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501 Darts Rules: The Complete Guide

501 is the most popular darts game worldwide and the format used in professional tournaments like the PDC World Championship. Each player starts at 501 and races to reach exactly zero, finishing on a double.

How to Play 501

  1. Each player starts with 501 points
  2. Players take turns throwing 3 darts
  3. Subtract your score from your remaining total after each turn
  4. First player to reach exactly 0 wins
  5. Double Out: You must finish on a double (or bullseye)

Pro Tip

Aim for the triple 20 during scoring. Three triple 20s gives you 180 points - the maximum possible score in a single turn.

Understanding Busts

A "bust" ends your turn immediately and resets your score to what it was before that turn. You bust if you:

  • Score more than your remaining points
  • Reach exactly 1 (impossible to finish on a double)
  • Reach 0 without hitting a double

Example

If you have 32 remaining and hit single 20, you now have 12. If your next dart hits single 15, you bust because you'd go negative (-3). Your score returns to 32.

Complete Checkout Chart (170-2)

When your score reaches 170 or below, you can finish the game. This complete chart shows the recommended checkout for every possible finish.

Key: T = Triple, D = Double, Bull = Bullseye (50 points, counts as double). Numbers without prefix are singles.

501 darts checkout chart showing key finishes from the 170 maximum checkout (T20 T20 Bull) down to 2, with dart combinations for every possible score.

3-Dart Finishes (170-101)

170T20 T20 Bull
167T20 T19 Bull
164T20 T18 Bull
161T20 T17 Bull
160T20 T20 D20
158T20 T20 D19
157T20 T19 D20
156T20 T20 D18
155T20 T19 D19
154T20 T18 D20
153T20 T19 D18
152T20 T20 D16
151T20 T17 D20
150T20 T18 D18
149T20 T19 D16
148T20 T20 D14
147T20 T17 D18
146T20 T18 D16
145T20 T19 D14
144T20 T20 D12
143T20 T17 D16
142T20 T14 D20
141T20 T19 D12
140T20 T20 D10
139T20 T13 D20
138T20 T18 D12
137T20 T19 D10
136T20 T20 D8
135T20 T17 D12
134T20 T14 D16
133T20 T19 D8
132T20 T16 D12
131T20 T13 D16
130T20 T18 D8
129T19 T16 D12
128T18 T14 D16
127T20 T17 D8
126T19 T19 D6
125T20 T15 D10
124T20 T16 D8
123T19 T16 D9
122T18 T18 D7
121T20 11 D25
120T20 20 D20
119T19 12 D20
118T20 18 D20
117T20 17 D20
116T20 16 D20
115T20 15 D20
114T20 14 D20
113T20 13 D20
112T20 12 D20
111T20 11 D20
110T20 10 D20
109T20 9 D20
108T20 16 D16
107T19 10 D20
106T20 6 D20
105T20 5 D20
104T18 10 D20
103T20 3 D20
102T20 10 D16
101T17 10 D20

2-Dart Finishes (100-41)

100T20 D20
99T19 10 D16
98T20 D19
97T19 D20
96T20 D18
95T19 D19
94T18 D20
93T19 D18
92T20 D16
91T17 D20
90T18 D18
89T19 D16
88T16 D20
87T17 D18
86T18 D16
85T15 D20
84T20 D12
83T17 D16
82T14 D20
81T19 D12
80T20 D10
79T13 D20
78T18 D12
77T19 D10
76T20 D8
75T17 D12
74T14 D16
73T19 D8
72T16 D12
71T13 D16
70T18 D8
69T19 D6
68T20 D4
67T17 D8
66T10 D18
65T19 D4
64T16 D8
63T13 D12
62T10 D16
61T15 D8
6020 D20
5919 D20
5818 D20
5717 D20
5616 D20
5515 D20
5414 D20
5313 D20
5212 D20
5111 D20
50Bull
499 D20
4816 D16
4715 D16
4614 D16
4513 D16
4412 D16
4311 D16
4210 D16
419 D16

Single-Dart Finishes (Even)

40D20
38D19
36D18
34D17
32D16
30D15
28D14
26D13
24D12
22D11
20D10
18D9
16D8
14D7
12D6
10D5
8D4
6D3
4D2
2D1

Odd Numbers (Setup + Double)

397 D16
375 D16
353 D16
331 D16
3115 D8
2913 D8
2711 D8
259 D8
237 D8
215 D8
193 D8
171 D8
157 D4
135 D4
113 D4
91 D4
73 D2
51 D2
31 D1

Impossible Checkouts

Scores 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, and 162 cannot be finished in three darts. If you land on these, you'll need to set up a different number on your next turn.

