How to Play Dart Game for Beginners? 7 Dart Games Explained Step by Step

What You Need Before Your First Dart Game

Every dart game starts with the same setup. You need a properly mounted board and a clear space to throw. Here is the spec:

• Board height: The center bullseye must be 1.73 meters (5 feet 8 inches) above the floor.

• Throwing distance: The oche (throwing line) must be 2.37 meters (7 feet 9.25 inches) from the face of the board.

• Darts: Three per player. Most boards come with a starter set. They will be basic and that is fine.

• Scorekeeping: A chalkboard, notepad, or a scoring app like Dartsva.

If you are setting up for the first time, read our beginner's guide to darts setup for detailed instructions on board mounting, lighting, and finding the correct throwing distance without a tape measure.

The 3 Universal Rules of Every Dart Game

Every dart game you will ever play follows these three rules. Learn them once and you can play any game:

1. Three darts per turn. You throw three darts, one at a time. After your third dart, you add up your score and the turn passes to the next player.

2. Score is based on where the tip lands. The tip of the dart must be embedded in the board to count. A dart that bounces off, misses the board, or sticks into another dart (called a robin hood) scores zero.

3. Players alternate turns. In two-player games, you and your opponent take turns. In games with three or more players, the order goes around in a circle. Each player gets their full three darts before the next player starts.

The board has twenty numbered segments. The wide area of each segment scores the face value (single). The thin outer ring scores double. The thin inner ring scores triple. The outer bullseye scores 25, and the inner bullseye scores 50. Those rules are the same no matter which game you play.

Which Dart Game Should You Play? Use the Picker

Not sure which game to start with? Answer two questions below and get a personalized recommendation. Or scroll past it and read through all seven games in detail.

Game 1: 501 — The Professional Standard

501 is the game you see on TV. Every Professional Darts Corporation tournament, every world championship, every Premier League night uses 501. Both players start with 501 points. You subtract your score after each turn. The first person to reach exactly zero wins. It sounds simple, and the core rules are.

501 Rules for Beginners

Starting score: 501 points. Write it down at the top of your scoreboard.

Scoring: Throw three darts per turn. Add up the total and subtract it from your remaining score. If you hit 60 in a turn, you now have 441 left.

Double out: To win, your final dart must land in the double ring (or bullseye, which counts as double 25). If you have 40 remaining, you need double 20. If you have 32, you need double 16.

Bust: If you score more points than you have remaining, you bust. Your turn ends and your score resets to what it was before the turn. For example, if you have 32 remaining and hit 33, you stay at 32.

The maximum score in a single turn is 180 (three triple 20s). The fastest possible finish is nine darts (two 180s and a 141 checkout). For a beginner, finishing a leg of 501 in 30-40 darts is a perfectly good start. If double out feels too difficult, play straight out instead — any dart that reaches zero wins, even a single. Many beginners use this variant before moving to double out.

Game 2: 301 — The Short Format

301 is identical to 501 in every way except the starting score. You start at 301 instead of 501. The double out rule still applies. The bust rule still applies. The only difference is that games are shorter.

301 was the original O1 game in English pubs before 501 became the standard. It is still popular for quick warm-ups, practice sessions, and casual play. A game of 301 between two beginners typically takes 5-10 minutes. A game of 501 can take 15-20 minutes. If you are short on time, 301 is the better choice.

For beginners, 301 has a nice side effect: it teaches checkout math faster because you reach the double-out range sooner. You will practice your finishing more often in a 301 game than in 501. Try both and see which you prefer.

Game 3: Around the World (Around the Clock)

Around the World (sometimes called Around the Clock) is the simplest dart game. It is the best game for complete beginners because it removes scoring math entirely. The goal: hit every number from 1 to 20 in order.

Around the World Rules

Objective: Hit the numbers 1 through 20 in ascending order. Then hit the bullseye to win.

How it works: Start at number 1. You must hit it with any of your three darts. Any part of the 1 segment counts — single, double, or triple. Once you hit 1, you move to 2. Then 3. All the way to 20 and bullseye.

Multiple players: Players take turns. The first to reach bullseye wins. If multiple players are on the same number, everyone throws at that number on their turn.

Around the World is the ideal starting point because it forces you to aim at every part of the board. Most beginners only throw at the high-scoring segments (20, 19). Around the World reveals which numbers are your blind spots. If you cannot hit 14 or 7, you will know exactly what to practice. Read more about why Around the Clock beats aimless throwing.

Game 4: Cricket — The Strategic Pub Game

Cricket is the most popular dart game in American bars and the second most popular worldwide after 501. It is more strategic than the O1 games because you decide what to aim at every turn.

Cricket Rules for Beginners

Board used: Only numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye. Everything else is ignored.

