How Do You Score Darts? The Complete Guide From 501 To Cricket

Have you ever watched a professional darts match, seen the lightning-fast calculations on the scoreboard, and wondered, "How do they score darts so quickly?" It seems like a blur of numbers, but the system behind it is a beautiful blend of simple arithmetic and strategic game theory. Whether you're a complete beginner setting up your first board at home or a casual viewer trying to understand the thrill of a nine-darter, mastering dart scoring is your first step into the vibrant world of this precision sport. This comprehensive guide will demystify every aspect of dart scoring, from the value of a single wedge to the complex strategies of finishing a leg.

The Foundation: Understanding the Dartboard Anatomy

Before we can calculate any score, we must understand the battlefield. A standard dartboard is a study in concentric circles and numbered segments, each with a specific point value. The entire board is divided into 20 numbered sections, from 1 to 20, arranged in a specific, non-sequential order around the circle. This order is designed to penalize inaccuracy.

• The Single Area: The large, wide ring surrounding each number is the single area. Hitting anywhere in this section scores you the face value of that number (e.g., hit the single 20 section, score 20 points).
• The Double Ring: The outer thin ring is the double ring. Hitting here scores double the number's value (e.g., double 20 = 40 points). This ring is critically important for finishing games, as you must land on a double to win.
• The Triple Ring: The inner thin ring is the triple ring. Hitting here scores triple the number's value (e.g., triple 20 = 60 points). This is where the highest scoring shots come from.
• The Bullseye: The center of the board. It has two parts:
  • The Outer Bull (or "Green Bull"): The green ring surrounding the very center. This is worth 25 points.
  • The Inner Bull (or "Red Bull"): The small red circle in the absolute center. This is worth 50 points. In many games, the inner bull counts as a double for finishing purposes.

Key Takeaway: Your score for a single dart is determined by where it lands, not just what number it's near. A dart in the triple 7 scores 21, while a dart in the single 15 scores 15. Precision is everything.

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The Universal Starting Point: The 501 Game

When people ask "how do you score darts?" they are almost always referring to the most common professional and pub game: 501. The goal is simple: start with a score of 501 and be the first player to reduce your score to exactly zero. But the rules have a crucial, non-negotiable twist: your final throw must land in a double ring (including the inner bull, which counts as a double-25). You cannot finish on a single or a triple.

The Basic Turn Structure (A "Leg" or "Set")

A player's turn consists of throwing three darts. The scores from those three darts are subtracted from the running total. Play alternates between players (or teams) until one player checks out (reaches zero correctly).

Example Turn:

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1. Player starts on 501.
2. Throws three darts: Triple 20 (60), Single 20 (20), Single 5 (5). Total = 85.
3. New score: 501 - 85 = 416.
4. Next player's turn starts from 416.

The Critical Art of "Checking Out" or "Finishing"

This is where strategy meets arithmetic. You cannot just hit any number to finish. Your remaining score must be reduced to zero with your last dart on a double. This means you must plan your throws to leave a "checkout" number that is achievable with a double.

• Common Checkout Paths: The most famous is 170 (two triple 20s and a bullseye: 60+60+50 = 170). This is the highest possible finish with three darts.
• The "2-Dart Finish": If you leave a score that is a double (e.g., 40, 32, 24), you can finish in two darts by hitting that double with your last dart. The first dart sets up the double.
• The "1-Dart Finish": This is the final, winning throw. You must hit the specific double that matches your remaining score (e.g., if you have 40 left, you must hit double 20).
• The "Bogey Number" Problem: Some scores are impossible to finish on a double with two darts. The most infamous is 1. If you are on 1, you cannot finish because the smallest double is double 1 (2 points). You must score at least 2 points to leave yourself a possible finish (e.g., hit single 1 to leave 0, but that's not allowed as a finish; you must go below 1 and then come back up, which is impossible). This forces you to "bust" (see below) to reset your turn.

Practical Example of a Finish:
You are on 89 with two darts left.

