Finally, I did it, the holy grail of darts, the legendary 180! After what felt like a lifetime of practicing (and mostly missing), I hit the big one. I was playing 501 with Michael, the game where you need to finish on a double to win. And there I was, casually throwing random numbers like 7, 26 and 45, just vibing, you know?

Then, like a bolt of lightning, it happened. First dart, triple 20. Okay, cool, I’ve hit that before. Second dart, another triple 20. Now I’m sweating. Michael’s eyes are burning holes into my back and I can feel the pressure mounting. But with two darts already in the promised land, I take a deep breath, channel my inner James The Machine Wade and let the third dart fly. BOOM. Perfectly nestled next to the other two.

“ONNNNNNEEEEE HUNDREEEED AND EEEEEEEIIIIIIGGGHHTYYYYY!” I scream, arms in the air, ready for my moment of glory. Michael looks at me and says, “Busted.” I’m like, “Yes, Michael, you were here for this historic moment. You busted me!” But no, he meant my score. I had 181 left. 181. You can’t finish on 1. I was busted, my score reset and my dreams of victory shattered. So, there I was, standing in the ashes of my 180 glory, realizing I’d just peaked at the worst possible time.

501 is the game where math meets hand-eye coordination and where the only thing sharper than your darts is your ability to embarrass yourself in front of friends. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who thinks a “bullseye” is something a cow does. It is one of the most popular dart games in the world, played by everyone from pub amateurs to professionals who probably dream about triple 20s in their sleep. The objective is simple, start with 501 points and work your way down to zero. The first player or team to hit exactly zero wins the leg (a fancy word for a round). Matches are usually a “best of” series, like best of 7 or best of 9 legs. Think of it as a boxing match, but with fewer punches and more counting.

The Rules of 501 Darts, Chaos Isn’t an Option

Before you start hurling darts like a medieval knight, let’s break down the rules. Trust me, you don’t want to be that person who accidentally invents a new game mid-match. This game can be played one-on-one or in teams. If you’re playing in a team, players take turns throwing three darts each. It’s like a relay race, but with more beer and less running. Pro tip, if your teammate is terrible, just blame the beer.

Deciding who throws first is a mini-game in itself. It’s called “diddling” or “corking,” which sounds like something you’d do in a pub after too many pints, but it’s actually about hitting the bullseye. Each player throws one dart at the bullseye and the closest to the center gets to throw first. If you both miss (which is likely), you keep throwing until someone wins. It’s like a dart version of a Wild West duel, but with less shooting and more missing. Double bullseye beats single bullseye. (Because double is always better, right?) Two singles or two doubles, then it’s a tie, so grab another pint and try again. Can’t decide who’s closer? Throw again. And again. And again. (This could take a while.)

Game on! Each player gets three darts per turn. That’s three chances to either impress your friends or make them question why they invited you. Some tournaments require you to “double in,” meaning you have to hit a double (the outside ring of a number) before your points start counting. It’s like a warm-up, but with more pressure.

Math is hard, but so are you (and so was my 180)! Scoring in 501 is where things get fun (or frustrating, depending on how bad you are at math). The goal is to reduce your score from 501 to zero as quickly as possible. But it’s not just about throwing darts randomly, there’s strategy involved. Yes, strategy. In darts. Who knew?

So, to win a leg of 501, you must finish on a double. This means if you have 32 points left, you need to hit double 16 to win. If you overshoot (say, by hitting treble 16 instead of double 16), you “bust.” Busting is like tripping at the finish line of a race (trust me, I know), it’s embarrassing and you have to start over. Here’s how it works. “Out”, the final throw that takes you to zero. It must be a double. “Bust”, when you score more points than you need. Your turn ends and your score resets to what it was at the start of your turn. Cue the sad trombone.

Some tips on how to look like you know what you’re doing. Aim for the triple 20, it’s the highest-scoring area on the board. Hitting it consistently will make you look like a pro (even if you’re not). Practice your doubles, finishing on a double is crucial. Spend time practicing doubles to avoid those awkward “I can’t finish the game” moments. Don’t panic, if you’re down to single digits and your opponent is still at 200, don’t give up. Stranger things have happened (probably). Learn the jargon, words like “bust,” “out,” and “corking” will make you sound like a seasoned player, even if you’re not.

Now score that 180, but at the right moment!

501 Is more than just a game, it’s a social experience. It’s about camaraderie, competition and the occasional friendly argument over who’s closer to the bullseye. Whether you’re playing in a pub, at home, or in a tournament, 501 darts is a game that brings people together. Plus, it’s a great excuse to drink beer and throw sharp objects, which is basically the definition of a good time.

Now that you know the rules, the scoring and the strategy, it’s time to grab a set of darts and start practicing. Whether you’re aiming for the triple 20 or just trying not to hit the wall, 501 darts is a game that’s easy to learn but hard to master. So, gather your friends, chalk up the scoreboard and get ready to throw some darts. And remember: even if you lose, at least you didn’t bust. Probably.

Darts fever, because why not practice more, aim higher and laugh louder!

Phil Taylor, The Power: “301 is like 501, but for people with short attention spans. It’s darts on fast-forward, just don’t forget to double in or you’ll be standing there all night looking like a rookie.”