Do you have to start 501 with a double?

In most games, no. Straight in is the norm: any dart that lands in the scoring area counts from the first throw. Double in, where your score only starts once you hit a double, is a variation some leagues and pub games use. Agree it before the first dart.

What happens when you bust in darts?

Your visit ends and your score goes back to what it was before you stepped up, however many darts you had thrown. You bust by scoring more than you have left, by landing on exactly 1, or by reaching zero without finishing on a double.

How far is the oche from the dartboard?

The standard throw line is 7 feet 9 1/4 inches (2.37 m) from the face of the board, measured along the floor. The centre of the bullseye is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) above the floor.

Who throws first in a leg of 501?

For the first leg, each player throws one dart at the bull and the closest throws first. After that, the starter alternates each leg, whatever happened in the previous one.

How many darts are in a visit?

Three. Each player throws three darts, the score is totalled and taken off, and the turn passes. A dart that bounces out or misses the board scores nothing.

Darts

501 Darts Rules: How to Play

501 is the game you see on television and in nearly every pub league. Two players, or two teams, race from 501 down to exactly zero, and the last dart has to be a double. The rules fit on one page.

Setup

What you need and who goes first

You need a dartboard, three darts each, and something to keep score. Hang the board so the bullseye is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) from the floor, and mark a throw line, called the oche, 7 feet 9 1/4 inches (2.37 m) from the face of the board. Measure that distance along the floor, not diagonally to the bull.

To decide who starts, each player throws one dart at the bull. The closest to the centre starts the first leg. After that, the starter swaps each leg.

Play

Throwing and scoring

Every player starts on 501.
Players take turns. A turn, called a visit, is three darts thrown from behind the oche.
Add up the darts and subtract the total from your score. Inside the board, a single scores the number shown, the thin outer ring doubles it, and the thin inner ring trebles it. The outer bull is 25 and the inner bull is 50.
The first player to reach exactly zero, finishing on a double or the inner bull, wins the leg.

Only darts that stay in the board count. A dart that bounces out or falls out scores nothing, and your score is only updated once all three darts have been thrown. The most you can score in a visit is 180: three treble 20s.

The finish

Double out, double in and busts

Double out

You must finish on a double. Double 16 on 32, double 20 on 40, or the inner bull on 50 all work. If you are on 41, you cannot win with one dart, so you need to leave yourself a double first. The checkout chart lists a route for every score from 170 down to 2.

Busts

You bust if you score more than you have left, finish on exactly 1 (which no double can finish), or reach zero without a double. A bust cancels the whole visit: your score returns to what it was before your first dart and play passes to your opponent.

Double in

Some leagues and pub games also require a double to start. Until you land one, your darts score nothing. Many pub leagues play straight in and double out, and so do the major tournaments, so assume that unless told otherwise. Some casual games also allow any finish, called straight out, which makes it much easier to close.

Matches

Legs and sets

One game of 501 is a leg. A match is usually first to a set number of legs, such as best of three or best of five. Bigger matches group legs into sets: win three legs to take a set, and the match goes to the first player to win the agreed number of sets. The starter alternates every leg, so the advantage of throwing first is shared.

Etiquette

Playing it right at the oche

Keep your front foot behind the oche while you throw.
Wait until your opponent has finished their visit and stepped away before you walk to the board.
Leave the darts in the board until the score is called and agreed, then pull them out.
Stay still and quiet while someone is throwing.
Call your remaining score out loud and check it against the board if there is any doubt. The scoring guide covers the chalkboard.

Questions

Quick answers

Do you have to start 501 with a double?: In most games, no. Straight in is the norm: any dart that lands in the scoring area counts from the first throw. Double in, where your score only starts once you hit a double, is a variation some leagues and pub games use. Agree it before the first dart.
What happens when you bust in darts?: Your visit ends and your score goes back to what it was before you stepped up, however many darts you had thrown. You bust by scoring more than you have left, by landing on exactly 1, or by reaching zero without finishing on a double.
How far is the oche from the dartboard?: The standard throw line is 7 feet 9 1/4 inches (2.37 m) from the face of the board, measured along the floor. The centre of the bullseye is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) above the floor.
Who throws first in a leg of 501?: For the first leg, each player throws one dart at the bull and the closest throws first. After that, the starter alternates each leg, whatever happened in the previous one.
How many darts are in a visit?: Three. Each player throws three darts, the score is totalled and taken off, and the turn passes. A dart that bounces out or misses the board scores nothing.

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