About Darts King
Darts needs little introduction in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands or anywhere with a pub league, and 501 is the format played in professional tournaments. Darts King uses a board drawn to the proportions of a regulation one, with the numbers in their usual order and 20 at the top. The treble and double rings are as narrow as they are in real life.
Throwing is a test of a steady hand. You point at your target, but the aiming reticle never sits completely still, so you have to release at the right moment. Every dart is scored by where it lands. The outer ring doubles a number, the inner ring trebles it, the outer bull is worth 25 and the bullseye is worth 50. The best single dart is treble 20 for 60, which makes 180 the top score for a turn.
One rule is simpler than in the professional game. You do not need a double to finish, and any dart that takes you to exactly zero wins. Going below zero is still a bust, which cancels the whole turn. The game also suggests a finish when one is available and tracks each player's three-dart average. A leg takes about five minutes, which suits both regular players and newcomers learning to count down.
How to play Darts King
- The goal is to be the first player to reduce your score from 501 to exactly zero.
- Players take turns, and a turn is three darts.
- Move your pointer to aim at the board, then click or press Space or Enter to throw. The arrow keys nudge your aim.
- Each dart's value is subtracted from your score. A single scores the number, the outer ring scores double and the inner ring scores treble.
- The outer bull scores 25 and the bullseye scores 50. A dart that lands outside the scoring area scores nothing.
- If a dart would take your score below zero, the turn is a bust. Your score returns to what it was at the start of that turn.
- Any dart that brings your score to exactly zero wins the leg. You do not have to finish on a double.
Rules checked against the game on 2026-09-01.
Darts King tips and strategy
- Aim at treble 20 while your score is high. If your darts keep drifting into the 1 and 5 on either side, switch to treble 19, which has kinder neighbours.
- Once you are below 60, think in single darts. Any score you can hit with one single, double, treble or bull ends the leg, so aim for the largest target that does it.
- Because no double is needed, try to leave 20 or less. Any score from 1 to 20 can be finished on the large single segment of that number, which is the biggest target on the board.
- Avoid aiming at a treble when a slight miss into it would bust you. Near the end, a safe single that sets up the next dart is often worth more than a risky finish.
- Wait for the reticle to pass through the centre of its drift before you release. Throwing in a hurry when it is at the edge of its wobble is the usual cause of wild darts.
Darts King FAQ
Do you need a double to finish?
No. This game uses a straight finish, so any dart that takes your score to exactly zero wins, whether it is a single, a double, a treble or the bull. Standard tournament 501 requires a double, so this is an easier version.
What is a bust in darts?
A bust happens when a dart scores more than you have left. The turn ends at once, none of that turn's darts count, and your score goes back to where it was before the turn began. You try again next time round.
What is the highest score with three darts?
The maximum is 180, made with three darts in the treble 20. The treble ring is the narrow inner ring halfway out from the centre. The bullseye is worth 50, which is less than treble 20, treble 19 and treble 18.
How many players can play Darts King?
One to six players can share a board, taking turns of three darts each. You can practise alone to lower the number of darts you need, play against bots, or set up a private room for a group of friends.
How long does a leg of 501 take?
A leg usually takes around five minutes. A strong player finishes 501 in fifteen to twenty-five darts and a beginner needs more. With several players the turns rotate quickly, because each visit to the board is only three darts.
How many players do I need for Darts King?
Darts King supports 1 to 6 players. If a full table of real people isn't ready when you queue, MultiplayerHub fills the empty seats with bots instantly so the match starts without waiting.
Do I need to download anything or sign up to play Darts King?
No. Darts King runs entirely in your browser tab — no app install, no account, no email required. Pick a name and you're matched within seconds.
Is Darts King really free?
Yes — Darts King and every other game on MultiplayerHub is free to play, supported by ads rather than a paywall or loot boxes.
Can I play Darts King with a specific friend instead of strangers?
Create a private room from the Darts King page to get a shareable room code, or enter a code a friend already sent you to jump straight into their table.