Who keeps score in a darts match?

In league and tournament play, a marker or the players take turns. In a casual game, the player who just threw, or the one waiting, does it. Whoever is keeping score should call out the remaining total after every visit so both players hear it.

How do you write down a 501 score?

Draw a column for each player, starting each at 501. After every visit, write the total thrown and cross out the old remaining score for the new one below it. Some chalkboards use two columns, one for the visit total and one for what is left.

What is the quickest way to subtract a darts score?

Take off the round number first, then fix the difference. To subtract 57 from 301, take off 60 to get 241, then add 3 back for 244. For trebles, it often helps to think in 60s and 20s.

How do you mark Cricket on a chalkboard?

List 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and B down the middle. Each player marks hits beside each number: a slash for one, a cross for two, and a circled cross for three, which closes the number. Points go in a column at the side.

Darts

How to Keep Score in Darts

Scoring darts is simple arithmetic done in front of people who are waiting. This guide covers a chalkboard layout for 501 and Cricket, fast ways to subtract, and the habits that keep a match friendly.

501

Keeping a 501 scoreboard

Write each player's name at the top of a column.
Start every column at 501.
After each visit, add up the three darts and subtract the total from that player's remaining score. Write the new remaining score under the old one.
Say the new number out loud, for example "one-forty-one left", so both players can check it.
When a player gets near a finish, note the number they need. The checkout chart shows the route.

A bust leaves the score unchanged. Cross out nothing, write a B, or copy the previous number again so the scoreboard shows that the visit happened. If you are unsure whether a finish was valid, check it against the 501 rules.

Mental maths

Subtracting quickly

Most visits are made of trebles, so learn the common totals and the rest gets easy.

Common dart values
Dart	Points
Treble 20	60
Treble 19	57
Treble 18	54
Treble 17	51
Double 20	40
Inner bull	50
Outer bull	25
Three treble 20s	180

Round and fix. To take 57 off 301, subtract 60 and add 3 back.
Add the darts first. Total the three darts in one number, then subtract once. Subtracting dart by dart is where mistakes creep in.
Count in 20s and 60s. Most players score a lot of 20s and treble 20s. Two 60s is 120, and 140 is two 60s and a 20.
Know what is a finish. Every even number up to 40 and the number 50 can be finished with one dart. Once you recognise them, you will call out the checkout before anyone asks.

Cricket

Marking Cricket on a chalkboard

Write 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and B for bull down the middle of the board, with one side for each player. Mark hits next to the number:

One mark: a single slash.
Two marks: a cross.
Three marks: a circled cross, which means the number is closed.

Keep a points column at the side for each player. Only add points once you have closed a number and your opponent has not. The full rules, including cut-throat, are on the Cricket page.

Habits

Keeping the peace at the board

Agree who is scoring before the first dart.
Read the total back before you write it.
If there is a dispute, check the darts still in the board and recount. Do not pull them until it is settled.
Write scores in a clear hand, large enough that both players can read the board from the oche.

Questions

Quick answers

Who keeps score in a darts match?: In league and tournament play, a marker or the players take turns. In a casual game, the player who just threw, or the one waiting, does it. Whoever is keeping score should call out the remaining total after every visit so both players hear it.
How do you write down a 501 score?: Draw a column for each player, starting each at 501. After every visit, write the total thrown and cross out the old remaining score for the new one below it. Some chalkboards use two columns, one for the visit total and one for what is left.
What is the quickest way to subtract a darts score?: Take off the round number first, then fix the difference. To subtract 57 from 301, take off 60 to get 241, then add 3 back for 244. For trebles, it often helps to think in 60s and 20s.
How do you mark Cricket on a chalkboard?: List 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and B down the middle. Each player marks hits beside each number: a slash for one, a cross for two, and a circled cross for three, which closes the number. Points go in a column at the side.

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