Dart games are usually played between two players or two teams. Each team can consist of two or more people. Although there have are different variations of the game which allow for more than two sides, these have not gained much popularity.

Generally, each player is allowed nine throws as a warmup before the beginning of a game. After the warm up, one person from each team throws a dart. This is to determine which team or person is eligible to take the first turn. The team that got the dart closest to the bull’s eye takes the first turn.

Each player, in his turn, is allowed to throw three darts. Two sets of darts are thrown — one by each team — before the darts are retrieved. If the thrower’s foot crosses over the line or if the person happens to trip over the oche (the throwing line, which a dart player stands behind to throw the darts) while releasing the dart, the throw does not count for any points and there may not be a re-throw.

After a player’s final throw, the dart must stay on the board for a minimum of five seconds for it to be counted. Also, a throw scores no points if the dart sticks into another dart or falls off the board.

In the basic method for play and scoring, the throws that are successful score in the following manner: (1) in the wedge — the amount posted on the outer ring; (2) the double ring (the outer, narrow ring) — twice the number hit; (3) the triple ring (the inner, narrow ring) — three times the number hit; (4) bull’s eye (outer bull) — twenty-five points; and (5) double bull’s eye (inner bull) — fifty points.

Of the games played by dart players around the world, the two most popular ones are “301” and “Cricket.” Of these, 301 is the easier, as, in this, each side begins the game with 301 points and throws in an effort to make their score zero. Cricket, a more complex game that requires more throwing skill and strategy, is played using mainly the numbers 15 through 20 and the bull’s eyes.

Each game is considered one leg, and when two out of three games are won, the match is considered won.