You walk up to the dartboard, three darts in hand, and someone says “let’s play 501.” Easy enough. But then a friend suggests 301, and someone else wants to try 701 in teams. Suddenly you are wondering — are these completely different games, or just the same thing with bigger numbers?
Here is the honest answer: they are the same game at heart, with one key difference that changes everything about the pace, strategy, and who each format suits best. This guide breaks down every X01 format clearly — what each one involves, how it plays out differently, and which version you should be picking up the darts for.
What Are X01 Darts Games?
The term X01 refers to a whole family of darts games. The X stands for any number, and the 01 stays fixed at the end. So when you hear 301, 501, or 701, you are hearing the starting score for that version of the game.
Every X01 game follows the same core structure. Each player starts with a set number of points and takes turns throwing three darts. After each turn, the total score from those three darts gets subtracted from the player’s remaining score. The goal is simple — be the first player to reach exactly zero.
The reason these games end in 01 and not a round number is actually clever game design. Starting at an odd number like 501 means a player cannot glide through the entire game by throwing the same segment over and over. At some point, the math forces them to change targets and think strategically. Starting at 500 instead would allow someone to hit triple 20 all the way to the finish without ever adjusting their aim.
The Checkout Rule — This Is What Makes It Interesting
In standard X01 play, reaching zero is not as simple as just subtracting your way down. Your final dart must land on a double segment or the inner bullseye. This is called the double-out rule, and it applies across all X01 formats.
If your remaining score drops below zero, stays on exactly 1, or reaches zero without landing on a double — that is a bust. A bust means your entire turn counts for nothing, and your score resets to what it was before you threw.
This single rule is what separates X01 from being a pure arithmetic exercise. It turns the endgame into a genuine test of nerve and precision.
How Does 501 Work? (The Professional Standard)
501 is the flagship format. Every major professional tournament — from the PDC World Darts Championship to Premier League Darts — uses 501 as the standard leg format. If you watch darts on television, 501 is what you are watching.
The Basic Rules of 501
Both players start with 501 points. They alternate turns, throwing three darts each visit. The score from each turn gets deducted from the running total. The first player to land on exactly zero — finishing with a double — wins that leg.
A leg is one complete game from 501 down to zero. Matches are usually played as best of a certain number of legs, for example best of 7 legs means the first player to win 4 legs takes the match.
Why 501 Works So Well
The starting score of 501 creates a game that lasts long enough to reward consistency, but short enough to stay exciting. A professional player can complete a leg in nine darts — the famous nine-darter — though most legs at the top level take between 15 and 20 darts. At amateur level, expect 20 to 35 darts per leg depending on accuracy.
The minimum nine-darter route looks like this:
- Turn 1: Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Triple 20 = 180
- Turn 2: Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Triple 20 = 180
- Turn 3: Triple 20 + Triple 19 + Double 12 = 141
Total: 501 in exactly nine darts.
501 Checkout Strategy
Because 501 ends on an odd number, your checkout planning begins from your very first turn. Experienced players always think several turns ahead, aiming to leave themselves on a clean even number that splits cleanly into doubles.
The most reliable finishing number is 32 — Double 16. If you miss and hit a single 16, you land on 16 and aim for Double 8. Miss that and hit 8, you go for Double 4. The number keeps halving cleanly. That safety net is exactly why 32 is the preferred finish for most players.
Other common checkouts to memorise:
| Remaining Score | Checkout Route |
|---|---|
| 170 | Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Bullseye |
| 121 | Triple 20 + Triple 11 + Double 14 |
| 40 | Double 20 |
| 32 | Double 16 |
| 20 | Double 10 |
| 16 | Double 8 |
How Does 301 Work? (The Beginner-Friendly Format)
301 follows every rule that 501 does — the only difference is where you start. Instead of 501 points, each player begins with 301 points. That smaller starting total makes the game considerably shorter and considerably more accessible for new players.
Who Should Play 301
301 suits beginners perfectly for a few reasons. First, the shorter game means you reach checkout territory faster. You spend less time grinding through large scores and more time practising the doubles that actually decide matches. Second, the faster pace makes it easier to stay engaged when you are still learning the fundamentals.
Casual pub games often default to 301 because it keeps things moving. A game between two recreational players might last five minutes rather than ten, which means more games per session and more fun all round.
301 With Double-In Rules
Some 301 formats add a double-in requirement. Under this rule, your first scoring dart must land on a double segment before any of your points count. Until you hit that opening double, your score stays frozen at 301 no matter how many other segments you hit.
Double-in makes 301 significantly harder at the start. It forces players to practice opening doubles rather than just warming up on comfortable numbers. Many local leagues use double-in for 301 specifically because it adds an extra layer of challenge to what might otherwise feel like a quick run-through.
How 301 Compares to 501
The most obvious difference is game length. A 301 leg between evenly matched players takes roughly 60 to 70 percent of the time that 501 does. Beyond pace, the strategic difference is subtle but real. In 301, you often reach checkout territory within four or five turns, which means your doubles play matters much earlier in the leg. In 501, you have more room to build momentum with high scoring before the pressure of the finish arrives.
How Does 701 Work? (The Team Format)
701 uses the same countdown rules as 301 and 501. Players start at 701 points and subtract their way down to zero, finishing on a double. What makes 701 genuinely different, though, is not just the larger number — it is the context in which it typically gets played.
Why 701 Exists
701 exists primarily as a team format. While 301 suits two solo players and 501 covers both singles and pairs, 701 is the natural choice when teams of two or more compete together. Each player on a team throws their three darts in sequence, and the scores combine toward a shared total.
