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Franzi | Games
Franzi | Games 
How does Darts work?
180, 9-darter, bullseye, double-out – what do these terms mean, and which betting options does MERKUR BETS offer you? Find out here!
approx. 3 min.
How does Darts work?
Ooone hundred and eighty!
It might seem simple—just three darts hitting a board—but that's all it takes to captivate millions. What started as a casual British pub game has evolved into a global phenomenon, with icons like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Peter Wright drawing massive crowds worldwide.
Once a pub pastime that grew big in the UK, the sport now has an incredible global fan base cheering on stars like Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and Peter Wright.
Curious about what makes this sport so gripping? If you want to gain an edge and feel like an expert during the World Championship, our comprehensive guide to the rules has everything you need.
Darts rules
At its core, darts is a game of extreme precision. Players compete by throwing darts at a circular target, aiming for specific areas to rack up points.
The aim of the game is to score points through accurate throws.
Here’s how a game of darts works:
- The Starting Point: Players typically begin the game with a total score of either 501 or 301 points.
- The Turn: In each round, a player gets to throw three darts at the board.
- Counting Down: Rather than adding points, the score from each throw is subtracted from the player's current total.
- The Objective: The ultimate goal is to bring your score down to exactly zero.
- Closing the Game: To secure a victory, the final dart must land in a double segment or hit the inner bullseye.
The Dartboard
- Bullseye: The center of the board.
- The Bullseye: The center is split into two—the inner circle is worth 50 points, while the outer ring is worth 25.
- Inner bullseye: 50 points
- Outer bullseye: 25 points
- Board Layout: The board is sliced into 20 numbered wedges, each providing a different point value depending on where the dart lands.
- The Double Ring: Landing a dart in the thin outer ring doubles the value of that specific segment.
- The Triple Ring: The thin inner ring is even more valuable, tripling the points for that section.
- Throwing Distance: The distance from the oche (the throwing line) to the face of the board is exactly 237 cm.
- Board Height: The center of the bullseye is positioned 173 cm above the floor.
Unique Rules of the World Championship:
Competing in the World Championship is a different beast compared to regular league play. Here are the specific rules that make this tournament so special:
- The Knockout Format: Forget the long-term points race of a league; the World Championship is a 'win or go home' event. One loss, and your tournament is over.
- Playing in Sets: Instead of a simple game count, matches are divided into sets. A player must win a specific number of legs to take a set, allowing for dramatic comebacks even if they started poorly.
- Sudden Death: When a match reaches a critical deadlock—such as a 2-2 tie in the final set—a sudden-death leg is played. It's the most nerve-wracking moment in the sport.
Ready to put your knowledge to the test? MERKUR BETS offers a wide array of markets for darts enthusiasts. Let's explore your options!
MERKUR BETS offers an exciting betting portfolio for darts fans. Let’s take a closer look at these betting options!
From the opening matches to the grand final, MERKUR BETS lets you place wagers before or during the World Championship. You can simply bet on the match winner or predict who will advance further in the bracket.
Who will be crowned the World Champion?
This is a long-term bet where you pick the overall winner of the tournament before the first dart is even thrown.
Who will make it to the World Championship Final?
With this market, you can bet on which two players will battle it out in the final match.
