Height and distance

In the standard game, the dartboard is hung so that the bullseye is 5 ft 8 in (or 173 cm) from the floor—eye-level for a six-foot (183 cm) person. The oche —the line behind which the throwing player must stand—is generally 7 ft 9¼ in (or 237 cm) from the face of the dartboard measured horizontally. This is the recognized world standard as set by the World Darts Federation and is used in most areas.In the standard game, the dartboard is hung so that the bullseye is 5 ft 8 in (or 173 cm) from the floor—eye-level for a six-foot (183 cm) person. The oche —the line behind which the throwing player must stand—is generally 7 ft 9¼ in (or 237 cm) from the face of the dartboard measured horizontally. This is the recognized world standard as set by the World Darts Federation and is used in most areas.

The London 5 board or narrow 5′s board set up is slightly different from the standard board. The height is set at 5 feet 6 inches to the centre of the bull and the oche is at 9 feet from the face of the board.The London 5 board or narrow 5′s board set up is slightly different from the standard board. The height is set at 5 feet 6 inches to the centre of the bull and the oche is at 9 feet from the face of the board.

Scoring

The standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, scoring from 1 to 20 points, by wires running from the small central circle to the outer circular wire. Circular wires within the outer wire subdivide each section into single, double and triple areas. The dartboard featured on the “Indoor League” television show of the 1970s did not feature a triple section, and according to host Fred Trueman during the first episode, this is the traditional Yorkshire board.The standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, scoring from 1 to 20 points, by wires running from the small central circle to the outer circular wire. Circular wires within the outer wire subdivide each section into single, double and triple areas. The dartboard featured on the “Indoor League” television show of the 1970s did not feature a triple section, and according to host Fred Trueman during the first episode, this is the traditional Yorkshire board.

Various games can be played (and still are played informally) using the standard dartboard. However, in the official game, any dart landing inside the outer wire scores as follows:Various games can be played (and still are played informally) using the standard dartboard. However, in the official game, any dart landing inside the outer wire scores as follows:

* Hitting one of the large portions of each of the numbered sections, traditionally alternately coloured black and white, scores the points value of that section.* Hitting one of the large portions of each of the numbered sections, traditionally alternately coloured black and white, scores the points value of that section.

* Hitting the thin inner portions of these sections, roughly halfway between the outer wire and the central circle coloured red and green, scores triple the points value of that section.* Hitting the thin inner portions of these sections, roughly halfway between the outer wire and the central circle coloured red and green, scores triple the points value of that section.

*  Hitting the thin outer portions of these sections, again coloured red or green, scores double the points value of that section. The double-20 is often referred to as double-top, reflecting the 20′s position on the dartboard.*  Hitting the thin outer portions of these sections, again coloured red or green, scores double the points value of that section. The double-20 is often referred to as double-top, reflecting the 20′s position on the dartboard.

* The central circle is divided into a green outer ring worth 25 points (known as “outer”, “outer bull”, or “iris”) and a red inner circle (usually known as “bull”, “inner bull” or “double bull”), worth 50 points. The term “bullseye” can mean either the whole central part of the board or just the inner red section. The term “bull’s ring” usually means just the green outer ring.* The central circle is divided into a green outer ring worth 25 points (known as “outer”, “outer bull”, or “iris”) and a red inner circle (usually known as “bull”, “inner bull” or “double bull”), worth 50 points. The term “bullseye” can mean either the whole central part of the board or just the inner red section. The term “bull’s ring” usually means just the green outer ring.

* Hitting outside the outer wire scores nothing.* Hitting outside the outer wire scores nothing.

* Any dart that does not remain in the board after throwing (for example, a dart that hits a wire and bounces out of the board or drops out with the impact of a later throw) also scores nothing.* Any dart that does not remain in the board after throwing (for example, a dart that hits a wire and bounces out of the board or drops out with the impact of a later throw) also scores nothing.

The highest score possible with three darts is 180, commonly known as a “ton 80″ (100 points is called a ton), obtained when all three darts land in the triple 20. In the televised game, the referee frequently announces a score of 180 in exuberant style. A “quad” ring appeared briefly in the 1990s, leading to a potential The highest score possible with three darts is 180, commonly known as a “ton 80″ (100 points is called a ton), obtained when all three darts land in the triple 20. In the televised game, the referee frequently announces a score of 180 in exuberant style. A “quad” ring appeared briefly in the 1990s, leading to a potential 240240 maximum (three quad-20s), a maximum (three quad-20s), a 210210 maximum checkout (Q20-Q20-Bull) and maximum checkout (Q20-Q20-Bull) and sevenseven dart finishes from a 501 start (five quad-20s, triple-17, bullseye), but was swiftly dropped from professional tournament play. dart finishes from a 501 start (five quad-20s, triple-17, bullseye), but was swiftly dropped from professional tournament play.

Playing darts

There are many games that can be played on a dartboard, but darts generally refers to a game whereby the player throws three darts per visit to the board with the goal of reducing a fixed score, commonly 501 or 301, to zero, with the final dart landing in a double segment. A game of darts is generally contested between two players, or two teams, who take turns in throwing up to three darts.There are many games that can be played on a dartboard, but darts generally refers to a game whereby the player throws three darts per visit to the board with the goal of reducing a fixed score, commonly 501 or 301, to zero, with the final dart landing in a double segment. A game of darts is generally contested between two players, or two teams, who take turns in throwing up to three darts.

A throw that reduces a player’s score below zero, to exactly one, or to zero but not ending with a double results in the player’s score being reset and their turn forfeited. A darts match is played over a fixed number of games, known as legs. A match may be divided into sets, with each set being contested as over a fixed number of legs.A throw that reduces a player’s score below zero, to exactly one, or to zero but not ending with a double results in the player’s score being reset and their turn forfeited. A darts match is played over a fixed number of games, known as legs. A match may be divided into sets, with each set being contested as over a fixed number of legs.

