Official Darts Rules & Regulation Guide
The complete, authoritative guide to Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) and World Darts Federation (WDF) rules. Master board mounting height, throwing oche geometry, 501 double-out mechanics, checkout formulas, foul penalties, and equipment tolerances.
Official Dartboard Height, Oche Throwing Distance & Diagonal
According to Section 5 of the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) and World Darts Federation (WDF) rulebooks, precise board height and oche alignment are mandatory for all tournament play. The dartboard must be hung flat against a vertical wall such that the center of the bullseye measures exactly 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters / 68.0 inches) vertically from the level floor.
The minimum horizontal throwing distance from the face of the dartboard (measured along the floor directly beneath the board face plumb-line, never from the wall) to the front edge of the raised oche toe-line is exactly 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters / 93.25 inches) for steel tip darts, or 8 feet 0 inches (2.44 meters) for electronic soft tip play. The diagonal measurement from the center of the bullseye to the back of the oche measures exactly 9 feet 7½ inches (2.93 meters).
Official Dartboard Blueprint & Oche Geometry
Inspect the official right-angle throwing triangle. Toggle between Steel Tip (DRA/PDC standard) and Soft Tip regulations, or click any segment of the dartboard to view millimeter specifications.
Regulation Clock Board
The exact center of the dartboard. In 501 Double-Out matches, the Inner Bull counts as a double (Double 25) and is legal for game-winning checkouts.
Official 501 Checkout Calculator & Turn Simulator
Test exact finish combinations, identify impossible "Bogey Numbers", and simulate turns with automatic DRA Bust and Game-Shot detection.
3-Dart Visit Simulator & Bust Validator
Select segment and multiplier for each of your 3 darts to test legal checkouts and bust rules.
331 points remaining for next visit.
Darts Game Formats & Match Protocols
Compare standard professional 501, American Cricket, and Around the Clock practice formats.
Countdown format. Straight in (first dart scores immediately) in standard PDC.
Final winning dart must hit an outer Double ring or the 50-pt Inner Bull.
First to 3 legs typically wins a set in world championship tournament matches.
Turn Sequence & Inning Flow (501 Tournament Play)
- Diddle for the Middle: Players throw a single dart at the bullseye to determine who throws first in Leg 1. Closest to the center throws first.
- Throwing Visit: Player throws three darts sequentially from behind the 7' 9¼" oche. Each dart thrown with intent cannot be retrieved or re-thrown.
- Score Calling: The referee/caller shouts the score (e.g. "ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY!"). Darts must remain in the board until the caller announces the score.
- Bust Check: If the throw leaves a remainder of 1, below 0, or 0 without a double, it is declared "BUST", and the score reverts back to the start of the visit.
- Alternating Visits: Players alternate 3-dart visits until one player lands a clean double-out game shot.
Official Fouls, Violations & Dead Darts
Foot Fault / Oche Step
Stepping on or over the raised oche edge before dart release is an automatic foul. The dart scores 0 points and cannot be re-thrown.
DRA Rule 5.1.3Bounce-Out / Drop Out
Any dart that bounces off the wire or falls to the floor before retrieval scores 0 points. Darts must remain in the bristle until called.
DRA Rule 5.3.1Robin Hood Dart
A dart sticking into the flight or shaft of another dart scores 0 points. Only a tip touching the bristle surface earns points.
DRA Rule 5.3.2Early Retrieval
Touching or pulling darts out of the board before the referee or opponent verifies and calls the score forfeits the unverified score for that turn.
DRA Rule 5.4.1Official DRA / WDF Rules vs Common House Rules
| Rule Scenario | Official DRA / WDF Sanctioned | Casual Pub / House Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Throw | Straight In: Scoring begins on the very first dart in any segment. | Double In: Often requires hitting a double before scoring starts. |
| Finishing / Checkout | Double Out Only: Must hit an outer Double ring or 50-point Inner Bull. | Single Out: Casual games frequently allow winning on any single bed. |
| Bounce-Out Scoring | 0 Points: Dart must remain stuck in board until score is recorded. | Points Awarded: Some house rules award points if hit was witnessed. |
| Accidental Drop | No Re-Throw: Any throwing motion counts as thrown. Slipped darts behind oche can be retrieved. | Mulligan / Re-Throw: Casual play often grants one dropped dart mulligan per game. |
| Bulls on Electronic Soft-Tip | Split Bull: Outer Bull = 25 pts, Inner Bull = 50 pts (steel tip DRA). | Fat Bull (Full 50): Many coin-op bars score both inner and outer bull as 50 points. |
Frequently Asked Questions & Rule Disputes
Official Dartboard & Dart Manufacturing Tolerances
To ensure fair competitive standards and eliminate bounce-outs, tournament equipment must strictly adhere to DRA manufacturing standards covering sisal bristle density, knife-edge blade spider wiring, and maximum dart weights.
Bristle Dartboard
DRA & WDF Regulation StandardRegulation Darts
Weight & Component Limits501 Match Mechanics, Turn Flow & Legs/Sets Structure
501 Countdown Protocol
In standard tournament 501, both competitors begin at 501 points. Players take turns throwing three darts in succession (referred to as a "visit" or "turn"). The sum of the three darts is subtracted from the player's remaining score. In professional PDC tournaments, scoring is Straight In, meaning any legal bed counts immediately from dart one.
Legs & Sets Tournament Structure
Tournament matches are contested in either Legs or Sets:
- Legs Play (PDC Pro Tour & European Tour): Matches are contested as Best of 11 or Best of 19 legs. The first player to win the required number of legs takes the match.
- Sets Play (PDC World Championship): Matches are divided into Sets. The first player to win 3 legs wins that Set. Matches are played as Best of 5, Best of 9, or Best of 13 Sets in the World Final.
Double Out Rules, The "Big Fish" 170 & Bogey Numbers
To win a leg of 501, a player must reduce their remaining score to exactly zero on their final dart, and that final dart MUST hit an outer Double ring or the 50-point Inner Bullseye (which counts as Double 25).
The maximum possible checkout in darts. The player must land Treble 20 (60), followed by another Treble 20 (60), and finish on the Double Bull (50).
If a dart causes the remaining score to drop below zero, equal exactly 1, or reach 0 without hitting a double, the player "busts". The turn ends immediately, and their score resets back to what it was at the start of that turn.
Scores of 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, and 159 cannot be checked out with three darts because mathematically you cannot hit two trebles and leave a legal double. Players must throw a setup dart.