Darts Rules Explained: Official Rules for All Game Types

You step up to the line. Three darts in hand. Your opponent is watching. You know roughly how the game works — but the moment someone asks “wait, is that a bust?” or “do we need a double to start?”, the whole thing grinds to a halt.

That’s the moment most casual players realize they only know most of the rules — not all of them.

This guide fixes that completely. Whether you’re playing your first game of 501 at a friend’s house or stepping into a league night for the first time, these are the official darts rules — all of them, clearly explained, for every major game type. No gaps. No confusion. Just the rules, the way they’re actually meant to be played.

What “Official” Darts Rules Actually Means

Before diving into specific games, it’s worth understanding where darts rules come from — because unlike many sports, darts has multiple governing bodies, each with slightly different authority over the game.

The three major organizations that set official darts rules are:

• WDF (World Darts Federation) — The global governing body, recognized internationally. Sets the rules used in the Olympics and most amateur and national competitions worldwide.
• PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) — Governs the professional tour including the PDC World Championship. PDC rules govern the highest level of televised professional darts.
• ADO (American Darts Organization) — Sets rules and standards specifically for darts in the United States, including regional leagues and US-based tournaments.

For the vast majority of game formats and situations, all three organizations agree on the rules. Where differences exist, this guide will flag them clearly.

The rules below apply to steel-tip darts played on a regulation bristle board — the standard used in every official competition on earth.

Official Dartboard Setup Rules

Before a single dart is thrown, the board must be set up correctly. An improperly mounted board invalidates every game played on it in any official setting.

Height

The center of the bullseye must be exactly 5 feet 8 inches (1.7272 meters) from the floor. This measurement applies universally — WDF, PDC, and ADO all use the same height.

Throwing Distance

The throwing line — called the oche (pronounced “ockey”) — must be positioned exactly 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.3749 meters) from the face of the dartboard. This is measured from the front surface of the board, not the wall behind it.

The Diagonal Measurement Shortcut

Rather than measuring height and distance separately, many players use the official diagonal: 9 feet 7.5 inches (2.931 meters) from the bullseye to the back of the oche. If this diagonal is correct, both height and distance automatically align.

Official Setup Reference Table

Official Dartboard Scoring Zones

Every dart that lands in the board scores points based on exactly where its tip rests when the round ends. Understanding the scoring zones is fundamental to every game format.

The highest single dart score possible: Triple 20 = 60 points

The highest single turn score possible: Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Triple 20 = 180 points (called a “Maximum” or “Ton-80”)

The Fallen Dart Rule

A dart only scores if its tip remains in contact with the playing surface when the player removes their darts from the board. If a dart bounces out, falls out, or is dislodged by a subsequent dart before the player retrieves it, it scores nothing. No re-throw is permitted under any official rules.

The Supported Dart Rule

If a dart lands in such a way that it is partially or entirely supported by another dart already in the board, it still scores — provided its tip is touching the scoring surface.

The Oche Rule — Universal Across All Formats

The oche rule applies to every dart game in every official format without exception.

A player must have at least one foot behind the oche line when throwing. The player may lean their body forward over the oche — this is entirely legal and widely practiced — but no part of the throwing foot may touch or cross the line during the throw.

If a foot fault occurs in official competition, the darts thrown on that visit do not count and the turn is forfeited. In casual play, the standard practice is to re-throw — but in any organized league or tournament, the official ruling stands.

501 Darts — Official Rules

501 is the most widely played dart game in the world. It is the standard format for all PDC professional matches, all WDF major tournaments, and the vast majority of organized leagues globally.

Core Objective

Every player starts at 501 points. Players alternate turns, each throwing three darts per visit. The score for each visit is calculated and subtracted from the running total. The goal is to reach exactly zero.

The Double-Out Rule

This is the rule that defines 501 at every level of serious play: the winning dart must land in a double segment or the bullseye (50 points, which counts as a double).

A player cannot win by hitting a single segment to reach zero. The final dart must be a double. This is called “double out” or “double finish.”

Example: If a player has 32 remaining, they must hit Double 16 to win. If they hit a single 16 (leaving 16), a single 8 (leaving 24), or miss entirely, play continues.

