The darts board hangs in practically every British pub, usually within arm's reach of people who have never thrown a dart in their lives. Then someone suggests a game, and suddenly you are expected to understand treble twenties, checkouts, and why everyone groans when you hit a single one. Darts scoring looks arcane; it is actually beautifully logical once someone explains it properly.

This guide takes you from zero to confident pub player: the board, the scoring, the standard 501 game, checkout basics, and the etiquette that keeps you welcome at the oche.

The Board: What You Are Looking At

A standard bristle dartboard has 20 numbered segments in a fixed (non-sequential) order: 20 at top, then clockwise 1, 18, 4, 13, 6, 10, 15, 2, 17, 3, 19, 7, 16, 8, 11, 14, 9, 12, 5. The arrangement — designed by Brian Gamlin in 1892 — deliberately separates high numbers with low ones to punish inaccuracy. You do not need to memorise it; just know the 20 is at the top.

Scoring zones: the large single areas score face value. The outer narrow ring (doubles) scores double the segment number; the inner narrow ring (trebles) scores triple. The outer bull (green ring) scores 25; the inner bull (red centre) scores 50 and counts as a double. Treble 20 — the holy grail — scores 60, the highest single-dart score possible (180 = three treble 20s).

The oche (throw line) sits 2.37m from the board; the bull's centre hangs 1.73m high. Pub boards vary slightly — part of the charm. The Professional Darts Corporation site shows regulation setups for the curious.

501: The Standard Pub Game

Nearly every pub game is 501 (or 301 for quicker games). Each player starts at 501 and subtracts their three-dart score each turn, racing to reach exactly zero. The catch — the rule that defines darts: you must finish on a double (or the bull, which counts as double). Hit single 20 when you need 20? You bust — your turn scores nothing and your score stays as it was.

Example leg: you are on 40. Options: double 20 (the classic), double 10, or… that is basically it for clean finishes — though double 16 (32), double 8 (16), and double 4 (8) are the workhorses because missing leaves another double. On 36: double 18. On 32: double 16. Beginners should learn the even-number finishes first — they are the most forgiving.

If you score more than remains, or leave 1 (impossible to finish — no double 0.5), that is a bust: turn void, score unchanged. This is why experienced players 'set up' finishes — deliberately leaving a favoured double rather than scrambling.

Dart weight is personal but bounded: most beginners throw best with 22–26g brass darts — heavy enough to fly stably, light enough to control. Tungsten darts pack the same weight into a slimmer barrel (better grouping) but cost more. Try a pub's house darts first to discover your preference before buying; the right weight feels like an extension of your hand.

Checkout Maths: The Basics Worth Knowing

You do not need to memorise the full checkout table (170 down to 2), but a few fundamentals transform your game. Highest possible checkout: 170 (treble 20, treble 20, bull). The key realisation: odd numbers require a treble or bull to leave a double — e.g., on 51: treble 17 leaves double 0… no. On 51: single 19 leaves double 16. Learn to break scores into 'leave a double' components.

Beginner-friendly checkouts to memorise: 40 (double 20), 32 (double 16), 36 (double 18), 24 (double 12), 20 (double 10), 16 (double 8), 8 (double 4), 4 (double 2), 2 (double 1). From 60: single 20 leaves double 20. From 50: bull. These dozen finishes cover the vast majority of pub-game endings.

Practice tip: end every practice session with 20 minutes of doubles — around the clock on doubles 1–20. Pub games are won and lost on doubles, not on 180s. The player who hits double 16 under pressure beats the flashy scorer who cannot finish, every time.

Other Pub Games Worth Knowing

Around the Clock: hit each number 1–20 in order (doubles/trebles optional rules) — the perfect beginner game and excellent practice. Cricket: 'close' numbers 15–20 and bull by hitting each three times before your opponent — strategic and social. Killer: each player gets a number and tries to 'kill' others by hitting their doubles — chaotic pub favourite.

Halve-It: score in designated segments across rounds; miss and your score halves — brutal, hilarious, and great for mixed abilities. Shanghai: 7 rounds of segments 1–7, most points wins; hitting single/double/treble of one number in a round is a 'Shanghai' and usually wins instantly.

BBC Sport darts coverage follows the professional game — watching the pros' checkout composure (and their setup play) teaches more than any tutorial. And the pub games translate: hosting a quiz night at home and the best pub quiz questions for beginners share the same social DNA — low-stakes competition among friends.

Oche Etiquette (How Not to Annoy Everyone)

Stand behind the oche while others throw — never alongside or in their eyeline. Retrieve your darts promptly and step clear. Do not talk, move, or jingle change during someone's throw. Mark the score honestly and promptly — scorekeeping disputes poison pub games faster than bad darts.

Buying rounds and darts go together culturally; the loser traditionally buys, but any fair rotation works. Never touch another player's darts without asking. And celebrate opponents' good darts — pub darts runs on goodwill, and the player everyone wants in their game is the encouraging one, not the brilliant-but-miserable one.

Beginner's charter: everyone was terrible once, and pub players are almost universally welcoming to genuine newcomers who learn the etiquette. Ask questions, accept advice gracefully, and remember that the social game matters more than the score — though understanding the scoring, which you now do, earns immediate respect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'checkout' mean in darts?

The final score-ending combination that takes you to exactly zero, which must end on a double (or the bull). 'Checkout 40' means finishing from 40, usually via double 20.

What happens if I score more than I need?

That's a 'bust' — your turn scores zero and your total stays as it was before the turn. The same applies if you leave yourself on 1, which cannot be finished.

What is the highest checkout in darts?

170 — treble 20, treble 20, then the bull (50). It's the maximum finish possible and a celebrated moment whenever it happens.

Do I need my own darts to play in a pub?

No — pub sets exist for casual play. But a personal set (£15–£30) with your preferred weight and grip improves consistency enormously once you play regularly.

What weight darts should a beginner use?

Start with 22–26g brass darts — the standard beginner range offering stable flight without demanding perfect technique. As your throw develops over months, experiment: many improving players migrate toward 23–25g tungsten for tighter grouping. Avoid very light (<20g) or very heavy (>28g) darts until you know your throw.

Conclusion

Darts scoring is simple at its core: subtract from 501, finish on a double, and learn the dozen common checkouts that end most legs. The board's zones, the bust rule, and basic oche etiquette complete the picture.

Next pub visit, pick up the darts with confidence. You understand the game now — the treble 20s will come with practice, but the understanding is already yours.