SportsPedia / Sport hub
Darts
Start with the basics, then explore the available rules, scoring, playing-area and equipment guides.
At a glance
- Format
- Steel-tip 501
- Players
- Singles; pairs and team formats also exist
- Core equipment
- Darts and dartboard
- Scoring
- Reduce a starting total to zero, finishing on a double
The reference collection
Find your starting point.
About Darts
Darts is played by throwing darts at a board divided into numbered sections. Players score points based on where the dart lands, aiming to reduce their score to zero in popular formats like 501.
The sport is widely played in pubs, homes and professional competitions around the world.
Why Darts Is So Popular
• Darts is one of the most accessible sports globally.
• Easy to Start
• Requires minimal equipment and space.
• Social Game
• Often played in pubs and social settings.
• Simple Rules
• Easy for beginners to understand.
• Competitive
• Played professionally with large audiences.
• Indoor Sport
• Can be played anytime, anywhere indoors.
Darts FAQ
What is darts?
Darts is a game where players throw darts at a board to score points.
What is 501 in darts?
A game where players start at 501 and aim to reach exactly zero.
What is a bust in darts?
A bust happens when a player goes below zero or doesn’t finish on a double.
What is the bullseye worth?
The bullseye is worth 50 points, and the outer bull is 25.
How many darts per turn?
Players throw 3 darts per turn.
Key terms
- Oche
- The line behind which a player throws.
- Leg
- One game within a darts match.
- Checkout
- Finishing the remaining score with the required final double.
Keep learning: Darts guide · Scoring explained
These additions do not mark the existing overview or linked guides as fully fact-checked. Rules can differ by competition, age group and format.