The following text entails the rules for some of the most popular Dart games played American style. For each game you will find:
- The most GENERALLY accepted rules.
- Some of the more common variations of the game.
- A few tips on strategy.
- A calculation of the best possible game, where applicable.
301 | 501 | Cricket | Baseball
301 is probably the most popular dart game in the world, as well as in America. Because it is fast, it is very popular in pubs since it doesn't tie up the board for long periods of time. While many tournaments have gone to 501, the granddaddy of them all, the North American Open Dart Tournament still uses 301 in singles and doubles.
To play the game, both players start at 301 and try to reduce their score to zero by subtracting the total score for each turn of three darts from their previous score.
Before a player can begin to subtract from 301, it is necessary for them to first throw one dart in the double ring. The double ring is the narrow band (approx. 3/8" wide) on the outside of the board. Any darts thrown before the double is hit DO NOT COUNT. Once the double is hit the value of that double and any following score during that turn is added together and subtracted from 301, until the score reaches zero. Each player shoots in turn and each player must score a double to start his game.
The second rule to contend with is that, in order to finish the game, the score must be reduced to zero by hitting a double with the last dart. Obviously if your score is an odd number you could not double out, so your first dart would be used to achieve an even number then use the rest of your turn to hit a double space that equals your remaining score. For example, the game can be finished by hitting a double 20 (40) or a double 16 (32), but the game cannot be finished with the score at 23 without first evening up the score. A double bulls eye (50) can be used to finish the game. The lowest score the game can be finished on is a double one (2). Any time a dart is thrown that reduces the score below 2 the player "busts" and his score reverts to what it was before that round was thrown. When the final double has been hit the game is immediately over and the player throwing that dart wins.
To start the game any double may be hit, but to finish the game only the double that will make that players score zero counts as a winning dart.
There is not that much strategy in 301 as you can't do a thing about your opponents darts. To double in many of the better players throw for the doubles on the side of the board (D13,D6,D10 on the right and D14, D11, D8 on the left), the theory being that the throw is more accurate vertically than horizontally and those doubles are easier to hit. When doubling out it is always better to try as soon as you are close enough that a double out is possible. Double bull being the largest, you would try for it when your score is 50. Say your score is 54. It is better to shoot single 14, then double 20 than single 18, then double 18, since a tripple 14, if hit, would still leave you 12, while a tripple 18 busts that throw.
When playing 301 just as a freindly game, there are often variations allowed that are called FAST FINISHES. It is a good idea, if you use them to agree upon some or all of these fast finishes before beggining the game. Generally when someone asks " Fast Finishes ? " they are referring to all of them.
If a player throws all of his darts in the same area of the dart board ( usually restricted to doubles and triples ) in one turn, without busting, he wins the game. For example, at the start of the game of 301 a player hits D16, D16, D16 the game is over. More likely is T20, T20, T20. But don't forget you have to have at least 182 left to attempt this shot.
Hitting a single, a double and a triple of the same number with three darts in the same turn, automatically wins the game. Again remember not to bust. Some variations require that a double be hit with the last dart, and others will allow a triple or a double be hit last.
With 222 or 111 left, a player may elect to throw for the T2 or the T1 with the next dart. If he hits it the game is over. If he doesn't the game goes on as usual. Some local rules say that if a player elects to try this fast finish and misses the number, he loses any darts he may have left and only gets what was scored on the one dart. Also some variations only allow this attempt if 222 or 111 is written on the score board as a result of the previos rounds throw.
501 is played the same way as 301, with the exeption that most times doubling in is not required. 501 is very popular in league and money matches. You seldom see fast finishes in 501 and in pubs it is often played as doubles since it does tie up the board a little longer.
The least number of darts you can finish a straight start 501 in is nine, and although it has been done a few times, it is not a common occurence. Any game under thirty darts is respectable, twenty-four darts exellent, and eighteen darts super. An example of a nine shot game would be to hit seven tripple 20's a tripple 19, and a double 12.
Variations and Strategy of 501 | Back
All the variations in 301 can be aplied to 501, but are not commonly used.
The basic strategy is the same for 501 as is for 301.
Variations of 301 | Strategy for 301 | Back
The game of Cricket, American style, is very different than the English game of the same name.
The American Darts Organization has adopted standard Cricket rules, and these rules are the ones we will look at.
In Cricket, a series of numbers are selected. The most common, and those selected by the ADO as standard, are 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and bull. The players, each in turn, try to close the numbers by hitting three of each. A triple counts as three, a double as two, and a single as one. Once a player has three of any number, that number is closed to his opponent for scoring. the player closing the number has the added advantage of being able to score additional points equal to the number value of the pie. He continues to score additional points on this number until his opponent also hits three of the number, thereby closing it.
