Darts Rules

  1. Playing Court
    1. The dart board shall be a standard 18" bristle board with the standard 1 - 20 clock pattern.
    2. The scoring wedge for 20 shall be at the top (12:00) position and shall be the darker of the two wedge colors.
    3. The home team will supply a good quality board for league play. It is suggested that the board is used for league play and then switch to ensure quality boards throughout the season. If there is more than one board in the establishment, it is the home team's right to choose the board to be used.
    4. The center of the bull's eye shall be at 5' 8" (68") from the floor assuming a flat, nonsloping floor). If there is a slope to the floor, take this into account. By using correct length to the foul line (hockey) and the diagonal measurement, the sloped floor can be compensated correctly.
    5. The diagonal from the center of the double bull to the hockey line is 9' 7 1/2" (115.5").
    6. The foul line or oche shall be 7' 9 1/4" (93.25") from the front of the dart board and at least 2' wide. (Note: This measurement is taken from the front edge of the board, not the wall under the board.) If possible the oche should be raised. Again, because of our establishments, this may not be feasible. If the hockey is a line on either the floor or a mat, the line is officially the front edge (closest the dart board).
    7. There should be at least 3' of clearance behind the line. Including all players except for the player currently shooting.
    8. The board must brightly illuminate with a minimum of shadows. The lights should be affixed so that they do not get in the way of the normal flight of a dart.
    9. The score board should be located where it can be easily read by both the players and the spectators of the match.
    10. The dart and score boards should be located in an area where the players will not be subject to distractions while throwing.
  2. Throws
    1. All darts are to be thrown by, and from, the hand.
    2. A "Throw" consists of 3 darts unless the game is completed in less.
    3. Any dart bouncing off, or falling out of the board, shall not be rethrown. (No, you do not get to throw it again if you catch it!).
    4. If any player touches a dart in the board during a turn or throw, the throw is then deemed completed. In other words - don't touch the darts in the board until all 3 are thrown.
    5. If a player throws from across the line, the darts thrown count as part of his or her turn, but they do not score.
  3. Team Profile
    1. A team will consist of at least 6 players (to ensure no forfeited points).
    2. A player must have participated in at least 3/4 the number of games as scheduled matches match to be eligible for playoff competition. (For an 8 match season, a player must play in 6 games) For captains we are adding the following special exception: If the captain is present during the match, but does not play, and signs the score sheet that is submitted - that will count as a week's participation towards playoff eligibility.
    3. All team members must be at least 21 years of age.
  4. Match Format
    1. Each match will consist of the following games:
      1. Singles 401 (SS/DF) - 4 Games
      2. Doubles Cricket - 3 Games
      3. Singles 301 (DS/DF) - 4 Games
      4. Singles Cricket - 4 Games
      5. Doubles 501 (SS/DF) - 3 Games
    2. Each match will begin with a bull shot to determine which team shall throw first.
      1. It is the home teams right to choose to shoot first or second at the bull.
      2. If the bull shoot is for a doubles match, the player whose name was written first on the line-up will shoot the bull for his/her team.
      3. If the player shooting first hits a bullseye (single or double), it is the right of the player throwing second to have the dart removed if he/she chooses prior to throwing.
      4. If both players hit a bullseye a reshoot will take place. It matters not who hit the bullseye closer to the center.
  5. Scoring
    1. One point will be awarded per individual competing in the game (one point for singles and two points for doubles), with the exception of the final doubles 501 game which will be worth 3 points. A total of a possible 25 points.
      1. The line-up for the evening's events is completed by both captains in "the blind" and posted before each event. Any player listed in a doubles match may shoot for cork, regardless of position on scoresheet.
      1. Only fill out the line-up for one game type at a time
    2. In the event a team has less than 6 players, the captain will fill out the line-up using the players available. For every game that does not have a competitor from the team, that team shall receive an automatic loss and the opposing team shall receive an automatic win.
      1. It is permissible for a doubles team to participate with one player, provided that the team forfeits a turn in rotation for the missing player. The missing player may not join a game in progress.
      2. No player can play twice in one game type. No player can play in more than 4 game types.
      3. The automatic win will not count for the player for individual points purposes.
      4. The home team will have the choice to shoot first or second at the bull to determine the start of each game.
      5. The home team is responsible for supplying the chalker. Should two or more boards be used at the same time, courtesy requires the away team to supply additional chalkers. Chalkers should be made aware of the proper etiquette of chalking. No unnecessary movement or talking. / Do not look at the player on the line. / Do not call out a score or if the dart is in or out unless asked by the player. / Time any drinking or smoking to avoid distracting the players. / Should the chalker be the team captain, he/she can coach his/her teammate in regards to strategy, 01 out combinations, etc. Any other teammates cannot coach the player while scorekeeping, unless previously agreed upon between both team captains.
      6. The player's score must be chalked or called out prior to removing the darts from the board. This is to prevent arguments. If there is a question about the score for that round, the darts will still be in place to authenticate it. Only the player may remove his or her darts. (Unless previously agreed cases where the player has a physical reason that would delay the play.) The opposing player(s) or the opposing captain may request that the darts not be removed until the scoring is checked and approved.
      7. For 01 games, any changes to correct mistakes in scoring or chalking must be made before the next turn of the player or the player's partner in doubles. This includes mistakes due to either the score marked or mathematical errors in either addition or subtraction. Once the same team has thrown again, no corrections are allowed. In cricket, corrections are not permitted after the opponent has thrown.
      8. If a player throws out of turn, the opposing team has the option of either requiring the correct player to throw or allowing the score made to stand. If the score is allowed to stand, the same player must throw for the next turn to get the play back in synch. In which case, his or her partner has effectively lost a turn.
      9. Coaching is allowed. A player can ask the chalker what was hit or what score is remaining at any time. The chalker cannot advise the player what to throw with remaining darts. When a chalker is giving a score remaining in a 01 game, he or she should always give the total points, not the double out information (e.g. the chalker would say eighteen, not double nine). However, other members of the team or the person's partner can advise the player with strategy.
      10. The opposing team cannot call out numbers or strategies while their opponent is on the line. This includes loudly talking about possible outs for their own team, as overhearing these numbers may confuse the player on the line.
  6. Standings
    1. The season standings will be determined in the following manner.
      1. Match win/loss record
      2. Highest games wins total.
      3. If a tie exists, the tie breaker will be the head to head scores of the two teams
  7. Notes on Scorekeeping
    1. The Scorekeeper Shall Not move about while keeping score, stand still. That includes any gestures or head movements indicating an on dart.
    2. The Scorekeeper Shall Not look at the shooter, stand facing the board.
    3. The Scorekeeper Shall Not call out a score, of one dart or all three---- unless the shooter asks you.
    4. The Scorekeeper Shall Not tell a shooter what to shoot for or what combination to shoot, for an out, unless the Scorekeeper is the coach of the shooters team.
    5. The Scorekeeper Shall Not change a score unless it is brought to the attention of both shooters (teams).
    6. The Scorekeeper Shall Not change a score - regardless - if that player (team) has shot again and a second score written down. An error in a shooters score MUST be corrected before the player (team) shoots again or it stands.
    7. The Scorekeeper Shall Not lean out to see where a dart is or is going nor shall he follow the dart with body or head movement.
    8. The Scorekeeper Shall Not show any sign of disgust or excitement while at the scoreboard.
    9. The Scorekeeper Shall Not leave the scoreboard area within a game unless a replacement is standing ready to fill in.