needles called darts at a spherical target.

You can hit any part of the dartboard to score points in the game of darts. On the dartboard, we can see different scoring zones.

As a player, hit the correct zone with a dart to get the desired points. It is not just a throwing game. You should have the skills to score a point. 

Darts game is a local pub game. Many people choose darts as a profession. In European countries, the darts game is much more famous.

The aim of a Darts game

Two popular formats for playing darts are 301 and 501. We focus highly on these two types of games. 

There are also several darts games like – cricket darts, around-the-clock darts, baseball darts, etc. 

• Your primary aim is to check out.
• Lower your score (which starts at 501) with each throw in 501 darts.
• A higher score will reduce your total more quickly.
• Bring the score to zero as soon as possible.
• Also, throw a double or bullseye with your final dart.
•  For the 301 darts game, each player starts with 301 points, and the goal is to be the first to reach zero.
• In darts 301, aim for 20 and 19. It has a high percentage of landing, which will cause big scores and allow you to leave the game early.
• Once the bullseye and numbers 15 through 20 have been “closed out,” the goal of darts cricket is to outscore the other side.
• We played around-the-clock darts to enhance our accuracy.
• To score as many runs, or points, in nine innings is the goal in darts baseball.

Darts Rules

Every game has its own rules. So in the darts game, darts have their own rules. Some of the basic darts rules discussed here.

• You have to make sure that the dartboard is hanging on the wall.
• Each team will nominate one member to throw a single dart to determine who goes first in the game. The person who is closest to the target gets to go first.
• With each turn, each player throws three darts.
• If a dart misses the board, bounces off of it, or falls, it still counts and has no scoring effect.
• The segment’s color has no bearing on how well it performs. It is the tip of the dart that determines the scoring area and the place where it lands on the board where it lands. 

For more rules, visit DRA rules.

Darts Variants

In the world of darts, the most common game is 501. 301 is the most entertaining variant of 501. The game is the most exciting for new players. We also noticed several dart variants.

“501” Darts rules and scoring system

• In 501 games, there are usually two teams of many players or only two people per team.
• It starts with 501 points. 
• Each player will throw three darts as they alternate turns.
• Every three darts reduce the player’s score.
• A player must be the first to reach exactly zero. 
• A player needs to carry the correct number when they walk out.
• The turn does not count if you exceed zero.
• The player must hit a double or bullseye to checkout. 

Checkout: When it’s your turn, you can complete the round with three darts or fewer. It refers to a checkout.

“301” Darts rules and scoring system

• We can play 301 darts one-on-one or in doubles teams of two.
• It starts with 301 points. 
• The players will take turns throwing three darts each.
• Every dart deducted the score from each round’s running total for each participant.
• A player must be the first to reach exactly zero. 
• There is no score if they go below zero or score the exact amount required without hitting a double segment to finish.
• If a player’s score drops to zero or in a bust scenario, their final dart must be doubled.

Bust: A BUST occurs when your points drop to below zero. At this time, the round is over. The round stops at BUST even if you did not throw your three darts. 

“Cricket” Darts rules and scoring system

It is a different format from a darts game. Some rules and scoring systems differ from darts 301, 501. Let’s see what’s new in cricket darts rules.

Rules

• It is a game of throwing three darts at the board, trying to hit numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye as best as you can.
• If you hit a number other than this, the score will not count.
• A single segment counts as one hit, a double segment as two hits, and a triple segment as three hits.
• Each player in cricket must “close out” numbers, which means they must score the bullseye, numbers 15 through 20, and each other three times before the game is over.
• When shooting at the bullseye, the outer ring counts as one and the inner circle as two.

Point System

• Use a scoreboard with three sections, two each for each team, and the bullseye in the middle.
• When a player or team hits once, then with the “/” marked it.
• If a team scores the same number three times, it closes that number (with an “X” and a circle surrounding it).
• The first team can start scoring points on this number again if the other team has yet to close it.
• The number you hit is the point you get.
• The outside circle denotes 25 points. The inner circle gives 50 points when scoring on the bullseye.
• Once a team uses all, the closed numbers with the most points win.

 “Around the clock” Darts rules and scoring system

It is another variant of darts. The aim of around the clock is to hit different numbers as you go around the board. If you hit every number from 1 to 20, then you win. 

• You can play it in a team or with two players.
• It has no age burden.
• Every player gets three opportunities to throw. 
• Around the board, each player moves clockwise.
• Hit the first number, then the second, and so on to twenty.
• Before moving on to the following number, players need to make one dart and hit each number.
• It counts both doubles and triples, but only for that section number. It means if you hit one number multiple times, it tallies only once. 
• After hitting all the numbers from 1 to 20, go for the bullseye.
• After hitting all 20 sections in order, the winner is the first to hit the bullseye. 