Closing numbers: Each number must be hit three times to close it. A single counts as one mark, a double as two, and a triple as three. Once you have three marks on a number, it is closed for you.

Scoring: After you close a number, any additional hits on that number score points. If you have closed 20 and your opponent has not, every 20 you hit scores points for you. If both players have closed 20, no one scores on it anymore.

Winning: The game ends when one player has closed all numbers (15-20 and bullseye) and has equal or more points than their opponent. If you close everything but are behind on points, you must keep scoring until you catch up.

Cricket rewards decision-making as much as accuracy. Do you close 20 first because it is the highest value? Or do you go after 17 because your opponent is weak there? Try both strategies and see what works.

Game 5: Shanghai — The Accuracy Challenge

Shanghai has two meanings in darts. The first is a specific finish: hitting a single, double, and triple of the same number in one turn. The second is a game built around that concept.

Shanghai Game Rules

Setup: Players take turns throwing at numbers 1 through 20 in order. Each player gets three darts per number.

Scoring: For each number, you score the total of your three darts. Hitting a single, double, and triple of that number scores a "Shanghai" and wins the game immediately.

Winning: The player with the highest total score after all 20 numbers wins. Unless someone hits a Shanghai, in which case they win instantly.

Shanghai trains accuracy on every segment of the board. It also creates exciting moments — if you are behind on the last few numbers, you can still win with a Shanghai. For a deeper look, read our guide to what is a Shanghai in darts.

Game 6: Killer — The Best Party Game

Killer is the best dart game for groups of 4 or more. It adds a social element: players target each other rather than just the board. It is chaotic, fun, and perfect for a party setting.

Killer Rules

Setup: Each player throws one dart at the board with their non-dominant hand to randomly assign their number. The segment their dart lands in is their number for the game.

Lives: Each player starts with a set number of lives (3-5 is standard). Write every player's name and lives on the scoreboard.

Gameplay: On your turn, you throw at other players' numbers. Hitting a player's number removes one of their lives. Doubles remove two lives. Triples remove three. You can also choose to hit your own number to regain a life (some house rules allow this, some do not).

Winning: The last player with at least one life remaining wins. Once you lose all your lives, you are out. The game continues until one player remains.

Killer is more about consistency than big scores. If you can reliably hit single 20s, you can eliminate opponents. The pressure of being targeted also makes it great practice for match play — your hands will shake, and you still have to throw.

Game 7: Hare and Hounds — The Easiest Game for Kids

Hare and Hounds (sometimes called Bunnies) is the simplest dart game you can play. It is designed for two players where one is a beginner and the other has some experience — or for introducing children to the sport.

Hare and Hounds Rules

The hare: One player (the hare) throws at numbers 1 through 20 in order. Any part of the segment counts. The hare keeps throwing until they miss a number, at which point their turn ends.

The hound: The other player (the hound) must then try to match or beat the hare's progress. The hound starts from 1 and throws until they miss or surpass the hare.

Winning: If the hound matches or beats the hare, they become the hare and the roles swap. If the hound falls short, the hare stays hare and goes again from where they left off. The game continues until someone reaches 20 and bullseye.

This game removes the frustration of needing to hit doubles or calculate scores. It is pure throwing. Kids and total beginners can play alongside experienced players and have fun because the challenge is personal — you only need to beat your own best.

Dart Game Selection Guide: Which Game Fits Your Situation?

Not sure which to pick? Here is a quick reference by situation.

Common Beginner Mistakes in Any Dart Game

The game you choose matters less than how you play it. Here are the mistakes beginners make regardless of the game:

• Gripping too hard. Tight grip makes the dart wobble. Hold it like a pen, not a hammer.

• Moving your body during the throw. Feet planted, head still. Only your arm moves.

• Skipping the follow-through. Keep your hand moving toward the target after release. Point at where you aimed.

• Playing only one game. Every game trains different skills. Alternating between 501, Around the World, and Cricket will make you a more complete player.

• Not tracking your progress. Without data, you cannot tell if you are improving. Use Dartsva to record your games and see trends in your scoring, doubles, and match wins.

How to Practice Your Dart Game

The best way to get better at any dart game is to play it regularly. But structured practice accelerates improvement. Here is a simple routine:

Warm-up (5 minutes): Throw 15-20 darts at the bullseye. Do not keep score. Focus on feeling your stance, grip, and release.

Game practice (15 minutes): Play three legs of 501, one game of Cricket, or run through Around the World twice. Rotate games so you train different skills.

Doubles practice (10 minutes): Pick a double (start with 16 and 20) and throw until you hit it three times with your three darts. Move to the next double after each hit.

For a full structured plan, try the 30 to 40 average training plan or take the Gauntlet assessment to get a personalized drill regimen based on your current skill level.

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