Rules

The game starts with a score of 301, 401,501, 601 or 1001. The object is to get to exactly zero by throwing rounds of three darts and subtracting the sum of those darts from your current score.

Games may be played as  (A) "double-start" or "double-in"   (B) "straight start" or "straight-in"

Other options are"double out" ("double finish")  "straight out" ("straight finish") -is rare

Games of 301 and 601 are typically played as double in/double out. While games of 401, 501 and 1001 are typically played as straight in/double out.

Scoring

Note that some areas multiply your score. First, determine the agreed score for the game at the top center of the score board (example: 501) with a vertical line drawn down the center of score board. "DD" or "SD" are written above or below the starting score to indicate the agreed upon game (double-in/double-out or straight-in double-out). After each round, the total points thrown is written on the board along with the remaining score on that player/team's side of the board. A score of 100 is called a "ton" and is written on the board as a "T". Scores over 95 are called "Baby Ton" plus the rest that was thrown. For example a score of 120 would be called "a ton twenty" and would be written on the board "2T0".

The Play: One player from each team throws one dart. The closest to the bulls-eye gets to go first and names the game. Winner gets the left column of the scoreboard.

In a straight-in game, the first player begins by throwing three darts trying to get the highest score possible. The number where the dart lands will be the score, the thin inner ring being worth 3 times the number indicated. Thin outer ring is worth 2 times the number indicated. Two large sections score exactly the number indicated. The highest attainable score with three darts is 180 That is by hitting three triple 20's.

In a double-in game, the first player must hit any double on the board before any score is counted. For example if the player threw a single 20, a double 20 and a single 20 the score would be 60 points. The first dart did not count because the player had not yet hit a double so only the second and third darts did count. Once a player has "gotten in" subsequent rounds do not require a double be thrown again.

Play continues alternating the players on each side of the board. When the scores get low the player starts to need to think about how they are going to get "out". The exact number a player should start to think about this varies with ability. A beginner should try to get to 40 or 32 (see the STRATEGY section) while an expert will start looking at 160!

A "double out" game means that you must hit a double that makes your score exactly zero to win the game. For example, if you have 32 points left, you must hit a double sixteen with your first scoring dart to win. If you miss the double sixteen and hit a single eight, you now have 24 points left and now have a score of 24. Lets say that now you score 23 points with your remaining two darts. You have "busted" because you only have 1 point and there is no way to throw half of 1. When you bust, all darts you threw in that round do not count and your turn is over. You also bust if you end up with less than zero or if you hit exactly zero but your last dart was not a double.

A "straight out" game means that no double is needed to win, you must simply arrive at zero points. Therefore, if you had a score of 32, simply hitting two single 16's will win the game. The only way to "bust" in a straight out game is to end up with less than zero as your total score.

Strategy: For beginner to intermediate players there are two simple strategies to follow. As players become more skillful they will be able to hit anywhere they aim for and will simply shoot for the most points and the quickest available "out".

There are many variations of "out-charts" available for various levels of players. An out-chart tells you the proper way to end a double-out game in two or three darts from almost every score of 160 or less. Beginners often try to hard to hit these difficult outs and worsen their position in the game.