“Baseball” Darts

Baseball darts are for both beginners and darts professionals. It compels you to throw more darts toward the open areas of the dartboard. It has nine innings, similar to baseball.

Players need to hit more doubles and triples to get a higher score. The player or team with the highest score after nine innings wins the game.

Darts Rules

• It can play unlimited players.
• Baseball darts have no age limit or gender barrier.
• There are a couple of easy solutions if you don’t have a balanced number of members on your team. You can choose one person to take the additional turn each time. Otherwise, you can use a dummy player.
• The most effective method to select it is to have each participant throw one dart. After the person closest to the bullseye takes a turn, the next closest person takes a turn, and so on. 
• According to the baseball darts rules, each participant takes a turn throwing their three darts at the number like that inning.

Point System

• Players must throw at a specified number each inning. 
•  For example, during the first inning, it should throw all darts at number 1. 
• All innings are worth one run for a single hit, two runs for a double, and three runs for a triple. 
• For the first and second innings, players must hit the 1 and 2 spaces, respectively. It must follow this pattern until the ninth inning is complete.
• Darts that land outside of the designated slots do not count toward any runs.
• It declared the player with the most points at the end of the ninth inning the winner.
• It’s a tie if the score is the same after the ninth inning. In that case, we played extra innings targeting the bullseye.
• The inside bullseye counts as two runs, while the outer bullseye counts as one.
• When a team has more runs at the end of an inning, extra innings should continue until that happens.

Innings: This relates to the games you are now playing. There are nine innings in each game connected to an actual baseball game. Each slot denotes an innings. 

Runs: Runs refer to the baseball darts points. The runs you get to score are the number of points you receive in a three-dart turn. for the single, double, and triple, space gives you 1,2,3 runs.

Darts strategy

501 darts strategies

It is similar to darts rules 301. In 501 darts rules techniques, you remember that doubling in is most important.

Doubling in and the bullseye is the most desirable target that gives you 40 and 50 points. The darts rule states that if you leave a single point on the board, you are considered a bust. 

Remember that you should never be placed at the end of a point, as then you will not have time to double. Check out at dot zero. If you play with your team, one of your team members should hit any double or bullseye.

Example of a situation: Suppose you reach 458 points. This time, you must go with double 19 (38) and single 5 (5). 

301 darts strategies

• Getting your score as low as possible in the first three shots is always important. You should switch your focus to planning your checkout if you score high enough.
• It should focus your strategies on hitting doubles and triples and aim for the highest score in every throw.

Example: If you reach 226 points, you can go with triple 20 (60) and triple 5 (15) strategies to win the game. If you hit triple 19 (57) and single 20 (20), in that case, you will have busted, and it will void the score in that turn. It is important to remember that the score should be precisely zero.

Cricket darts strategy

Shot selection is the most vital strategy in cricket darts. Have confidence in yourself, judge your opponent’s shots, and make your strategy to hit the right target.

• In cricket darts, players go for the higher number to close out. 
• At first, you must go for 20 to close out before your opponent. Then 19, 18, and so on. 
• We consider the bull the most challenging target to hit and score. After it is closed it is more challenging than the other targets, and many skilled players choose to go for it last.

Attempt two triple 20s in the first round and triple 19 to secure the score. Now, the opponent’s only option is to shut 19 and 20. They won’t be able to score any points in the round, even if they play flawlessly and hit three trips.

They could try to go for 18, but if they did, you would have plenty of room to score in the two places with the best scoring potential on the board.

Always try to beat the opponent’s score and close out the following number. I think you have the basic strategy idea that will work for you.

Around-the-clock strategy

It is the easiest darts variation among other darts variations. The darts rule of this variation is simple and concise. Here, I have nothing much to tell you guys. 

It is a regular practice format. You can finish it within 5 minutes. Players need perfection to hit the proper slot. At first, you hit the number 1, then 2, 3, and go on up to 20.

After hitting each space, then your focus goes to the bullseye. At first the outer bullseye, then the inner bullseye.

A point you should remember is that an accurate throw beats your opponent smoothly. So, practice more and throw a perfect hit to be a pro.

Baseball darts strategy

Baseball darts rules are simple and easy to understand. So when it comes to the gaming strategy, you should go for the higher score from your opponent and beat them.

Three general points you should be in your mind:

1. Maintain the throwing accuracy. One mistake can lead to your opponent.
2. Go for the double and triple. You must score 8-9 in each innings.
3. Throwing a more accurate bullseye to finish the game.

Last words

If you’ve read this far, thank you. I try to give knowledge to my darts lovers. If you haven’t started playing darts yet, get set up soon and start playing.

You can ask your question in the comments section if you have any.

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Krishanu

My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.

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