Want to have fun with friends and learn a game that’s easy to play but exciting too? 301 darts is a great starting point for anyone new to darts. Whether you’re looking to improve your aim or just have a casual match at the pub, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play 301. Let’s jump in!

TL;DR:

301 darts is a simple and fun game where the goal is to go from 301 points to exactly zero. Each player starts with 301 points and subtracts the score they hit. The twist? You need to hit a double to start and finish the game. It’s great for beginners and helps improve accuracy fast!

What Is 301 Darts?

301 is a type of “X01” darts game. The “301” just means everyone starts at 301 points. Your mission? Get your score down to exactly zero.

Sounds easy, right? But there’s a trick — you must start and end the game by hitting a double. A double is the thin outer ring on the dartboard, and it doubles the points of that section.

What You Need to Play

  • A standard dartboard
  • Three darts per player
  • Paper and pen or a scorekeeping app
  • At least two players (but more can join in!)

Setting Up the Game

  1. Each player starts with 301 points.
  2. Decide who throws first. You can flip a coin or each throw one dart – closest to bullseye goes first.
  3. Pick your spot to stand. The official throw line (oche) is 7 feet 9.25 inches from the board.

Understanding the Dartboard

The dartboard isn’t just a circle with numbers. Let’s break it down:

  • Inner bullseye: 50 points (red center)
  • Outer bullseye: 25 points (green ring)
  • Triple ring: The thin circle in the middle of each number section, worth 3x that number
  • Double ring: The outer thin circle, worth 2x that number

Everything else is just the face value of the number you hit.

How the Game is Played

You throw three darts per turn and subtract the total you score from your 301 points.

But there’s a catch — before you can start subtracting, you have to “double in.” That means you need to hit a number in the double ring first. Once you do that, your points start to count.

Example: If you hit double 8, you score 16, and your game officially begins.

Doubling In and Out

Here’s the important part:

  • You must hit a double to start scoring (double in)
  • You must hit a double to reach exactly 0 points (double out)

So, if you have 40 points left, you’ll need to hit a double 20 to win the game. Hit a single 20? Nope. Go bust!

What Is a “Bust”?

A “bust” is when:

  • You go below zero
  • You hit zero but not with a double
  • You accidentally go to one point, which makes it impossible to finish on a double

When you bust, your score resets to what it was at the start of that turn. Your turn is over and it’s the other player’s go.

Quick Example Round

Let’s say you just started and haven’t doubled in yet. You throw:

  • Dart 1: Hits 20 – doesn’t count yet
  • Dart 2: Hits double 10 – now you’re in!
  • Dart 3: Hits 19 – now you can subtract 20 (from double 10) and 19=39

You now have 301 – 39 = 262 points left.

Tips for Beginners

Getting used to darts takes time. Here are some fun and helpful tips:

  • Focus on big targets like 20s or 19s to avoid busts early on
  • Practice your doubles! Especially double 1 to double 20
  • Aim for consistency, not big scores. Three 15s is better than one 45 then two misses
  • Relax and enjoy. It’s a game! Laugh at the bad throws

Common Variations

Once you get good at 301, try similar games:

  • 501: Same rules, but start at 501 instead of 301 – longer games
  • 701: Great for team play
  • No Double In: Some casual games skip doubling in

Playing with Others

301 is quick, so it’s great for small groups or taking turns in a crowd. Make a mini-tournament! Loser buys the next round?

Or, play in teams. You can alternate players each turn, keeping things social and fun.

How to Keep Score

Old-school way? Use a chalkboard or notepad.

Just write each player’s name and scores. Subtract each turn’s total and track what’s left. You can also use phone apps designed for darts scoring!

Practice Makes Perfect

Want to get better? Try throwing at different doubles each session. Play against tougher opponents or set challenges like:

  • “Hit three different doubles in one turn”
  • “Only triple scores allowed”
  • “Beat your last high score in 5 turns”

Final Thoughts

301 darts is an awesome way to start your darts journey. The rules are simple, the pace is fast, and it’s seriously entertaining. With a little practice, you’ll be doubling in and out like a pro in no time.

So grab some friends, line up at the oche, and let the darts fly. Just don’t forget — double in, double out, and keep the fun going!

Happy darting!

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