Complete Guide to 301 and 501 Darts Rules

Basic Principle: The Race to Zero

Unlike many games where you need to accumulate as many points as possible, 301 and 501 are subtraction games. Each player (or team) starts with a fixed score: 301 points for quick games, or 501 points (the professional standard).

The objective is to be the first to reduce your score to exactly zero. It's a race against time, but also precision, especially in the final moments of the game.

Understanding the Dartboard

To understand the "Double In/Out" rules, you need to know the dartboard zones:

• The Bullseye : The red center is worth 50 points (it's a "double"). The green ring around it (outer bull) is worth 25 points.
• The Doubles Ring : The thin band at the very edge of the playing area. A dart here multiplies the segment value by 2.
• The Triples Ring : The thin band in the middle of the board. A dart here multiplies the value by 3. This is where big scores are made, like the famous "One Hundred and Eighty" (180 points, or 3 triple 20s).
• The Singles : The large black and white areas. They are worth the number indicated on the edge.

Game Progression in 301/501

1. The Start (The "Bull-Off")

To decide who starts, each player throws a single dart. The one closest to the exact center (the red bull) starts the game.

2. The Volley

Players take turns. A turn consists of throwing a volley of 3 darts. After the three throws, the total points scored are subtracted from the player's current score.

Game-Changing Options: Double In, Double Out

The basic rules can be modified by entry and exit conditions. These options are almost always used in competition.

The "Double Out" Option (Standard Rule)

This is the most important rule to know. In almost all serious 301 or 501 games, the Double Out rule is active. To finish the game and reach zero, your very last dart must land in a "Double" segment (the outer ring or the 50-point center bull). If you're at 32, you must finish with Double 16. If you're at 40, the classic "finish" is Double 20.

The "Double In" Option

Often used in the 301 format (more rarely in 501), this rule imposes a condition for starting to score points. Your score only starts going down once you've hit a "Double" segment. Until you've put a dart in the outer ring (or the red bull), your throws don't count.

The "Master Out" Option

Less common than Double Out, but sometimes played. To finish, the last dart must be a Double OR a Triple. This offers more possibilities for finishing a game.

End of Game: Watch Out for "Bust"!

The most tense moment of the game is the end, called the "Checkout". Due to the Double Out rule, precision becomes vital. There are three ways to "Bust":

• Scoring too many points: your score drops below zero (example: you have 10 left, you hit a 12).
• Reaching 1: impossible to finish on 1, as no double is worth 1 point.
• Reaching 0 without hitting a double: if the Double Out rule is active (example: you have 20 left, you hit single 20 instead of double 10).

Game Modes Summary Table

Conclusion

301 and 501 with the "Double Out" option are the essence of darts. These rules transform a simple skill game into a game of mental calculation and pressure management. Next time you pick up darts, try Double Out: you'll see the game takes on a whole new dimension!