Dartboard Games, Bowls
Bowls (Darts)
Bowls 'Darts' follow similar rules to the ball game. i.e., the nearest player wins a point or more, depending on how many of their balls/darts are nearer the jack than their opponent's.
Rules:
In the case of Bowls' Darts', the jack is the centre bullseye and not a randomly selected segment or other dart.
Played between two players, each throwing three darts. The game comprises nine rounds, also known as a set. This can be extended to a best-of-three sets if you wish.
Order of play is determined by a single dart nearest the centre bullseye or a toss of a coin.
Player One. Throws three darts at the centre bullseye. The darts are left on the dartboard.
Player Two then also throws three darts at the bullseye, trying to get as closer to the bullseye than player one. For every dart that is closer, they score one point. So if one dart is closer than all three of the player one's, and the other two are further away, they score one point. If two, two points and if three, three points. If player two fails to get closer with their set of three darts, player one wins the end and scores a point for every dart closer to the bullseye than player two's darts.
Additional points are scored if a player hits the centre bullseye. A player is awarded two points for a bullseye and an additional one point for an outer bullseye.
If player one hits an outer bullseye and player two hits an inner bullseye, player two wins the round and player one receives no additional points for the outbull they hit. In the event that both players hit the same scoring area, for example, the centre or outer bullseye, this is known as a draw, and both are awarded the points for that scoring area.
The play order of play is then reversed until all nine ends have been played. The winner is the player with the highest total. If at the end of nine rounds, an additional round(s) is played to determine a winner.
Scoreboard Example
Set play: The first to two sets.
If a dart bounces off the board/wire, the player may not throw this dart again in that round.
© Darts-Oche TM
More Dart Games...
THE MOST PLAYED GAME IN DARTS ’01
The rules are simple, but mastering the game is hard, as any dart player will tell you. The most common version is 501.
Around the Clock
Various names are given to this game. Easy to play and great for beginners to help hone their skills.
Also known "Around the World" and "Once Around the Island" in some quarters.But please see the variations. View the standard rules plus additional variations of this game.
Around the World
The addvance variation of Around the Clock. Where you are awarded but hitting doubles and trebles
Also known "Around the Board" and "Once Around the Island" in some quarters. But please see the variations. View the standard rules plus additional variations of this game.
180 Around the Clock
Unlike the basic Around the Clock game, this game is entirely different. Design by David King, this game may look straightforward, but you will soon become addicted as you try to better your score. The game can be used as a practice game or against others. It will improve your throw for other games like 501!
Baseball Darts
Has any American or Japanese darts fan may tell you, you can buy dartboards designed for this game. However, here are some rules to play on a standard dartboard. This game is not to be confused with the famous ‘Dartball Dart’ game.
Battleship Darts
David King's version of Battleship Darts. This game is based on the pen-n-paper grid game, but the dartboard segments replace the grid. Use the bullseye as a radar vessel identifier. The first to destroy their opponent's fleet is the winner.
Bowls
Bowls 'Darts' follow similar rules to the ball game. i.e., the nearest player wins a point or more, depending on how many of their balls/darts are nearer the jack than their opponent's.
Chase the Dragon
Designed by David King for the more experienced dart player, this game can be fast, or if you feel you are that good, try the three-headed dragon variation!
Climb
Climb is another game by David King that is straightforward and designed for new players or beginners.Climb to your score first but don't bust or you may fall!
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Cricket
Cricket is a popular game played in pubs and clubs and is probably played as much in the USA as 501. Soft-tip dartboards will have this game built into their electric scoring boards, and the game form part of the Soft-tip championships.
Cricket - Wickets and Runs
As the name suggests, this is a version of crickets where wickets and runs are required. I tend o call this ‘English Cricket’ so it isn’t confused with the general darts game ‘Cricket’ where segments are closed before scoring.
Fives
Something different, 5’s might make your last throw crucial because if your total score isn’t divisible by 5 to a whole round number, you don’t score!
Follow On / Follow the Leader
How good are you at replicating your opponent's score? Not just the big scores but the doubles, trebles and bullseye. Follow On or Follow the Leader will test any player's skill as you have to hit in order what your opponent has just achieved.
Football
Darts has its version of the most played sport in the world, 'Football'. Easy rules and fun to play if you are a Football fan or Soccer, as some like to call it!
