How to Score Darts: The Mathematics and Madness Behind Every Throw

I've been throwing darts for nearly two decades now, and if there's one thing that still amazes me, it's how many people walk up to a dartboard without really understanding what those numbers mean. Sure, everyone knows you're supposed to hit the bullseye, but darts scoring is actually a beautiful mathematical puzzle that rewards strategy as much as accuracy.

The first time I properly learned to score darts, I was in a dingy pub in Manchester, getting absolutely demolished by a seventy-year-old regular named Terry. Between throws, he taught me something that changed my entire perspective: darts isn't about hitting the highest numbers – it's about understanding the elegant system that makes this game endlessly fascinating.

The Dartboard's Secret Logic

Look at any regulation dartboard and you'll notice something peculiar. The numbers aren't arranged sequentially. Instead, they follow a specific pattern designed by Brian Gamlin in 1896 (though some dispute this). The arrangement is genius – high numbers sit next to low ones, punishing inaccuracy while rewarding precision. The 20 sits between the 1 and 5, the 19 between the 3 and 7. Miss your target by a few millimeters, and your score plummets.

Each wedge on the board has four distinct scoring zones. The outer ring doubles your score, the inner ring triples it. The outer bull (that green ring) scores 25 points, while the inner bull – the actual bullseye – nets you 50. This creates a fascinating risk-reward dynamic that separates casual players from serious competitors.

Standard 501: The Classic Game

Most competitive darts revolves around 501, and once you understand this format, everything else falls into place. Each player starts with exactly 501 points and must reduce their score to precisely zero. But here's the kicker – you must finish on a double. This rule transforms what could be a simple subtraction exercise into a strategic chess match.

Let me paint you a picture. You're standing at the oche (that's the throwing line, pronounced "ockey"), holding your three darts. Your current score is 501. Most beginners aim for the triple 20 – worth 60 points – because it's the highest scoring region on the board. Smart play, usually. But what happens when you're down to 32? Suddenly, that triple 20 becomes useless. You need to hit double 16 to win, or find another combination that leaves you on a finishing double.

The mental arithmetic becomes second nature after a while. I remember struggling initially, frantically calculating after each throw. Now, the numbers flow automatically. 501 minus 60 equals 441. Another triple 20? 381. The patterns emerge, and you start thinking several throws ahead.

The Art of the Finish

Finishing – or "checking out" as we call it – separates decent players from great ones. Any score of 170 or below can be finished in three darts, though some are significantly harder than others. The magical 170 finish? Triple 20, triple 20, bullseye. I've seen it done exactly twice in person, and both times the pub erupted.

Lower finishes require different strategies. Take 32, which I mentioned earlier. You could go for double 16, sure. But if you hit single 16 first, you're left with 16 – still finishable with double 8. This is called "leaving yourself a shot," and it's crucial for consistent play.

Some finishes are notorious. The dreaded 99 requires precision: usually triple 19 (57) leaving 42, then single 10 and double 16. Miss that triple 19 and hit single 19 instead? You're left with 80, still manageable but requiring a complete strategy shift.

Cricket: The American Favorite

While 501 dominates in Britain and most of Europe, Cricket holds court in American bars and leagues. The scoring here works completely differently. Only the numbers 20 through 15 and the bullseye matter. Hit any number three times to "close" it, then every subsequent hit scores points – but only if your opponent hasn't closed that number too.

I learned Cricket during a work trip to Chicago, and initially found it frustrating. Why ignore most of the board? But Cricket reveals its strategic depth slowly. Do you race to close numbers, preventing your opponent from scoring? Or do you pile up points on numbers you've closed first? The tension between offense and defense creates dramatic swings that 501 rarely matches.

Scoring Cricket requires a different notation system. Three marks close a number – usually drawn as two vertical lines with a diagonal slash through them. Once closed, you circle the marks. Points accumulate separately, tracked alongside the closing marks. It looks confusing at first, but becomes intuitive surprisingly quickly.

The Unwritten Rules of Scorekeeping

Here's something they don't teach you in the official rulebooks: being the scorekeeper carries responsibility and privilege. You're the game's narrator, calling out scores and remaining totals. "60 scored, 441 remaining." The rhythm matters. Too fast and players can't process the information. Too slow and you kill the game's momentum.

Good scorekeepers know the common combinations by heart. When someone's on 32, you don't just track what they hit – you're already calculating their options. Hit single 8? "24 remaining, double 12 to finish." This helps players who might struggle with mental math, keeping the game flowing.

I've noticed regional differences in scorekeeping etiquette. In Yorkshire pubs, scorekeepers often call out potential finishes: "You want 76? Go triple 20, double 8." Down in London, that's considered coaching – scorekeepers stay silent unless asked. These unwritten rules matter more than you'd think.

Electronic Scoring: Progress or Heresy?

Modern electronic dartboards calculate scores automatically, and honestly? Part of me hates them. Yes, they eliminate math errors and speed up play. But they also remove a fundamental part of the game's culture. Learning to score quickly and accurately is a rite of passage. It forces you to engage with the game's mathematical beauty.

