New to darts or trying to understand match commentary? This darts glossary explains the most common darts terms, from checkout, leg and double out to big fish, 9-darter and Shanghai. Use this guide to learn the language of darts, understand scoring and finishing terms, follow professional matches and discover popular darts games you can play in the DartCounter app. For a deeper explanation of finishes, routes and double-out situations, you can also read our darts checkout guide.

Darts terms by category

Jump to a category below to quickly find the darts term you are looking for. Each section explains the key words used in matches, scoring, checkouts, dartboard areas, equipment and popular darts games.

These are the basic darts terms used to describe how a match, leg or set is played.

Best of - A match format where the maximum number of legs or sets is agreed in advance. The winner is the player who wins more than half of them.

Break of throw - Winning a leg that your opponent started. This is important because it gives you an advantage in the match.

Decider - The final leg or set that decides the winner when the score in legs is tied.

First to - A match format where the first player to reach a set number of legs or sets wins.

Hold of throw - Winning a leg that you started yourself.

Leg - One round of darts from start to finish, often played from 501 down to zero. Learn how 501 darts works

Oche - The throwing line players stand behind. The official distance from the oche to the dartboard is 7 feet 9 1/4 inches or 2.37 metres.

Race to - Another way of saying first to. For example, race to 5 means the first player to win 5 legs or sets wins.

Session - A block of legs or sets in a longer match, often used in major tournaments and TV broadcasts.

Set - A group of legs. A common format is best of 5 legs per set.

Sudden death leg - An extra deciding leg played when both players are tied and one final leg must determine the winner.

Visit - One turn at the board, usually consisting of three darts.

These terms are used to describe scoring power, consistency and performance during a leg, match or training session.

3-dart average - The average score a player achieves per visit of three darts. This is one of the most common performance stats in darts.

Average - A general scoring statistic that shows how many points a player scores on average per visit.

Bed - A scoring area of a number on the dartboard, such as the treble 20 bed.

Big ton - A score of 140 or more in a single visit.

Cover shot - A dart thrown at another treble, often treble 19, after the treble 20 is blocked or missed.

First 9 average - The average score of a player's first nine darts in a leg. It is often used to judge scoring power before the checkout phase.

Maximum - Another name for a 180, the highest possible score in one visit.

Ton - A score of 100 in one visit.

Ton 80 - Another way of saying 180, the highest possible score in one visit.

Trebleless visit - A visit where none of the three darts lands in a treble bed.

These darts terms describe how a player stands, throws and controls the dart during a visit.

Drawback - The backward movement of the throwing arm before the dart is released. A smooth drawback helps timing and consistency.

Follow through - The movement of the arm after releasing the dart.

Grip - The way a player holds the dart.

Grouping - When mulitple darts land close together on the board. Good grouping often shows consistent throwing.

Marker - A dart that lands near the intended target and helps guide the next darts.

Release point - The exact moment the dart leaves the player's hand.

Stacked darts - A dart that lands tightly above or against another dart, often in the same scoring area. Some players are known for throwing darts this way.

Stance - The way a player stands at the oche before and during the throw.

Splitting - Deliberately changing the remaining score to leave a preferred double. For example, instead of going directly for double 9 from 18, a player may hit single 2 to leave double 8.

Switching - Changing target during a visit, for example moving from treble 20 to treble 19.

Three in a bed - Landing all three darts in the same number segment during one visit.

Finishing terms are used when a player is close to zero and trying to win the leg. These are among the most important darts terms for beginners to understand.

What is a checkout in darts?

A checkout is the final combination of darts used to win a leg by reaching exactly zero. In standard 501 darts, the final dart must land in a double segment. DartCounter can help players follow scores, avoid busts and practise finishing routes.

9-darter - A perfect leg of 501 darts, finished in only nine darts. This is the fewest darts possible in a standard 501 leg. Learn how 501 darts works.

Big fish - The highest possible checkout in darts: 170, finished with treble 20, treble 20 and bullseye.

Bogey number - A score that cannot be finished in three darts. Bogey numbers include 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162 and 159.

Champagne shot - A 132 checkout route that usually uses bull, bull and double 16.

Checkout - The darts used to finish a leg and reach exactly zero. Practice checkout with 121 Checkout.

Preferred double route - A finishing route chosen to leave a double a player likes, such as double 16 or double 12.

Finish - The final combination used to checkout and win the leg.

