Darts is a game that’s super easy to start and the hardest to master. While most beginners consider it a game of just throwing the darts, it’s much more than that. So, no matter whether you are a player who casually wants to play the game or you want to explore the professional side, knowing the ins and outs of darts is super important.
That’s why we bring you the ultimate how to play darts for beginners guide, where we will talk about everything from the rules to popular game formats and some secrets to beat your opponents easily.
Learn How to Play Darts: Basic Rules
If you are just starting, learning how to play darts is much easier than it actually appears to be. There is no rocket science. The rules are simple, and you need some basic equipment to start the game.
Players and Turns
When you play darts, you typically need one more player. It’s played by two people. However, several darts formats are also played in teams. Players take turns throwing three darts every turn, popular as a visit. After all three darts have been thrown, the turn passes to a new opponent. But remember, if the darts fall out or bounce off the board, they do not count.
The Dartboard Explained
If you look at a conventional dartboard, you will find 20 properly numbered sections from 1 to 20. Here’s what the sections offer:
- A single scoring region with a big inner part.
- A double ring, the thin outer ring. Here, you get twice the score once you hit it.
- A triple ring, that thin middle ring. This triples the score.
- The bullseye is located in the center of the board and has two parts: the outer bull, which offers 25 points, and the inner bull, which offers 50 points.
Scoring Basics
What you score in darts is all about where you land the dart on the board. If you hit a single 20, you get 20 points. If you hit the treble, you get 60 points. On the other hand, if you hit the double, you will get 40 points for sure. At the end of each turn, the scores for all three darts are tallied together to calculate the total score.
Board Height and Distance
To follow the official darts rules:
- The bullseye must be 1.73 meters from the floor.
- The throwing line must be 2.37 meters from the face of the board.
- You must toss from behind the oche, with at least one foot on the ground.
Winning the Game
In most dart games, the main goal is to cut off the starting score down to exactly zero. The specific rules differ depending on the game type. So, if you comprehend the board layout, scoring zones, and throwing distance, you get a solid understanding of darts.
How to Play Darts Around the World (Around the Board)
If you are a complete newbie in the darts space, just play Around the World or the Around the Board darts game. That’s a popular version that helps you learn how to play darts. This one is the best for beginners. With these, you won’t have to juggle with the complex scoring. You need to just focus on accuracy and consistency, and need a pinch of board awareness. This will make darts a part of your daily routine.
Objective of the Game
The objective of the Around the World version is simple. Just hit the numbers on the dartboard in numerical order. The numbers start from 1 and go up to 20. In some variations, you need to finish on the bullseye. However, if you are playing the standard version, it ends once you hit 20. This version actually allows you to get a deep learning about the game, understand how darts work.
Players and Turns
Around the World follows standard darts rules when it comes to turns and throwing order. Here are some of the standard rules:
- Two or more players can play the game.
- Every player gets the chance to throw three darts per turn.
- You must throw from behind the oche, according to the official darts regulations distance.
- Turns alternate until one player finishes the sequence.
How Does Scoring Work?
Unlike other formats, darts rules scoring in Around the World is based on progress rather than points.
- Players begin by aiming for number one.
- A single hit on the right number will be enough to progress.
- Once a number is reached, you proceed to the following number.
- The remaining darts from the turn can be utilized to attempt the next target.
- Missed darts do not make progress.
Why is Around the World used worldwide?
This game is popular because of the following reasons:
- It gives you the basic understanding of how to play darts for beginners.
- It levels up your aim across the board.
- It cuts off pressure from mental arithmetic.
- It promotes muscle memory and throwing discipline.
How to Play Darts 501?
When it comes to the most popular dart games, 501 darts tops the list. It is the standard that’s followed in the professional darts competitions, leagues, and pubs, and more. This is a format that most players mean when they ask how to play darts professionally. While this version appears to be normal and easy at the surface level, believe us, it’s not. 501 darts involve tons of strategies, scoring discipline, and finishing abilities.
Objective of the 501 Game
The goal of how to play darts 501 is to get your starting score of 501 points down to zero before your opponent. It’s that simple. Each dart you toss cuts off your remaining total. The primary rule of the game is to end on a double. However, you can’t reach zero with just a single or triple.
Players and Turns
Here are the standard rules that 501 majorly follows:
- The 501 darts is played by two players or even two teams.
- Every player gets three darts to throw per turn.
- Players get turns until one wraps up the game.
- One rule is simple: you must throw from behind the oche, playing as per the official darts rules distance.
