501 is the standard format for professional darts. If you’ve watched the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace or the Premier League on Sky Sports, you’ve seen 501 in action. It’s the game that Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen play week in, week out. Learning the rules is your first step to understanding and enjoying the sport.
The concept is straightforward: both players start on 501 and race to reduce their score to exactly zero. The catch? You must finish on a double. That final dart landing in the double ring is what separates darts from simple subtraction.
The Basic Rules
Each player begins with a score of 501. Players take turns throwing three darts, and the total of those three darts is subtracted from their remaining score. The first player to reach exactly zero wins the leg.
The key rule that trips up beginners is the double-out requirement. Your final dart must land in the outer narrow ring (the double ring) to finish the leg. If you hit exactly zero without landing in a double, or if you reduce your score below zero, your turn is void and your score resets to what it was before that visit.
For example, if you’re on 32 and hit a single 16, you’re left on 16. You then need double 8 to finish. But if you hit single 20 and go to 12, then hit another single 20, you’ve “busted” because you’ve gone past zero. Your score returns to 32 and your opponent throws.
How Scoring Works
Every segment on the dartboard has a value:
- Single ring (large areas): Face value (1-20)
- Double ring (thin outer ring): Double the face value
- Treble ring (thin inner ring): Triple the face value
- Outer bull: 25 points
- Bullseye (inner bull): 50 points (counts as a double for checkout purposes)
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting treble 20 with all three darts. You’ll hear the crowd roar “one hundred and eighty!” when a player lands this maximum.
A strong three-dart average in professional darts sits around 100+. This means scoring 100 points per visit on average, with the best players maintaining averages above 105 over an entire match. For club players, an average of 50-60 is solid, while beginners typically sit around 30-40.
The Double-Out Rule Explained
Understanding double-out is crucial. When your remaining score is 50 or below, you’re in checkout territory. But certain numbers are easier to finish than others.
Even numbers are simpler because you can always halve them. If you’re on 32, you can go straight for double 16. If you miss and hit single 16, you’re on 16 and can aim for double 8. Miss that into single 8, and you still have double 4 available.
Odd numbers require a setup shot first. If you’re on 35, you can’t finish directly because there’s no “double 17.5”. You need to hit an odd number to leave yourself on an even score. For instance, hitting single 3 leaves 32, which you can finish on double 16.
The bullseye (inner bull) counts as double 25, so you can finish on the bull if you’re on 50. This is why 50 is considered a relatively comfortable checkout despite its size.
Bogey Numbers and Impossible Finishes
Not all scores can be checked out. These are called “bogey numbers”:
- 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, 159: These cannot be finished with three darts
- 170: The highest possible checkout (T20, T20, Bull)
- 171 and above: Impossible to finish in one visit
If you find yourself on a bogey number, your only option is to score enough to leave a checkable total for your next visit.
The maximum checkout of 170 requires hitting two treble 20s followed by the bullseye. It’s the most celebrated finish in darts and something most professionals achieve only a handful of times in their careers.
Common Checkout Routes
Learning your checkout routes is essential for competitive play. Here are some of the most common finishes:
High finishes (100-170):
- 170: T20, T20, Bull
- 167: T20, T19, Bull
- 164: T20, T18, Bull
- 160: T20, T20, D20
- 141: T20, T19, D12
- 121: T20, T11, D14 (or T17, T18, D16)
- 100: T20, D20
Mid-range finishes (60-99):
- 80: T20, D10
- 76: T20, D8
- 72: T16, D12
- 64: T16, D8
- 61: T15, D8
- 60: 20, D20
Low finishes (40 and below):
- 40: D20
- 36: D18
- 32: D16
- 20: D10
- 16: D8
- 8: D4
- 4: D2
- 2: D1
For a complete reference, check out our darts checkout chart with all finishes from 170 down to 2.
Strategy Tips for Beginners
Focus on treble 20 for scoring. While treble 19 offers a similar target, the treble 20 is the standard scoring zone because of how the board is arranged. Missing treble 20 into single 20, 5, or 1 still scores, whereas treble 19 is surrounded by awkward numbers.
Learn the “cover shot” doubles. Double 16 is considered the best double on the board because it halves down through useful numbers: 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1. Double 20 is often preferred for its central position, but missing into single 20 leaves you on an awkward odd number.
Don’t panic on odd numbers. If you’re on an odd checkout, simply plan your setup shot. On 45, hitting single 5 leaves you on 40 (double 20). On 51, hit single 11 for double 20, or single 19 for double 16.
Practice your 60-100 range. Most of your checkouts in a real match will fall between 60 and 100. Drilling these finishes will win you more legs than memorising the 170 route.
Match Formats
Professional darts uses several formats:
Legs: A single game from 501 to zero. First to check out wins the leg.
Sets: A set is won by the first player to win a certain number of legs (usually 3). Sets are used in major tournaments like the World Championship.
Best of X legs: Common in league and televised events. First to win the majority of legs takes the match.
The World Championship final is typically “best of 13 sets” where each set is “best of 5 legs”. This means a player needs to win 7 sets, and each set requires winning 3 legs.
Getting Started
The beauty of 501 is its simplicity. You need a dartboard, three darts, and basic arithmetic. Start by practising your scoring on treble 20, then gradually learn your checkout routes as your accuracy improves.
Track your three-dart average over practice sessions to measure improvement. A simple way is to throw 10 visits (30 darts), total your score, and divide by 10. This gives your average per visit.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, try our Checkout Practice game to drill your finishes from realistic match scenarios. Improve your doubles accuracy with Bob’s 27, and work on consistency with the Treble 20 Challenge. The difference between a good player and a great one often comes down to who can check out under pressure.
501 is a game of consistency, concentration, and nerve. The rules are simple, but mastering the game takes years. That’s what makes it so compelling to play and watch. Step up to the oche, throw your darts, and enjoy the journey from beginner to seasoned player.
Related Guides
- Darts Checkout Chart – Complete guide to every finish from 170 to 2
- Score Counting Practice – Speed up your mental arithmetic
- Top 10 Quick Tips to Improve at Darts – Practical advice for all levels