You could also hit single-4 with your first dart, leaving a score of 12 remaining, and double-6 with your second dart to win the match.Ĭheckouts like the example above (170 checkout) are very difficult and require pinpoint accuracy or a lot of luck. If you start a turn with a score of 16 remaining, you can win the match by hitting double-8 with your first dart. You don’t have to use all three darts on your final visit. Placing that final dart in the bullseye and scoring 50 would leave you with an exact score of 170, and you’d have “checked out” and won the match. You’d have to throw two darts in the treble-20 to score 140 and leave a score of 50 for your last dart. However, the final dart must land in either a double or the bullseye.īecause of this “double out” rule, the highest possible remaining score from which you can win in a single visit is 170. To win a game of 501 you must be the first player to reach a total score of exactly 0.
For example, if I was throwing first in a match of 501 and the total score of my three darts was 100, then my remaining total would become 401. After each visit, the total score for that visit (three darts thrown) gets deducted from the player’s total. In darts terminology, each turn is referred to as a “visit”.īoth players start with a score of 501. Matches of 501 are between two players, where each player takes turns and throws up to three darts.
If you’re interested in learning how to play darts including throwing and stance read my beginner’s guide on how to play darts. This guide will focus heavily on how to play 501 darts. Understanding 501 darts will give you an excellent basis to go on and try other games, but it’s pretty vital to learn the rules of 501 darts first. It is by far the most common and well-known darts game, and it’s rules are very straightforward.
Most professional darts matches play a game called 501. There are a handful of different darts games, each with their own scoring systems and rules. This short guide will teach you everything you need to know about darts scoring and how to play 501 darts. We may earn a small fee from qualifying purchases through product links.ĭarts scoring can look daunting if you’re a total beginner, but it’s very straightforward. Darts Scoring & the Rules of Darts Explained | Beginner's Guide Skip to Content Speedyhire Darts Coaching Darts Scoring and the Rules of Darts Explained Home > How to Play Darts > Darts Scoring Updated: Mar 9th, 2020 This website is reader-supported.