How to Play 301 Darts: Rules, Scoring and Busts

How to play 301 darts? Every player starts with 301 points and throws three darts per turn. The points you hit are subtracted from your score, and the first player to reach exactly zero wins. If you go below zero, you bust: your turn ends and your score goes back to what it was at the start of that turn.

This guide covers 301 rules, scoring, busts, the double-out and double-in variations, and checkout tips. Getting a team together? Browse our lightning and thunder dart jerseys.

How to play 301 darts: step by step

1. Decide the order, for example by throwing one dart each at the bull.
2. Every player starts at 301.
3. Take turns throwing three darts.
4. Add the three darts and subtract the total from your score.
5. Keep going until someone finishes on exactly zero.

DARTSLIVE puts it plainly: "The number hit is reduced from the starting points and the game ends when the score becomes exactly 0!" (DARTSLIVE).

How scoring works in 301

• Single segment: the number shown.
• Outer thin ring: double. Inner thin ring: triple. LASERTRON's rules: "The inner ring counts as 3x that score while the outer ring counts as 2x that score."
• Bullseye: "The bullseye outer ring counts as 25 points while the center counts for 50 points."
• A dart that "falls out of the board before the score is determined" counts as a miss (LASERTRON).

What is a bust in 301?

"If your points go below zero, it's called a BUST, the round ends there." Your "next round starts with the score you had before the BUST." Example: you have 12 left and hit a 20. That is a bust, and you start your next turn on 12 again.

Double out and double in: common 301 variations

Many electronic boards and casual games let you finish on any segment. DARTSLIVE's example: with 12 left you can finish with "single 12, double 6, or triple 4." Many pub and league games add house rules instead:

• Double out: you must finish with a double (or the bull). With 12 left, only double 6 ends the game.
• Double in: your score does not start going down until you hit a double.

Agree on the rules before the first throw, because they change how long a game takes.

301 vs 501: what is the difference?

Both are "01" games played the same way; only the starting score changes. DARTSLIVE notes that "301 or 501 is good for beginners." 301 is a shorter game, which suits casual nights and doubles. For the longer game used in most competitions, read how to play 501 darts.

301 strategy and checkout tips

• Score heavily early, then plan your finish when you get under about 100.
• Leave an even number that splits into easy doubles, such as 32 (double 16).
• DARTSLIVE's tip: "8 and 16 are next to each other, so you can aim for a double 16. Even if you miss and get a single 16, single or double 8, it is easy to recover."
• Work on a steady throw first; see how to throw darts.

Dart jerseys for your 301 team

Our lightning and thunder dart jerseys come in electric blue, purple and turquoise designs with a custom name and team name. Styles such as polo and quarter-zip vary by design, so check the options on each product page.

FAQ

What are the basic rules of 301 darts?

Each player starts with 301, throws three darts a turn, subtracts what they hit and must reach exactly zero to win. Going below zero is a bust.

Do you have to finish on a double in 301?

Only if you play double out. Many electronic boards let you finish on any segment, so agree on the rule before you start.

What are the differences between darts 501 and 301?

Only the starting score. 501 takes longer; 301 is a quicker game.

How many darts should it take to finish 301?

The minimum is six darts. Beginners usually need many more, so focus on steady scoring and a planned finish.