Bust Rules

A bust occurs when a player’s score for a visit would:

1. Take their remaining total below zero
2. Take their remaining total to exactly 1 (which cannot be finished on a double)
3. Take their remaining total to zero via a non-double segment

When a bust occurs, the visit ends immediately — even if fewer than three darts have been thrown. The player’s score reverts to what it was at the start of that visit. Play passes to the opponent.

Example of a bust: A player has 20 remaining. They throw a single 20 — bust. They cannot finish on a single. Score returns to 20.

Example of a score reverting to 1: A player has 18 remaining. They throw a single 17 — leaving 1. This is also a bust, because 1 cannot be finished on a double. Score returns to 18.

Starting the Game — The Cork (Throwing for Bull)

To decide who throws first, each player throws one dart at the bullseye. The player whose dart lands closest to the center of the bull throws first. This is called “throwing for cork” or simply “the bull up.”

If the result is tied, both players re-throw. In PDC and WDF competitions, a specific order governs re-throws in tied situations.

501 Checkout Combinations Reference

170 is the highest possible checkout. Any score above 170 cannot be finished in a single visit of three darts.

The “Madhouse” — Double 1

When a player is left on exactly 2 points, they must hit Double 1 to win. Double 1 is the smallest double segment on the board, measuring just a few millimetres wide. This situation is widely known as “Madhouse,” and it often decides many close games.

501 Format Variations

In professional PDC matches, Double Out is always used. Straight Out is common in casual and pub play for beginners.

301 Darts — Official Rules

301 is identical to 501 in every respect except one: every player starts at 301 points instead of 501.

Because the starting score is lower, each leg finishes significantly faster. That’s why players often prefer 301 for quick rounds, large groups, or pub settings where time is limited.

Double-In Rule in 301

Unlike standard 501, many official 301 formats — particularly in organized leagues — use a Double-In rule: a player must hit any double segment before their score begins counting at all. Until a player hits the required double, every dart they throw scores zero.

This adds a challenging opening phase to an already fast game. Players should confirm before the first dart whether the game uses Double-In rules.

301 vs 501 — Key Differences

Cricket Darts — Official Rules

Cricket is the second most popular dart game in the world and the most strategically complex format in recreational play. It is especially dominant across the United States, where many leagues run Cricket as their primary format alongside 501.

Objective

Players race to close all six targets — the numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye — while accumulating more points than their opponent, or equal points when closing all targets first.

The Six Cricket Targets

Only these segments matter in Cricket. All other numbers on the board are irrelevant:

Opening, Scoring, and Closing — How It Works

Opening a number: A player opens a number by hitting it three times in any combination across one or more visits. A single counts as one hit, a double counts as two hits, a triple counts as three hits (instantly opening the number in one dart).

Scoring on a number: Once a player has opened a number, every additional hit on that number scores points — but only if the opponent has not yet closed it. Once both players hit that number three times, they close it, and neither player can score on it again.

Closing a number: A number is fully closed when both players have each hit it three times. At that point, neither player can score on it.

Winning: The player who closes all six targets first wins — provided they have an equal or higher point total than their opponent. If a player closes all targets but is behind on points, they must continue scoring on any targets the opponent has not yet closed until they either match or exceed the opponent’s score.

Cricket Scoring Symbols

The Bullseye in Cricket

The outer bull (25 points) counts as one hit toward closing the bullseye. The inner bull (50 points, double bull) counts as two hits toward closing the bullseye. Three hits total are required to close it.

Cricket Strategy — What Separates Winners

Always open 20 first. It scores the most points per hit and gives you the highest scoring rate if your opponent is slow to close it.

Close what your opponent is scoring on. If your opponent has opened a number and is racking up points on it, closing that number immediately is almost always more important than opening a new one.

Use triples aggressively. A triple opens a number instantly in one dart, leaving your other two darts free to begin scoring or open the next target.

Around the Clock — Official Rules

Around the Clock (also called Around the Board or Clock) is one of the oldest dart games in existence and remains one of the best for building board familiarity.

