301: the most popular dart game

How to play 301
(and 501, 701, 901, 1001…)

Set up

Players

301 is a classic darts game played head-to-head or in teams.

If you’re playing in teams

Split into two balanced teams, keeping everyone’s skill level in mind. 2 vs. 2 or 3 vs. 3 can work fine. More than three per team tends to get a bit chaotic.

What you need to play

A standard dartboard -with sectors and rings- and three darts are required.

Target height

The official rules state that the center of the target must be at a height of 1.73 m (5 ft).

Ideally, the center of the target should be at the level of the thrower’s eyes. Obviously, not everyone measures the same, and you cannot change the height of the target for each throw. So a decision must be made.

If you are going to play at home, and you can select the height of the dartboard. Here’s a tip: measure each player’s eye level and take the average. This will make the game fairer for everyone.

Launching distance

If the target is 1.73m from the release then the distance from the throw line to the dartboard should be 2.37 meters.

Goal of the game

How do you win at 301?

Each player —or team— starts with 301 points, and the goal is to be the first to bring that score down to exactly zero.

301 rules: playing a game

The rules explained below are part of the official rules used in the international championships organized by the World Darts Federation, only those we consider necessary and sufficient to play and have fun with friends or family.

Who’s first?

Decide who goes first with a coin toss.

One turn = 3 darts

Each player may throw three darts in turn, one at a time. Normally, all three are thrown, except when reaching the end of the game, as we will see later.

Darts out

If a dart goes out and is not stuck in the target, the throw is not repeated. That dart doesn’t count.

Bouncing darts

If a dart rebounds after hitting the dartboard and falls to the ground, the throw is not repeated. This dart is not counted.

Darts that fall before counting

If a dart falls off the board before the score is counted — even if it was initially stuck — it doesn’t count.

Update the score

After the third dart has been thrown, the number of points for the darts stuck in the dartboard must be counted. Points are subtracted from the player’s or team’s total score. How many points are scored? This is explained in detail and with examples below.

Negative marker

If, when subtracting the score obtained, the result is lower than zero, these points do not count and the previous score is maintained.

For example, if a player scores 30 points and his three darts add up to 50 points, subtracting them results in a negative result of -20 points, so his score will remain at 30 points.

You don’t have to throw all three darts.

You don’t have to throw all three darts. If after the first throw the score is already ZERO, the game is over.

Next turn

Now it is turn for the other player —or a player from the other team, who in turn will alternate between them—. And so on until the game is over.

Game over – And the winner is…

And the winner is…

The game is over when a player —or team— manages to leave his score exactly ZERO points, becoming the winner. Congratulations!

Punctuation system in “301” with examples

Knowing the dartboard

Dartboard sectors

The dartboard is divided into wedge-shaped sectors. Each sector is associated with a score. In this picture we have marked sector 4 in blue. If a dart lands in that sector it will add 4 points, unless it also coincides with one of the rings.

Double ring

The large circumference in red and green colors is called the ring of doubles. In 301, if your dart lands in the double ring, it multiplies the sector score by 2.

Triple ring

The outer circumference in red and green colors is called the treble ring. In 301 dart game if a dart lands in the treble ring it multiplies the sector score by 3.

The center of the dartboard.

The center of the target is divided in two areas. We have a red circle right in the center, the inner bull’s-eye, and a small green ring encircling it, the outer bull’s-eye. In dart game 301, 50 points are scored if the dart lands on the inner bullseye and 25 if it lands on the outer bullseye.

Scoring examples in the “301” game

Example 1

Simple score in sector 12 = 12 points

Example 2

Also simple score in sector 12 = 12 points

Example 3

Double score in sector 12 = 24 points

Example 4

Triple score in sector 12 = 36 points

Example 5

Outer bullseye = 25 points

Example 6

Inner bullseye = 50 points

Dartboard heatmap scoring

This image shows the points scored in each zone of the dartboard using a color scale ranging from turquoise blue —minimum score, 1 point— to garnet —maximum score, 60 points—.

Cmglee, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia

Width of rings is distorted to fit the numbers, but the image perfectly fulfills its mission: to identify the hottest and coldest areas of the dartboard.

301 variants

DOUBLE START variant

In this variant, you do not start scoring until you hit the double ring. Only the points of the darts stuck after the first double count, not including it.

It is a very popular variant in bars and pubs, although it is not used in official championships.

DOUBLE CLOSING variant

It is a mandatory variant in official championships.

The dart that closes the game and brings the score to zero must land in the double ring. If a player scores 16 points, a simple score in sector 16 is not good for him, he must score in the double ring in sector 8.

It is also possible to close the game with the 50 points of the inner target.

If your score ends up at 1, the turn doesn’t count and your score stays the same.

501, 701, 901, 1001…

The games of darts 501, 701, 901 or 1001… are identical games to 301 in which the initial score instead of being 301 points is 501,701…

We recommend starting with 301 for occasional or novice players.

The higher the number, the longer the game will last.

Buying guide and tips

Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the perfect target for you.

Types of Dartboards

Paper or pressed cardboard targets

Advantages: They are very cheap and hang easily.
Disadvantages: The dart holes do not close. They are dartboards for casual use, almost single use.

Sisal or Bristle targets

Advantages: They are made of natural pressed sisal fibers. They are preferred by many professional players due to their durability and ability to self-repair, that is, to close the holes left by the darts.
Disadvantages: They are more expensive than other options. But if you want quality and durability, we recommend investing the money.

These targets require metal-tipped darts. Important.

Electronic Targets

Advantages: Perfect for casual gamers. They automatically record the score and often have integrated games.
Drawbacks: Some purists may argue that they do not offer the same feel as traditional dartboards, and sometimes may not register darts correctly. They require batteries or electricity, which is an added cost.

For electronic dartboards, plastic-tipped darts should be used.

Best Sellers on Amazon

Curious about the best-selling dartboards on Amazon?

And that’s a wrap – not too shabby, right?

Actually, one last thing… Check out the official rules used in international tournaments organized by the World Darts Federation. In case you want to go deeper.

Thanks for reading! Have a great day – and an even better night 😉