DartScore.uk501, 301 and 101 Darts: Rules and Strategy
Last updated 9 November 2026
501 is the game you see on television, and it is simple to describe: start on 501 and be the first player to reach exactly zero. 301 and 101 work the same way with less distance to cover. What makes these games interesting is the last few darts, because you have to land on zero exactly.
The rules
- Each player starts on the same score, usually 501, or 301 for a shorter game.
- Players take turns to throw three darts. Each dart's score is subtracted from their total.
- The first player to reach exactly zero wins the leg.
- In the standard game the final dart must land in a double or the inner bull. This is called double out.
What is a bust?
If a turn takes you too low, it is a bust. Your score goes back to what it was at the start of that turn and your turn ends immediately. With double out on, there are three ways to bust:
- Scoring more than you have left.
- Leaving yourself on 1, because no double can finish it.
- Reaching zero with a dart that is not a double or the inner bull.
A worked example
You are on 40 with three darts in hand, playing double out.
- Your first dart lands in single 20, leaving 20. That is still fine, as double 10 finishes it.
- Your second dart lands in single 10, leaving 10. Now you need double 5.
- Your third dart lands in double 5. You reach zero on a double and win.
Had the last dart hit single 9 instead, you would be left on 1. That is a bust, and you would return to 40 for your next turn.
Variations and how the scoreboard handles them
| Option | What it means | On DartScore.uk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | Longer games reward consistency; shorter ones are less forgiving of a slow start | Choose 101, 201, 301, 401 or 501 |
| Double in | Darts score nothing until you hit a double. Common in 301 | Optional toggle. The opening double counts towards your score |
| Double out | Your final dart must be a double or the inner bull | Optional toggle. Inner bull counts as a double |
| Straight out | Any dart can finish. Friendlier for new players | Leave double out off. You only bust by going below zero |
Strategy that actually helps
While scoring
Most players aim at treble 20, where a miss to either side lands in the low 5 or 1. Treble 19 sits between the 7 and 3, so some players who keep missing wide prefer it. Try a few sessions on each and compare the results on the average calculator.
Plan your finish early
Start thinking about your finish below 170, the highest possible checkout. Try to leave an even number, and ideally one that halves down well. 32 is the classic example: if you hit single 16 instead of double 16, you are left on 16, then 8, then 4, and always have a double available with your next dart.
Avoid the numbers with no finish
Seven scores below 170 cannot be finished in three darts: 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162 and 159. If you can choose, don't leave one. The checkout chart gives a route for every other score.
Use your last dart wisely
If you have one dart left on an odd number, use it to set up a double rather than hoping. On 37 with a single dart you cannot finish, so hit 5 and leave 32 for next time.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you land on 1 in 501?
With double out on it is a bust, because no double can score 1. Your score returns to what it was at the start of your turn. With straight out, 1 is a normal score that a single 1 can finish.
Does the bullseye count as a double?
The inner bull is worth 50 and counts as a double, so it can finish a game from 50. The outer bull is worth 25 and does not.
How many darts does it take to finish 501?
The minimum is nine, known as a nine-darter. Most club and pub legs take far more. Our average calculator shows roughly how many darts each average takes.
Who throws first in 501?
Commonly each player throws one dart at the bull and the closest goes first. In later legs, the loser of the previous leg often starts, a custom known as “mugs away”.