How to Play Shanghai Darts: Rules, Scoring and Tips

How to play Shanghai darts? Players take turns throwing three darts at one number per round, starting with 1 and moving up in order. Only darts that land in that round's number score: a single counts once, a double twice and a treble three times. The highest total at the end wins, unless someone hits a "Shanghai" (the single, double and treble of the number in play in one turn), which wins the game instantly.

Below are the full rules, a scoring example, strategy tips and popular house variations. Throwing with your league team? Take a look at our retro dart shirts.

How to play Shanghai darts: the rules

Darting.com sums up the standard game: "Players take turns throwing at the numbers 1, 2, and so on, in sequence, until 7. They try to score as many points as possible per turn (using all three darts). Only darts hitting the number in play count for score." It adds: "There are two ways to win: either have the highest score at the end of the game or score a shanghai and win automatically. A shanghai is hitting the single, double and triple of the number in play" (Darting.com).

1. Agree how many rounds you will play (Darting.com lists 1 through 7).
2. Round 1: every player throws three darts at the 1. Round 2: everyone throws at the 2, and so on.
3. Score the number times the ring you hit: single = 1x, double = 2x, treble = 3x. Misses and other numbers score 0.
4. Keep a running total for each player.
5. Hit a single, double and treble of the current number in the same turn and you win on the spot.
6. Otherwise, the highest total after the last round wins.

How many players can play Shanghai?

Any number. Darting.com notes "it is sometimes played with a dozen or more players," which makes Shanghai a favorite for pub nights, parties and league warm-ups where not everyone wants to play a long 501 match.

What is a Shanghai score in darts?

A "Shanghai" is not a number of points: it is the instant-win combination of one single, one double and one treble of the number in play, thrown in one turn of three darts. Hitting three trebles scores more points, but it is not a Shanghai, because you need all three different rings.

Shanghai scoring example

Here is how one round on the number 5 might look for three players:

Player	Darts thrown	Round score
Player A	single 5, treble 5, miss	5 + 15 = 20
Player B	single 20, double 5, single 5	10 + 5 = 15 (the 20 scores nothing)
Player C	single 5, double 5, treble 5	Shanghai: wins instantly

As Darting.com points out, the scores get bigger as the game goes on: on the 1 the best possible score is 3 (three single 1s), while on the 7 three single 7s already make 21.

Strategy tips for Shanghai

• Know where the numbers are. Low numbers like 1, 3 and 7 are scattered around the board. Practicing a game like around the clock darts teaches you each segment's location.
• Bank points early, hunt the Shanghai late. If you are behind in the later rounds, aiming for the treble and double is your best shot at a comeback.
• Use your first dart to read the turn. If your first dart lands a treble, the next two only need the single and the double for a Shanghai.
• Stay consistent. A repeatable stance and release matter more than power. Our guide on how to throw darts covers the basics.

Popular house variations

Shanghai has no single governing rulebook, so groups often agree on house rules before the first dart. Common tweaks include playing more rounds (some groups go all the way from 1 to 20), adding a final round on the bull, or deciding ahead of time whether a Shanghai wins outright or only scores a bonus. Whatever you choose, agree on it before the game starts to avoid arguments later.

Suit up for darts night

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FAQ

What are the rules of Shanghai darts?

Each player throws three darts at the number of the round, starting at 1 and moving up. Only that number scores (single, double or treble), and the highest total wins unless someone hits a Shanghai.

What is a Shanghai score in darts?

It is hitting the single, double and treble of the number in play in one turn. In standard rules it wins the game immediately.

How many rounds are in Shanghai darts?

Darting.com lists the numbers 1 through 7. Many groups agree on longer games, such as 1 through 20, as a house rule.

How many people can play Shanghai darts?

Any number of players can join, which is why it is popular for parties and big groups.