Darts games for groups: which one to play tonight?
One board, a few friends, and the same question every time: what are we playing? 501 is the classic, but it isn't always the most fun when abilities are miles apart or when there are six of you. Here are the games that work best with a group, and how to pick the right one.
The 4 games you can play in Throw
Throw scores these four by itself: one phone standing beside the board, 1 to 8 players, individually or in teams.
501 (and the whole x01 family)
Everyone starts on 501 and works down to exactly zero, finishing on a double. It's the game you see on TV, and the most demanding one too: if you can't finish on a double, the last few points can drag on for a long time.
With a group, think about the shorter versions: 301 or 101 (a quick-fire game) keep things moving. And if abilities vary a lot, a straight out finish (any dart can win it) avoids never-ending legs. It's all in the x01 rules.
Cricket
You close 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the bull, then score points on the targets the others haven't closed. More tactical than 501, it makes you keep an eye on everyone else.
With three or more, cut-throat (the default in Throw) is the most fun: your points go to the others, and the lowest score wins. Expect alliances, revenge and plenty of banter. The cricket rules cover all three variants.
Halve It (Le Capital)
One round, one target: the 20, then 3 colours, then the 19, then a total of exactly 57... Miss the target and your score is halved. It's the perfect game for mixed groups: a lucky beginner can beat a good player, and nobody gets bored, because the challenge changes every round. In Throw, everyone can even place a secret bet on a bonus round.
Shanghai
One round per number, from 1 to 20 (or 1 to 7 in the short version). Only darts in that number count. A Shanghai (single, double and treble of the number in the same visit) wins the game in one go. Easy to understand, ideal for kids and beginners.
Other classics, not in Throw
These games are hugely popular in pubs and at home, but Throw doesn't offer them: you'll need chalk and a scoreboard. Rules vary a lot from place to place, so here's the most common version of each.
- Around the Clock: hit the 1, then the 2, then the 3... all the way to 20, in order. First to get round wins. Some people add the bull at the end.
- Killer: each player gets a number, often by throwing with their weaker hand. You first have to hit the double of your own number to become a "killer", then go after your opponents' doubles to take their lives. Last one standing wins. Brilliant with 4 or more.
- Baseball: 9 innings, each with its own number (the 1, then the 2, up to 9). You score on the inning's number, with a points scale that changes from house to house. Similar in spirit to Shanghai.
- Golf: 9 or 18 "holes", one number per hole, and the lowest score wins. Each hit counts as a number of strokes depending on where it lands (the double is usually the best shot), and the scales vary.
Pick at a glance
| Game | Playable in Throw | Suggested level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 501 / x01 | Yes | Intermediate | 2 to 4 players |
| Cricket | Yes | Beginner to expert | 2 players, or 3+ in cut-throat |
| Halve It | Yes | Any level | Mixed groups |
| Shanghai | Yes | Beginner | Kids, first-timers |
| Around the Clock | No | Beginner | Warming up, first-timers |
| Killer | No | Any level | 4 players or more |
| Baseball | No | Beginner | Small groups |
| Golf | No | Intermediate | Small groups |
How to choose for your group
Two of you, similar standard: 501 or standard Cricket. These are the classic head-to-heads, where consistency wins.
Three to six of you: Cricket in cut-throat, or Halve It. 501 drags with six, everyone waits several minutes for their turn. If you really want x01, drop to 301 or 101 to keep the pace up, and split into teams if you'd rather play together than every player for themselves.
Very mixed abilities: Halve It, first and foremost. A missed round halves your score, which melts big leads, and the whole-visit rounds (3 colours, 57 points) reward thinking as much as accuracy. Sudden-death Shanghai works too: one Shanghai wins it, whatever the scores.
Kids or complete beginners: short Shanghai (7 rounds). No counting down, no checkout rule, just adding up.
A friend playing from home: in Throw you can play online, one on one, with a free account, each of you at your own board with your own phone. Everything is explained in play darts online with friends.
Keep the evening flowing
What slows a darts night down is rarely the game itself: it's the scoring. Someone has to hold the chalk, work out what's left, check the targets. With Throw, the phone keeps score on its own, and you can put the game up on a computer or TV in the living room, paired with a code. Nobody's stuck on chalk duty any more.
Every rule, as Throw plays it, is gathered on the game rules page.