501 Darts Scorer

How to play 501

• Each player starts on 501 and throws three darts per turn, called a visit.
• The total of the visit is subtracted from the player's score.
• Doubles (the outer ring) score twice the number and trebles (the inner ring) three times. The outer bull is 25 and the bullseye 50.
• To win the leg you must reach exactly zero, and the last dart must be a double or the bullseye.
• Players take turns to throw first in each leg.

Busts and double out

If a visit would take you below zero, leave you on 1, or reach zero without a double, it's a bust: the visit scores nothing and your score goes back to what it was before the visit. On 32, for example, a single 16 leaves 16, which is still a double, but a treble 16 is a bust.

Playing with friends who'd rather not worry about doubles? Turn Double out off and any dart that reaches zero wins.

Legs, sets and match formats

A leg is one game from 501 to zero. Most matches are first to a set number of legs, such as best of five (first to three). In set play, legs are grouped into sets: the PDC World Championship, for example, plays sets of best of five legs. Choose the legs per set and sets per match before you start, and DartNow keeps the score.

301, 701 and double in

301 is the quicker version and is popular in league play, often with double in: your score only starts to count once you hit a double. 701 and 1001 are longer formats for pairs and team games, and 101 makes a fast finishing drill. All of them work the same way in DartNow.

Tips to score more

• Aim at treble 20. When your own darts block it, switch to treble 19 rather than forcing it.
• Know your finishes. 40 (double 20) and 32 (double 16) are favourites because a missed single still leaves a double.
• Avoid leaving an odd number for your last dart. Use a single to set up a double instead.
• Watch your averages. Your 3-dart average and first-9 average (the first three visits of each leg) are the quickest way to track progress.