One of the most popular darts games is 501. There are many variations; 301, 601 etc. But 501 is the game most commonly played in competitions at all levels; from pub darts to professional.
The rules are fairly straightforward but, as with all darts games it requires a great deal of skill and practice to win.
The Aim of the Game:
After determining which player will throw first (there are many ways of doing this; tossing a coin, 'nearest to the bull' etc.), each player starts with a score of 501 and players take turns to throw 3 darts at the dart board. Each dart is scored by the number in which it lands on the dart board. The first player to reach a score of exactly zero by subtracting the sum of three darts from their current score wins.
After determining which player will throw first (there are many ways of doing this; tossing a coin, 'nearest to the bull' etc.), each player starts with a score of 501 and players take turns to throw 3 darts at the dart board. Each dart is scored by the number in which it lands on the dart board. The first player to reach a score of exactly zero by subtracting the sum of three darts from their current score wins.Starting the Game:
There are two ways of starting a game; the most common is straight-in - in this case the combined score of the first 3 darts is subtracted from 501. The other method is double-in; in this case none of the scores count until the player has hit a double (the outer ring of the dart board).
Scoring:After each round, the total score obtained with three darts is written on the scoreboard alongside the remaining score once this has been deducted (or if the rules allow the players can use and electronic scoreboard). The largest score possible with a single darts is 60 (treble 20 - the trebles are located on the inner ring on the dart board). The maximum score attainable with 3 darts is 180 (3 x treble 20). The lowest number of darts with which it is possible to finish a game of 501 is 9 (180, 180 and 141 to finish).
After each round, the total score obtained with three darts is written on the scoreboard alongside the remaining score once this has been deducted (or if the rules allow the players can use and electronic scoreboard). The largest score possible with a single darts is 60 (treble 20 - the trebles are located on the inner ring on the dart board). The maximum score attainable with 3 darts is 180 (3 x treble 20). The lowest number of darts with which it is possible to finish a game of 501 is 9 (180, 180 and 141 to finish).
Finishing:
In order to finish the game a player must reach a score of exactly zero and hit a double to do so. This means that once a player gets down to 170 (the maximum finish possible hitting a double with the last dart - 2 x treble 20, 50 or bulls eye) or lower they need to start thinking about how they want to finish. Many players like to try and leave their favourite double.
In order to finish the game a player must reach a score of exactly zero and hit a double to do so. This means that once a player gets down to 170 (the maximum finish possible hitting a double with the last dart - 2 x treble 20, 50 or bulls eye) or lower they need to start thinking about how they want to finish. Many players like to try and leave their favourite double.One added complication is that if the player scores more than they have left or leaves 1 they are said to have busted and their score reverts to whatever it was before they took that throw.
Take a look at my website for details of the top players favourite finishes for some ideas of how to finish.
Other things to consider:
If one or more darts fall out or bounce out of the dart board no score is recorded for those darts. One way of reducing the likelihood of this is to choose your dart flights carefully and perhaps add some dart flight protectors.
Gerald Peters
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