Golf
Are you the Tiger Wood of the Dartboad? Establish your handicap, and you are good to go. The handicap can level the playing field for all levels to play and enjoy.
Grand National
Designed by David King, this game is similar to other horse racing with steeple jumps. However, this is a little harder as you need to complete two circuits over jumps as per the 'Grand National' as the game gets harder the further down the track you make. Handicaps can be applied, but watch as some of the front runners may fall early!
Halve it!
Score as much as you can on the selected numbers, but miss one, then your accumulative score is halved! You determine the numbers and target areas; examples are shown.
Hare and Hounds
Who is the hare, and who is the hound? The chase game is an easy but fun game to play for beginners. Will you get away from the jaws of the hound?
Ho No!
A simple game with a race to a target number, but watch out; your opponents may set you back to Zero! HO No!
Indy-500
This is another darts game written by David King and is based on the Indianapolis 500-mile car race. The rules are easy, and two or more players can play. A race to the finish line but you may have to take some pit stops!
Killer and Blind Killer
There is murder on the dartboard! Killer requires several players. However, to stop the mob from ganging up on you, 'Blind Killer’ lets you play incognito. A true favourite amongst friends!
Knockout
Up for the fight? Who is the stronger? A straight knockout is a game designed for several players to play simultaneously. A good quick league team warm-up game. High scores win this contest.
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Loop / Loopy
Loop or Loopy, as some like to call it, is a game played in many pubs and clubs, usually for a small wager. However, I have also seen many dartboard wire number rings break because of this game. It also isn’t suitable for modern dartboard number rings. A high skill level is required.
Mickey Mouse
As the name applies, this is a game where the rules of a strict game are changed! Mickey Mouse is a simplified game of cricket. Played for fun and speed, this game is suitable for players new to the sport.
Mulligan
Mulligan is a variation of Cricket/Mickey Mouse without scoring points. The other difference is that the numbers chosen are random by you and are not determined by the set rules of the game, and you need to hit the treble to score; singles or doubles cut don't cut it!
Nine Lives
A simple game of elimination. Miss and lose a life! The game can be played with multiple players and can be played at all leaves of ability. However, this is a game mainly aimed at beginners.
Noughts and Crosses / (Tic-Tac-Toe)
Noughts and Crosses, or as some call it, ‘Tic-Tac-Toe’, is a fun game, and unlike the pen and ink game, you may find you have more winners than a constant draw! Numbers replace the scoring areas, as you will see within the rules.
Prisoner
Will you lose your darts to the prison and then lose your darts to another? This is a great game for several people to play, read the rules carefully, as they can be a little complicated.
Scam
One player stops the other from scoring in this game of Scam. The order of play reverses to determine a winner!
Shanghai
A very popular game that will help improve your skill level. Hitting the sing, double and treble of the next nominated number.
Shove Ha'Penny
The traditional ‘Shove Ha’Penny’ game in darts format. Shove Ha’Penny may not be that familiar to some, but once it was a popular pastime game played in pubs accross the UK..
Slip-up
A variation on the Around the World Game. However, you must hit at least one target area on every new throw of three darts, or you slip up and travel no further. Not for beginners
Snooker
Like Baseball, you can purchase Snooker-inspired dartboards. However, with a bit of number labelling, you can play an excellent game of Snooker on a dartboard.
Sudden Death
Sudden Death is a variation of ‘Knockout’ with the lowest-scoring player eliminated after each round! Score High!
The Preston Game!
The Preston Game gets its name from the Preston Dartboard (no longer made). My thanks to Barry Riley for providing me with the rules to share with you.
Tennis
My thanks to Richard Cotterill and Keith Black for designing this game for initial inclusion on one of my other dart websites. The rules are quite detailed but worth the effect if you want something new to play.
Warfare
Warfare, or Soldier-Solier, is sometimes called an excellent beginner game that can be made more difficult for the better thrower. Object eliminate your opponent Army
Game Dartboards
If you are not a 501 or cricket darts enthusiast, then you may like to know dartboards come in a number of designs to play one or two specific games. Popular boards are casino oriented along with games based on other sports, Golf, Snooker to name just two.
If you write articles or dart information websites and like the games, please link to this page.
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