301 vs 501 Darts: Which Game Should You Play?

Both 301 and 501 are countdown games where you start from a fixed score and race to zero. That makes them sound identical — and on the surface they mostly are. But the 200-point gap between them, plus one extra rule that often comes with 301, changes how both games actually feel to play. 501 gives you room to build momentum. 301 punishes you for wasting turns.

Here's what you need to know about each, and when to reach for which.

The Core Difference at a Glance

Both games end the same way: you must hit a double to win. If you're not familiar with how that works, our double out guide explains the rule and every double on the board.

How 501 Works

In 501, both players start at 501 and score freely from the very first dart. There's no special requirement to open — you just throw, subtract your score, and keep going. The goal is to move through your score efficiently, set up a clean finish, and hit a double to close it out.

It's the standard format everywhere competitive darts is played. The 501 checkout chart covers every finish from 170 down to 2, which is worth bookmarking once you're comfortable with the basics.

Because you have more points to clear, 501 gives you more turns to find your range, recover from a bad round, and set up the leave you want. That breathing room makes it more forgiving — especially for players still developing consistency.

How 301 Works

301 follows the same rules as 501 with one key difference: you start at 301 instead of 501.

That sounds simple, but it compresses the game significantly. Fewer points means fewer turns, which means less margin for error. A player hitting a respectable 60 per turn (T20 each dart) would clear 501 in roughly 8–9 turns. The same player clears 301 in around 5–6 turns. Every round matters more.

The Double-In Rule

Many 301 formats — particularly pub leagues in the UK — add a double-in requirement: you must hit a double before any of your scores count. Until you open on a double, every dart you throw scores zero.

Miss the double opener three times in a row? That's a full turn wasted while your opponent may already be scoring. This rule is what gives 301 its reputation for being unforgiving.

Double-in doesn't exist in 501. You open scoring immediately in 501, always.

What Is the Difference in Strategy?

The finish rule is identical. The mental game is not.

Playing 501

501 strategy is about your leave — the score you want remaining at the end of each turn, so you can set up a clean double finish. The standard opener is T20 (treble 20), aiming for 60 per dart. If you're a bit off, you're still in good shape with plenty of turns to correct.

The chess match in 501 is in the last 100 points: which route you take, whether you're on a favourite double, and how you adjust when you bust or miss.

Playing 301

In 301 with double-in, the chess match starts from dart one. You're immediately trying to hit a double to open, which is pressure right out of the gate. Once you're in, you have fewer turns to clear 301 — so you can't afford loose rounds of 26 or 41 the way you might absorb them in 501.

Is 301 Harder Than 501?

For beginners: yes, especially with double-in. In 501 you can throw your first turn freely, find your rhythm, and start scoring while you warm up. In 301 double-in, until you hit a double you're not on the board at all. Players still developing accuracy on doubles can spend multiple turns just trying to open.

Once you're comfortable hitting doubles with intent, 301 stops feeling harder and starts feeling faster. It's not a more difficult game — it's a more compressed one.

Which Do the Pros Play?

The professional circuit (PDC, formerly BDO) uses 501 exclusively. Every televised match — from the World Championship to the Premier League to the World Grand Prix — is played in 501.

301 is the format of pubs, local leagues, and bar darts. It's not lesser for that — it's where most players first learned the game and where local competition thrives.

Common 301 Formats

The two formats you'll encounter most:

• Casual play: straight-in, double-out
• UK pub league: double-in, double-out (often written as DIDO)

Which Should You Play?

If you're just starting out: play 501, straight-in. You score from the first dart, the game is longer and more forgiving, and you can focus on throwing consistently rather than hunting one specific double just to get on the board. Our beginner's guide covers everything else you need to get going.

If you're playing casually with friends or a group: 501 works better for three or more players (more turns, more involvement). For 1v1 or 2v2, 301 makes for a tighter, faster game and you can fit more legs into the evening.

If you're practicing: use both. 301 double-in forces you to hit doubles under pressure at the start of every leg — a skill that pays off directly when you're closing out a 501. A few sessions of 301 will sharpen your opening double game faster than most drills.

If you're playing competitively: learn 501 as your primary game. If your local league runs 301, find out their specific ruleset before you show up.

How Do Scores Compare Between the Two?

Because the games are different lengths, raw scores don't translate directly. What matters is your average per dart (or per three darts). A player who averages 50 per turn in both games is performing at the same level — the game ends faster in 301, but the per-dart quality is the same.

If you're tracking your progress, track your three-dart average rather than wins and losses. The average tells you how your throwing is developing independent of which format you're playing.

The Quick Answer

Play 501 to learn the game and develop consistent scoring. Switch to 301 when you want faster, sharper legs — or when the local league demands it. Both formats use the same doubles finish, the same notation, and the same fundamentals. Getting good at one makes you better at the other.

Start a game of either on Dartsy — it handles scoring for both formats, so you can focus on throwing instead of doing the maths.