In a two-versus-two format, the throwing order typically alternates between teams. Player A1 throws, then Player B1, then Player A2, then Player B2. All four players contribute to their respective team scores throughout the leg.
The Consistency Factor
One reason 701 is used to settle close matches or decide tournament tiebreakers is that the longer format rewards consistent players more fairly. In a 501 leg, a single brilliant turn — three triple 20s and a checkout — can swing the result dramatically. Over the longer distance of 701, outlying performances average out and the more consistent team or player tends to win.
This is why competitive clubs sometimes use 701 when two players are closely matched and a straight 501 result feels inadequate to separate them.
701 Game Length
At an amateur level, a 701 leg typically lasts between 25 and 40 darts for a single player, or around 12 to 20 throws per player in a two-person team. Expect 10 to 15 minutes per leg in recreational play.
Double-In and Double-Out: Understanding the Variations
Beyond the starting score, X01 games vary in their in and out rules. These variations apply across all formats — 301, 501, and 701 alike.
Standard Double-Out (Most Common)
The game starts freely. You score from your very first dart regardless of where it lands. However, your final dart to reach zero must land on a double or the inner bullseye. This is the default format for 501 in professional play.
Double-In, Double-Out
Your opening dart must land on a double before any scoring begins. Once you hit an opening double, play proceeds normally. You still finish on a double. This format is most common in 301 at club and pub level, as mentioned above.
Masters Out
The game ends on a double, a triple, or the bullseye. This gives players more checkout flexibility because a well-struck triple can close a leg just as legitimately as a double. Masters Out is less common overall but appears in some regional formats.
Straight Out
The simplest variant — any segment closes the game, including singles. No double required on the finish. This is occasionally used in completely casual settings for beginners who are still learning the mechanics.
Comparing 301, 501, and 701 Side by Side
| Feature | 301 | 501 | 701 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 301 | 501 | 701 |
| Typical players | 1v1 or small groups | 1v1, competitive | Teams of 2+ |
| Average leg length | 5–7 minutes | 8–12 minutes | 12–18 minutes |
| Professional use | Rarely | Always | Occasionally |
| Best for | Beginners, quick games | All levels, competition | Teams, tiebreakers |
| Double-in common? | Yes, often | No | Rarely |
| Min darts to finish | 6 | 9 | 12 |
Which Format Should You Play?
Choosing the right X01 format depends entirely on who is playing and what you want from the session.
Play 301 when you are introducing someone to darts for the first time, when you want quick games that keep everyone involved, or when you are running a multi-leg match and want each leg to feel punchy rather than drawn out.
Play 501 when you want the authentic experience that matches what you watch on television, when both players are comfortable with the board and have some checkout awareness, or when you are competing in any organised format. 501 is the standard for a reason — it balances speed, strategy, and spectacle better than any other format.
Play 701 when you are playing in teams and want a format that genuinely tests consistency, when you need a fair tiebreaker between two evenly matched players or teams, or when you simply want a longer session that gives everyone more time at the oche.
Common Mistakes Players Make in X01 Games
Not planning the checkout early enough. In 501, you should start thinking about your finish route once you drop below 170. Waiting until you are on 32 with no plan is how players end up stuck on awkward numbers for five extra turns.
Ignoring the double-in rule in 301. If you are playing with double-in and you miss that opening double repeatedly, it can be demoralising. Warm up your doubles before the game starts so you hit the opening double quickly and get into your rhythm.
Going for big scores when a setup shot makes more sense. Players who always aim for triple 20 without thinking about their leave often end up on 3 or 1 — numbers with no easy checkout. Sometimes a deliberate single or a switch to triple 19 sets up a much cleaner finish.
Forgetting the bust rule. New players sometimes forget that going below zero resets their score completely. Always count your remaining total before throwing that final dart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do 01 games end in 01 and not a round number like 300 or 500? The odd number prevents players from staying on a single segment throughout the entire game. An even starting score would allow someone to hit triple 20 all the way down without needing to adjust their aim at the finish.
Can you play 501 in teams? Absolutely. Pairs 501 is common in leagues, with each team member throwing alternately and their scores counting toward a shared total. For larger teams, 701 or 901 formats are more appropriate.
What is the fastest possible finish in 301? Six darts — two turns of three. A player would need two perfect turns of 180 (Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Triple 20) to score 360, but that actually overruns 301. The realistic six-dart route involves 180 on turn one, followed by 121 (Triple 20 + Triple 11 + Double 14) on turn two.
What is the difference between a leg and a set? A leg is one complete game from the starting score down to zero. A set is a collection of legs — typically first to win three legs wins a set. Matches in major tournaments are played as best of a certain number of sets.
Is double-out compulsory in all X01 games? Not always. While double-out is the standard for professional and most competitive play, casual games often use straight-out rules for beginners. Always agree on your in and out rules before the first dart is thrown.
What happens if both players reach zero on the same turn in 501? Only the player who actually achieves the valid checkout first wins. In standard play, turns alternate, so both players cannot technically finish on the same dart.
Wrapping Up
The X01 family — 301, 501, and 701 — is built on one beautifully simple idea: count down from your starting number and finish on a double. Everything else is variations on that theme. 301 keeps things fast and approachable. 501 delivers the full competitive experience that professionals play worldwide. 701 rewards consistency and suits team formats naturally.
Once you understand the shared rules — scoring, bust, checkout — moving between formats feels completely natural. The numbers change. The tension of that final double never does.
Pick up your darts, agree on your format, and decide the game with the throw. That is what X01 is all about.
