What Is a Shanghai in Darts? Meaning, Finish, and Game Rules Explained

The Definition: What Exactly Is a Shanghai?

A Shanghai is hitting the single, double, and triple segments of the same number with three darts in one visit to the oche. The order does not matter. You could throw treble 20 first, then single 20, then double 20. Or double 20, treble 20, single 20. As long as you hit all three scoring rings of the same number, you have thrown a Shanghai.

It is possible on any number from 1 through 20. A Shanghai on 20 scores 120 (60 + 20 + 40). A Shanghai on 18 scores 108 (54 + 18 + 36). A Shanghai on 1 scores just 6 (3 + 1 + 2). The number you choose depends on context — in a 501 match you target what leaves a finishable checkout; in the Shanghai game you target whatever round you are on.

A Shanghai cannot be thrown on the bullseye. The bull has only two segments (outer bull at 25, inner bull / double bull at 50), not three. You need a single, double, and triple zone to qualify. The bull has no triple ring, so a Shanghai on bull does not exist.

The Shanghai Finish: Checking Out 120

In professional 501 darts, "Shanghai finish" almost always refers to a checkout of exactly 120 points. The standard combination is:

• Dart 1: Treble 20 (60 points)
• Dart 2: Single 20 (20 points)
• Dart 3: Double 20 (40 points)

60 + 20 + 40 = 120. This is a Shanghai because it uses single, double, and treble of 20 — the most common segment for scoring and finishing. Commentators will call it a Shanghai finish whenever a player checks out 120 this way.

You can also finish 120 using other combinations. Treble 20, treble 20, double 20 (60 + 60 = 120, requiring double 20 on the third dart) is another route, but it is not a Shanghai because it uses two trebles and a double — missing the single. The classic Shanghai combination remains the most recognisable because it requires three different scoring rings on the same number.

The 120 Shanghai finish is popular in practice games like Shanghai 120 or "Shanghai" where players take turns trying to hit the combination. It rewards both scoring precision (hitting the treble) and finishing accuracy (hitting the double), with a single in between that tests your ability to dial up or down your power on command.

At the professional level, 120 is a common three-dart checkout. Players frequently leave 120 after a strong scoring visit. The decision to go the Shanghai route (T20, S20, D20) versus the two-treble route (T20, T20, D20) depends on the match situation. The Shanghai route gives you a single 20 as a safety valve — if you miss the treble, you still have a shot at the double. The two-treble route wins the leg faster but risks leaving a non-finishable score if you miss.

The Game of Shanghai: Rules and How to Play

Shanghai is also a popular multiplayer darts game played in pubs and practice halls worldwide. It is known for its instant-win mechanic that creates dramatic moments. Here are the standard rules:

Rounds and Targets

The game is played in rounds 1 through 7 (or 1 through 20 in longer versions). In each round, all players throw three darts at the designated number for that round. Round 1 targets every segment of the 1 bed. Round 2 targets all segments of the 2 bed. And so on up to the final round. The bullseye is not used as a target in standard Shanghai rules.

Scoring

Points are awarded based on where your darts land on the target number:

• Single bed: 1 point (e.g., hitting single 3 in round 3)
• Double bed: 2 points (e.g., hitting double 3 in round 3)
• Triple bed: 3 points (e.g., hitting triple 3 in round 3)

If you hit triple 5, single 5, and double 5 in round 5, you score 3 + 1 + 2 = 6 points for that round. If you miss the target entirely, you score zero for that dart.

The Instant Win: Shanghai

If a player hits a single, double, and triple of the round's target number in the same turn, they have thrown a Shanghai and win the game immediately — regardless of how many points anyone else has accumulated. This instant-win rule is what makes Shanghai exciting. A player who is behind on points can snatch victory with one perfect turn.

For example, in round 7, if you hit single 7, double 7, and triple 7 with your three darts, you win the match outright. The game stops immediately and everyone else's scores become irrelevant.

Strategy

The strategic tension in Shanghai is simple: do you play for points or do you play for the instant win? Going for the Shanghai is risky because you need to spread your three darts across different parts of the same number. If the first dart lands in the single, you still need the double and triple with two darts remaining. If the second dart misses, you might end up scoring zero for the round. Conservative players focus on hitting triples for maximum points, while aggressive players chase the Shanghai from the first dart.

Why Is It Called a Shanghai?

The origin of the term "Shanghai" in darts is unclear, and multiple theories exist. None are definitively proven, but here are the most popular explanations:

Theory 1: The Sailor Connection

The most widely repeated theory connects the term to the verb "to shanghai" — meaning to drug or trick someone into forced labour on a ship, a practice associated with the port of Shanghai in the 19th century. The idea is that a Shanghai in darts "takes you out" of the game, just as being shanghaied took sailors out of their lives. The instant-win rule in the Shanghai game mirrors this — you are suddenly removed from the competition. It is a plausible linguistic connection, but there is no documented evidence that darts players consciously adopted the term for this reason.

