How many players do you need for Killer?

At least three makes it fun, and it works well with up to about eight. With two players it turns into a duel and loses most of the tension.

How do you choose your number?

The usual way is to throw one dart each with your weaker hand. Whatever number you hit becomes your number. Re-throw if someone lands on a number that is already taken.

What happens if a killer hits their own double?

In most rule sets they lose a life. Hitting your own double is how you become a killer, but once you are one, it works against you. Some groups let you ignore it, so check the house rule.

Do trebles count in Killer?

By default only doubles count. Some groups play that a treble takes two lives, which makes the game shorter and a lot meaner.

Can you win without becoming a killer?

No. Only a killer can take lives, so you need to qualify first. If every other player goes out while you still have a life, you win.

Darts

Killer Darts Rules: How to Play

Killer is the classic pub elimination game. Everyone owns a number, everyone has a few lives, and the only way to win is to knock out everyone else. It is loud, a bit nasty and works with any mix of abilities.

Setup

Numbers and lives

You need three or more players. Each player gets a number from 1 to 20, and the standard way to hand them out is for everyone to throw a dart with their non-throwing hand. Where it lands is your number. If two players land on the same one, the second thrower tries again.

Every player starts with the same number of lives, usually three. Write the names, numbers and lives on the board.

How a turn works

Become a killer, then hunt

Take turns throwing three darts, with your normal throwing hand. Your job is to hit the double of your own number.
Hit it and you become a killer. Many groups want three double hits first, others just one. Agree the number before you start.
Once you are a killer, aim at the doubles of other players’ numbers. Each double you land takes one life from that player.
Hit your own double again as a killer and you lose a life yourself.
A player with no lives left is out. They do not throw again.

For example: you own 14 and have already qualified. A double 9 takes a life from whoever owns 9. A double 14 costs you one.

Winning

Last player standing

The game ends when only one player has lives left. That player wins. Players who have not yet become killers can still win if the others knock each other out first, though it rarely happens.

Early on it is a race to qualify. Later it is about politics: everyone goes after the player who looks most dangerous, so the quiet one at the back often survives.

Common variants

How pubs change it

Treble takes two. A treble on an opponent’s number takes two lives. A treble on your own number costs you two as well.
Blind Killer. Numbers are drawn in secret, so you have to work out who owns what by watching who reacts.
Lives. Three is standard. Five makes a long game, one is brutal.
Singles to qualify. For beginners, a single of your own number is enough to become a killer.

Rules vary a lot from pub to pub. Ask before a stranger’s game starts.

Tips

Staying alive

Qualify quickly. A player who gets there first has a few free rounds to cause damage.
Go after players who are already killers. Hits on someone still trying to qualify are wasted effort.
If you have one life left, do not throw at your own double unless you have to. A stray dart can finish you.
Pick targets whose double you can hit. Ignore the awkward ones.

Prefer a game where everyone stays in? Try Halve-It or Baseball. The full list is on the darts hub.

Questions

Quick answers

How many players do you need for Killer?: At least three makes it fun, and it works well with up to about eight. With two players it turns into a duel and loses most of the tension.
How do you choose your number?: The usual way is to throw one dart each with your weaker hand. Whatever number you hit becomes your number. Re-throw if someone lands on a number that is already taken.
What happens if a killer hits their own double?: In most rule sets they lose a life. Hitting your own double is how you become a killer, but once you are one, it works against you. Some groups let you ignore it, so check the house rule.
Do trebles count in Killer?: By default only doubles count. Some groups play that a treble takes two lives, which makes the game shorter and a lot meaner.
Can you win without becoming a killer?: No. Only a killer can take lives, so you need to qualify first. If every other player goes out while you still have a life, you win.

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