How to Play Darts: Setup, Scoring and Your First 501 Game

In standard 501 darts, players take turns throwing up to three darts and subtracting their points from 501. The first player to reach exactly zero, with the final dart landing on a double, wins the game—called a leg.

This guide covers conventional steel-tip darts. Electronic soft-tip boards can use different settings, so check the machine’s rules before playing.

1. Set up the board and throwing line

You need a bristle dartboard, three steel-tip darts per player, and paper, a whiteboard or a scoring app.

• Hang the board with 20 at the top.
• Set the centre of the bullseye 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) above the floor.
• Mark the throwing line, called the oche, 7 ft 9¼ in (2.37 m) horizontally from the board’s face—not the wall.

These are the standard steel-tip measurements given by the PDC’s rules guide; the DRA rulebook also specifies the board’s orientation. For mounting and measuring steps, use our dartboard setup guide.

Keep the throwing area clear of people and pets. Wait until the other player has retrieved their darts and moved clear before throwing.

2. Learn what each part of the board scores

The number around the edge identifies the wedge. Where the dart’s point lands determines its score.

Where the dart lands	Score	Example
Either broad single area	Wedge number	Single 20 = 20
Narrow outer ring: double	Twice the number	Double 20 = 40
Narrow inner ring: treble	Three times the number	Treble 20 = 60
Outer bull ring	25	25
Centre bullseye	50	50
Outside the scoring area	0	0

The bullseye counts as double 25 when finishing. A dart that bounces out or falls out before retrieval scores nothing and cannot be thrown again. These scoring rules are set out in sections 6.2–6.5 of the DRA rulebook, effective 31 March 2026.

Three treble 20s score 180, the highest possible three-dart total. But a beginner’s first job is to recognise and add the actual hits, not the intended targets. Our darts scoring guide gives more worked examples.

3. Play your first 501 leg

For a casual first match, agree who starts—for example, by tossing a coin—and play best of three legs: first to win two.

1. Write 501 for each player. In standard straight-start 501, your first scoring dart counts; you do not need a double to begin.
2. Throw up to three darts, one at a time. One turn is called a visit.
3. Total the points and subtract them. Confirm and record the score before removing the darts, then let your opponent play.
4. Finish on a double. You must reach exactly zero, not merely pass it.

These playing rules follow the DRA’s standard 501 format.

Scoring example: single 20 + single 5 + treble 20 = 85. Starting from 501, you have 416 remaining.

Finishing example: with 40 left, double 20 wins. If you hit single 20 instead, you now have 20 left and can aim at double 10 with your next dart. Stop throwing as soon as you win.

What is a bust?

You bust if you:

• Score more than your remaining total.
• Leave exactly 1, which cannot be finished with a double.
• Reach zero without the final dart being a double.

A bust ends the visit and cancels every point scored during that visit. Your total returns to what it was at the start of the turn, under the DRA bust rule.

For example, start on 40, hit single 20, then treble 20: you bust and return to 40, not 20. Do not throw your third dart.

4. Use a simple, repeatable throw

Start with your throwing-side foot forward: right foot for a right-handed throw, left for a left-handed throw. Keep your feet behind the line and choose a comfortable angle. DARTSLIVE’s beginner stance guidance offers this as a starting position, not a compulsory stance.

Try holding the barrel—the main body of the dart—with your thumb and index finger, using your middle finger for support. This is the three-finger starting grip suggested by DARTSLIVE, not the only valid grip.

Pick a precise target, bring the dart back, then move forward smoothly and release. Let your hand continue towards the target rather than stopping abruptly. These stages follow DARTSLIVE’s setup, pull-back, release and follow-through guidance.

Use one observable cue: finish balanced, without stepping or rocking forward. If you need more detail, follow our five-step throwing guide.

5. Make your first practice session measurable

Try this 60-dart beginner session, throwing in visits of three:

• 30 darts at 20: aim at the large single-20 area. Record your total points and how many darts land anywhere in the 20 wedge, including doubles and trebles.
• 30 darts at double 20: count only double-20 hits. Record the result out of 30; do not apply bust rules in this target drill.

After each visit, note whether you finished all three throws without stepping or rocking forward. That gives you a balance checkpoint out of 20 visits.

Write down the date, both hit counts, the points total and your balance checkpoint. Repeat with the same targets and dart count next time. Keep scoring accuracy and double accuracy separate: a higher points total alone does not tell you whether you are becoming better at finishing.