Basically, dart games are played between two players or two teams. The teams can be made up of two or more people each. Variations that allow for more than two sides have been devised, but these have not achieved any popularity.
Nine throws are generally allowed for each person as a warm-up before a game begins. Then, to determine which team or person is to take his turn first one dart is thrown by a person from each team. The team with the dart closest to the bull's eye takes the first turn.
Each player throws three darts in his turn. Then the darts are retrieved. If a foot crosses over the line or a person happens to trip over the oche and releases his dart, the throw counts for no points and may not be re-thrown.
Darts must stay on the board for at least five seconds after a player's final throw to count. A throw does not score if it sticks into another dart or if it falls off the board.
Darts making it on the board score in the
following manner:
In the wedge: the amount posted on the outer ring. The double ring (the outer,
narrow ring): twice the number hit. The triple ring (the inner, narrow ring):
three times the number hit. Bulls eye (outer bull): twenty-five points. Double
bulls eye (inner bull): fifty points.
This is the basic method for play and scoring. A wide variety of games and variations are based upon it and will be discussed in the next section.
The two most popular games played by dart players around the world are "301" and "Cricket". "301" is the most obvious. Each side begins with 301 points and throws their darts in an effort to reduce their score to zero.
Before points may count a player must first hit a double. The score is then quickly reduced toward zero. The real skill comes in at the end of the game when a player must throw a double or bull's eye that reduces the final score exactly to zero. Any series of three throws (one turn) that would reduce the score beyond zero do not count.
Each game is considered one leg. The match is won when two out of three games are won.
Cricket is a more intricate game requiring more throwing skill and strategy. It is played using primarily the numbers 15 through 20 and the bull's eyes.
At the beginning 15 through 20 and the bull's eye are eligible to be opened. To open a number, a player or team must score three of that number (any combination of singles doubles and triples). Once a team opens a number every subsequent score on that number increases the score for the team. The opposing team may not score on that number. But may attempt to close it by getting three scores on that number.
For example side A scores once on 17. He gets no points but his score accumulates. Side B scores four times on 17 (a double and two singles). The first three scores open the number for B. The fourth score gives B 17 points. Now A strikes 17 three times. The number is now closed for everyone. A gets no points, but does have the satisfaction of not allowing B to get any more points on 17.
In attempting to open and close the bull's eye, the inner is counted as a double and the outer is counted as a single bull.
The game ends when all of the numbers are closed off. However, it may be declared over sooner if the player in the lead closes all possibility of the other side scoring.
If you are not familiar with darts or electronic darts, you must learn the layout of the dartboard and the basic games. Knowing the values of the various parts of the target is mandatory as well as knowing the basics of the '01 games and the basic game of Cricket. There are several variations of these games, so just learn the basic ones to start.
Along with reading the rules and understanding how the game is to be played, play the game yourself - just to get a feel for it.
The Parts of the Soft-Tip Dart
It is important to know that … in an electronic dart machine, the "machine is always right relative to the score". The only exception to this rule is on a "winning dart".
Example: A player needs 39 to go out. They shoot and the dart sticks in the triple 13, but the machine was displaying the "Throw Dart" message, and all other rules were followed, the player shall be credited with a win in that game. This rule will apply only for a single dart, not for a combination of darts.
'01 games (e.g. 301, 501, 701, 901 & 1001) are the classic English pub games. At the start of the game, points are given to each player, depending upon the game selected. Play begins when the first dart hits any segment. All subsequent scores are subtracted until you get to "exactly zero". A player "busts" and losses a turn, if their score passes "0".
Example of Doubling-in and Doubling-out: A player starts his score by hitting any double on the board. Darts thrown before the double is hit do not score; all darts thrown after the double is hit do score. When a double is hit, the score amount is subtracted from 301. If a player hits a double 8, he subtracts 16 from 301 and is left with 285. The player continues to throw in turn, subtracting the total score of his three darts from the score at the end of his last turn. He can win the game only by getting a double that gives him a total score equaling the total amount left. With 32 points to go, a double 16 will end the game. A single 16 will still leave 16 to go, which can be gotten by throwing a double 8, and so on down the line. If an odd number is thrown, another odd number is needed to get back to a double possibility. If one less or one more than the exact score is hit, the player must assume the same score he had at the end of his last turn. (This is called busting.) The rest of the rules hold.
Each number wedge segment to be used is called an inning. The object of Cricket is to close all of the game's innings before an opponent does. To close an inning, or number, three of the particular number must be scored. This can be done with one dart in the triple, three singles, or a double and a single of the number. Merely closing, however, does not win the game if the opponent is ahead on points. The point deficit, if there is any, must be made up by scoring in live (not-yet-closed) innings. Important: Points are not necessary to win; the object is to close the numbers before your opponent does. The player who closes first, even if he has zero points, is the winner as long as his opponent also has zero points. Should the opponent have points, the closed out player must score an equal amount or more points than his opponent before the opponent can close out his numbers. Games cannot end in a tie. If the players' scores are equal, the first player to close out all of his numbers wins.
Example: To close a number, three hits must be scored in that particular number. If one player closes a number before the other player does, every subsequent dart in that number counts for points until the opponent can close the number (e.g. the first player throws his three darts at 20 but only scores two singles with the third dart landing on a non-scoring number. The number is not closed. The second player throws his darts; all three hit the 20 wedge, a triple and two singles. Thus, the second player has closed 20 and has also scored 40 points for the two extra 20's from his total of five hits for his turn. This player will continue to receive 20 points for every 20 he subsequently throws until his opponent throws the single 20 he needs to close the 20 segment.
To win a game of Cricket you must close all the numbers by getting a score of three hits in each number, including the bull's-eye. Plus, you cannot be behind in points.