501 (x01) rules
x01 is the most played darts game in the world, the one you see on TV. The idea fits in one sentence: you start from a score, bring it down with every visit, and the first player to hit exactly zero wins. 501 is the classic, and Throw also offers 101 (a quick game), 301, 701 and 1001.
The goal
Every player starts from the same score (501 by default). The points of each visit are subtracted from what you have left. To win the leg you need to land on zero exactly, following the chosen finishing rule (usually a double).
How a turn works
- Each player throws 3 darts per turn, in playing order.
- A dart scores the value of the segment it lands in: single, double (x2) or treble (x3). The outer bull is worth 25, the bullseye 50.
- The total of your 3 darts comes off your score. From 501, T20, T20, S20 (140) leaves you on 361.
Busts
You bust when a dart:
- takes you below zero;
- leaves you on 1 when you must finish on a double (you can't check out from 1);
- reaches zero without meeting the out rule (say, a single under double out).
When that happens the whole turn is void: your score goes back to where it was at the start of the turn, darts thrown before the bust included, and play passes to the next player.
Winning a leg and the match
First to exactly zero wins the leg. Matches are played as best of: in a best of 3, the first to win 2 legs takes the match. Each new leg starts everyone back at the starting score, and the next player in the rotation throws first.
To avoid endless legs, Throw sets a maximum number of turns per leg. If nobody has checked out when it's reached, the leg goes to the player with the lowest score left (on a tie, the first of them in playing order).
Options in Throw
| Option | Choices | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 101, 301, 501, 701, 1001 | 501 |
| In rule | Straight in, Double in, Master in | Straight in |
| Out rule | Double out, Master out, Straight out | Double out |
| Legs | Best of 1 to 11 (odd numbers) | Best of 1 |
| Max turns per leg | 5 to 50, in steps of 5 | 15 |
- Straight in: every dart counts from the start.
- Double in: you have to hit a double before you start scoring. Darts before it don't count, the double itself does.
- Master in: same idea, but a double or a treble opens your score.
- Double out: the standard rule, finish on a double.
- Master out: finish on a double or a treble.
- Straight out: finish on zero with any dart.
The bullseye (50) always counts as a double.
Checkouts
Finishing a leg is a skill of its own. The combination that takes you to zero is called a checkout, and the biggest one under double out is 170 (T20, T20, bull). While you throw, Throw suggests a finish that fits the darts you have left, favouring the doubles players like (D20, D16, D10). When no finish is possible, it suggests the dart that leaves you a good double for next turn. Your average per visit is shown live too.
With Throw
Set your phone up beside the board: the camera scores every dart on its own and counts your score down live, busts included. If a dart is misread, tap its slot to fix it and everything is recalculated. Pull your darts out, the visit is confirmed, next player. From 1 to 8 players.