25 Darts Games To Play | Tiny Monkey Games

Welcome to our comprehensive guide featuring 25 darts games ideal for both enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Whether you’re looking to hone your skills or simply enjoy a leisurely game with mates, this guide presents a curated collection to suit a range of preferences and expertise levels.

In the forthcoming sections, we offer a detailed breakdown of how to play each game, introducing both popular staples and lesser-known games that are sure to add a fresh element to your darts repertoire.

Overview Of 25 Darts Games To Play (A-Z)

Below you will find an A-Z overview of the 25 darts games. Keep reading further down the page to find out exactly how to play each game.

Name	Difficulty	Special Notes
301/501/701	Intermediate
Around the World	Beginner
Bermuda Triangle	Beginner
Blind Killer	Advanced	Best played with 3 or more players
Big and Small	Beginner
Chase the Dragon	Intermediate
Cricket	Intermediate	Often played in leagues
English Cricket	Intermediate	A variant of the standard Cricket game
Fives	Intermediate
Follow the Leader	Beginner
Football	Beginner	Requires 2 players or 2 teams. Also known as “Soccer”
Golf	Intermediate
Halve-It	Intermediate
Hare and Hounds	Advanced	Best played with a large group
Killer	Intermediate	Requires 3 or more players
Killer Doubles	Intermediate	Played with 4 or more players in pairs
Legs	Beginner
Loop	Beginner
Noughts and Crosses	Beginner	Often referred to as “Tic Tac Toe”. Requires a grid drawn on a chalkboard/whiteboard
Prisoner	Advanced	Best with 3 or more players
Shanghai	Beginner
Snooker	Advanced	Knowledge of snooker scoring can be beneficial
Steeples	Intermediate
Twenty-One	Beginner
War	Advanced	Best played with a larger group, high-paced game

How to Play 301/501/701

Objective

In “301,” players start with a score of 301 and take turns to reduce their score to exactly zero, ending with a double.

501 and 701 variations are simply longer versions of the game, with a higher starting score.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 301, 501, or 701, depending on the version being played
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players take turns to throw three darts per round, with the objective being to reduce their score from 301 to exactly zero.
Players must start scoring by hitting a double (the outer ring of a number).
The final dart that brings a player’s score to zero must also be a double.
If a player scores more points than needed to reach zero, that turn is considered “bust,” and the player’s score reverts back to the score at the start of that turn.

Winning

The first player to reduce their score to exactly zero, ending with a double, wins the game.

How to Play Around the World

Objective

The objective of “Around the World” is to be the first player to hit all the numbers on the dartboard in sequential order, from 1 through to 20, and finishing with the bullseye.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players determine the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
Players take turns throwing their three darts per round, aiming to hit numbers in sequential order starting from 1 through to 20 and finally the bullseye.
Players can only progress to the next number after successfully hitting the current number they are on.
Doubles and triples count as single numbers in this game.

Winning

The first player to hit all the numbers in sequence and finish with the bullseye is declared the winner.

How to Play Bermuda Triangle

Objective

In “Bermuda Triangle,” players aim to hit specific targets on the dartboard while avoiding the “Bermuda Triangle,” a predetermined section of the dartboard that poses penalties when hit.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Before the game begins, players agree upon a section of the dartboard to be designated as the “Bermuda Triangle.” This section usually encompasses several numbers and their respective double and triple segments.
Players determine the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
In each round, players take turns to throw their three darts, aiming to hit targets outside the “Bermuda Triangle.”
Players accumulate points based on the numbers they hit, with the objective being to achieve the highest score over a predetermined number of rounds.
Any dart landing in the “Bermuda Triangle” area results in a penalty, which can be a deduction of points or the loss of points earned during that round, based on what players agree upon before starting the game.

Winning

The player with the highest total score at the end of the predetermined number of rounds is declared the winner of the “Bermuda Triangle” darts game.

How to Play Big and Small

Objective

In “Big and Small,” players alternate between aiming for the big singles area (the area outside the triple ring but inside the double ring) and the small singles area (the area between the bullseye and the triple ring).

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players decide the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
In the first round, players aim for any big single area. In the second round, they aim for any small single area, and they continue alternating between big and small areas in subsequent rounds.
Players score points equal to the number hit, but only if they hit the correct area for that round.
The game is played for a predetermined number of rounds.

Winning

The player with the highest total score after all rounds have been played is declared the winner.

How to Play Blind Killer

Objective

In “Blind Killer,” players don’t know who their targets are, aiming to hit specific numbers assigned to other players without knowing which player is associated with which number.

Setup

Players: 3 or more, ideally
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score, and small pieces of paper to write down the assigned numbers for each player.

