Game Rules: Darts (301/501)

Game Identity

• Name: Darts (301/501)
• Player Count: 1-8 (Standard 2 or 4 in teams)
• Teams: Optional (2 vs 2 is common)
• Theme: Sports / Traditional

Scoring Mechanics

• Scoring Variant: Countdown
• Target Score: 301 (or 501, 701, 1001)
• Unit of Scoring: Points
• Lower vs. Higher: Lower is better (aiming for exactly 0)

Rules & Validation

Per-Hand/Round Logic

• Points per Turn: Sum of three darts thrown (Max 180: three triple-20s).
• Validation Rules:
  • Bust Rule: If a turn's points would reduce the score below 0, or to exactly 1 (when a "Double Out" rule is active), the player "Busts." The turn score is treated as 0, and the player's total remains what it was at the start of the turn.
  • Double In (Variant): Points only begin to subtract once the player hits a double segment. Darts thrown before the first double in a game do not count toward the total.
  • Double Out (Standard): To win, the final dart must land in a double segment and bring the score to exactly zero.
• Normalization: Raw turn score is subtracted from the current total. If a Bust occurs, the delta is 0.

Special Actions / Bonuses

• Bust: Triggered when over-scoring or reaching 1 in Double-Out mode. Results in 0 points for the turn.
• Double Out: The winning shot. Must be a double.
• Hat Trick: Hitting three bullseyes in one turn (mostly for flavor/history).

Win Conditions

• Condition: Reaching exactly 0 points (subject to In/Out rules).
• Tie-Breaker: First player to reach 0 wins (standard turn order applies).

Set Up in Doodle Score

Darts (301/501) has a dedicated scorecard in Doodle Score — everything is pre-configured including score tracking, validation, and special rules.

Download the app, tap New Scorecard, and choose Darts (301/501).