Darts
The Observatory Almanac — Universal Rulebook
Darts is a precision throwing sport requiring the player to stand at a fixed distance and hurl small pointed projectiles at a circular target board divided into numbered scoring sectors. Originating in English pubs in the nineteenth century, darts evolved into a globally competitive sport with professional tours, televised world championships, and a rich culture of league play. The game rewards mathematical fluency as much as throwing accuracy — a player who cannot calculate checkouts under pressure will lose to one who can, even if the throwing mechanics are equal.
The Dartboard
20
┌─────┴─────┐
18 │ 20 │ 5
┌─────┤ ┌───┐ ├─────┐
12 │ 18 │ D│Bull│ │ 5 │ 9
┌────┤ │ └───┘ │ ├────┐
│ 12 │ ┌─┴───────────┴─┐ │ 9 │
│ │ │ outer bull │ │ │
11 ┤ │ │ inner bull │ │ ├ 14
│ │ └─┬───────────┬─┘ │ │
└────┤ │ │ ├────┘
8 │ 11 │ │ 14 │ 16
└─────┤ ├─────┘
7 │ 3 │ 17
└─────┬─────┘
6
Full numbered layout (clockwise from top): 20 — 1 — 18 — 4 — 13 — 6 — 10 — 15 — 2 — 17 — 3 — 19 — 7 — 16 — 8 — 11 — 14 — 9 — 12 — 5
This precise arrangement is not random: high-value numbers are flanked by low-value numbers (20 is flanked by 1 and 5), penalizing inaccuracy.
Scoring Zones
| Zone | Description | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Single segment | Main body of a number sector | Face value (1–20) |
| Double ring | Narrow outer ring | 2× face value |
| Triple ring | Narrow inner ring | 3× face value |
| Outer bull (25) | Green ring around bull | 25 points |
| Inner bull / bullseye | Red center | 50 points |
Maximum single dart score: Triple 20 = 60 points. Maximum three-dart score: Three triple-20s = 180 points ("maximum").
The Throw Line (Oche)
The oche (pronounced "ockey") is the throw line. Players must stand behind it or directly over it — no part of the throwing foot may extend past the front edge.
Distance: 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) from the face of the board to the oche. Board height: The center of the bullseye is exactly 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) from the floor.
These dimensions are standardized by the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and World Darts Federation (WDF).
Throwing Technique
Grip
The dart is held between the thumb and two or three fingers. The grip should be firm but not tense — squeezing the dart causes muscle fatigue and inconsistency. Common grips:
- Two-finger grip: Thumb and index finger. Minimal contact, best for light darts.
- Three-finger grip: Thumb, index, and middle finger. Most common in recreational and professional play.
- Four-finger grip: Adds the ring finger. More control at the cost of release smoothness.
The dart barrel (the weighted metal body) sits at the balance point. Most players find their natural grip point through experimentation.
Stance
- Side-on stance: Body perpendicular to the board, throwing arm closest to the board. Most commonly used by professionals. Minimizes body sway.
- Forward stance: Body roughly facing the board, feet slightly offset. More natural for beginners.
- Angled stance: Compromise between the two.
Whatever stance is chosen, the key is a stable, repeatable base. The throwing shoulder, elbow, and wrist should all be in vertical alignment with the target.
The Throw
- Raise the dart to eye level, aligning it with the target.
- Draw back — retract the forearm at the elbow while keeping the upper arm stable.
- Release — extend the forearm forward in a smooth arc, releasing the dart at the same point in every throw.
- Follow through — extend the arm and fingers fully toward the target after release.
The elbow acts as a pivot point. The wrist adds final acceleration and should snap forward at release. Inconsistency in the elbow's vertical plane causes horizontal grouping errors; inconsistency in force causes vertical spread.
501 (and 301)
Overview
501 is the flagship competitive darts format. Each player begins with 501 points and counts down to exactly zero. The final dart must land in a double (or the bullseye). This is called "double-out" or "finishing on a double." The precision required to hit a specific double under pressure is what separates recreational from competitive players.
Format
Standard 501: - Players start at 501 (sometimes 301 in shorter formats). - Each player throws three darts per turn. - Score is subtracted from the running total after each turn. - A player wins by reaching exactly zero, with the final dart in a double (or bull).
Double-in variant (less common): Players must also start scoring with a double. Until a double is hit, scores are not subtracted. Standard competitive 501 does not require double-in.
Bust Rule
If a player's remaining score would go below zero, or reach exactly 1 (which is impossible to finish since no single-point double exists), or reach zero without a double, the turn is busted: - All three darts' scores for that turn are void. - The player's score reverts to what it was at the start of that turn.
Example: Player has 32 remaining. Needs double 16. Throws triple 16 (48) instead — score would go to -16. Bust. Reverts to 32.
Example: Player has 3 remaining. Hits single 2 (leaves 1). Cannot finish on 1. Remaining darts are thrown but cannot score. Reverts to 3 at start of next turn.
Checkout Requirements
To finish, a player needs a combination of darts that totals their remaining score with the last dart landing in a double or bullseye.
The bullseye (50 points, inner bull) counts as double 25. The outer bull (25 points) is a single.
