The 501 dart game is a classic that’s played globally and it has very specific rules and regulations. The game starts with each player having a score of 501 and the objective is to hit certain numbers on the dartboard to reduce your score. Every player takes turns throwing three darts. The score for each turn is calculated and deducted from the player’s total. Bullseye scores 50, the outer ring scores 25 and a dart in the double or treble ring will score double or triple the segment score.
The game continues until one player reaches exactly 0 points, and the final dart that brings the score to zero must land in a double or the bullseye. If a player’s total score is reduced to 1 or if they hit a score that reduces their total score to below zero, the player’s score is bust for that round, and their score is returned to the score prior to starting that turn. The player’s turn is also forfeited.
Related Questions
1. What happens if a player throws more than three darts in a turn?
Only three darts can be thrown by a player in one turn. If a player throws more than three darts, the throws beyond the third won’t be counted within their score and can result in the forfeiture of that turn.
2. Can a player win the 501 Dart Game by hitting a treble?
No, the last dart must land in a double or the bullseye. That’s why strategy is important in the game not just accuracy. Even if a player hits a treble, they won’t finish the game.
3. What’s the penalty if my dart scores less than the remaining total, leaving me with one point?
If a player is left with one point, it’s marked as a bust, which means no scores are counted from that turn, and the player’s score is returned to what it was at the start of that turn.
4. What if a dart misses the board entirely or falls off before it could be scored?
If a dart misses the board entirely or falls off before it is scored, that dart’s score is deemed as zero. Only darts sticking into the board count for the score.
5. Are there specific darts needed for a 501 dart game?
No specific darts are required. You can use any darts as long as they are not more than 30 cm in length and not weighing more than 50 grams each. However, most players prefer lighter, shorter darts.