(plus some rules you haven’t heard of)

How to score on the dartboard

• The number shown on the outer ring of the dartboard is the amount of points you’ll get for hitting that “segment”.
• Hitting the outer ring area (the Double) will score twice the number on the board.
• Hitting the thin ring inside the single-point areas (the treble) scores triple the points.
• The outer circle surrounding the bullseye scores 25 points.
• The circle in the center of the board is the bull  – and scores you 50 points.
• The remaining larger beds for each number – inner and outer “single” – will score the corresponding number for the bed you hit.

When you look at the dartboard you see it is split into different segments. Let’s see what each segment is called and how many points you get for hitting them.
Regulation dartboards are divided into 20 segments, all located around the central Bullseye.

Singles

Each segments is divided into different regions which are called beds, an inner and outer bed, which are singles – so you score a single of whichever number section you are in.

Doubles

Around the outside of the beds is an outer ring. This is where doubles are located. Hitting this area doubles your score for the number you hit.

Trebles

Splitting the 2 single beds at each number is the treble ring. Hitting this section of the board trebles your score for the number that you hit.

Outer bullseye

Surrounding the center of the board is the outer bullseye, which is worth 25 points.

Bullseye

Finally, hitting the center of the board is where you get the bullseye, because of the size of the bull and the accuracy needed to hit it, the bullseye is worth 50 points.

Why are the numbers on a dartboard in that order?

The layout of numbers on the dartboard generally alternates between high-value and low-value targets. So you find that the highest value targets are surrounded by lower values. This obviously rewards accuracy and penalizes you if your darts just go out of line; that’s why it’s good to be able to throw your dart where you are aiming for. The more you put at risk, if you aim for treble 20, the greater the chance you reduce your score if you hit 1 / treble 1 or 5 / treble 5.
A gentleman called Brian Gamlin designed the layout of the dartboard in 1896.

TRIVIA: Little Known Darts Rules.

Little Known Darts Rule No 1.

The first little-known rule of darts is whether you must throw all three darts when it is your turn. There is no obligation for you to throw your three darts on every turn. You get the option to pass or not throw all 3 darts when it’s your turn.

Little Known Darts Rule No 2.

If a player touches any dart which is in the dart board whilst they still have darts in hand, then the turn of that player is said to have been completed.

Little Known Darts Rule No 3.

In a tournament, all dart boards need to be adequately lit by a suitably positioned light at each dart board.