Standard Checkout Chart
| Remaining | Finish (3 darts) |
|---|---|
| 170 | T20, T20, Bull |
| 167 | T20, T19, Bull |
| 164 | T20, T18, Bull |
| 161 | T20, T17, Bull |
| 160 | T20, T20, D20 |
| 141 | T20, T19, D12 |
| 121 | T20, T11, D14 or T17, T10, D20 |
| 120 | T20, S20, D20 |
| 101 | T17, T18, D5 |
| 100 | T20, D20 |
| 81 | T19, D12 |
| 72 | T16, D12 |
| 61 | T15, D8 or Bull, D11 |
| 50 | Bull |
| 40 | D20 |
| 32 | D16 |
| 24 | D12 |
| 16 | D8 |
| 8 | D4 |
| 2 | D1 |
One-dart finishes: Any even number from 2 to 40 is a one-dart finish (double of that number divided by 2). 50 = bullseye.
Two-dart finishes: 41 = S9, D16. 43 = S3, D20. 45 = S5, D20. 57 = S17, D20. Etc.
Match Format
Professional matches are played as a "race to legs." A leg is a single game of 501. A set consists of multiple legs; a match consists of multiple sets. For example, a first-to-3-sets match where each set is first-to-3-legs.
Leg starting order: Loser of the previous leg throws first ("bust starts" in some formats). In most professional formats, throw order alternates by leg.
301
A faster version using 301 as the starting total. Often played with double-in as well as double-out to increase difficulty. Common in league and pub play.
Cricket
Overview
Cricket is a darts game for two players or teams in which specific numbers are "closed out" by hitting them three times. Once a player has closed a number (hit it three times), they may score points on it until the opponent also closes it. The player or team with the higher score when all numbers are closed wins — provided they have closed all required numbers.
Numbers in Play
The numbers used in Cricket are: 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and the bullseye.
No other numbers on the board score or count toward closing in standard Cricket.
Closing Out a Number
To close a number, a player must accumulate 3 marks on it. A mark is: - A single hit = 1 mark - A double hit = 2 marks - A triple hit = 3 marks (closes in one dart)
Once a player has 3 marks on a number, it is "open" for that player — additional hits score points. The number is fully "closed" (dead) when both players have 3 marks on it. Once closed, neither player scores on it.
Scoring
Once a player has closed a number, every additional dart landing there scores points at face value: - Closed 20: Single = 20 pts, Double = 40 pts, Triple = 60 pts. - Bull: Outer bull (25) = 25 pts, Inner bull = 50 pts.
A player scores on a number only while their opponent has not yet closed it. Once the opponent closes it, no further points are scored.
Winning
The first player to: 1. Close all seven numbers (20 through 15 and bull), AND 2. Have a score equal to or greater than the opponent's score,
wins the game.
If you close all numbers but have fewer points than your opponent, you must continue scoring until you either tie or surpass the opponent's score, or until the opponent closes out their remaining numbers.
Strategy
Cricket strategy divides into two schools: closing first (prioritize getting 3 marks on numbers to control them before your opponent) and scoring first (focus on the highest open numbers to build a lead that forces the opponent to catch up).
Elite play combines both: close the 20 quickly (or score heavily on it early), then pivot to closing the remaining numbers while maintaining a point lead.
Standard Cricket vs. Cutthroat Cricket
Standard Cricket (described above): Points scored on open numbers go to the scoring player.
Cutthroat Cricket: Points scored on open numbers go to the opponent instead. The goal flips: you want to have the lowest score when all numbers are closed. Strategically, you want to close numbers quickly to stop taking points, and you attack your opponent's open numbers to burden them with points.
Cutthroat Cricket favors aggressive play and tends to be more chaotic. Standard Cricket rewards positional control.
Around the Board (Around the Clock)
Overview
Around the Board (also called Around the Clock, Around the World) is a darts practice game and a social competitive format. Players must hit every number from 1 to 20 (and optionally the bull) in sequential order. First to complete the sequence wins.
Rules
- Players throw in turn, each throwing three darts.
- You must hit your current target number before advancing to the next.
- Hitting a double counts as two numbers advanced (e.g., hitting double 7 when targeting 7 means you advance to 9). Hitting a triple advances three numbers.
- The first player to hit 20 (and the bull, if included) wins.
Variations
Strict single: Only a single counts. No doubling/tripling ahead. Cutthroat/Reverse: Hitting a double sends your opponent back two numbers. Around and Back: Complete 1 to 20 and then return from 20 to 1.
Practice Applications
Around the Board is an excellent practice routine. Tracking completion time (total darts thrown to complete the circuit) is a reliable skill metric. Strong players complete the circuit in 20–30 darts; beginners may use 60 or more.
Darts Etiquette
- Do not stand at the oche while your opponent is throwing. Step back and give them space and vision.
- Retrieve darts only when your opponent has finished their turn.
- Announce scores clearly. In competitive play, a scorer (marker) handles this; in casual play, players take turns marking.
- No coaching during play in competitive formats.
- Respect the oche. Stepping over the line, even accidentally, voids that dart's score under strict rules.
The Observatory Almanac — rules compiled from World Darts Federation (WDF) and British Darts Organisation (BDO) standards, with reference to Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) formats.