Darts
Darts is a game in which players throw three darts in turn at a numbered board and count down from a starting score. The standard game is 501, and it is played the same way in a pub league as on television.
Guides
- How to play 501: scoring, doubles, busts, legs and sets
- Checkout chart: standard finishes from 170 down
- Board height and throwing distance: setting up a board at home or in a venue
- League formats, averages and handicaps: how a league night runs
- Games beyond 501: Cricket, Round the Clock, Killer, Shanghai and Halve-It
- Darts glossary: terms and slang
- Season calendar: the major tournaments through the year
The game in brief
| Starting score | 501 |
| Darts per turn | 3 |
| Highest score with three darts | 180 |
| How a leg is won | Reach exactly zero, finishing on a double |
| Fewest darts to win a leg | 9 |
| Highest finish | 170 |
League darts
Most league matches are played between teams from two venues over a mix of singles, pairs and team games. Formats differ by league, so the fixture secretary’s rule sheet is the first thing to read.