If you are here, you are most likely looking for some easy dart games (maybe beginner-friendly) that you can get right into.
I got you covered.
You are in the right place because below, I share with you the easiest dart games that you can start playing right now—well granted, you have a dartboard and at least three darts at your disposal, that is.
There are just so many different dart games that we can play. I took the time and have compiled this list for you so that you can easily start playing right away.
Below I share with you the best easy dart games you can start playing right now.
Contents
301
First, allow me to say that although I start this list of the easiest to play dart games with the 301, there are easier games here.
However, the reason why I am starting with it is one—the 301 is similar to the 501. Shorter. Yes. Which makes it easier and relatively quicker.
Playing some occasional 301 games is important if you want to feel some challenge while playing darts but not too much and especially if you don’t want to spend too much time playing darts. But at the same time, you are interested in learning the ropes of how a game of 501 enfolds and plays.
This eventually can lead to being able to play 501 relatively well.
For more detailed information, strategy principles, tips, and tricks, you can continue reading my article on how to play 301 darts.
High Score Darts
Looking for the easiest dart game? Well, look no further. High score darts is one of the simplest dart games you can play.
It is suitable for both kids and adults. It is also suitable for dart players of absolutely all skill levels.
High score darts is exactly what the name suggests—players take turns throwing three darts trying to achieve a preset target score. The first player that achieves that predetermined high score wins the game.
High score darts is a great game for absolute beginners as it is an excellent way to practice hitting those high-value target areas on the board.
For more in-depth information and some neat ideas, check out my article on how to play high score darts.
Knockout Darts
Knockout darts—also known as legs, not to be confused as a game of darts, which is also known as a leg—is one of the most simple and easy dart games that anyone, regardless of how new to darts they are, can play.
This game does have some competitive and challenging aspects. But not too much and does not involve complicated mathematics and formulas. As long as you can add three numbers together, you are good to go!
Knockout darts is played by no less than two players. Each player throws three darts per turn. The first player throws his darts. The score is recorded, and the second player needs to outscore the first player. Each player needs to outscore the player before them. There are no running totals – the score that the player before you achieved with his darts is the only thing that matters. If a player fails to score more points than the person before them, they receive one circle or X. A player that receives three X’s is knocked out of the game. The game continues until only one player is left.
For more detailed information, tips, and tricks, check out my article on How to play knockout darts.
Around the Clock Darts (Around the World)
Around the clock is a very popular and super easy game to play. It is also perfectly suitable for practicing darts, especially if you are a beginner.
The game does not involve any mathematics or need to keep score. There is also no complicated strategy involved beyond hitting a number.
A game of around the clock lasts no more than 10 to 30 minutes on average, so it is a fairly quick game.
It can be played by any number of players, even by yourself and on any type of a dartboard.
Each turn, you can throw three darts in total. When you throw your three darts, it is your opponent’s turn.
You have to hit every number of the dartboard in order starting from 1 and finishing with the 20. All you have to do is hit that number with just one dart, and you move on to the next. You can hit any area of the number, the doubles and the triples count as well.
Your goal is to finish before the other player. If you are playing alone, you can try to compete against yourself and beat your previous best scores.
The game can be made more difficult by adding some twists to it, depending on your level and preferences. For example:
- You can limit the scoring area to just the doubles or triples, or the inner or the outer single.
- You can add the requirement to hit the outer and the inner bullseye as well;
- You can have it, so the players’ turn only ends when they miss scoring their number.
- You can add the requirement to hit a single, a double, and a triple of each number before moving on.
For more detailed information tips and ideas, you can continue reading the article I wrote on how to play around the world darts.
Nine Lives Darts
I have always considered nine lives darts to be a variation of the Around the clock dart game.
In a similar fashion, each player throws three darts each turn trying to hit the numbers 1 through 20 in order. Each player has nine lives, and if somebody misses hitting their target number with all three darts, they lose one life.
If a player loses all 3 of their lives, they are eliminated.
The first player to make it up to 20 or the last player to be left standing wins the game.
You can find more information about this game in my article on how to play nine lives darts.
Warfare
Warfare is another dart game that is super easy to play; there are no complicated rules and strategies involved, so anybody can learn how to play it in literally seconds.