The numbers may be shot in any order, and the game is over when one player has all his numbers closed and is even, or ahead on extra score. The single bull counts one mark and the double bull as two marks.
The score board is set up as illustrated below. The scores are called marks. One mark is represented with a (/), two marks with a (X), and three with an (X) circled. The marks are scored next to the number and the extra points are added along the side of the score board.
The strategy in American Cricket is pretty simple.Close your numbers as soon as you can and stay even or ahead on the score. There are many disputes on cricket strategy. Some claim that if you throw a T20 with your first or second dart, you should go for another 20 as it will then take five of any other number for your opponent to gain the lead. Others feel that if you hit the T20 with your first shot, you should go for the 19's. If you hit a T19 you are obviously way ahead, and if you get two 19's it takes your opponent six marks to get ahead of you. If your first shot is off and your second is T20, it is a tossup whether to go for the 20's or the 19's. It is true that it takes five of any other number to exceed four 20's, but it also takes five of any other number to exceed T20 and S19, and if you should hit the T19 you would have two numbers closed.
In the final analysis, it is total score that wins in Cricket. So, keep your numbers closed and stay ahead on total points. This means that you have to count any of your opponents fallout in evaluating your position. For example, if you got T20 and two 19's and your opponent shot T20, S19, Sb, you would be behind on score 98 to 104. Many players fail to keep track of these things.
A good strategy to use is: if you are ahead or even on score, close your numbers as fast as you can. But if you are behind on score, try to get a number up and even the score or get ahead.
Listed below is the game of Cricket in some of it's various forms. There are many other variations of Cricket but only a few which I feel worth mentioning.
The same American rules apply except you must hit a double before you can open a number. Once you hit a double then that double and anything else you hit in that number count.
For example, to start the 20's each player must hit a D20. After that, a single 20 would close the number, a double would close it and score 20 points, and a tripple would close and score 40 points. Of coarse points can only be scored if your oponent has not yet closed 20's themselves. The most significant difference in Doubles Only Cricket is that you cannot close a number with one dart. A perfect game would be fourteen darts
This is an excellent to practice your doubles. It will often be a high scoring game, with each player getting different numbers closed and then trying to stay ahead in points while shooting for the elusive doubles.
This variation of Cricket has the extra challenge of adding triples, doubles, and three in a bed to the normal Cricket numbers. Three in a bed means three darts in the same scoring area. For example the triple one, the double one or the single one.
The doubles, triples and three in a bed can be of any value, and once you close them you can score on your opponent if he still lacks three of either value.
Each time you hit a triple or double of the designated numbers (20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15,) you have the choice of scoring as a T20 or one triple. The hardest value to get seems to be the doubles as you wind up with a lot of non-scoring darts. A perfect game is 36 darts.
This is a shortened version of regular Cricket, mainly for wagering. It's simple. You just use 20, 19, 18, and bull.
Very often Cricket is played by teams of two and the game is played the same, exept as partners.
This is a good game when three people want to play Cricket instead of 301. It's played the same as regular Cricket, except when you get extra points you add it to each of your opponents scores,for example Larry, Curly, and Moe are playing Triples Cricket. Moe hits a T20, S20, and S19. He would then close his 20's and take one 19 mark, and score 20 on both Larry and Curly. The winner is the one to close all his numbers and have the lowest score. The strategy gets very involved as the players who are behind tend to "Gang-up" on the leader.
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The numbers 1 through 9 are designated as the innings, and each player tries to score as many runs in each inning as he can with three darts. The triple counts three runs, the double two, and a single one run. The players take turns throwing each inning and the player with the most runs at the end of nine innings is the winner.
The maximum score for an inning is 9 runs and a perfect game would be 81 runs. 50 to 60 runs is considered excellent.
The most common variation seems to be shortening the number of innings played to six or even three innings, especially when there are a large number of players challenging the board and when there is wagering on the game.
In the game of Bull Baseball each player is required to throw three darts at the bull before throwing each inning. One bull keeps the value of the innings normal, two bulls doubles the inning value, and three bulls triples the runs scored. Each player in turn throws three darts at the bull then throws three at the number. If you miss the bull you get 0 for that inning. Maximum score for an inning is 27 and a perfect game would be 243.
Most of the time the double bull is not counted as two bulls {the American dart board doesn't have a double bull), but when used it is posable to multiply the inning value by six. In such a game you could score 54 runs in a single inning and a perfect game would be 496 runs.
Baseball is absolutely devoid of strategy, but puts pressure on the shooter for accuracy. No stray darts will help you. Base ball has a specific number of turns (9 innings) and a predetermined list of object numbers(1-9). No need to add or subtract, just shoot. But be accurate, as Baseball favors the better shooter.