Precision Sports 🇬🇧United Kingdomearly modern

Darts

Precision throwing sport in which players hurl small missiles at a segmented circular board, aiming to reduce a starting score (usually 501) to exactly zero, finishing on a double.

📐oche and dartboard⏱~25 min🌤indoor

What is Darts?

Darts is a competitive throwing sport where players stand 7 ft 9¼ in (2.37 m) from a circular sisal-fibre board 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) off the ground and throw metal-tipped darts to score points. The board is divided into 20 numbered segments (1-20) plus a bullseye (25 outer, 50 inner). Each segment has a triple-ring (inner, 3× score) and double-ring (outer, 2× score). The most common professional game is '501' — players start at 501 and race to exactly zero by subtracting the score of each throw; the winning throw must land on a double. Modern darts was codified in early-20th-century English pubs and grew into a global professional sport with the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) hosting the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace, London, each Christmas — one of the biggest annual TV sporting events in the UK.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Reduce your score from 501 (or other agreed start) to exactly zero, with the final dart landing in a double or the inner bullseye (bull double).

Match structure

Both players start at 501. In turn, each player throws 3 darts and subtracts the total scored from their remaining total. Play continues until one player reaches exactly zero — but the winning dart MUST land on a double (or the bull double, 50). Exceeding zero, or leaving 1 point remaining (impossible finish), is a 'bust' — the throw doesn't count and the score reverts. First player to zero wins the leg. Legs win sets; sets win matches (best-of format).

Rules

Basic rules

Throw 3 darts per turn
Alternate turns; each player throws 3 darts and the total is subtracted from their remaining score.
Start from 501
Standard singles = 501. Doubles = 701 or 1001. Some leagues use 301 with double-in start.
Double-out finish
Winning dart must land on a double (2× ring) or the inner bull (50, which is a double 25).
Bust rule
If a throw brings your score below 2, or leaves 1, or overshoots zero, the turn is 'bust' and the score reverts to pre-turn total.
Order of play
Winner of previous leg throws first in the next leg (some formats alternate throw regardless).
Dart must stay
A dart that bounces out, sticks in another dart, or falls before removal doesn't score.

Advanced rules

Checkout finishing
The route to zero on 170 max checkout (T20-T20-Bull) or common ones (170, 167, 164, 161, 160). Professionals memorise 100+ finishing combinations.
Double-in start
Some leagues require starting with a double before any score counts (rare in pro play).
Setup shots
A pro on 82 points might throw T14 (42) to leave 40 — an easier double 20 finish.
9-dart finish
The perfect leg from 501 in only 9 darts. Requires precise 3-dart combinations like T20-T20-T20 / T20-T20-T20 / T20-T19-D12. Only ~60 have been televised.
Soft-tip and electronic
Soft-tip darts use plastic tips on electronic boards popular in USA/Japan. Scoring is automatic; game modes are more varied (Cricket, Count-Up, etc.).

Scoring

Each dart scores its segment value × multiplier (single = 1×, double = 2×, triple = 3×). Bullseye: 25 outer / 50 inner.

Action	Points
Single segment (large area)	Segment number (1-20)
Double ring (thin outer)	Segment number × 2 (2-40)
Triple ring (thin inner)	Segment number × 3 (3-60)
Outer bullseye	25
Inner bullseye (bull)	50 (counts as double 25)
Miss (outside scoring area)	0
Maximum 3-dart score	180 (T20-T20-T20)

Win condition · Reduce score to exactly zero with a double or inner bull for the final dart; win agreed number of legs, sets, or matches.

Playing area

Called

oche and dartboard

Dimensions

Board: 17.75 in (45.1 cm) diameter; height to bullseye 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m). Throw line (oche): 7 ft 9¼ in (2.37 m) from board face.

Bristle (sisal-fibre) dartboard with 20 numbered segments in a specific non-sequential order (20-1-18-4-13-6-10-15-2-17-3-19-7-16-8-11-14-9-12-5). Concentric rings: triple (inner narrow), double (outer narrow), bullseye (25 outer, 50 inner).

Equipment

Darts
3 per turn. Weight 18-50 g (pro standard 20-25 g). Materials: tungsten (elite), brass, or nickel-silver barrel; flights (paper or nylon) at tail; shaft in nylon or aluminium.
Dartboard
Bristle (sisal fibre) for professional play; some casual boards use cork or plastic 'soft-tip' with electronic scoring.
Oche
Throw line 7 ft 9¼ in from board.
Scoreboard / scoring
Chalk board in pubs; electronic display in pro venues.

Officiating

Professional matches have a referee who calls each player's score after they throw ('One hundred and EIGHTYYY!' for a max), and a chalker who records on-screen totals.

Referee (calls scores)
Chalker (records)
MC / Master of Ceremonies

Strategies

Aim for T20 (treble 20)
The highest single-dart score. Most pros aim for treble 20 (60 points) as their first two darts every visit.
Setup on 32 or 40
If your 3rd dart leaves 32 or 40, you're on a favourable double-16 or double-20 next visit.
Avoid 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, 159
These scores are impossible to check out in 3 darts (no combination reaches with a final double).
Bull-out on 50
If left on 50, hit the bull (double 25) for the finish — some pros always prefer bull; others avoid it.
Play the opponent's leg-throw
Under pressure, know exactly what number the opponent will throw first (usually T20).