The dartboard is split into two halves – a left halve, and a right halve, or an upper and a lower halve. The two players (or teams) are each designated a halve.
Each number represents one soldier. Which means each player has ten soldiers.
Each turn, players try to take out as many soldiers as they can by hitting the number, which represents them. When you hit the corresponding number, that number is crossed out. The player who eliminates all soldiers from the opposing player wins.
This game can be adapted in many different ways to add more difficulty or handicap more experienced players.
For more detailed information, check out the article, I wrote about how to play warfare darts.
Cricket
Cricket—namely the American variation—is a super fun and easy to learn game. It is probably one of the most played dart games in combination with the 501.
In the American cricket, which is also known as mickey mouse darts, players take turns and race to open, score and close the numbers from 20 throughout 15 including the bullseye.
To open a number, you need to hit it three times. This means that you can do it by hitting the triple one time, the singles three times, and so on. When one player has opened a number, that player can use it to rack up points. The points are calculated as usual.
The other player can close that number and prevent their opponent from scoring points by hitting the number three times—the way you open a number is the same way you close it.
When all numbers have been opened or closed, the game ends.
Call Three Darts
Call three is another super easy game that you can learn how to play in seconds and makes for an excellent practice game.
This game can be played by any number of players (or teams). Each player can throw three darts per turn. Then at the start of each turn, the player who will be throwing next calls out three numbers. The player throwing tries to hit each one of the numbers with one of his darts in the same order the numbers were called.
Hitting the single scoring area is worth 1 point, the double—2 points, and the triple—3 points. The actual number of the scoring area does not matter. If 20 was called out and you hit the single, you earn 1 point. The bullseye can also be called out. The outer bullseye is worth 2 points and the inner 3 points.
The game is played like that for ten rounds. The player with the most points at the end of the ten rounds wins the game.
For more detailed information, tips and tricks on how to play and make the game even more fun, read my article on how to play call three darts.
Scram Darts
Scram darts is a fun and super easy dart game that you can play with one more player.
The two players are each given a role. The player that goes first is called stopper, and the player who goes second is the scorer.
Each player throws three darts per turn.
The first player (the stopper) tries to hit and subsequently stop (or close) different numbers. Hitting any area of a number closes it. And cannot be used by the second player.
The second player (the scorer) tries to score as many points as possible before all numbers have been stopped (or closed) by the first player.
When all numbers are stopped, the first round ends. This is when the roles are reversed, and the game is played in a similar manner.
The running total of each player is marked down, and the player with the highest score at the end of the two rounds is the winner.
Very straightforward, and easy to learn and play game that makes for a great dart practice game.
For more detailed information and strategy, tips check my article on how to play scram darts.
Shanghai Darts
Let me introduce to you Shanghai darts—another super easy dart game that anyone can play.
Shanghai darts is played by two and more players.
There are two ways to win a game of shanghai darts.
The first is to score the most points after 20 rounds or by scoring a shanghai.
The number of each round corresponds to the number that you can use to score points. Meaning during the first round, you can score only by hitting the number one, the second round you want to hit number two, and so on until round number 20. After the 20 rounds have been played, the player with the most points wins the game.
The second way to win the game is by scoring shanghai. To shanghai your opponent, you must hit the single, the double, and the triple with your three darts in one round.
For more information, tips, and tricks, check my article on how to play shanghai darts.
Slider Darts
Slider darts is a game that is similar to Around the clock; however, it comes with a little twist.
Slider is a very easy dart game that can be played by dart players of all skill levels. It is a fast-paced game that does not last a long time. It is suitable for practice games as well because it requires players to hit numbers across the whole board.
Each player throws three darts per turn. Players are racing to hit one time each number in order starting from 10 up until 20.
If a player fails to hit their target number with all three darts, they “slide” back one number. So if they had to hit 19 and missed with all three darts next turn, they would be back on 18.
For more information and ideas of different variations of this game, read my in-depth article on how to play slider darts.
Gotcha!
Gotcha is a very simple and easy game that has an interesting twist to it.
Darts players race to achieve a predetermined score. Usually, this can be any score the players can agree on but usually is something like 301 points.
The unique twist is that if you score the same amount of points, your opponent has you reset their score back to zero and vice versa.
