How To Play 301 Darts

• Start with a score of 301.

• Reduce your score by the points scored each time you throw a dart

• Close out your score to zero by finishing on a double!

How do you play 301?

Each player starts with 301 points and taking it in turns they each throw 3 darts. 

Whatever the score that each player gets with their throws is subtracted from their score until they reduce their score to zero.

However, remember ! You have to close out the scoring by hitting a double score so try not to leave an odd number. If you do leave an odd number you get ready to calculate what your “checkout” score needs to be.

Click here for a list of all dart checkouts You will see here there are some bogey* numbers. 

(*Bogey numbers are scores in darts that you cannot checkout with three darts).

Watch this video to see everything you need to know about scoring!

How do you play 301 bust in darts?

301 bust is a term which applies to the end of a game of darts. 

The object of the 301 game is to get to zero, finishing the final throw to get to zero with a double. If you do not get zero by hitting a double or you score less than 0. You are bust!

Let’s look at what this means. There are a couple of ways you can bust.

If you score the exact score that you need but you do not hit a double then you are bust! For example you have a score of 16 left but instead of hitting double 8 you hit 16.

Aiming for double 8, but hitting 16 = Bust!

You need a double but hit to many points such as when you are aiming for double 4 but hit 18.

Aiming for double 4, but hitting 18 = Bust!

What happens if you have 1 point left in darts?

If you have 1 point left in darts you are bust because you cannot score 1 point by hitting a double. 

If you find yourself on 1 point then you must go back to your previous score and aim to complete your scoring down to zero by hitting a double. This is most frustrating when you are aiming for double 1 and hit single 1!

What happens if you go over 301?

If you go over 301 you are bust!

Do you need a double to start 301?

There are professional games where a double is needed to start your scoring – however remember the pro’s play from 501!

So in a normal game of 301 darts you do not need to hit a double to start so your scoring commences with whatever you hit with your darts be that in a double or not.r you hit

Can you do 301 in 6 darts?

Yes! You can score 301 points with 6 darts. 

For example you could hit 140 with your first 3 darts which leaves you with 161.

You can score 161 by hitting treble 20, treble 17 and bullseye.

If you can finish 301 in 6 darts, I doubt you will be reading this right now!

There are other ways to score 301 with 6 darts. Try and work them out when you play! 

Do you have to throw all 3 darts in 301?

You do not have to throw all 3 darts in a game of 301. Even if you are taking your first turn it is entirely up to you to throw all 3. It would be strange to do that but the rules of darts do not state that you MUST throw all 3 darts. My advice though 0 throw all your darts…!

What is the bullseye worth in 301?

The inner bullseye is worth 50 points. The outer bullseye is worth 25 points.

What is 3 Bullseyes in darts called?

When you score 3 bullseyes with consecutive darts it is called a hat- trick! Give it a try  :-/

Why do they start 501 in darts?

Pro players play from 501 as they are so adept at high scoring.

If they were to play form 301 they would be able to finish very quickly. Playing from 501 ensures there are longer games and they must score more consistently to win each game. 

Takeaways

Your strategy when playing 301 should be to score as many points as possible with each throw.

Once you have scored enough points you can concentrate on what check out score / final throw to finish on zero that you will go for.