Objective

Be the first player to hit every number from 1 to 20 in sequence, then finish with the bullseye.

Rules

• Players must hit numbers strictly in order, starting at 1.
• Any part of the numbered segment counts — single, double, or triple. Doubles and triples do not advance the player multiple numbers; they simply count as hitting that number.
• A player advances to the next number only after successfully hitting the current one.
• Players alternate after each visit of three darts.
• The first player to hit 20 and then the bullseye wins.

Variation — Doubles and Triples Count

In some versions, hitting a double on the correct number advances the player two numbers, and a triple advances three numbers. This variation significantly speeds up the game and rewards precision. Before the game starts, all players agree on which version they will play.

Shanghai Darts — Official Rules

Shanghai is a game of focused precision that rewards consistency across all numbers on the board.

Objective

Score the most points over a fixed number of rounds — or win instantly by hitting a “Shanghai.”

Rules

• The game is played over 7 rounds (some variations use all 20 numbers).
• Each round, all players aim at the same number — Round 1 means everyone targets the 1, Round 2 means everyone targets the 2, and so on.
• Points are scored only on the target number for that round. All other hits score zero.
• A single on the target scores the face value once. A double scores it twice. A triple scores it three times.
• The player with the most total points after all rounds wins.

The Shanghai Rule — Instant Win

If any player hits the single, double, and triple of the current round’s target number all in one visit (any order), they score a “Shanghai” and win the game instantly, regardless of the current score standings.

A Shanghai is one of the most celebrated moments in recreational darts — and it can come from any position at any point in the game.

Killer Darts — Official Rules

Killer is the most social dart game in existence. It turns every player against every other player simultaneously, creating a match that is equal parts competition and entertainment.

Objective

Be the last player with lives remaining.

Setup

Each player starts with five lives. Each player throws one dart at the board using their non-dominant hand, and the system assigns their number based on where it lands. If the dart misses the board or lands on a number already claimed, that player throws again. During assignment, only the segment number counts, and the system ignores whether the dart lands in a double or a triple.

Becoming a Killer

Before a player can target opponents, they must become a Killer by hitting the double of their own assigned number. Until they achieve this, they cannot remove lives from other players.

Once a player hits their double, the scorer places a “K” next to that player’s name on the scoreboard. They are now a Killer.

Removing Lives

Once a Killer, a player targets the double segments of other players’ assigned numbers. Each time a Killer hits another player’s double, that player loses one life. When a player’s lives reach zero, the game eliminates them.

Important: A Killer who accidentally hits their own double loses a life themselves. This adds a significant tactical element — being too aggressive can backfire.

Winning

The last remaining player with at least one life wins.

Halve-It — Official Rules

Halve-It is the game that creates the most dramatic score swings of any format on this list. No lead is ever safe, and no deficit is ever fatal.

Objective

Complete a predetermined sequence of targets with the highest possible score.

Setup

Before the game, players agree on a sequence of targets. A standard sequence might be: 20, 16, Double (any), 7, Half the board (numbers 1–10), 19, Triple (any), 15, Bullseye.

All players start at zero and aim at the same target each round.

Scoring

• Hitting the target: score points based on what you hit (single, double, or triple of the target number, or the required target type).
• Missing the target entirely: your current total score is cut in half (rounded down). This is the rule that makes Halve-It genuinely brutal.

Winning

The player who finishes the entire target sequence with the highest score wins.

Official Rules That Apply to Every Game Format

These rules are not specific to any one game. They apply universally in every official format, from casual league nights to world championship stages.

The Three-Dart Visit

Every player throws exactly three darts per visit unless they win the game before using all three. If a player wins on the first or second dart of a visit, they stop the turn immediately and do not throw the remaining darts. Players cannot voluntarily skip darts in their visit.

Dart Retrieval Rule

Players must not retrieve their darts from the board until they complete their visit and officials confirm the score. If a player removes darts before throwing all three darts or before the referee calls the score, officials may void the visit in official competition.

Score Confirmation

In organized league and tournament play, a player must confirm their score verbally before removing darts from the board. The opponent must also acknowledge the score. Players must resolve any disputed score before they remove the darts. Once a player pulls the darts from the board, the called score stands.

