You will quickly realize that darts is not just about hitting the center. It is a game of precision, concentration, and quick decision-making under pressure.
What is X01 and How Does the Gameplay Look?
X01 refers to a group of games (e.g., 301, 501) where you start with a specific number of points and count down to zero.
- Each turn consists of 3 darts.
- The total score from your turn is subtracted from your current total.
- The winner is the first player to reach exactly 0, according to the closing rules.
A single round from start to finish is called a leg.
Leg, Set, Match – What Does it Mean?
The structure of the game is as follows:
- Match → consists of sets.
- Set → consists of legs.
- Leg → a single game from the starting score down to 0.
Before playing, you agree on:
- The starting score (e.g., 501).
- Whether Double-In applies (starting only by hitting a double).
- Whether Double-Out applies (finishing only by hitting a double).
- The format of sets and legs (e.g., best of 5 legs).
Players take turns throwing. The player who starts the leg alternates, as the "throw" (starting first) provides a significant advantage.
How to Score
- Single – the face value of the segment (1–20).
- Double – the outer ring (×2).
- Treble – the inner ring (×3).
- Bull:
- Outer Bull – 25 points.
- Bullseye / Inner Bull – 50 points.
In practice, many players just say "Bull," so for clarity, the specific value (25 or 50) is often specified.
Keep in mind:
- Misses and Bounce-outs: A dart that hits the black surround or bounces off the board and falls to the floor scores 0 points. Only darts that remain physically in the board when the turn is completed count.
- The Finishing Rule (Double Out): In the most popular formats (like 501), the final dart to win the leg must land in a Double segment or the Bullseye. This is a key strategic element, as you cannot win a leg without hitting a double.
- The Highest Score: It’s worth noting that the highest-scoring segment is not the Bullseye (50 pts), but the Treble 20, which is worth 60 points. This is what professionals aim for to achieve the legendary "180" (a "maximum") in three darts.
Equipment: Steel vs. Soft (Don’t Ruin Your Board!)
A common beginner mistake is buying plastic-tipped darts for a traditional board or vice versa.
- Steel Tip: Darts with metal points. Used exclusively for bristle (sisal) boards.
- Soft Tip: Darts with plastic points. Designed for electronic boards.
Jak prawidłowo zawiesić tarczę
ęt: Steel vs Soft (Nie zniszcz tarczy!)
To najczęstszy błąd początkujących – kupują rzutki z plastikowym grotem do klasycznej tarczy albo odwrotnie.
- Steel Tip: Lotki z metalowym grotem. Używamy ich wyłącznie do tarczy sizalowych (tych „włosowatych”).
- Soft Tip: Lotki z plastikowym grotem. Przeznaczone do tarczy elektronicznych.
How to Hang Your Board Correctly
Standard regulation requires the board to be mounted so that the center of the bullseye is exactly 173 cm (5'8") above the floor. The throw line, or oche, should be 237 cm (7'9.25") from the face of the board. The only major exception is para-darts, where the bullseye height is lowered to 137 cm. Ensure the 20 segment is positioned exactly at the top.
Oche Etiquette
Darts is a gentleman’s sport.
- Do not talk to the thrower: Silence is required when someone is at the oche.
- Stand behind: The player not throwing should stand at least two feet behind the thrower, out of their line of sight.
- Retrieving darts: Only pull your darts from the board after the score has been called/recorded, but before your opponent reaches the line.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning | Also known as |
|---|---|---|
| Treble | The x3 ring | Triple, T |
| Double | The x2 ring | D |
| Bull (50) | The center (50 pts) | Inner Bull, Double Bull |
| Outer Bull | The ring around the center (25 pts) | Single Bull |
| Oche | The throw line (pronounced 'okky') | Toe line |
| Bust | Scoring more points than remaining | |
| Checkout | Finishing the game by reaching 0 | Finish |
| 180 | Three Treble 20s in one turn | Maximum, Ton-eighty |
| Leg | One single game (e.g., 501 to 0) | |
| Average | Average score per 3 darts | |
| Madhouse | Slang for Double 1 (the hardest finish) | |
| Ton | A score of 100 or more in one turn | |
| Robin Hood | Driving a dart into the shaft of another | |
| Bouncer | A dart that hits a wire and falls out | |
| Shanghai | Hitting a single, double, and treble of the same number |
Final Word
Good luck! Don't worry about the misses. Remember, the only thing separating a "pro" from a "guy putting holes in the wall" is about 10,000 hours of practice—and a few spare boards.