Table Games
How to play Darts 301
Subtract scored visits from 301 and finish exactly at zero with a double.
What you need
Securely mounted board, three darts per thrower and score record; keep the throwing area clear
Set up the game
- Set bull center 1.73 m high and throwing line 2.37 m horizontally from board face.
- Agree starting order, straight-in/double-out and match length. Everyone begins at 301.
Playing Darts 301
- Alternate visits of up to three darts from behind the line. Subtract the valid total.
- Singles score the segment number; outer narrow ring doubles, inner narrow ring triples. Outer bull is 25, center bull 50.
- Straight-in counts your first scoring dart. Optional double-in counts nothing until an opening double.
- Finish with a double; center bull counts as double 25. Stop after checkout.
- Overshooting, leaving 1, or reaching zero without a double is a bust: end the visit and restore its starting score. Bounced-out darts score zero and are not rethrown.
The whole visit is canceled
Start on 32. Single 16 leaves 16, then single 15 leaves 1: bust immediately. Return to 32 and do not throw a third dart. Single 16 followed by double 8 instead would finish exactly and win.
Choose a usable finish
Early high scores are useful, but later visits need a workable remainder. When the opponent is far behind, setting up a familiar double may be more useful than attempting a difficult immediate finish. Practice routes including what happens if the intended double lands in its single segment. Repeatable accuracy matters more than copying a professional’s preferred checkout. Agree starting and finishing formats before the first dart, since electronic boards and local leagues offer different combinations.
Beginner decisions
- Plan the remainder before throwing. At 40, double 20 finishes; single 20 leaves double 10.
- Confirm arithmetic while the darts are still visible when another player scores.
Common rule mix-ups
- Keeping earlier darts from a busted visit.
- Assuming all 301 games require double-in.
Questions about this game
Must I throw all three?
No. Checkout or bust ends the visit.
Can beginners use straight-out?
Yes, if agreed as a variation; a double is then unnecessary to finish.
Sources and edition notes
Recreational steel-tip 301, straight-in/double-out with standard countdown and bust conventions. Double-in is an optional format; DRA events ordinarily begin at 501.
Sources and stated format checked October 14, 2026. This records a document check, not a claim of hands-on testing.
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