501 rules.
501 is the most widely played darts game in the world — the professionals' game. The idea: start from 501 points and work your way down to exactly zero, finishing on a double. Here's everything you need to know.
The aim
Each player starts on 501 points. Each turn you throw 3 darts and subtract the total from your score. The first to reach exactly zero wins the leg.
Scoring
A dart's value = its number × its zone: single (×1), double (outer ring, ×2) or treble (inner ring, ×3). The centre is worth 50 (bull), with the green ring around it worth 25. A 3-dart visit therefore caps out at 180 (three treble 20s).
The finishing double
You can only win by finishing on a double (the bull counts as double 25). This is the double-out rule. Example: on 40 you go for double 20; on 32, double 16.
The bust
If a dart takes your score below zero, down to 1 (no double left to go for), or to 0 without a double, that's a bust: the visit is cancelled and your score reverts to what it was at the start of the turn.
Legs and sets
A match is played in legs, often as a "best of": the first to win 3 legs, for example. Bigger formats group legs into sets. The player who throws first alternates each leg (the throw advantage).
X01 variants
501 belongs to the X01 family: players also play 301 (shorter and sharper), 701, 1001… Some variants add double-in: you need to hit a double to "open" your score before you can start counting down.
Down to your last few points? Check out the checkout chart (finishes 2 → 170) or discover the rules of Cricket.
Start your first 501.
PlayDart keeps score, handles busts and shows you the finishing double. All you have to do is aim.
Open PlayDart