Rules · 2 min read
501 darts rules
The rules of 501 darts explained: starting score, double out, busts, legs and sets, and who throws first.
501 is the standard game in darts, played everywhere from pubs to the World Championship. Here is how it works.
The basics
- Each player starts on 501.
- Players take turns to throw three darts. The total is taken off their score.
- The first player to reach exactly zero wins the leg.
- The last dart must be a double or the bull. This is called double out.
Busts
If you score more than you have left, reach exactly 1, or reach zero without finishing on a double, you've bust. Your score goes back to what it was at the start of that turn and your turn ends.
Throwing first
Players usually throw at the bull to decide who starts. The closest to the bull throws first. In a match, players then take turns to start each leg.
Legs and sets
A leg is one game of 501. Matches are played as best of a number of legs, or in sets, where each set is usually the best of five legs.
What the numbers mean
- Nine-darter: finishing 501 in the minimum nine darts.
- Ton: a visit of 100 or more.
- Maximum: 180, three treble 20s.
- Checkout: the score you finish with. The highest is 170.
Learn every finish with the checkout chart, or brush up on the darts terms you'll hear.