Objectives of Darts

Darts was once considered as just a recreational activity at the pub, but it is now a competitive, global game in which top players can pursue a career. There are numerous formats, but the general objective in any game of darts it to hit certain targets on the board before your opponent does.

  1. "501"

    • The standard format for competitive darts is "501." Matches are played over a fixed number of legs, with the player who wins the most legs declared the winner. In "singles" matches, players alternate turns, throwing three darts each time. In a "straight start"--the most common form of play--players can score points immediately with the first dart they throw. The aim of "501" is to be the first player to get down to zero. Players must hit a double to finish the leg.

    "Cricket"

    • "Cricket" is a popular game that requires more strategy than "501." It is well suited to electronic dart boards because the board keeps track of the score for you. The objective is for players to close out numbers 15 through 20 and the bull's-eye and score more points than your opponent. To close out a number, a player must hit it three times via any combination of singles, doubles and triples. Hitting a "triple 19" would close out the number immediately, for example. Once a player has closed a number, he may score points by continuing to hit that number provided his opponent has yet to close it out. To win the game, a player must close out all his numbers and accumulate more points than his opponent.

    "Baseball"

    • In "baseball," the objective is to score more points--or runs--than your opponents by hitting a certain number each turn. For example, on your first turn--the first inning--you must hit "1" to score points. Hitting a "double 1" would net you 2 points, while hitting a "triple 1" would score 3 points. Each turn represents a new inning, and the aim is to hit the number that corresponds to the inning. The winner is the player with the most points after nine innings.

    "Shanghai"

    • In "Shanghai," only numbers 1 through 7 are in play. Players start by aiming for the "1" on their first turn, and the target number increases by one with each subsequent turn. Players can only score points by hitting the number in play. For example, if a player hits the "1" twice in his opening turn, he will score 2 points. The objective is to have scored the most points at the end of the game--the game ends after both players have thrown seven times--or to score a "Shanghai." To score a "Shanghai," a player must hit a single, double and triple of the number in play.