Mount the dart board on a wall with the centre of the double bull 5 feet 8 inches from the floor. Place the oche or toeline 7 feet 91/4 inches from the board. (Remember to take into account the dart board width when measuring the line—a bristle dart board has a width of approximately 11/2 inches) There are a few rules that are common to all games unless otherwise stated. To decide who shoots first, both players shoot for the bullseye with the closest to the bull shooting first and alternating thereafter. A turn consists of three darts and the players must shoot from behind the toeline or oche. The point of the dart must be touching the board to count. Darts that miss the board or bounce to the floor do not score and cannot be rethrown. However, a player may pick up and play a dropped dart. There are many different house rules that are not official but are often played.There are many different house rules that are not official but are often played.
The 301, 501
The most popular dart variation is the x01 game with 301 and 501 being the favorite single’s game and teams often play from 701 or even 1001. The game object is to count down from the starting number to exactly zero. In all x01 games the player must finish the game with a double. If the three darts total score exceeds the remaining score the player has busted and the score returns to what is was at the beginning of the turn. Some people play that in order to start scoring one must first hit a double, in fact it is customary to play 301 this way (note: a double bull counts as 50 and can be used to finish a game or start a game). Many tournaments including many pro tournaments play 501 straight in and double out. John Lowe shot the only televised perfect 9 dart game. He started with 180 on his first turn followed by a second 180 on his second turn. With 141 left he shot a triple 17 followed by a triple 18 and finished with a double 18.
Cricket
Cricket uses the numbers 15-20 and the bull. The object is for a player to hit each number and the bullseye three times. Doubles count as two hits and triples as three. The first player to hit a number three times owns that number and it is said to be opened. Further hits on the opened number score that number of points until his opponent also hits that number three times, then that number is removed from play. Once a player has opened or closed all the required numbers and bull and has equal or more points than his opponent that player win
Many players add doubles and triples to the mix and are score them as a separate category as above. This variation can be played either as easy or hard rules. In easy rules any double or triple counts. In hard rules only the triples and doubles on the numbers from 15-20 count. In both variations a double bull can be used as a double. One other category that is sometimes added is a miss category. If none of a player’s three darts count, place a mark beside the miss category. Once one player has three misses subsequent misses score for the opponent until the opponent also has three misses. For example, if player one already has 3 misses and misses again you count the score of the missed darts and give that score to the other player. Once both players have 3 misses the category is removed from play.
Rotation
Often the first game people learn is Round the Clock. Players alternate turns and must hit each number starting at the number 1 and finishing at the number 20. For instance, player one starts and the first dart hits the number 1. On the second dart the player aims for the number 2 but misses. On the third dart the player aims for and hits the number 2 so when this player starts their next turn the player will be aiming for the number 3. The first player to get to 20 wins
There are many variations to rotation. A popular one is if all three darts score the shooter continues to shoot. Another variation is that doubles and triples skip you two and three numbers respectively. For example a player is shooting for 14 and hits double 14, the player now shoots for 16 bypassing the 15 because of the double. One version we often play after getting to 20 in order to win the game the player must finish with either a bullseye or a double 20.
Baseball
Baseball uses the numbers 1-9. Players alternate shots starting at the number 1 moving up to the number 9. For example, in the fifth inning the players would shoot at the number 5 and score a run for each hit on the number. The player with the most “runs” at the end of the game is the winner. A perfect game would be 81 runs (9 in each inning). A tied game after 9 innings goes into extra innings starting with the number 10.
Golf
Golf uses the numbers 1-18. Players alternate turns starting at the number 1 ascending to number 18. A triple on the number you are aiming for is considered a hole in one. A double is a birdie, 2. The area between the bullseye ring and the triple wire on the number you are aiming for is considered a par three. The area between the triple ring and the double ring on the number aimed for is a bogey 4. A complete miss of the number is a double bogey 5. All players play the 18 holes and the lowest score wins. Each player has up to three shots at each hole but only the last dart thrown counts. For example if on the players first dart it scores between the triple ring and double ring on the selected hole the player has the option of taking the 4 and not shooting the last two darts or shooting again hoping to improve on the 4. Since only the last dart shot counts the risk is that the player may end up with a complete miss and pick up a 5.
ASSASSIN
A game for 2-10 players. To begin each player throws one dart with their opposite throwing hand (right handed players throw with their left hand and left handed players throw with their right). The number or bull each player hits is their number (each player must have a different number—if a player hits a number that is already taken the player shoots again until the player gets a number that has not been taken) Each player shoots for their own number to begin with. Once a player or players have hit their number 5 times the player or players become an ASSASSIN (doubles and triples count). Once a player or players become an ASSASSIN they can then shoot for the other players numbers taking away one hit each time they hit an opponents number. Once all a player’s hits are gone that player is eliminated from the game. This continues until there is only one player left. An important note: if for example player 1 is an ASSASSIN and another ASSASSIN hits player 1’s number, player 1 must get his number back up to 5 hits before player 1 regains his ASSASSIN rank.
