301 darts: rules, scoring and finishing

Start at 301 and work down to exactly zero. Every dart changes the finish in front of you. Play straight out to learn the board, then try double out when you want to make the last dart count.

The board and a round

A round, traditionally called a visit, is up to three darts. Add their scores and subtract the total from your remaining score. The broad single areas score the number on that segment. The narrow outer ring doubles it; the narrow inner ring trebles it. Outer bull is 25 and inner bull is 50. Outside the scoring area is zero.

For example, treble 20, single 20 and single 5 score 60 + 20 + 5 = 85. From 301, that leaves 216. On a physical board, count where each point enters the board and check the score before retrieving the darts. A bounce-out scores nothing and is not thrown again.

Straight out or double out?

301 easy — straight out: start scoring with any hit and finish with any scoring dart that takes you to exactly zero. From 32, single 16 followed by single 16 wins. Leaving 1 is allowed: a single 1 can finish it.

301 hard — double out: also start with any scoring hit, but the finishing dart must be a double. From 32, single 16 leaves 16 and double 8 finishes. Inner bull counts as double 25, so it can finish 50. Outer bull is not a double.

What makes a visit bust?

In either mode, going below zero ends the visit and restores the score you had at the start of that whole visit. From 40, single 20 leaves 20; hitting outer bull next would take you below zero. You bust and return to 40, losing both darts’ scores for that visit.

Double out also busts if you leave 1, or reach zero with a dart that is not a double. From 32, single 16 then single 16 is a bust in hard mode: return to 32. From 2, a single 1 busts immediately in hard mode; in easy mode it leaves a valid 1. After a bust, unused darts in that visit are not thrown. A valid finish ends the game immediately.

Keep a 301 score on paper

Write each player’s name above a column and put 301 at the top. For every visit, record the total scored alongside the new remainder. Keep separate columns if playing against someone on a real board. Decide the out rule before the first dart.

T means treble and D means double. Choose one of the last two rows, according to your out rule. For a bust, write “BUST” and copy the previous remainder onto the next line. Keep the original entries visible so both players can check the arithmetic.

Useful practice habits

• Read the remainder before every dart, especially after an unexpected single.
• For straight out, use a large single area when it gives a straightforward finish.
• For double out, an even remainder such as 32 gives options: a single 16 still leaves double 8.
• Practise comfortable finishes rather than aiming for the highest possible score on every dart.

Rules reference: Darts Regulation Authority rulebook. This site applies countdown and bust scoring to a 301 solo game, with straight out offered as an easier alternative to the double-out finish used in professional play.