How to Score a Dartboard in 2025: Tips for All Dart Games

Scoring a dartboard is essential for playing popular dart games like 501, 301, Cricket, and others. The method for scoring depends on the game you're playing, but here's a general guide on how to score darts in various common games:

Understanding the Dartboard Layout

• Single Area: The large numbered sections (1–20) on the dartboard are divided into three areas: single, double, and triple.
  • Single: The large outer ring of each numbered section.
  • Double: The outermost narrow ring.
  • Triple: The inner narrow ring, closer to the center.
• Bullseye:
  • Outer Bullseye: The green circle in the center (worth 25 points).
  • Inner Bullseye: The red circle in the center (worth 50 points).
• Misses: Darts that miss the board entirely score 0 points.

Basic Scoring in Darts

• Single Area: If a dart lands in the single area, it scores the number of points of that section (e.g., a dart in the single 7 section scores 7 points).
• Double Area: If a dart lands in the double ring, it scores twice the points of that section (e.g., a dart in the double 5 section scores 10 points).
• Triple Area: If a dart lands in the triple ring, it scores three times the points of that section (e.g., a dart in the triple 8 section scores 24 points).
• Bullseye: A dart in the outer bullseye scores 25 points, and in the inner bullseye scores 50 points.

Scoring for Common Dart Games

Here’s how scoring works for some of the most popular dart games:

501/301 (Standard Match Play)

• Objective: Start with a score of 501 or 301, and reduce it to exactly 0.
• Scoring: Subtract the points scored with each dart throw from the starting total. For example, if you start with 501 and score 20, 20, and 10 in a turn, you would subtract 50 (20 + 20 + 10) from 501, leaving you with 451.
• Ending the Game: To win, you must hit exactly 0, and the final dart must land in a double area (e.g., double 20 to win with 40 points remaining).
• Important Rule: If you go below 0, it's called a bust, and the score for that round is canceled. You must return to your previous score.
•  

Cricket

• Objective: Close out numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye by hitting each number three times.
• Scoring: The first player to hit a number three times "owns" that number. You can score points by hitting owned numbers while your opponent hasn't closed it yet.
  • Example: If you hit a triple 20, you score 60 points. If your opponent hasn't closed 20 yet, you can still score points on that number.
• Winning: The player who owns all numbers (15–20 and bullseye) and has the highest score at the end wins.
•  

Around the World (Round the Clock)

• Objective: Players must hit each number from 1 to 20 in order.
• Scoring: The first person to hit each number in sequence, starting from 1, moves on to the next number.
• Winning: The first player to hit all the numbers in order wins.
•  

Half-It

• Objective: Players must hit specific numbers (often 25, 50, 75, etc.) and score half of the required number with each hit.
• Scoring: If a player hits a required number, they score half of that number. For example, if the target number is 50 and a player hits it, they score 25 points.
• Winning: The first player to complete all required scores wins.

General Scoring Tips

• Accuracy: Aim for the higher-point sections (triple 20, double 20) for higher scores.
• Strategic Play: In 501, aim for doubles and triples to reduce your score quickly. In Cricket, focus on closing out the high numbers early while avoiding unnecessary scoring.

Scoring for Practice Games

• Simple Scoring: In casual games, you may just keep a tally of points for each round, aiming to hit a set target.
• Fun Variants: Try using numbers that increase each round or setting up your own personal challenges.

Conclusion

In any dart game, accurate scoring is key to strategy. Knowing the scoring zones (single, double, triple, bullseye) and understanding the rules of each game will help you play more effectively and improve your overall skills.