How to Play Baseball Darts: Rules, Scoring and Tips
How to play baseball darts? Baseball darts has 9 innings. In inning 1 every player throws 3 darts at the 1, in inning 2 at the 2, and so on to 9. A single scores 1 run, a double 2 runs and a triple 3 runs. Most runs after 9 innings wins; a tie goes to extra innings.
Below are the full rules, a scoring example, tie breaks and simple strategy. Throwing in a league? Check our purple dart shirts for team jerseys.
How to play baseball darts: the basic rules
| Setting | Rule |
|---|---|
| Innings | 9, with extra innings if tied |
| Players | 1 or more (great for groups) |
| Darts per turn | 3 |
| Target | The segment matching the inning number |
Dartly describes it simply: "The game is divided into 9 innings, and each inning has a target number on the dartboard." Only darts in the current inning's number count. Every other segment scores nothing for that turn. (Dartly)
How to score baseball darts
| Hit | Runs |
|---|---|
| Single | 1 |
| Double (outer ring) | 2 |
| Triple (inner ring) | 3 |
| Any other segment | 0 |
The most you can score in one inning is 9 runs (three triples). Keep the scoreboard like a baseball line score: one column per inning, one row per player, total on the right.
Scoring example
| Inning | Player A | Player B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (target 1) | S1, miss, D1 = 3 | miss, miss, T1 = 3 |
| 2 (target 2) | T2, S2, miss = 4 | S2, S2, S2 = 3 |
| 3 (target 3) | miss, miss, miss = 0 | D3, miss, S3 = 3 |
| Total | 7 | 9 |
Game flow, inning by inning
- Decide throwing order (for example, closest to the bull goes first).
- Every player throws 3 darts at the 1. Record the runs.
- Move to the 2, then 3, through to the 9.
- Add up the runs. The highest total wins.
Because every player gets the same targets and the same number of darts, the game is fair for mixed skill levels.
Extra innings and tie breaks
If players are tied after 9 innings, play inning 10 at the 10, inning 11 at the 11 and so on. Under Dartly's rules, the player who scores the most runs in a single extra inning wins outright; if that extra inning is also tied, play another. Some house rules instead use the bullseye as the tie-break target, so agree before the game starts.
Popular house rule variations
- Seventh-inning stretch: in some versions, the 7th inning is thrown at the bullseye or scores double.
- Strike-outs: a turn with three misses is an "out" and some groups give a penalty.
- Short game: play 5 innings when time is tight.
- Team baseball: partners alternate turns and share one run total.
House rules vary, so write yours on the scoreboard before the first dart.
Baseball darts strategy and tips
- Aim for the triple when it is safe. A triple is worth three singles, but low innings (1, 2, 3) sit next to high-scoring neighbors, so a wide miss still lands in a nearby segment and scores 0 here.
- Know the board: 1 sits between 20 and 18; 9 sits between 14 and 12. Practice each target before the game.
- Same routine every throw. Our guide on how to throw darts covers stance, grip and release.
- Set up right: check the dart board height and throwing distance so every player throws from the same line.
Other practice games like baseball darts
If you like target-by-number games, try around the clock darts or Shanghai darts, which also uses innings and rewards singles, doubles and triples on the same number.
Dress your team for league night with our purple dart shirts, available as polo and quarter-zip styles with a custom team name.
FAQ
What are the rules for playing baseball darts?
Play 9 innings. In each inning every player throws 3 darts at the number matching the inning. Singles score 1 run, doubles 2 and triples 3. Most runs wins.
How do you score baseball darts?
Only darts in the current inning's number count: single 1 run, double 2 runs, triple 3 runs. The maximum in one inning is 9 runs.
What happens if baseball darts is tied?
Play extra innings at 10, 11 and so on until one player outscores the others in an inning, unless your house rules use the bullseye as a tie break.
How many players can play baseball darts?
One or more. It works solo as practice and is popular for groups because everyone gets the same targets.
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