Theory 2: The Card Game Origin

Shanghai is also a rummy-style card game where players aim to collect specific card combinations. The term "Shanghai" in rummy refers to a player going out in a single turn — similar to the instant win in the darts version. Some historians suggest that darts borrowed the term and concept from card games, where "Shanghai" already meant an unexpected, game-ending move. The card game predates widespread use of the term in darts, making this one of the stronger theories.

Theory 3: The Shanghai Skyline

A more colourful theory claims the name comes from the Shanghai skyline, where three distinct tiers of buildings — low single-storey structures, medium double-storey buildings, and tall skyscrapers — mirror the single, double, and triple rings on a dartboard. This is almost certainly folk etymology, but it is a memorable image that helps players remember what a Shanghai is. There is no historical evidence for this theory.

Regardless of which origin story you believe, the term has been part of darts vocabulary for decades. It appears in rulebooks and tournament references from the mid-20th century, and it continues to be one of the most distinctive pieces of darts terminology today.

Famous Shanghai Moments in Darts

While the Shanghai finish is not as rare as a nine-dart finish or a 170 big fish, it appears regularly in professional darts. Here are some notable moments:

Countless 120 Checkouts

Every professional player has thrown a 120 Shanghai checkout at some point in their career. It is a common three-dart finish, especially for players who prefer the treble-20, single-20, double-20 route. Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Luke Humphries have all thrown Shanghai finishes in World Championship matches. The finish itself is not unusual — what makes it notable is when a player chooses the Shanghai route under extreme pressure.

Shanghai on Other Numbers

Peter Wright has thrown Shanghai finishes on 18 (108 checkout) and 19 (114 checkout) when his path to 20 was blocked by his opponent. Simon Whitlock is known for going Shanghai on 19 for a 114 checkout, using segments that most players avoid. These alternative Shanghai finishes show the depth of a player's board knowledge and their willingness to go unusual routes.

Shanghai Game Instant Wins

In pub and league play, the Shanghai game produces constant drama. An underdog who is down by 20 points can suddenly win the match with one perfect round. There are no televised records of Shanghai game wins, but local darts lore is full of stories — a player hitting Shanghai on 7 to snatch victory, or a Shanghai on 20 in the final round for a storybook ending. The instant-win rule ensures that no lead is ever safe.

How to Practise the Shanghai Route

Whether you want to hit more 120 finishes in 501 or dominate the Shanghai game with your friends, dedicated practice makes a difference. Here is how to train the Shanghai combination:

Drill 1: The 120 Shanghai Repetition

Set up 120 on your scoreboard and give yourself 10 rounds of three darts. Each round, attempt the Shanghai route: treble 20, single 20, double 20, in any order. Record how many times you hit all three darts on their targets. Do not worry about the order — just track whether you land single, double, and triple. Over time, aim to increase your success rate. Dartsva's match tracking records every checkout attempt so you can see your 120 conversion rate improve.

Drill 2: Target Switching

A Shanghai requires hitting different parts of the same number. Set up a target number (start with 20, then 18, then 16) and throw three darts at it with this rule: each dart must land on a different scoring ring. If the first dart hits the treble, the second must hit single or double. If the second hits the same ring as the first, the round is over. This drill teaches you to adjust your aim between darts — a skill that translates directly to match play.

Drill 3: Play the Shanghai Game Solo

Play a solo version of the Shanghai game. Go through rounds 1 to 7 (or 1 to 20) and score yourself normally. But give yourself bonus points for hitting a Shanghai in any round. After 10 rounds, calculate your average. This combines scoring practice with the mental challenge of deciding when to go for the Shanghai versus playing safe for points. Dartsva's structured training plans include similar multi-round drills that adapt to your current skill level.

Other Named Three-Dart Checkouts

The Shanghai is one of several named three-dart combinations in darts. Here are others worth knowing:

• 170 (Big Fish): Treble 20, treble 20, bullseye. The maximum possible three-dart checkout, rarer than a nine-darter.
• 167: Treble 20, treble 19, bullseye. The "crown jewel" — a switch-finish for when 20s are blocked.
• 164: Treble 20, treble 18, bullseye. Another switch-finish alternative.
• 132 (Champagne Shot): Bullseye, bullseye, double 16. Named for its celebratory feel.
• 120 (Shanghai): Treble 20, single 20, double 20. The classic Shanghai finish on the most popular segment.
• 108 (Shanghai 18): Treble 18, single 18, double 18. An alternative Shanghai on the 18 bed.
• 114 (Shanghai 19): Treble 19, single 19, double 19. Simon Whitlock's favourite alternative checkout.

Any Shanghai combination — single, double, triple of the same number — is a valid named finish. On the professional circuit, the 20-bed Shanghai is by far the most common, but players with strong board knowledge will use Shanghai routes on 18 or 19 when the situation demands it.

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