The Obstruction Rule

If a dart sticks in the board and blocks a player’s view or disrupts their aim for a later throw, players must leave it in place until they complete all three darts of the visit. Adjust your aim; do not ask for early removal.

Equipment Rules — Official Dart Specifications

Per WDF and PDC official rules:

Players may use different dart weights within a set. Flights are not regulated in shape or size. Players may change darts freely during a match — there is no rule requiring a player to use the same darts for an entire game.

Dress Code

The original BDO had a strict dress code requiring black shoes, trousers, and shirts. Modern PDC and WDF events have relaxed this significantly — professional players now routinely wear custom-designed shirts, themed outfits, and vivid colors. At the local league and pub level, dress codes are rarely enforced.

PDC World Championship — Rules That Differ from Standard Play

The PDC World Championship uses the same fundamental rules as standard 501 with a few structural differences worth knowing.

Sets and Legs: Rather than playing a single game to zero, matches at the World Championship are played in sets, with each set consisting of multiple legs. A player must win a predetermined number of sets to win the match.

Leg structure within sets: In early rounds, the first player to win three legs wins a set. This creates a scenario where a player can win more total legs than their opponent and still lose the match — because sets, not legs, determine the overall winner.

Throw order after the first leg: The throw order alternates with each leg regardless of who won the previous leg — unlike some casual play formats where the winner of one leg throws first in the next.

Frequently Asked Questions About Darts Rules

Can you finish on a triple in 501?

No. Standard 501 with double-out rules requires the final dart to land in a double segment or the bullseye. Players cannot finish on a triple, even if it reduces the score exactly to zero. The only exception occurs in “Master Out” formats, where players may finish on a triple.

What happens if both players reach zero at the same time?

This cannot happen. Players alternate turns — only one player throws at a time. The first player to reach zero via a valid double finish wins that leg immediately. The opponent never gets a simultaneous opportunity.

Does the outer bull count as a double in 501?

The outer bull (25 points) counts as a single bull — it is not a double. Only the inner bull scores 50 points, counts as a double, and allows players to finish a leg. If you have 25 remaining, you must hit the inner bull (double bull = 50 ÷ 2 = 25 finishing value), not the outer bull.

Can you lean over the oche?

Yes. Players may lean their body forward over the oche line while throwing. The rule only requires that no part of the throwing foot crosses the line at the moment of the throw. Leaning is completely legal at all levels of official play.

What is a “leg” in darts?

A leg is one complete game of 501 (or any other format) from the starting score to zero. A match includes multiple legs. In professional PDC play, organizers structure matches into sets, and each set contains multiple legs.

What if a dart hits the wire between segments?

If a dart hits the wire between two segments and bounces out, it scores nothing. When it stays in the board and the tip clearly lands in one segment despite touching the wire, it counts for that segment’s value. If it rests on the wire without clearly landing in either segment, judges usually award the lower-value segment. In official competition, the referee’s decision remains final.

Is there a time limit for throwing?

In PDC professional matches, there is an informal expectation of pace but no hard time limit per dart for most events. Some PDC events have introduced shot clocks — most notably in the PDC World Series. In casual and league play, players do not enforce time limits unless they agree on them locally.

A Note on Local Rules

One of darts’ longest traditions is the phrase: “house rules apply.” In pub play, basement games, and even some local leagues, rules vary from the official standards. Double-in requirements, bust interpretations, and score confirmation procedures all vary by location and organization.

Before any game, confirm the format, the in/out rules, and any local variations. The rules above represent the official standards — but the best darts experience is always the one where everyone in the room agrees on the rules before the first dart leaves anyone’s hand.

Final Thought

Knowing the rules doesn’t just prevent arguments — it changes how you play. Once you understand exactly what a bust means, you start managing your score differently. Mastering Cricket’s closing mechanics sharpens your strategy immediately. And when you can quote the oche rule with confidence, you step up to the line with a different kind of authority.

These are the rules. Now go play — the right way.

For further reference on official rules, visit the World Darts Federation, the Professional Darts Corporation, or the American Darts Organization.