Rules

At the beginning of the game, each player chooses a number (usually between 1 and 20) which is noted down secretly by a non-playing individual or written on a piece of paper and concealed.
Players take turns throwing their darts, attempting to hit others’ numbers while protecting their own.
If a player hits the double of someone’s number, the owner of that number loses one life; if they hit the triple, the owner loses two lives.
Each player starts with a predetermined number of lives, often five.
Players are not informed whose number they have hit, adding an element of mystery to the game.

Winning

The last remaining player, or the one with the most lives left at the end of a predetermined number of rounds, wins.

How to Play Chase the Dragon

Objective

In “Chase the Dragon,” players aim to hit as many sequential numbers as possible, starting from 10 to 20 and then the bullseye, without missing any, to score the highest possible points within a single turn.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players determine the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
Players take turns throwing their three darts per round, aiming to hit numbers sequentially from 10 to 20 and finally the bullseye.
If a player misses a number in the sequence, their turn ends immediately, and they score zero points for that round.
If a player successfully hits a number, they score the value of that number and continue to the next number in the sequence.

Winning

The player with the highest total score at the end of a predetermined number of rounds is declared the winner.

How to Play Cricket

Objective

In “Cricket,” players compete to close out certain numbers on the dartboard while accumulating the highest score.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

The numbers in play are 15 to 20 and the bullseye.
Players take turns to throw three darts per round, attempting to “close out” the numbers in play by hitting each number three times before their opponent.
Once a player closes out a number, they can then score points on that number in subsequent rounds as long as the opponent hasn’t closed out that number as well.
The double and triple segments count as two or three hits, respectively.

Winning

The player who closes out all the numbers first and has the highest score is declared the winner.

How to Play English Cricket

Objective

In “English Cricket,” players aim to “open” and “close” numbers on the dartboard before their opponent while accumulating the highest score.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

The numbers in play are 15 to 20 and the bullseye.
To “open” a number, a player must hit it three times in any combination of singles, doubles, or triples.
Once a number is “open,” any player can score on it by hitting it until it is “closed” by the opposing player hitting it three times.
The player can “close” an open number of an opponent while opening it for themselves in a single turn.
The game continues until all numbers (and the bullseye) are closed.

Winning

The player with the highest score once all numbers and the bullseye are closed is the winner.

How to Play Fives

Objective

In the “Fives” dart game, players strive to achieve a score that is a multiple of five, using their darts to maintain a score divisible by five, while avoiding scores that aren’t.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players determine the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
Players take turns to throw three darts per round, aiming to score a total that is a multiple of five.
The score for each round is calculated by dividing the player’s total score by five. For instance, if a player scores 45 points, their score for that round would be 9.
If the total score in a round is not a multiple of five, no score is recorded for that player in that round.

Winning

The game is played for a predetermined number of rounds, and the player with the highest score at the end of all rounds is declared the winner.

How to Play Follow the Leader

Objective

In “Follow the Leader,” players must mimic the successful hits of the leading player, striving to match their shots exactly in a test of skill and precision.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players determine the initial leader through a draw or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
In each round, the leader throws one or three darts (based on players’ preference) aiming to hit any target on the board.
Subsequent players must replicate the leader’s hits exactly, using the same number of darts that the leader used.
If a player fails to mimic the leader successfully in their turn, they receive a penalty point.
After all players have had a turn, the leadership rotates to the next player in the agreed order, and a new round begins with a new target set by the new leader.
The game continues with players rotating as the leader and setting new targets for others to follow.

Winning

The game concludes after a predetermined number of rounds or when a player reaches a certain number of penalty points. The player with the fewest penalty points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

How to Play Football

Objective

In “Football,” teams attempt to score “goals” by hitting doubles. Only the attacking team can score, and the defending team has to hit the inner or outer bull to regain possession.

Note, this game is also known as “Soccer”.

Setup

Players: 2 players or 2 teams
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

One player from each team throws one dart at bullseye, closest to the bullseye goes first.
In order to score a “goal”, the players first must “take possession of the ball”. To take possession, you must hit either the outer or inner bullseye.
Once you have possession, you keep the ball until the other player/team takes possession by hitting the outer or inner bullseye.
Only the player/team that has possession of the ball may score goals. To score a goal you must hit any double on the board.
Any double you hit anywhere on the board counts as one goal and scores one point for you or your team.

Winning

The first team to score 10 goals wins the game.

How to Play Golf

Objective

In the “Golf” darts game, players strive to score the lowest possible points over a series of rounds, similar to golf, where each round represents a hole with a particular target on the dartboard.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Before the game starts, players agree on the number of holes (rounds) to be played, typically 9 or 18.
In each round, players aim for a specific target on the dartboard, which represents the hole for that round. The double and triple rings represent the more difficult “holes.”
Players take turns throwing their darts, with the goal of hitting the target with the fewest throws possible.
The score for each round is the number of throws taken to hit the target, with a maximum score of 3 per round.

