How to Play Call Three Darts [Rules, Tips, Tricks]

This game is for you if you are looking for a very simple and straightforward dart game that takes a minute to learn but nonetheless offers tons of fun.

This is an excellent and easy practice game suitable for players of all skill levels.

How to play call three darts? To play call three darts, each player needs to hit three numbers that have been called out by the player throwing after them. Only one dart is thrown at each number in the same order they have been called. Hitting the number earns points, and the player with the most points wins the game.

This is the low down. However, there is a lot more to a game of call three darts. If interested, continue reading below, I get into more detailed information and share with you some valuable tips and ideas.

Rules of Call Three Darts

A game of call three darts can be played by a minimum of 2 people.

Each player throws three darts each round.

After the order of the players has been determined, the first player will approach the oche and wait for the player that will throw after them to call out three numbers. This includes all the numbers from 1 to 20, including the bullseye.

The first player has to hit the three numbers with their three darts in the same order the numbers were called out.

The first player has only one dart to hit each number. The first dart is used for the first number, the second for the second number, and the third dart for the third number.

If a misses the first number with their first dart, they need to continue with the second number. Hitting a different number does not count – for example, hitting the second number with the first dart does not count, and neither does hitting the first number with the first dart.

If the player hits the called out number with the appropriate dart, they are awarded points. The points are calculated as follows:

• Hitting the single awards one point;
• Hitting the double awards two points;
• Hitting the triple awards three points;
• Hitting the outer bullseye awards two points; and
• Hitting the inner bullseye awards three points.

This means that in a single round, the maximum points a player can score is 9 (3 x 3).

Call three darts is played for ten rounds in total. The player with the highest score after all ten rounds have been played wins the game.

Who Goes First in a Game of Call Three Darts?

There are no pre-established rules as to who goes first. So the order of the players is determined by a single throw at the bull.

The player who’s dart lands closest to the bulls goes first.

How Long Is a Game of Call Three Darts?

Call three darts is one of the shorter dart games we can play. A game of call three darts usually lasts between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the number of players.

What Is the Throwing Distance When Playing Call Three Darts?

Call three darts is played by using the standard throwing distances, which are as follows:

• For a steel tip dartboard: 7′ 9 1/4″
• For a soft tip dartboard: 8′

Can a Game of Call Three Darts End in a Tie?

Technically speaking yes, a game of call three darts can end up in a tie between two or even more players. The chances are small, but it can happen. In which case, it is up to the players to decide if they want to end the game on a tie or they want to continue playing for a few more rounds.

How to Keep the Score in a Game of Call Three Darts?

Keeping the score is going to be very easy.

All you need to do is write down the names of the dart players across the scoreboard. On the left side, write down the number of rounds 1 through 10.

After each turn, mark down the points each player has scored.

After all ten rounds have been played, calculate the totals for each player – luckily, the numbers are easy to calculate. The player with the most points wins.

I find this method to be super easy; however, in some instances, when a player has accumulated a lot of points, there may not be any need to continue playing the full ten rounds.

In this case, you may want to also write down in brackets the running total, for example:

	Player 1	Player 2
Round 1	2 (2)	4 (4)
Round 2	5 (7)	6 (10)
Round 3	0 (7)	4 (14)

This is probably the best way to keep track of the running total and how well each player is doing.

What Do You Need to Play Call Three Darts?

To play call three darts, all you need is:

• a set of darts (3 darts per player, or three darts at the very minimum),
• a standard dartboard that has the numbers 1 through 20 on it; and
• means of keeping the score.

On What Kind of Dartboard Can You Play Call Three Darts?

Call three darts can be played on any type of a dartboard; this can be a soft tip dartboard, steel tip dartboard, or a magnetic dartboard.

The type of dartboard will not affect the game in any way. The only important thing is to keep in mind that the different dartboards are played with different darts.

And if you are planning on joining a local league at some point, it is advisable to play the game on a similar dartboard so that you can gain some valuable experience.

Strategy Principles of Call Three Darts

Call three darts is a very simple and straightforward game to play, so there are no complicated strategies or tactics here.

With that being said, there is something that is worth mentioning.

If you are playing for fun, just choose whatever numbers you feel like choosing. I usually try to pick some weird number combinations just to keep my buddies on their toes and kind of spice the game a little. I do not necessarily follow any strategies in doing so.

For example, I can pick:

• 1, 4, and 6;
• 19, 17, and 20;
• 14, 11, and 8;
• 20, 3 and the bullseye;
• 11, 6, and the bullseye;

However, if you want to play a little more competitively (which is actually not a bad thing, trust me), you should try to find and focus on the numbers that your opponent has the most trouble with.

If you already know which numbers your opponent has the most trouble with this is going to be easy. However, if you are playing with someone how’s abilities you do not really know, you will have to try and experiment. Call out different numbers and pay attention to any patterns.

What is more, is you do not want to use numbers that are too close to each other because your opponent may be able to get in the groove and hit them.

Try to force your opponent to play all over the board.

Call out numbers that are placed on different sides of the dartboard like:

• 4, 14, and 2;
• 12, 6, and 8;
• 7, 15, and 5;

That way, you will prevent your opponent from getting used to particular areas of the dartboard.

Additionally, you may want to avoid any of the frequently played numbers like the 20 and 19, for example.

For What Dart Players Is Call Three Darts Best For?

This game does not involve any complicated strategies or math calculations. As a result, it is one of the best dart games for beginners.

It is also an excellent practice game because it is played on the whole dartboard.

There are no complicated or frustrating mechanics like the doubling out in the ’01 (or doubling-in for that matter) – which is something extremely frustrating for any new player.

Call three darts can be played by anyone regardless of their skill and experience. It is a good game for both beginners and expert players and for kids to adults.

Call three darts is one fun and exciting dart game that can help dart players to improve their consistency and aim.

What I like about this game is that you can play it for hours and every time it will be slightly different. It is an excellent game if you want to keep your sessions from going stale and keep things interesting.

What Are Some Variations of Call Three Darts

If you are looking to add an extra twist to the game, there are definitely some interesting variations to call three darts.

• You can allow for different areas of the numbers to be called instead. For example, the triple 1, double 6, and the double 11. This will make the game significantly more difficult.
• You can make the rules a bit more lenient, allowing the player to try and hit the first number with more than one dart before moving on to the second number.
• You can allow the player to hit the numbers in any order they want.