• Bad Strategy: Try for a triple 19 (57) to leave 32 (double 16). Risky.
• Good Strategy: Hit a single 15 (leaving 74) and then a double 19 (38) to finish? No, 74-38=36, not zero. You need to leave a double.
• Correct Path: Hit a single 19 (leaving 70) and then a double 20 (40) to leave 30? 70-40=30, not zero. Let's recalculate.
  • To finish from 89 with two darts, your first dart must leave you a number that is a double (or 50) between 2 and 40 (the max double is 40 for double 20, but double 18 is 36, etc.).
  • A common path: Hit single 17 (17), leaving 72. Then hit double 18 (36) to leave 36? 72-36=36. Still not zero. You need the second dart to be the finishing double.
  • Actual Path: Hit single 19 (19), leaving 70. Then hit double 20 (40) to leave 30? No. The math is: Start 89. First dart (D1) scores X. New score = 89 - X. Second dart (D2) must be a double (2N) that makes (89 - X) - (2N) = 0. So 89 - X = 2N. X must be an odd number (single) to leave an even number (since 2N is even, and 89 is odd, X must be odd).
  • Let's find X: 89 - X = an even number between 2 and 40. Possible even numbers: 2,4,6...40.
  • If we want to leave 32 (double 16), then 89 - X = 32, so X = 57 (triple 19). So: Triple 19 (57) to leave 32, then Double 16 (32) to finish.
  • Another: Leave 40 (double 20). 89 - X = 40, so X = 49 (not possible with one dart, as max is 60 but 49 isn't a standard single/triple combo).
  • Leave 38 (double 19). 89 - X = 38, X = 51 (triple 17). So: Triple 17 (51) to leave 38, then Double 19 (38) to finish.

This strategic planning—looking at your score and calculating the required combination of singles, doubles, and triples to leave a finish—is the intellectual heart of darts.

What Happens When You "Bust"?

A "bust" occurs when your throw causes your score to drop below zero, or exactly to 1, or if you finish incorrectly (e.g., hit a single to try and finish). On a bust, your score reverts to what it was at the start of that turn, and any remaining darts in that turn are forfeited.

• Example: You are on 50. You hit a single 20 (score 20), leaving 30. Your next dart hits a single 11 (score 11). Your score would be 30 - 11 = 19. This is a bust because you went below the required double finish and are now on an odd number with one dart left (you can't finish from 19 with one dart on a double). Your score resets to 50, and your turn ends.
• Strategic Busting: Sometimes, a skilled player will intentionally bust. If you are on a tricky number like 27 with one dart left (you need double 13.5, impossible), you might throw your last dart at a single 1, busting on purpose to reset your score to 27 for the next turn, where you can try to set up a better finish with three fresh darts.

Beyond 501: Other Popular Scoring Games

While 501 is the standard, the scoring mechanics adapt to other games with different objectives.

The "01" Games: 301, 401, 701

The rules are identical to 501—start on the given number, subtract each throw's score, finish on a double. The only difference is the starting score. 301 is often used for quicker, beginner games. 701 is used in some team formats for longer matches. The scoring logic is the same: master the checkout charts for your starting number.

Cricket: A Different Scoring Philosophy

Cricket flips the script. The goal is not to reduce a score to zero, but to "own" and "close" specific numbers on the board. The numbers in play are 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and the Bullseye.

• Opening a Number: To "open" or "own" a number, you must hit it three times with your darts (hits can be singles, doubles, or triples—each counts as one "mark" towards the three). Once you open a number, every subsequent hit on that number scores points equal to the number's value (for the bullseye, the outer bull is 25 points, the inner bull is 50 points).
• Closing a Number: To "close" a number, you must also hit it three times. The strategic battle is: you must first open a number (three marks), then score points on it, while your opponent tries to close it first (get their three marks). Once a number is closed by a player, the opponent can no longer score points on it, even if they hit it.
• Winning: You win when you have closed all the required numbers (20 down to 15 and the bull) AND have a higher or equal point total than your opponent. If you close all numbers but are behind on points, you must continue scoring until you surpass them.
• Scoring Example:
  • You hit three single 20s. You now "own" the 20.
  • Your next dart hits a single 20. You score 20 points.
  • Your opponent now hits three single 20s. They have now closed the 20. You can no longer score points on the 20, even if you hit it.
  • The bullseye is key: it takes three marks to open/close. Each inner bull (50) counts as two marks, each outer bull (25) counts as one mark. So two inner bulls (50+50) open/close the bull.

Round the Clock (or "Around the World")

This is a pure race game with no point scoring. Players take turns throwing three darts. The objective is to hit each number on the board in sequence, starting from 1 and going up to 20, and finally the bullseye. You must hit the current target number at least once per turn (any segment—single, double, or triple—counts). The first player to complete the circuit (1 through 20 and bull) wins. There is no subtraction; it's purely about progression.

