Home › Darts Rules

Darts Rules: How to Play 7 Popular Darts Games

Clear, quick rules for the classic match game and the pub favourites, all of which you can score for free in Oche, Let's Go!

501 / 301The classic game of professional darts. Count down from 501 (or 301) to exactly zero and finish on a double. CricketA tactical game for two or more players. Close the numbers 15 to 20 and the Bull, and score points on numbers your opponents haven't closed. KillerThe ultimate pub game for groups. Every player gets a number, and the last player with lives left wins. ShanghaiA game of accuracy across the board. Each round has a target number, and a Shanghai (single, double and treble in one visit) wins instantly. Halve ItA cruel but brilliant game. Each round has a target, and if you miss it with all three darts, your score is halved. LegsA survival game for groups. Work through the numbers in order, and lose a life every time you miss your target with all three darts. Around the ClockThe classic beginner's game and practice routine. Hit every number from 1 to 20 in order, and the first player to finish wins.

Dartboard basics

A standard dartboard has 20 numbered segments. The thin outer ring is the double (twice the number) and the thin inner ring is the treble (three times). The green outer bull is worth 25 and the red inner bullseye is worth 50, which counts as a double.

The highest score with three darts is 180 (three treble 20s). The highest checkout is 170. See every finish on the darts checkout chart.

Keep score for free

Oche, Let's Go! scores 501, Cricket, Killer, Shanghai, Halve It, Legs and Around the Clock in your browser. No login, no download.

▶ Start Scoring