Play Darts Online

How to throw

• On a phone or tablet, swipe up from the dart below the board. The dart flies in the direction you swipe, and the speed of the swipe is the power: faster reaches higher up the board, slower lands lower.
• After each throw the power bar shows how hard you threw, with a marker for the power your target needed, plus how far left or right your swipe was.
• With a mouse, press and hold to aim, then let go to throw.
• With a mouse, the crosshair moves like a real arm: it's shaky the moment you press, steadies after a second (the ring shrinks and turns green), then starts to wander if you hold on too long. Throw while it's steady.
• Every throw also scatters a little, more up and down than sideways, just like real darts.
• Above the board you'll always see what you need: the checkout to go out in 501, or the number to hit next.

Game modes

• 501 vs Computer: the classic. Count down from 501 and finish on a double, first to one, two or three legs.
• Count-Up: eight rounds where every dart adds up. Your best score is saved on your device.
• Around the Clock: hit 1 to 20 in order, then the bull, and try to get round in fewer darts each time.
• Play a friend: choose A friend, enter both names and take turns on the same phone or computer, three darts each. Works in all three games.

How good is the computer?

Each level was tuned by simulating thousands of legs of 501. Easy averages about 35, like a beginner. Medium averages about 54, a decent pub player. Hard averages about 74, a strong league player, and Pro about 95, close to what you see on TV. The computer aims for treble 20 and follows proper checkout routes when it's on a finish.

Tips for higher scores

• Wait for the green ring, then throw. Rushing or hanging on both cost you accuracy.
• Throw as the crosshair drifts across your target rather than chasing it.
• On a phone, find the swipe speed for treble 20 and repeat it. The marker on the power bar shows what each target needs.
• When treble 20 gets crowded, switch to treble 19.
• On a finish, follow the checkout shown under the board.