Advanced Scoring Concepts & Common Questions

How Do You Keep Score?

Traditionally, a chalkboard or whiteboard is used, with a column for each player. After a player's turn, the scorer (often the non-throwing player or a dedicated official) subtracts the total of the three darts from the current score and writes the new total. In professional tournaments, an electronic scoring system is linked directly to the dartboard's sensors, updating scores instantly.

What is a "Shanghai"?

A "Shanghai" is a special achievement in a single turn where a player hits a single, double, and triple of the same number with their three darts. For example, hitting single 7, double 7, and triple 7 in one turn. In some casual games, a Shanghai can be an instant win or award bonus points, but it's not part of standard 501 or Cricket rules. It's a rare and impressive feat of precision.

What are "Checkout Charts" and Why Do I Need One?

A checkout chart is a reference table that lists every possible finishing score (from 170 down to 2) and the recommended dart combinations to finish. For example, it will tell you that from 138, a common finish is triple 20 (60) to leave 78, then double 19 (38) to leave 40, then double 20 (40). Memorizing common checkouts (like 40, 32, 24, 16, 8) is essential for speed, but a chart is invaluable for the odd numbers. Top players have hundreds of combinations memorized.

What's the Difference Between a "Set" and a "Leg"?

• Leg: A single game from start to finish (e.g., first to reduce 501 to zero). Most matches are "best of X legs."
• Set: A collection of legs. In major tournaments like the PDC World Championship, matches are played in sets. You must win a certain number of legs (usually best of 5 or 3 legs) to win a set, and then win a certain number of sets to win the match. Scoring within a set leg is still 501.

How Do Professional Averages Work?

The most common statistic is the 3-dart average. This is calculated by taking a player's total score across all their turns in a match, dividing it by the total number of darts thrown, and then multiplying by 3. For example, if a player scores 45,000 points in a match using 150 darts, their average is (45,000 / 150) * 3 = 900. Elite professionals consistently average over 100 in televised matches, with the world's best sometimes exceeding 110. This metric measures scoring power and consistency.

Practical Tips for New Scorers

1. Start with the Basics: Before worrying about checkouts, practice hitting specific numbers. Aim for the 20, then the 19, etc. Get comfortable with the board's layout.
2. Learn the Key Doubles: Memorize the doubles for the numbers 20 down to 1. You'll need them to finish. Double 20 (40), Double 18 (36), Double 16 (32), Double 15 (30), Double 14 (28), Double 12 (24), Double 10 (20), Double 8 (16), Double 6 (12), Double 4 (8), Double 2 (4).
3. Use a Checkout Chart: Keep one handy. As you play, look up your score. Say you're on 72. The chart might suggest: Triple 12 (36) to leave 36 (Double 18). Or Single 20 (20) to leave 52 (Double 26? No, that's not a number). Let's recalc: 72. Common finishes: Double 18 (36) leaves 36? 72-36=36, so you'd need two darts to finish 36 (e.g., double 18 again). But a better 2-dart finish from 72 is Double 18 (36) to leave 36, then Double 18 (36) to finish. Or a 3-dart finish: Triple 10 (30) to leave 42, then Double 21? No. Triple 16 (48) to leave 24, then Double 12 (24).
4. Practice "Dirty" Scores: Scores like 89, 67, 51 are common and tricky. Practice specific combinations for them. For 67: Triple 15 (45) leaves 22 (Double 11). Or Single 17 (17) leaves 50 (Bullseye).
5. Always Plan Your Last Dart: From the moment you step to the oche, your mind should be working backward from your current score. "I need to leave a double." Let that be your mantra.

Conclusion: Scoring is the Language of Darts

Understanding how to score darts transforms the experience from watching random throws to following a high-stakes mathematical puzzle. It’s the difference between seeing a player miss a triple 20 and thinking "oh, too bad" versus understanding they just blew a 180 and a chance at a 147 checkout. The elegant system of 501, with its mandatory double finish, creates endless strategic depth. Games like Cricket introduce a different tactical layer of claiming territory. Whether you're calculating a 170 checkout or simply trying to get off the 50s in a game of 301, the scoreboard tells the story of precision, pressure, and plan. So next time you see those numbers changing, you'll know exactly how they got there—and you'll be ready to write your own story on the board. Now, pick up your darts, check your score, and plan your finish.