Basic Rules of Darts – Dartplayers Australia

Every DPA tournament is operated under the rules laid down by the Darts Regulation Authority and the Professional Darts Corporation.

Below is a basic guide for beginners to the sport of darts.

There are a number of different versions of the sport and also a number of different dartboards which are used around the world.

Here you can find details of the most commonly played version – 501 – used in all PDC events on a standard dartboard.

Dart Board Measurements:
Standard height from the floor to the bullseye on the dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches, while the oche (distance between the front of the board and the toeline) should measure 7 feet 9.25inches.

Basic Rules:
In a game of 501 the object is for one player or a team to be the first to reach zero from starting total of 501.

In simple terms, after three darts are thrown, the throwing player subtracts the total scored from his current total until he reaches zero.

In order to reach zero each player must finish by throwing a double i.e. if player one has 36 remaining he can hit double 18 to win, while if player two has 45 remaining he can hit single 5, and double 20 to win – or a another combination of scores provided the final dart scores on a double.

Some versions of the game require a ‘double start’ whereby players must begin the game with a double as well as ‘checking out’ on a double.