How to play 501 darts

The basics

Each player starts on 501 (or 301 / 701 for shorter or longer games). Players take turns throwing three darts — a "visit" — and subtract the total from their score. The first player to reach exactly zero wins the leg.

Finishing on a double

Your final dart must land in a double (the outer ring) or the bullseye, which counts as double 25. So from 40 you need double 20; from 32, double 16.

Busts

If a visit takes you below zero, to exactly 1, or to zero without a double, it's a bust: your score goes back to what it was before the visit and your turn ends.

Legs and sets

A leg is one game from 501 down to zero. Win the agreed number of legs to take a set, and the agreed number of sets to win the match. Players usually alternate who throws first each leg.

Keeping score with Darts Social

Pick your starting score, legs per set and sets per match, enter each visit's total, and the scoreboard does the maths — showing your remaining score, 3-dart average, the checkout you're on, and live commentary.