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501 is the game that defines professional darts. Every match you watch on television, every Premier League night, every World Championship final, is played in 501 format.
It’s fast, tactical, and endlessly replayable. If you’re new to darts, learning 501 properly is the single most important thing you can do.
While it may be simple to some, here’s everything you need for how to play 501 darts to get you started.
What Is 501 Darts?
501 is a subtraction game, both players (or teams) start with a score of 501 and take turns throwing three darts.
The total scored with each three-dart visit is subtracted from the remaining total. The aim is to reach exactly zero, but with an important twist. You must finish on a double (or the bullseye, which counts as double 25).
How to Play 501 Darts: The Rules
- Both players start with 501 points
- Players take turns throwing three darts per visit
- The score from each visit is subtracted from the running total
- To win, a player must reach exactly zero and the final dart must land in a double or the bullseye
- If a player scores more than their remaining total, or leaves exactly 1 (which can’t be finished on a double), the visit is a “bust” and the score returns to what it was before that visit
- The player who reaches zero first wins the leg
What Is a Double?
The outer ring of the dartboard is divided into doubles, thin segments that score double the face value of the number.
Double 20 scores 40, double 16 scores 32, and so on. The bullseye (the small red centre) counts as double 25 and scores 50 points.
To win a leg of 501, your final dart must land in one of these double segments.
Match Formats: Legs and Sets
In professional darts, 501 is played in legs (individual games) and sets (groups of legs).
A player wins a set by winning a certain number of legs, usually the best of three or best of five depending on the format.
Matches are then decided by the best of a certain number of sets. In the PDC World Championship final, matches are the best of 13 sets, which is the longest format in the sport.
How to Play 501 Darts: Beginner Strategy
- Always aim for treble 20: The treble 20 scores 60 points, the highest scoring area on the board. Most of your visits should start by aiming for three treble 20s (a maximum of 180 points). Even if you miss and hit single 20s, you’re still scoring 60 per visit which is perfectly respectable.
- Know your checkouts: The most important strategic skill in 501 is knowing how to finish. When your score drops below 170, you should be thinking about which double you want to finish on and what route gets you there. Our darts checkout chart has every finish from 2 to 170.
- Play for your favourite double: Most players have a double they feel most comfortable on. Double 20 and double 16 are the most commonly targeted because they’re easy to find from common scoring combinations. Build your checkouts around reaching these doubles whenever possible.
- Don’t bust: When you’re on a small score, be careful not to go past zero or leave yourself on 1. If your remaining score is less than 40, think carefully about which single you need to hit to set up a clean double finish.
Common 501 Darts Questions
What is the highest possible score in three darts? 180, three treble 20s. Known as a maximum and the perfect leg opener.
What is the lowest number of darts to finish 501? Nine darts, the so-called nine-dart finish. This requires two maximums (180 + 180) and a checkout of 141 (treble 20, treble 19, double 12). It is the holy grail of darts.
Can you start on any number? Yes, there is no double-in rule in standard PDC/WDF 501. You can score on your very first dart. Some pub leagues play double-in (you must hit a double before you start scoring) but this is not used in professional play with the exception of the very odd event.
Final Thoughts on How to Play 501 Darts
501 is the heartbeat of darts.
Once you understand the rules and start developing your checkout knowledge, the game becomes deeply satisfying and genuinely tactical.
For help with checkouts, see our darts checkout chart.
For more tips to improve your game, browse our full Tips and Tutorials section. For official PDC rules, visit the PDC official website.