Darts Rules for Pub Matches
Plain-English darts rules for 501 pub matches, including starting scores, finishing on doubles, busts, legs and match formats.
501 pub match rules
Most pub 501 matches start each player on 501 and require a double to finish. The first player to win the required number of legs wins the match.
Bust rules
A player busts if they score too many, leave 1, or hit zero without the correct finishing double. Their score goes back to the start of that visit.
Legs and match formats
A leg is one game. A match can be best of 3, best of 5, best of 7 or any format agreed by the players or league.
Taking turns
A player throws up to three darts in a visit. The visit ends after the third dart, after a valid checkout, or immediately after a bust. Players then alternate visits until somebody wins the leg. The order should be agreed before play begins; many pub matches decide the opener with a throw at the bull and alternate the starting player in later legs.
Double-out finishes
Under double-out rules, the final dart must land in the outer double ring or the inner bullseye, which counts as double 25. A player on 32 can finish with double 16. A player on 50 can finish on the inner bull. Finishing routes shown by a scorer are suggestions, and a different legal double-out route is still valid.
If a competition uses straight-out rules instead, any dart that reaches exactly zero can win. Because formats vary, both players should confirm the finishing rule before recording the first visit.
Common bust situations
- Too many points: scoring more than the remaining total.
- Leaving one: a remaining score of 1 cannot be finished with a double.
- Invalid zero: reaching zero without the final dart landing in the required double.
After any of these, the player returns to the score held at the beginning of that visit. Earlier darts from the same visit are cancelled as well.
Winning the match
The match winner is the first player or team to reach the required number of legs. Best of three means first to two; best of five means first to three; best of seven means first to four. Some leagues group legs into sets or use separate singles and doubles fixtures. Those local competition rules should always take priority.
Scoring disputes and corrections
A visit should be checked before the next player throws. If a score has been entered incorrectly, correct it immediately with the scorer’s undo function and restore the proper turn. For an organised fixture, the nominated marker or league official has the final say under that competition’s rules.
Darts Match Centre applies ordinary 501 calculations and records the supplied scores; it does not replace an official or verify the physical dartboard.
Darts rules FAQs
What are the basic rules of 501 darts?
Players start on 501, take turns throwing up to three darts, subtract their score each visit, and try to finish exactly on zero.
What is double out?
Double out means the winning dart must hit a double segment, such as double 16, double 20, or the bullseye.
What happens if you go below zero?
That visit is bust. The score does not count and the player returns to their previous score.
What is a leg in darts?
A leg is one game of darts from the starting score down to zero. A match is usually made up of several legs.
Can pub leagues use different rules?
Yes. Some leagues have different match formats, player orders or doubles rules, so always check the local league rules before a fixture.
Useful links
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