Winning

At the end of all the rounds, the player with the lowest total score (fewest throws) is declared the winner.

How to Play Halve-It

Objective

In “Halve-It,” players aim to hit predetermined targets on the dartboard to score points, with the risk of having their score halved if they fail to hit the target.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score and a list of predetermined targets

Rules

Before the game begins, players agree upon a list of targets to hit during the game. The targets can include specific numbers, doubles, triples, or bullseyes.
Players take turns throwing their three darts per round, aiming to hit the current target for that round.
Hitting the target scores points equal to the target’s value. Missing the target results in the player’s current score being halved.
Doubles and triples count as two and three times the target’s value, respectively, for scoring purposes.

Winning

At the end of the predetermined rounds, the player with the highest score is declared the winner.

How to Play Hare and Hounds

Objective

In “Hare and Hounds,” one player (the hare) aims to race around the board before being caught by the other players (the hounds).

Setup

Players: 3 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

One player is chosen to be the “hare,” with the others being the “hounds.”
The “hare” starts at 20 and aims to move sequentially down to 1 and then hit the bullseye before being caught by the “hounds.”
The “hounds” start at 5 and work upwards, chasing the “hare.”
In each round, players throw their darts aiming to hit their current number to move to the next. If a player hits a double, they move two spaces, and a triple allows them to move three spaces.

Winning

If the “hare” hits the bullseye before being caught, they win. If a “hound” catches the “hare” by landing on the same number, the “hound” wins.

How to Play Killer

Objective

“Killer” is a darts elimination game where players aim to “kill” each other by hitting their opponents’ numbers while defending their own.

Setup

Players: 3 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Each player throws one dart with their non-dominant hand to determine their number for the game.
Players take turns to throw their darts aiming to hit other players’ numbers to “kill” them. A player is killed when their number is hit a predetermined number of times.
Players can become a “killer” by hitting their own number twice. Once a player becomes a “killer,” their hits on other players’ numbers count as two hits.
Players must hit their own number with a double to win once they have eliminated all other players.

Winning

The last player remaining is the winner, but to claim victory, they must hit a double of their own number in their final turn.

How to Play Killer Doubles

Objective

In “Killer Doubles,” teams of two compete to “kill off” opponents by hitting their assigned numbers, incorporating an extra layer of strategy compared to the regular Killer game.

Setup

Players: 4 or more, forming pairs
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score, and small pieces of paper to note down the assigned numbers for each player.

Rules

Each team selects a “killer” and a “victim”. The “killer” aims to hit the opponents’ numbers, while the “victim” tries to score points by hitting the numbers 15 to 20 and the bullseye.
The “killer” can attack the opposing team’s “victim” by hitting their assigned number.
Each “victim” starts with a predetermined number of lives, often five.
If a “killer” hits their own “victim’s” number, their team loses points.
Teams alternate turns between members, fostering cooperation and strategy.

Winning

The team whose “victim” has the most lives left at the end of a predetermined number of rounds, or the team with the highest score, wins.

How to Play Legs

Objective

In “Legs,” players compete to hit specific targets on the dartboard, sequentially working their way through a series of ‘legs’, which are predetermined segments of the dartboard.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Before the game begins, players agree upon a series of ‘legs’ which are the specific targets (e.g., singles, doubles, triples, bullseye) that players must hit throughout the game. These ‘legs’ form the structure of the game.
Players determine the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
In each round, players take turns to throw their three darts, aiming to hit the current ‘leg’ target.
Players must complete each ‘leg’ before progressing to the next one. A ‘leg’ is completed when a player hits the target associated with that ‘leg’.
If a player hits a ‘leg’ target with one of their darts, they can use their remaining darts in that turn to start working on the next ‘leg’.

Winning

The player who successfully completes all the predetermined ‘legs’ first is declared the winner of the “Legs” darts game.

How to Play Loop

Objective

“Loop” is a game where players aim to hit a sequence of numbers on the dartboard within the fewest rounds possible.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players determine the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
Players take turns throwing their three darts per round, aiming to hit numbers in a predetermined sequence. The standard sequence is 20 down to 1 followed by the bullseye, but variations can be agreed upon before starting.
A player must hit all the numbers in the sequence, in order, to complete the loop.
Doubles and triples count as a single hit for the respective number in the sequence.

Winning

The player who completes the loop in the fewest rounds is declared the winner.

How to Play Noughts and Crosses

Objective

In “Noughts and Crosses,” also known as “Tic Tac Toe,” players aim to be the first to get three of their symbols in a row on the makeshift tic tac toe grid on the dartboard.