That said, electronic boards have introduced interesting variations. Some track statistics – average scores, checkout percentages, first-nine-dart averages. This data revolutionizes practice sessions. You can identify weaknesses precisely. Always missing doubles on the left side of the board? The statistics don't lie.

Advanced Scoring Strategies

Once you grasp basic scoring, deeper strategies emerge. In 501, going first provides a significant advantage – you're always one step ahead in the race to zero. This advantage compounds if you consistently score higher than your opponent. The pressure builds as they're forced to take risks, attempting difficult finishes while you methodically work down from a comfortable position.

But here's where it gets interesting. Sometimes scoring too well creates problems. Hit a surprise triple when aiming for a single, and you might "bust" – exceeding zero or leaving yourself unable to finish on a double. I once watched a player hit triple 20 when needing 58, leaving himself stranded on 2. Can't finish on double 1 – it doesn't exist. He had to score again, wasting darts and momentum.

Professional players memorize "bogey numbers" – scores that can't be finished with three darts. 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, and 159 all require a fourth dart minimum. Landing on these scores in a tight match can be devastating. Smart players plan their scoring to avoid these numbers entirely.

The Psychology of Scoring

Numbers affect players psychologically in ways that transcend mathematics. Certain scores feel comfortable – 100, 60, 40. Others create anxiety. Nobody likes sitting on 99 or 89. These "awkward" scores require specific combinations that don't flow naturally.

I've developed personal preferences over the years. Give me 76 over 74 any day. Both require the same number of darts to finish, but 76 offers cleaner options: triple 20, double 8. Simple. 74 demands either triple 14, double 16 (harder to hit) or a messy combination involving odd numbers.

Watch experienced players and you'll notice they often deliberately score to reach preferred numbers. Need to score 44 to leave a favorite finish? They'll avoid the tempting triple 20 and instead go for single 11, single 13, single 20. Looks strange to beginners, but it's calculated strategy.

Scoring Variations Around the World

Travel enough and you'll encounter fascinating scoring variations. In some Australian pubs, they play "Mickey Mouse" – Cricket with different numbers each game, determined by dart throws at the start. I played a variant in Japan where hitting the same number with all three darts doubled your entire turn's score. These local rules keep the game fresh for regulars who've played standard formats thousands of times.

Shanghai introduces another scoring twist. Players must hit singles, doubles, and triples of ascending numbers (1 through 7 or sometimes 9). Score equals the round number multiplied by hits. Round 4, hit single, double, and triple 4? That's 4 × 6 = 24 points. But here's the twist – hitting Shanghai (single, double, AND triple of the current round's number) wins instantly. The scoring system creates escalating tension as later rounds offer more points but increase Shanghai risk.

The Future of Darts Scoring

Online darts has exploded recently, bringing new scoring challenges. Lag makes simultaneous play impossible, so most platforms use turn-based systems. This changes strategy fundamentally. In live play, you respond immediately to opponent's scores. Online, you might throw your entire visit before seeing their result. It's like playing chess by mail – requires different thinking entirely.

Some platforms experiment with handicapping systems, adjusting starting scores based on player ratings. A novice might start at 301 while their expert opponent begins at 701. The scoring mathematics stay identical, but the strategic landscape shifts dramatically. These systems could make leagues more inclusive, though traditionalists resist change.

Final Thoughts on Mastering the Numbers

After all these years, I still find joy in the simple act of calculating scores. There's something meditative about the mental math, the quick subtractions and strategic planning. Darts scoring isn't just bookkeeping – it's integral to the game's character.

New players often ask me for the single most important scoring tip. Here it is: learn your outs. Know every combination for every finish under 100. Not because you'll always hit them, but because knowing your options reduces pressure. Standing at the oche with a clear plan beats hoping for lucky throws every time.

The beauty of darts scoring lies in its accessibility. Children can grasp basic addition and subtraction, while mathematics professors can appreciate the probability theory underlying optimal strategies. Everyone plays the same game, but at vastly different levels of understanding.

Whether you're tracking scores on a traditional chalkboard or letting electronics handle the math, remember that these numbers tell a story. Every score represents decisions made, risks taken, and skills tested. The player who understands scoring deeply doesn't just track numbers – they read the game's narrative as it unfolds, anticipating plot twists and preparing for dramatic finishes.

That's the real secret Terry taught me all those years ago in Manchester. Darts isn't about throwing sharp objects at a circular target. It's about understanding a numerical system so elegant that it transforms a simple pub game into an endlessly engaging strategic challenge. Master the scoring, and you master the game itself.

Authoritative Sources:

Chaplin, Patrick. Darts in England 1900-39: A Social History. Manchester University Press, 2009.

McClintock, Jack, and John Lowe. The Book of Darts. Contemporary Books, 1984.

Noakes, Cyril. Darts: The Complete Play-by-Play Guide. Collins, 1992.

Silk, George, and David Norton. The Dart Book. William Morrow & Company, 1984.

World Darts Federation. WDF Playing and Tournament Rules. World Darts Federation, 2023.