How to Play Popular Darts Games

Darts can be played individually, in doubles or with a team. Knowing how to play darts games, the rules, and how to score is essential for club players but also great fun at the pub or at a social gathering.

Basically, each player has 3 darts and they take turns throwing all their darts at the board.

Standing at the Oche (the throwing line) they face the board and throw the darts at the board with the aim of hitting specific numbers and areas on the board – singles, doubles, triples or the bullseye.

Darts Games

There are a variety of different games that can be played with darts. The most popular games played are the x01 games – (301, 501, 701 etc) or Cricket.

How to play darts ‘x01

‘x01’ type games (301, 501, 701 etc) start with an equal number, eg 501, and the players aim to reduce this score to ‘0’ by taking turns throwing their 3 darts. First to ‘0’ wins. Each dart thrown is added up and deducted from the starting number. Scores can be increased by hitting the Triples area (the inner circle) or Doubles area (the outer circle). The top score is 180 – or triple 20, hit with all three darts in a turn. The trick at the end is that the player has to end the game by hitting a Double. So if they have a score of 40 remaining, they need to hit the Double 20 with one of their darts during their turn. (to double out !)

How to play darts cricket

In ‘Cricket’ games players must hit the numbers 15 through to 20 and the bullseye three times each. The aim is to score more points than the other team before numbers 15 to 20 and bullseye have been ‘closed out’.

Players will take turns throwing their three darts at the board, aiming to hit 15 through to 20 and the bullseye. If the player hits a number other than 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20, nothing happens.

Cricket requires each person to “close out” numbers, meaning players have to score each number (15 through 20) and the bullseye three times before the game can end – so for example they can hit the number 15 with all three darts or hit a triple with one dart or a double and a single, then they need to ‘close out’ the number by hitting the bullseye. Do this for all the numbers before the other team does, and score the most points, and you win.

What is the best way to throw darts?

There are a number of ways and techniques to approach throwing darts. Finding the most comfortable method that works for you is the key. To throw darts you need to hold the dart with your thumb and index finger (with the support of one or more other fingers – whatever feels comfortable) with the end of the dart pointing at the dartboard, aiming at your target number or position.

Start by placing your leading foot either square onto the Oche (throwing line) or at an angle or with your foot pointing at the target – whichever is comfortable. So you are standing side on to the dartboard. This allows you to throw the dart from in front of your body.

Holding the dart can be done in many different ways, so long as it is comfortable and allows the dart to fly straight and true. Some say you should hold the dart barrel as if you were holding a pen.

Throw the dart using a hinging movement at your elbow – arm parallel to the ground and throwing with the hand, wrist, and elbow. Technically, only your arm should move when you throw the dart. Try to keep as still as possible and follow through after releasing the dart with your fingers/hand pointing towards the target.

Scoring

Scoring does require some maths but doesn’t have to be difficult. Electronic boards make it easy. Otherwise, you can use a variety of mobile apps (I use Darts Scorer and DartCounter apps), pen and paper or the chalkboard.

Deducting the total of the three darts thrown from the starting points in x01 games. Add up each number hit – counting singles, doubles and triples.