Although playing straight down from 501 is standard in darts, sometimes a double must be hit to begin scoring, known as “doubling in”, with all darts thrown before hitting a double not being counted. The PDC’s World Grand Prix uses this format.Although playing straight down from 501 is standard in darts, sometimes a double must be hit to begin scoring, known as “doubling in”, with all darts thrown before hitting a double not being counted. The PDC’s World Grand Prix uses this format.

The minimum number of thrown darts required to complete a leg of 501 is nine. The most common nine dart finish consists of two 180 maximums followed by a 141 checkout (T20-T19-D12), but there are many other possible ways of achieving the feat. Three 167s (T20-T19-Bull) is considered a pure or perfect nine dart finish by some players, most notably the flamboyant Bobby George.The minimum number of thrown darts required to complete a leg of 501 is nine. The most common nine dart finish consists of two 180 maximums followed by a 141 checkout (T20-T19-D12), but there are many other possible ways of achieving the feat. Three 167s (T20-T19-Bull) is considered a pure or perfect nine dart finish by some players, most notably the flamboyant Bobby George.

Other darts games and variants

There are a number of regional variations on the standard rules and scoring systems. “Round the Clock” is a variation that involves hitting the numbers in sequence”Jumpers” is a variation played in Asia.There are a number of regional variations on the standard rules and scoring systems. “Round the Clock” is a variation that involves hitting the numbers in sequence”Jumpers” is a variation played in Asia.

A regional variant still played in some parts of the East End of London. The board has fewer, larger segments, all numbered either 5, 10, 15 or 20. Players play down from 505 rather than 501, and stand the farthest (9 ft) away from the board of any mainstream variation.A regional variant still played in some parts of the East End of London. The board has fewer, larger segments, all numbered either 5, 10, 15 or 20. Players play down from 505 rather than 501, and stand the farthest (9 ft) away from the board of any mainstream variation.

American Darts, despite the name, is a regional USA variant of the game (most U.S. dart players play the traditional games described above). This style of dart board is most often found in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and parts of New York state.

Dartball is a darts game based on the sport of baseball. It is played on a diamond shaped board and has similar scoring to baseball.Dartball is a darts game based on the sport of baseball. It is played on a diamond shaped board and has similar scoring to baseball.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a darts game of accuracy. Hitting doubles and triples is paramount to victory. This game is played with at least two players. The standard version is played in 7 rounds. In round one players throw their darts aiming for the 1 section, round 2, the 2 section and so on until round 7. Standard scoring is used, and doubles and triples are counted. Only hits on the wedge for that round are counted. The winner is the person who has the most points at the end of seven rounds (1-7); or you can score a Shanghai and win instantly. To score a Shanghai you have to hit a triple, a double and single (in any order) of the number that is in play.Shanghai is a darts game of accuracy. Hitting doubles and triples is paramount to victory. This game is played with at least two players. The standard version is played in 7 rounds. In round one players throw their darts aiming for the 1 section, round 2, the 2 section and so on until round 7. Standard scoring is used, and doubles and triples are counted. Only hits on the wedge for that round are counted. The winner is the person who has the most points at the end of seven rounds (1-7); or you can score a Shanghai and win instantly. To score a Shanghai you have to hit a triple, a double and single (in any order) of the number that is in play.

Shanghai can also be played for 20 rounds to use all numbers.Shanghai can also be played for 20 rounds to use all numbers.

A Fairer Start for Shanghai: To prevent players from becoming too practised at shooting for the 1, the number sequence can begin at the number of the dart that lost the throw for the bullseye to determine the starting thrower. For example; Thrower A shoots for the bullseye and hits the 17. Thrower B shoots for the bullseye and hits it. Thrower B then begins the game, starting on the number 17, then 18, 19, 20, 1, 2, 3, etc. through 16 (if no player hits Shanghai).A Fairer Start for Shanghai: To prevent players from becoming too practised at shooting for the 1, the number sequence can begin at the number of the dart that lost the throw for the bullseye to determine the starting thrower. For example; Thrower A shoots for the bullseye and hits the 17. Thrower B shoots for the bullseye and hits it. Thrower B then begins the game, starting on the number 17, then 18, 19, 20, 1, 2, 3, etc. through 16 (if no player hits Shanghai).

Killer

Killer is a ‘knock-out’ game for two or more players (at its best at 4-6 players). Initially each player throws a dart at the board with their non-dominant hand to obtain their ‘number’. No 2 players can have the same number. Once everyone has a number, each player takes it in turn to get their number five times with their three darts (doubles count twice, and triples three times). Once a person has reached 5, they become a ‘killer’. This means they can aim for other peoples numbers, taking a point off for each time they hit (doubles x2, triples x3). If a person gets to zero they are out. A killer can aim for anyone’s numbers, even another killer’s. You cannot get more than 5 points. The winner is ‘the last man standing’.Killer is a ‘knock-out’ game for two or more players (at its best at 4-6 players). Initially each player throws a dart at the board with their non-dominant hand to obtain their ‘number’. No 2 players can have the same number. Once everyone has a number, each player takes it in turn to get their number five times with their three darts (doubles count twice, and triples three times). Once a person has reached 5, they become a ‘killer’. This means they can aim for other peoples numbers, taking a point off for each time they hit (doubles x2, triples x3). If a person gets to zero they are out. A killer can aim for anyone’s numbers, even another killer’s. You cannot get more than 5 points. The winner is ‘the last man standing’.