Darts Draft
Throw small darts at a round board and score points for where they land. It is quick to learn, needs very little space and is easy to play with friends in a pub or at home.
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How to start
What you need
- Three darts (bars and pubs often lend a set)
- A dartboard, if you play at home (a sisal bristle board is standard)
- A wall or backing around the board that protects it from stray darts
- Tape or a mat to mark the throwing line
Typical cost
Playing at a pub or bar is often free or costs a coin or two per game. A starter set of darts costs about $15 to $60 and a bristle board about $30 to $80 (approximate, varies by city).
Where to play
Pubs, bars and game cafes with a dartboard, darts leagues, community halls and your own wall at home.
Rules
- A turn is three darts. You score where each dart lands, then the next player throws.
- The board is split into 20 numbered wedges. The outer ring counts double, the inner ring counts triple, the outer bull is 25 and the bullseye is 50.
- The most common game is 501. Each player starts on 501 and subtracts every score. You must finish exactly on zero, and the last dart must land in a double (or the bullseye).
- 301 works the same way with a shorter start, which makes it faster.
- Cricket uses the numbers 15 to 20 and the bull. You need three marks on a number to close it, then score on it until your opponent closes it too. Close everything and lead on points to win.
- A match is made of legs (single games). Common matches are best of 3, 5 or 7 legs.
- Stand behind the throwing line (about 7 feet 9 inches, or 2.37 m, from the board for steel-tip darts). The bullseye is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) from the floor.
- A dart that bounces out or does not stick scores nothing. Wait for your turn and do not step over the line.
Drills
Group the darts 10 min
Aim at the treble 20 and throw three darts a turn. Count how many land in the 20 wedge. Do 10 turns and try to beat your count next time.
Round the board 15 min
Throw at the 1, then the 2, then the 3 and so on up to 20, three darts at each number. Keep going until you have hit every number once.
Cricket practice 15 min
Play Cricket on your own: close 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and the bull. Count how many turns it takes, then try to do it in fewer.
Finish on a double 10 min
Pick a double, such as double 16, and throw three darts at it. Count how many turns it takes to hit it. Move to the next double when you hit it twice in a row.
Consistent throw 8 min
Stand at the line with your feet steady, hold the dart lightly and finish with your hand pointing at the board. Throw 30 darts at the bull and notice if your grip or release changes.
Etiquette
- Stay still and quiet while someone is throwing.
- Wait behind the line until the thrower steps away, and only then go to the board.
- Never step in front of the board to take your darts until everyone has finished throwing.
- Keep your own darts with you and ask before borrowing someone else's set.
Safety
- Steel darts are sharp. Hold them by the barrel, point down, when you walk to the board.
- Only throw when the area between the line and the board is clear of people.
- Hang the board on a solid wall with a backboard or a dartboard surround to protect the wall.
- Do not throw darts at anything but the board, and keep drinks away from the throwing area.
Levels
- 1Learning where the numbers are; darts often miss the board; scoring a few points a turn.
- 2Hits the board most of the time and the bull sometimes; a three-dart average of about 20 to 30.
- 3Regularly hits the 20s and plays Cricket well; a three-dart average of about 30 to 40.
- 4Plays league matches; checks out doubles under pressure; a three-dart average of about 40 to 55.
- 5Strong scoring and finishing; competes at a high level in clubs and leagues; a three-dart average above 55.
Questions
What is the difference between steel-tip and soft-tip darts?
Steel-tip darts have a metal point and are used on bristle boards. Soft-tip darts have a plastic tip and are used on electronic boards. Many bars use one or the other, so check before you buy.
Which game should a beginner start with?
Start with 301 or 501. They teach scoring and finishing. Cricket is a good second game once you know where the numbers are.
Why must I finish on a double?
It is the standard rule. Your last dart has to land in a double (the thin outer ring) or the bullseye and take you exactly to zero. Going below zero or to exactly one is a bust, and your score goes back to what it was at the start of the turn.
Draft guide: written from general knowledge and not yet checked by someone who plays darts. Costs are approximate and vary by city. Check with a coach or doctor before starting anything new.