Darts night for beginners

The board in 30 seconds

• The board has 20 numbered slices. The thin outer ring doubles the number, the thin inner ring triples it, and the big areas score the number itself.
• The centre is the bullseye: the green ring around it is worth 25 and the red centre is worth 50.
• One turn is three darts. The highest possible turn is 180 (three treble 20s).
• You throw from behind the oche, the line on the floor. Officially the bullseye is 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) off the floor and the oche is 237 cm (7 ft 9¼ in) from the board. Pubs vary, so copy what the bar has marked.

501: the classic game

1. Everyone starts on 501. Players take turns to throw three darts.
2. After each turn, subtract the total of your three darts from your score.
3. The first player to reach exactly zero wins.
4. If a turn would take you below zero, you bust: that turn does not count and your score goes back to what it was before the turn.
5. Many pubs play double-out: your last dart must land in a double (the bullseye counts as a double). That also means a score of 1 is a bust, because no double can finish it. Beginners can switch double-out off and finish with any dart.
6. Tip: once you are under about 170, plan to leave a score you can finish, such as 32 (double 16) or 40 (double 20). The scorer below suggests a finish.

Cricket: a game of tactics

1. Only seven targets count: 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and the bullseye.
2. A single is one mark, a double is two marks and a treble is three. The green ring of the bullseye is one mark and the red centre is two.
3. Get three marks on a number to close it.
4. After you have closed a number, each extra mark on it scores that number in points for you, but only while at least one opponent has not closed it.
5. You win when you have closed all seven targets and your points are equal to or higher than every opponent’s.
6. Darts that land on other numbers do not count.

Free darts scorer

For 2 to 8 players. It runs in your browser, nothing is sent anywhere, and the game is kept on your device if you reload.

Beginner etiquette

• Stand behind the oche and keep your feet on or behind the line. Do not lean over it.
• Wait until everyone has finished throwing and stepped away from the board before you walk up to collect darts.
• Never stand in front of the board or near it while someone is throwing, and stay quiet and still when a player is about to throw.
• Ask before you borrow someone’s darts. Many bars have a set behind the counter, so ask staff.
• Throw in order, and let the scorer finish writing before you step up.
• Aim for the board only. Darts that bounce out are not a reason to throw harder, and darts never go near the wall or other people.
• Be kind to beginners. Nobody hits what they aim at in the first weeks, and a friendly table is the whole point.
• If other people are waiting, play one game and give the board to the next group. Put your name or a coin on the waiting list if the bar has one.

Printable score sheet

Print one sheet for the table, or choose Save as PDF in the print dialog. Both sheets fit on one A4 page.

Find a bar with a board

We do not list venues, because boards come and go. The simplest way is to ask. Call or message a bar, pub or social club near you, or ask at the counter, and check:

• Do you have a dartboard, and is it free to use or is there a charge?
• Are darts provided, or should I bring my own?
• When is it quietest, or is there a darts or league night I could join?
• Can I join a game if I come alone?

Watching the pros? The 2026/27 PDC World Championship is scheduled for 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 at Alexandra Palace in London, with the final on Sunday 3 January. Dates can change, so check at pdc.tv

Darts is better with a crowd: many pubs show the World Championship on a big screen and some run darts nights around it. Going alone? Find people near you to watch with in the Meet & Mint app.

How it works

1. Learn the basics on this page: rules, scorer and etiquette.
2. Ask a bar near you if they have a board and when it is free.
3. Open Meet & Mint, find a games or darts night near you and see who is going.
4. Join alone, chat with the group and play your first game together.