Setup

Players: 2 or 2 teams
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Before the game starts, a tic tac toe grid is drawn using numbers from the dartboard. For instance, numbers 1-3 represent the top row, 4-6 represent the middle row, and 7-9 represent the bottom row.
Players take turns to throw their darts aiming to hit the numbers and “claim” that spot on the grid with their symbol (O or X).
A player can claim a spot only if they hit the number representing that spot on the grid.
The game continues until a player gets three of their symbols in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

Winning

The first player to get three of their symbols in a row on the tic tac toe grid is declared the winner.

How to Play Prisoner

Objective

In “Prisoner,” players aim to “release” all their numbers by hitting them on the dartboard before their opponents do, while also having the option to “imprison” opponents’ numbers.

Setup

Players: 3 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

At the start, each player chooses five numbers to be their “prisoners.” These can be any numbers on the dartboard.
Players take turns throwing their darts to hit their own numbers, which “releases” the number.
Players also have the option to “imprison” opponents’ numbers by hitting them, which adds that number to the opponent’s list of numbers to be released.
A player can not start releasing their prisoners until they have hit the bullseye.

Winning

The first player to release all their prisoners is declared the winner.

How to Play Shanghai

Objective

In “Shanghai,” players aim to hit as many numbers as possible in a specific sequence, which is usually from 1 to 20, to accumulate the highest score.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players determine the throwing order through a drawing or by throwing a dart closest to the bullseye.
In each round, there is a specific target number that players must aim to hit as many times as possible with their three darts.
Players score points based on the section of the target number they hit – singles score one point, doubles score two points, and triples score three points.
The game continues through a set number of rounds, each with a different target number.

Winning

The player with the highest cumulative score at the end of all the rounds is declared the winner.

How to Play Snooker

Objective

In “Snooker,” players try to score the most points by hitting targets in a specific sequence inspired by the game of snooker.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

The game is played with the numbers 10 to 15 representing the snooker colors (yellow to pink) and the bullseye representing the black ball.
Players must first hit a red (any number between 1 and 9) followed by a color, then a red, and so on, just like in snooker.
Each red is worth one point, and the colors are worth points according to their corresponding snooker value (yellow is 2 points, green is 3 points, etc. up to the bullseye, which is 7 points).
Players take turns throwing their three darts per round, trying to score as many points as possible following the established sequence.

Winning

The player with the highest score after a predetermined number of rounds wins the game.

How to Play Steeples

Objective

In “Steeples,” players race to complete a circuit of specific numbers on the dartboard, aiming to be the first to complete the “course.”

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

The game is structured around a “course” of numbers, typically chosen to be 1-20 sequentially, including the bullseye.
Players take turns throwing their darts, aiming to hit the numbers in sequence, progressing from one number to the next only after hitting the current target.
Doubles allow a player to skip the next number, and triples allow them to skip the next two numbers.
If a player hits a number out of sequence, they must return to their previous number on their next turn.

Winning

The first player to complete the course by hitting all the numbers in sequence is declared the winner.

How to Play Twenty-One

Objective

In “Twenty-One,” players start with a score of twenty-one and aim to be the first to reduce their score to exactly zero by hitting specific targets on the dartboard.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 21
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players take turns to throw their three darts, aiming to hit numbers that will reduce their score to exactly zero.
Players can score by hitting any number between 1 and 20, with the bullseye scoring 25 or 50 points.
If a player reduces their score to below zero, they “bust” and their score returns to what it was at the start of their turn.
Players must reach zero by hitting a double, meaning their final dart must land in the double ring of the number that reduces their score to zero.

Winning

The first player to reduce their score to exactly zero, finishing on a double, is the winner.

How to Play War

Objective

In “War,” players attempt to capture different sections of the dartboard by hitting them a predetermined number of times before their opponents.

Setup

Players: 2 or more
Dartboard: Standard
Darts: 3 per player
Starting Score: 0
Other Requirements: A method to keep score

Rules

Players agree on which sections of the dartboard are up for grabs – it could be different numbers, the bullseye, doubles, triples, etc.
Players take turns to throw their darts, attempting to hit the available sections to “capture” them. A section is captured when a player hits it the agreed number of times.
Once a section is captured, other players have one round to “recapture” it by hitting it more times than the player who initially captured it.
The game ends when all the sections have been captured.

Winning

The player who has captured the most sections at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Conclusion

We trust you’ve found this guide comprehensive and insightful in exploring various darts games to enhance your time at the oche.

Don’t hesitate to refer back to this guide as you familiarise yourself with the rules and nuances of each game.

Do you play any darts games that we’ve missed? Feel free to suggest them in the comments below!

Rick Donohoe

Avid game player with a competitive personality. Favourite board games include Ticket to Ride, Catan, Cambio and President. Find me on Xbox Live here.

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