How to Play 501 Darts
501 is the most popular darts game in the world and the format used in professional PDC matches. Here are the complete rules, scoring, and finishing.
The objective
Each player starts with a score of 501. Players take turns throwing three darts per turn, subtracting the points scored from their running total. The goal is to be the first to reach exactly zero — finishing on a double.
Scoring
The dartboard has 20 numbered segments plus the bullseye. Each segment has:
- Single — the large area, worth the segment's face value.
- Double — the thin outer ring, worth 2× the value.
- Treble (triple) — the thin inner ring, worth 3× the value.
- Bullseye — the centre: outer bull (25) and inner bull (50, counts as a double).
The highest score with three darts is 180 (three treble 20s). The maximum on a single dart is 60 (T20).
Finishing — the double-out rule
You must finish on a double or the bullseye (double 25). For example, if you have 40 left, you finish with double 20. If you have 32 left, you finish with double 16. The art of darts is leaving yourself a comfortable double.
💡 Need the best route to finish any score? See the full darts checkout chart — every finish from 170 down to 2.
Busting
Your turn is a bust if you:
- Score more than your remaining total,
- Leave a score of exactly 1 (you can't finish on a double from 1), or
- Reach zero without the final dart being a double.
When you bust, your score reverts to what it was at the start of the turn, and play passes to your opponent.
Legs and sets
A single game of 501 is called a leg. Matches are usually played as 'best of' a number of legs (e.g. best of 5). Longer matches group legs into sets — first to win a set number of legs wins the set, and first to a set number of sets wins the match.
301, 701 and other variants
The same rules apply to 301 (shorter, often double-in too) and 701 (longer). 501 is the standard for singles play. Dartist supports all X01 variants with automatic scoring.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of 501 darts?
In 501 each player starts on 501 points and takes turns throwing three darts. The score of each turn is subtracted from the running total. The first player to reach exactly zero wins — but the final dart must land on a double (or the bullseye). If a player scores more than their remaining total, or leaves a score of 1, the turn is a bust and the score reverts.
Do you have to finish on a double in 501?
Yes. In standard 501 you must check out on a double or the bullseye (which counts as double 25). Finishing on a single or treble is not allowed and results in a bust.
What is a bust in 501 darts?
A bust happens when a player scores more than their remaining total, leaves exactly 1, or reaches zero without finishing on a double. The turn ends and the score returns to what it was at the start of that turn.
How many darts to win a leg of 501?
The minimum is 9 darts — a 'nine-darter'. A perfect leg is, for example, T20 T20 T20 (180), T20 T20 T20 (180), then T20 T19 D12 to check out 141 — totalling exactly 501 in nine darts.
What is a good 3-dart average in 501?
A casual player averages 40–60 per three darts. A strong club player averages 60–80. Professional PDC players average 95–105, with the very best exceeding 110.
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