Open the interactive checkout chart →

Strategy Tips

During Scoring

  • Focus on triple 20 for maximum points
  • If missing triple 20 left, consider triple 19 which is nearby
  • Consistency beats occasional high scores

Setting Up Finishes

  • Try to leave an even number for your checkout
  • Popular targets: 40 (D20), 32 (D16), 36 (D18)
  • Avoid leaving odd numbers or 1 - you'll bust on any single hit

Favorite Doubles

  • Double 16 - If you miss and hit single 16, leaves double 8
  • Double 20 - The largest double on the board
  • Double 10 - If you miss, leaves double 5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bust in 501 darts?+
A bust occurs when you score more than your remaining points, reach exactly 1 (impossible to finish on double), or reach 0 without hitting a double. When you bust, your turn ends and your score resets to what it was before that turn.
What is the highest checkout in 501?+
The highest checkout is 170 points, achieved with Triple 20, Triple 20, Bullseye (T20 T20 Bull). This is rare even in professional darts.
Why do you have to finish on a double?+
The double-out rule adds skill and strategy to the game. It tests accuracy under pressure and creates exciting finishes. This rule is standard in professional darts tournaments worldwide.
How do you play 501 darts?+
Each player starts at 501 points and takes turns throwing 3 darts, subtracting their score each turn. The goal is to reach exactly zero, and your final dart must land on a double (the outer ring) or the bullseye. If you go below zero or hit exactly 1, your turn is a "bust" and your score resets to what it was before that turn.
Does the green bullseye count as a double in 501?+
Yes. The inner bullseye (the small red or black centre circle, worth 50 points) counts as a double and can be used to check out. The outer bull (the green ring around it, worth 25 points) does not count as a double in standard rules.
What happens if you go over 501 in darts?+
If your score goes below zero, or you reach exactly 1 (since you can't finish on a double from 1), it's called a "bust." Your entire turn is cancelled and your score reverts to what it was at the start of that turn. You then try again on your next turn.
How many rounds does a game of 501 darts take?+
A professional player can finish 501 in around 12-15 darts (4-5 rounds). The minimum possible is 9 darts (3 rounds), known as a "nine-darter." For casual or beginner players, a game typically takes 20-30 rounds per player.
What is a nine-darter in darts?+
A nine-darter is a perfect leg of 501, finished in the minimum possible 9 darts. The standard route is six triple 20s (360 points), then triple 17, triple 18, and double 12 for the remaining 141. It is the rarest achievement in the sport.
Do you need a double to start 501?+
No. In standard 501 (straight in), you can score from your very first dart. You only need a double to finish. Some casual or pub variants use "double in" rules where you must hit a double before your score counts, but this is not the standard competitive format.
What is the best double to aim for when finishing 501?+
Double 16 is widely considered the safest finishing double. If you miss and hit single 16, you are left on 16 — which is double 8. Miss that and you have double 4. This chain of even numbers (D16 → D8 → D4) lets you stay on checkable scores even on a bad turn. Double 20 and double 10 are also popular.
What scores are impossible to check out in three darts?+
The scores 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, and 162 cannot be finished in three darts under standard rules. If you land on any of these, you must score to move to a checkable number on your next turn.

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Checkout Chart Guide

Strategy and tips for every finish from 170 to 2

Printable Checkout Chart

Print or save every 501 checkout combination as a reference sheet

301 vs 501: Which to Play?

Key differences, strategy, and when to play each

Printable Score Sheet

Track 501 rounds and remaining totals on paper

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Pub variant where 501 legs become goals across two halves

Darts Scoring Explained

Every scoring zone on the board — singles, doubles, triples, bull

Ready to Play 501?

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