Terminology

Oche: The throw line, 7 ft 9¼ in from the board.
180: The maximum 3-dart score: three treble 20s.
Ton (100+): Any 3-dart score of 100 or more.
Ton 80: 180 — the maximum score.
Treble 20 (T20): The treble ring of the 20 segment: 60 points.
Bullseye / Bull: Inner bullseye = 50 (double 25); outer bull = 25.
Double out / Checkout: The final dart must land on a double or bull to win the leg.
Leg: One complete 501 game.
Set: First to N legs (usually 3) wins a set.
9-darter: The perfect 501 leg finished in only 9 darts.
Bust: Overshooting zero, or leaving 1 remaining — turn is void.
Bed: Grouping darts tightly together in the same segment ('all three in the bed').
Robin Hood: A dart that sticks into the flight of another dart. Doesn't count.
3-dart average: The average score per 3-dart visit — the primary metric of skill. Pros average 95-105+; elite 105-115.

Major competitions

PDC World Darts Championship (Alexandra Palace)
annual · worldwide (held in London) · since 1994
Premier League Darts
annual (Feb-May) · UK / Europe touring · since 2005
World Matchplay (Blackpool Winter Gardens)
annual · UK · since 1994
World Grand Prix (double-in double-out)
annual · Ireland / UK · since 1998
Grand Slam of Darts
annual · UK · since 2007

Where it is played

Governing bodies

Professional Darts CorporationPDC
Founded 1992 · Milton Keynes, UK
Official site ↗
British Darts Organisation (defunct 2020)BDO
Founded 1973 · London, UK
World Darts FederationWDF
Founded 1976 · Sallanches, France
Official site ↗

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Phil 'The Power' Taylor (England) — 16× World Champion, GOAT
Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) — 3× World Champion, dominant 2010s
Luke Humphries (England) — reigning World Champion 2024
Luke Littler (England) — 17-year-old 2024 World Final runner-up; 2025 World Champion
Peter Wright (Scotland) — 2× World Champion; flamboyant persona 'Snakebite'
Fallon Sherrock (England) — first woman to beat a man at PDC World Championship (2019)
Eric Bristow (England) — 5× BDO World Champion, 'Crafty Cockney', founding legend
John Lowe (England) — first televised 9-dart finish (1984)
Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands) — 5× World Champion (4 BDO, 1 PDC)

Records

Most World Championships (all-time)
Phil Taylor — 16 (8 BDO + 8 PDC) (2013)
Youngest ever PDC World Champion
Luke Littler — 17 years 347 days (2025) (2025)
First televised 9-dart finish
John Lowe — 1984 MFI World Matchplay (1984)
First PDC televised 9-dart finish
Phil Taylor — 2002 World Matchplay (2002)
Highest 3-dart average in a televised match
Michael van Gerwen — 123.40 vs Michael Smith, 2016 Premier League (2016)
First woman to win PDC ranked event
Beau Greaves / Fallon Sherrock — Sherrock beat Ted Evetts 2019 PDC World Champs (first female win at Ally Pally) (2019)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Grip and stance
Stand with front foot on the oche; grip dart with 2-3 fingers; keep elbow high and steady.
2
Throwing motion
Smooth forward release from ear/eye level; follow through pointing at target.
3
Aim for the 20
Beginner target: single 20; graduate to treble 20.
4
Understand scoring
Learn segment values, doubles, trebles, bullseye. Practice mental subtraction from 501.

intermediate

1
Consistency drills
Throw 100 darts at treble 20; track grouping and adjust.
2
Common checkouts
Memorise checkouts for scores 40-100: 40 = D20, 60 = T20 or 20-D20, 100 = T20-D20.
3
Around the clock
Hit 1, 2, 3, ... 20, bull in order. Builds accuracy across all segments.
4
Play in a pub league
Weekly matches build competitive tempo and pressure handling.

advanced

1
Full checkout chart mastery
Memorise all checkouts 41-170 including alternative routes for tactical leaves.
2
Setup shots
Plan the 3-dart visit to end on a preferred double (16 or 20 typically).
3
Practice averaging 90+
Elite recreational target: 100+ average. Requires 30-50 sessions of 1-2 hrs per week.
4
Compete on the WDF / Q-School
Enter WDF ranking events and PDC Q-School (Qualifying School) for a Tour Card.

Frequently asked

How high is a dartboard?+

The bullseye must be 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) from the floor. The oche (throw line) is 7 ft 9¼ in (2.37 m) from the face of the board.

Why is 20 at the top?+

The numbers are arranged to punish inaccuracy — high-value segments are flanked by low-value ones (20 is between 1 and 5). The arrangement was attributed to Brian Gamlin of Bury, England in 1896.

What is a 9-darter?+

The theoretical minimum darts needed to finish a 501 leg. Requires two 3-dart 'maximum' visits of 180 (T20-T20-T20) followed by a 141 checkout (T20-T19-D12). Fewer than 100 televised 9-darters have ever been thrown.

Why must you finish on a double?+

Rule tradition from early 20th-century pub darts. The double-out requirement adds skill and drama — many exciting matches turn on 'who can find double 16'.

How much do darts weigh?+

Legal darts are 12-50 g total; professional darts typically weigh 20-26 g and are 90%+ tungsten for a slim, dense barrel.

Is Luke Littler really the youngest World Champion?+

Yes — Luke Littler won the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship aged 17 years, 347 days, making him the youngest World Champion in the sport's history.

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — Darts— Wikipedia
Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)— PDC
World Darts Federation (WDF)— WDF

Last verified 2026-08-24.community