How Does Scoring Work?
The scoring template of 501 is not any different from the classic darts rules. Here is how it works:
- A single section defines the face value of the game.
- A double ring is equal to double the number.
- Triple ring equals triple the number.
- Outer bull equals 25 points.
- Bullseye equals 50 points.
After every turn, the total score from the three darts gets subtracted from your remaining score. Sounds confusing? Let’s take an example to understand this:
Suppose the starting score is around 501. You just scored a 60 (treble 20), 60 (treble 20), and 20 (single 20).
This sums up to 140. So, your new score will be 361.
How to Play Darts 301?
Mastered the fundamentals of darts? Now you can progress to learning how to play darts 301. Well, if we have to introduce this version, it’s just a fast and more compact variation of the 501 darts. That’s why it’s popular when it comes to casual gaming sessions, practice sessions, and quick matches. Overall, the 301 darts is faster, which is why it allows beginners and intermediate players to get a grip on their finishing abilities and precision.
The goal of darts 301 is simple. Just get your initial score of 301 points down to zero before your opponent. Every dart thrown, like in other conventional darts games, reduces your overall score based on where it falls on the dartboard.
301 Darts Gameplay
Darts 301 comes with the same structure as most of the Darts versions. You just need a friend or a single opponent to start playing 301 darts. However, teams can also participate in this game. Each player takes turns throwing three darts every visit. To play this game, you need to follow the latest darts standards, standing behind the oche and throwing from a distance of 2.37 meters from the board. Darts that fall out or bounce off do not count toward the score, and that’s a pretty simple rule.
The exact rules to play 301 darts are straightforward. Just get a legal double to move your score to zero, and you win the game. However, if your score falls below zero or exceeds one, the turn is termed a bust. In this situation, all points earned during that round are cancelled, and your score is reset to what it was at the start.
Other Variations of Darts
Once you know how to play darts, it’s time to explore different versions of the game, such as the 301 or 501, which can sometimes get boring. That’s why there are so many popular options or variations of the game played in pubs, leagues, and home setups. Two of the most popular ones are the cricket darts and the killer darts. Want to know more about these two? Here are the details:
Cricket Darts
Cricket darts is a version that needs tactical play, accuracy, and decisions.
making. It’s a famous version of darts popular in North America and other regions. In this version, you don’t have to cut off the total score. Your goal is to close specific numbers on the dartboard.
Typically, the numbers that are used in cricket darts are 15 to 20, and the bullseye. To close a number, a player must hit it three times. A single counts as one hit, a double as two, and a triple as three. Once a number is closed, you may get points on it as long as your opponent has not already closed it. The game concludes when one player has completed all required numbers and has the same or more points than their opponent.
Killer Darts
Killer darts is a social and competitive darts version where three or more people can dip their hands. At the start, every player gets a number on the board by hitting a part during the warm-up round. Each one starts with a predetermined number of lives; typically, this is three.
The aim of this game is simple. Just preserve your own number while hitting the opponents’ numbers to take their life. Sounds like super fun, right? When a player loses all of their life, they are eliminated. It’s like a classic shooter game.
Darts Tips for Beginners
If you are a beginner still learning how to play darts, here are some tips and tricks that will allow you to play like a pro with good practice:
- Rule number 1 is to grip the darts lightly. You can use your two or three fingers. Don’t try to hold it tight or squeeze the darts.
- Next, you need to find a comfortable stance. Stand side-on to the board with your throwing shoulder facing forward.
- While throwing, you need to keep your elbow steady. Most of the motion comes from the forearm. So, use it properly.
- Go with the flow and throw the dart smoothly, and not with full power. It’s all about accuracy over speed.
- The best trick is to practice a little daily.
Darts Equipment for Beginners
When you are starting, don’t go for an expensive darts setup. You must pick beginner-friendly equipment, which makes learning much easier. Approximately, you will need £60 to £90 to get a basic darts setup. Here is a detailed breakdown:
Dartboard
A bristle or sisal dartboard will cost you around £30 to £60. However, a cabinet set with a board, surround, and scoreboard will cost you around £60 to £120.
Darts
As a beginner, you must go with basic steel-tip darts, which will cost you around £15 to £40.
Oche/Throw Line Marker
You can get an oche mat for £10 to £25 and a tape marker for £3 to £8.
Scoreboard / Chalk
To track games, you can get a chalkboard for £10 to £20. You can also use a whiteboard and markers that will cost you anything between £5 and £15.
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