Darts Terms & Rules: The Glossary

Average (3-Dart Average)

The average score per 3 darts thrown, calculated over a full game or leg. The key metric for gauging performance – pros typically average over 90, ambitious amateurs between 40 and 70. Calculate it now →

Bogey Number

A score that cannot be finished with three darts under Double-Out. There are exactly seven: 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162 and 159. See our checkout chart.

Bull / Bullseye

The centre of the dartboard. The outer ring scores 25 points (single bull, also called "25"), the inner circle scores 50 points (bullseye/double bull) and counts as a double for finishing.

Bust

When a throw would take the remaining score below zero, reduce it to 1, or reach exactly zero without the final dart meeting the finish condition (e.g. no double under Double-Out). The entire visit's score is voided and the player starts the next visit from the previous total.

Checkout

The combination of up to three darts a player uses to bring their remaining score to exactly zero, winning the leg.

Cricket Marks

In the Cricket game mode, the number of hits on a number (15–20 and bull). Three hits "close" a number.

Double

The narrow outer ring of the dartboard. A hit scores double the segment's value (e.g. Double 20 = 40 points). Under Double-Out, the final dart of a finish must land here or on the bullseye.

Double-In / Double-Out

Common tournament rule: a leg must start with a double (Double-In) and/or end with one (Double-Out). The most common variant is Double-Out only, without a Double-In requirement.

Leg

A single game within an X01 match, from the starting score (e.g. 501) down to a checkout at zero.

Master-Out

A finishing rule where a triple also counts as the final dart, in addition to a double – a middle ground between Straight-Out and Double-Out.

MPR (Marks Per Round)

The average number of Cricket marks per visit (3 darts). The Cricket equivalent of the X01 average.

Nine-Darter

A 501 leg won in exactly nine darts – the theoretical minimum – one of the rarest and most prestigious feats in darts.

Oche

The throw line behind which the player must stand. Officially 2.37m from the board (steel-tip), measured from the front face of the dartboard.

PPD (Points Per Dart)

The average score per individual dart (not per visit). Equal to the 3-dart average divided by three.

Set

A group of multiple legs. In sets-based matches, a player must win a set number of legs to win the set.

Shanghai

An instant win in the game mode of the same name: hitting a single, double and triple of the same number in one visit.

Single

The large base segment of a number outside the double and triple rings, scoring the plain segment value.

Straight-Out

A house rule variant where a leg can be finished with any segment – no double required.

Ton / Ton-80

Darts slang for a visit scoring 100 or more ("ton"). Ton-80 refers to the highest possible visit: three hits on Triple 20 = 180 points.

Treble / Triple

The narrow inner ring of the dartboard. A hit scores triple the segment's value (e.g. Triple 20 = 60 points) – the most-used zone for scoring.

Whitewash

A match the loser finishes without winning a single leg or set.