Playing darts: These are the rules

The game of darts involves throwing darts at a round target. In this article, we explain the rules of the 501 game variant, which also serves as the basis for tournament games.

Rules for Dart 501 Double Out

In this variant the game starts with 501 points. The points thrown are deducted from this. The winner is the first player to bring the score exactly to zero.

• The players first throw a dart and try to get as close as possible to the centre, the so-called “bulls eye”. The player who is closer to the centre starts the game.

• Now the players throw 3 darts each in turn, the points thrown from all 3 darts being added together first.

• When you double out, you must end each game set with a double. The last dart must therefore land in the outer rim of the dartboard: The squares in this area count double.

• The segments of the inner ring are called tripples and each count as three times the score displayed.

• The ring around the middle counts 25 points and is called Half-Bull.

• The Bulls-Eye in the middle counts 50 points.

• Once you have determined the total points achieved from the three throws, now subtract the sum from the starting point number 501.

• If you score more points with your last throw than you have remaining points, this is considered as overthrown. This means that the points remain unchanged and you continue to play until you reach zero evenly.

Various variation options in darts

The starting point number can be changed at will.

• For example, you can also choose 301, 701 or 1001 starting points.

• If you are a beginner, choose Single Out instead of Double Out.

• Here you can end the game with a single square.

• The fields Double and Tripple count as with the Double Out.

• In the Master Out version, the game can be ended with a Tripple or with a Double.