Darts is a game of precision, strategy, and skill, but understanding how darts scoring works is just as crucial to mastering the game.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to refine your game, getting a clear idea of how darts scoring works and how to navigate the dartboard is essential.
In this article, we’ll break down the basics of how dart scoring works, explain the layout of the dartboard, and cover the key rules that impact how points are calculated.
1. The Basics of Darts Scoring
In most standard games of darts, such as 501 or 301, the objective is to reduce your score to exactly zero by hitting specific sections of the dartboard. Each player starts with a predetermined number of points (usually 501 or 301), and the score from each turn is subtracted from the starting total.
The tricky part? You must finish the game by hitting a double (the outer ring of any number) or the bullseye.
2. Understanding the Dartboard Layout
The dartboard is divided into various sections, each worth different points. And since it makes the most sense, the smaller the area you want to hit, more points you will get once you manage to hit it.
Here’s how it’s laid out:
1. Numbers and Scoring Zones
The outermost part of the board features numbers from 1 to 20, which represent the basic point value for each segment. If you hit a segment associated with one of these numbers, you score that many points. For example, if your dart lands in the large section next to 20, you score 20 points. The segments are always colored in two colors – the neighboring segments being different colors makes it easier to determine which one you hit.
2. Single, Double, and Treble Segments
Each numbered section is divided into three areas:
- Single Area: The large section of each number is the “single” area, and it scores exactly the number shown on the board. For every number there is two single areas – one on each side of the treble zone.
- Double Ring: The thin outer ring of the dartboard is the double area. If you hit this section, you score double the number’s value. For instance, hitting the double 20 scores 40 points. Double ring is also the part where you need to end the game – to reach exactly 0 points – unless you end with the bullseye in the middle.
- Treble Ring: The thin inner ring (closer to the center) is the treble area. Hitting this ring scores three times the value of the number. For example, landing in the treble 20 gives you 60 points, the highest possible score with a single dart. Once you get comfortable with darts and want to get better, this is the part where you most likely will aim the most – treble 20.
3. The Bullseye
The bullseye is the circular center of the dartboard and is divided into two areas:
- Outer Bullseye: The green ring surrounding the center is worth 25 points.
- Inner Bullseye: The small red center is worth 50 points and is also considered a double.
Bullseye serves different purposes in the game of darts – one of them is being the highest odd number on the board (25). Also, the bullseye is most commonly used as a decider who starts the game. More about how that works you can read from our article of different ways to determine who throws first.
4. The Outer Ring (No Points)
The outermost black area of the board, outside of the numbered scoring areas, doesn’t earn any points. If your dart lands here, it’s effectively a miss. This is just the material holding it all together and makes sure you will not hit any objects close around the board.
It is pretty much just a safe area – you never want to throw your darts over there!
3. Scoring in a Game of Darts
During a game, players take turns throwing three darts per round, and the points scored with each dart are totaled and subtracted from the player’s starting score. Here’s a breakdown of how scoring typically works:
1. Adding Up Scores
After each round (three darts), the score of the darts is totaled. For example, if you hit:
- Single 20 (20 points)
- Treble 19 (57 points)
- Outer Bullseye (25 points)
Your total for that round is 102 points. This is subtracted from your starting score of 501, leaving you with 399 points remaining. Once you start playing darts adding up your scores may be tricky at first – it is all done in your head. But the more you play and do different calculations in your head, more used to it you get.
There are also several apps for your phone to make it easier – there you can choose if you want to hit every dart individually or the sum total of your three darts – whichever is most convenient for you. One of the best darts scorekeeping apps out there currently is Dart Counter – available for both Android and Apple.
2. Checking Out (Finishing the Game)
In games like 501, players must finish the game by landing on exactly zero points. The twist is that the final dart must land in a double.
For example, if you have 40 points remaining, you’ll need to hit double 20 to finish the game. But even hitting just a single 20 in that situation you will move onto the next double. Your 40 points will have 20 left and you want to hit the double 10.
If you don’t hit a double or accidentally score more than 38 points in that visit, your score for that round doesn’t count, and you remain at 40 points.
4. Key Scoring Tips and Strategies
To improve your darts game, mastering the scoring system is key. Here are a few strategies to help you make the most of your points:
1. Aim for the Treble 20
One of the most popular scoring strategies is to aim for the treble 20, which gives you 60 points per dart. Three treble 20s in a single round give you a perfect score of 180, the highest possible in a standard turn.
When you are looking professional darts tournaments this is how the game will 99% of the time start – both players throwing their first visits on treble 20 and once they are getting closer to zero, they will start thinking about leaving a good checkout number.
2. Setting Up Your Checkout
As your score approaches zero, it’s important to plan ahead to leave yourself with a manageable double to finish the game. Experienced players often aim to leave scores like 40 (double 20) or 32 (double 16), which are easier doubles to hit consistently.
Why all doubles are not the same is the aftermath once you hit a single instead of a double. Universally known is, that the best double to leave yourself is 32. That is because once you keep hitting inside – so hitting a single number instead of double you will always be left with a chance to hit a new double instantly. From double 16 to double 8, from double 8 to double 4 and so on.
When for instance you are left with a score of 30 and want to check out with double 15 – once you hit a single 15 you don’t have a double to win the game anymore.
3. Avoiding Busts
A bust occurs when you score more than the points you have left, or when your final dart doesn’t land in a double. For example, if you have 34 points remaining and hit a 20, you’ll need to hit a double 7 (14 points) to finish. If you accidentally hit a 16, leaving you with -2 points, your score for that round won’t count, and you’ll start the next round with 35 points again.
When your total is low it will not affect your game much, but for instance if you are left with 156 – you hit 2 treble 20 so are left with 36 – you want to check out with double 18 BUT miss into treble 18… your next visit will start again from 156.
4. Master the Bullseye
Hitting the bullseye can be useful in tight games. The inner bullseye is worth 50 points, which can be a great way to boost your score or finish a game when you have 50 points remaining. Using the bullseye as a double for checkout is also the highest points total you can checkout with.
For instance the highest checkout possible is 170 – hitting two treble 20 and finishing with the bullseye. However, aiming and hitting bullseye consistently requires precision, so it’s a skill worth practicing. To read more about how to practice for those checkouts, head over to our article talking about mastering checkouts.
5. Final Thoughts on how Darts scoring works
Understanding how darts scoring works is essential for anyone looking to enjoy or improve at the game. From mastering the layout of the dartboard to knowing how to add up points and finish with a double, scoring is an integral part of both casual and professional darts.
Whether you’re playing a friendly game at the pub or competing in a league, knowing the ins and outs of the dartboard and the scoring system will help you play with confidence and strategy. You don’t have to think about what you need to hit and instantly hit where you need – it gives you momentum and confidence.
So, next time you step up to the oche, you’ll know exactly where to aim and how to keep track of your points!