In order to win, you need to score the exact points you have previously agreed on. So if that is 301 points, you need to score 301 points exactly if you go above that number you will bust, and your score is reset back to the score you had before your last turn.
Follow the Leader
Follow the leader is a fun and easy dart game that can be played by any number of players.
All players start with three lives. The last player standing wins the game.
So how do you win?
Here’s how the game is played.
In the beginning, the first player throws just one dart with their non-dominant hand.
The next player’s objective is to hit that same area on the dartboard where the first dart started. If the first player hits the inner (or the small) single 20, then this is where the second player needs to land their dart. If they manage to hit that same area and have any darts left in their hand, they can set a new target for the player after them.
If a player fails to hit the target area with all three of their darts, they lose one live. When all three lives are lost, that player is eliminated.
If all players miss and we are back to the same player that set the target area in the first place, they can choose to skip their turn and not throw any darts.
High/Low Darts
High/low darts are actually two different yet very similar games.
Let’s start with High darts. It is very similar to Knockout darts.
High darts can be played by any number of players. Generally speaking, the more people the merrier. After the order of the player has been determined, the first player throws their first two darts simultaneously—yes, you’ve read that right, the first two darts go at the same time.
This is done as a way to handicap the first player because they cannot lose any lives during the first round. Additionally, the first player can be the better player, too, depending on how the order of players was chosen.
The second player’s goal is to outscore the first player—the third player to outscore the second and so on—just like Knockout darts.
If a player fails to outscore the player who threw before them, they lose a life. Ties do not count. Although in some variations of the game, a tie will not cost you a life if it is above 100 points.
When a player loses all their lives they are eliminated—the last player standing wins the game.
The number of lives is up to the players to decide the most commonly used number of lives though is 3 or 5.
Low darts is played in a similar fashion. The only twist though, is that each player is trying to score lower points than the one who threw before them.
If a dart falls from the board or you just miss—unintentionally or not—this adds 25 points to your score. So you really don’t want to do that.
However, the really cool thing about Low darts is that the bullseye is worth negative points. So hitting the single bullseye is (minus) -25 points, and the double bullseye is -50. In other words, if you hit three double bulls, you will end your round with -150 points.
If a player fails to score lower points than the player who threw before them, they lose a life. When a player loses all their lives, they are eliminated—the last person standing wins the game.
Castle Darts
Castle darts is a very easy and fun game to play.
The goal of each player is to build a castle which consists of 15 bricks.
At the start of the game, each player throws one dart at the dartboard with their non-dominant hand. The number they hit will be their designated target number. Hitting the single area of that number will earn them one brick, the double – two bricks and the triple – three bricks.
In other words, hitting the triple of your target number with five darts will earn you 15 bricks, and you will win the game.
There is one little twist, however. At any point in the game, a player can decide to knock down bricks off the castle of the other players.
To do that, a player needs to hit the target number of their opponent. The number of bricks that will be knocked down will depend, in a similar fashion, on which area of the number is hit.
Baseball Darts
Baseball darts is another fun and easy game you can play. There is another variation of darts that is played on a special dartboard; however, this one can be played on a standard dartboard.
Usually, the game of baseball darts consists of 9 innings.
Each player throws three darts per turn at the number that corresponds to the number of the inning—ones for the first inning, twos for the second inning threes for the third inning, and so on.
The single areas of that number are counted as one run, the double for two runs, and the triple three runs.
The running total is kept, and at the end of the game, the player with the most points wins the game.
Tic-Tac-Toe Darts
Tic-Tac-Toe is a very easy dart game that is sort of a mixture between darts and, I am sure you have guessed it, tic-tac-toe.
The dartboard represents a tic-tac-toe box. The number 12, 20, 18, 11, the bullseye, 6, 7, 3, and 2 represent the nine different boxes of a tic-tac-toe game.
In a similar fashion to the American Cricket to mark a box on the tic-tac-toe, you need to close that number by scoring three of it. This can be achieved by hitting three singles, a triple, a double and a single, etc. of that number.
The goal of the game is to win the game of tic-tac-toe, by closing the corresponding numbers on the board.
For more information, check out my article on how to play tic-tac-toe darts.