Ton+ finish - A checkout of 100 points or more. The player finishes this score in a single turn using a maximum of three darts.

Match dart - A dart thrown to win the match.

Mad house - Double 1 left. It is called mad house because it can be a frustrating double to finish on.

One-dart finish - Finishing a leg with one dart.

Outshot - A possible finishing combination from the score a player has left.

Set-up shot - A visit used to leave a good finish for the next turn.

Tops - Double 20 left.

Two-dart finish - Finishing a leg with two darts.

Different darts formats use different starting and finishing rules. These settings are especially relevant in x01 games such as 301, 501 and 701.

What does double out mean in darts?

Double out means the final dart of the leg must land in a double. If a player reaches zero without hitting a double, scores too many points, or leaves one point, the visit is a bust and the score returns to where it was at the start of the turn.

Throw for the bull - A pre match throw at the bullseye to decide who starts. The player closest to the centre usually begins the match.

Double in - A rule where a player must hit a double before their scoring darts.

Double out - A finishing rule where the final dart must land in a double to win the leg. See 501 darts rules.

Handicap - A setting used to make matches more balanced between players of different levels. This can include changing starting scores or finishing rules.

Master-in / master-out - A rule where a player can start or finish with a double, treble or bullseye.

Straight-out / single-out - A finishing rule where a player can win by reaching zero on any segment of the board.

These terms describe the scoring areas on a standard dartboard.

Singe Bull - The outer bull in the centre of the board. It scores 25 points.

Bullseye - The red centre of the dartboard. It scores 50 points and can also count as a double in many finishing rules.

Double - The narrow outer ring of the dartboard. It scores double the number hit and is usually required to finish a 501 leg.

Single - The large scoring segment of a number. It scores the exact value shown on the board.

Shanghai - Hitting a single, double and treble of the same number in one visit. Shanghai is also a darts game mode. Learn how to play Shanghai

Treble - The narrow inner ring of the dartboard. It scores three times the number hit.

These terms are often heard in live matches, local leagues and professional darts broadcasts.

Caller - The referee or official who announces the scores during a match.

Chalker - The person who writes down or manages the score during a match.

Game on - The call used to start a leg.

Round Robin - A format where every player or team plays against the others in the same group.

Walk-on - The entrance of a darts player before a match, often with music and crowd interaction.

Whitewash - Winning a match without losing a leg, such as 5-0. Depending on the amount of legs/sets that need to be won.

Even experienced players run into these common darts situations during a match.

Bounce-out - A dart that hits the board but does not stay in, or falls out before the score is recorded. In standard rules, it scores zero and cannot be thrown again.

Bust - When a player scores more points then needed, reaches zero without meeting the finishing rule, or leaves one point. The score resets to the value at the start of that visit.

Robin Hood - When one dart sticks into the back of another dart that is already in the board. It usually scores zero because it has not landed in the board.

These terms describe darts equipment, accessoires and modern scoring tools used at home, in clubs and online.

Auto-scoring - Technology that automatically detects and records dart scores. In DartCounter, OMNI Auto Scoring can help players track scores without manual input.

Barrel - The main part of the dart that the player holds.

Dart case - A box or pouch used to carry and protect a set of darts.

Dart mat - A floor mat that marks the throwing position. It also helps protect the floor.

Darts setup - The equipment and accessoires used to play darts, such as the board, darts, mat , light and scoring tools.

Flight - The small fun at the back of the barrel that helps it fly steadily.

Flight puncher - A tool used to make a small hole in a flight so a shaft ring can hold it more securely.

Home darts setup - The equipment used to play darts at home, such as a board, surround, mat, lighting and scoring tools.

Target K-flex - A combined flight and shaft system made as one piece.

Light ring - A circular light placed around the dartboard to improve visibility and reduce shadows.

Mod system - Extra dartboard accessoires used for support, mounting or storage.

Target OMNI - An automatic darts scoring system by Target that uses a light ring with built-in cameras to detect dart throws and calculate scores automatically.

Point - The sharp tip of a steel tip dart that sticks into the board.

Point tool - A tool used to adjust, remove or replace dart points.

Repointer - A tool used to remove and replace dart points.

Shaft - The part between the barrel and the flight.

Sharpening stone - A small stone used to smooth or sharpen dart points.

Sisal board - A dartboard made from compressed sisal fibres, used for steel tip darts.

Soft tip - A plastic-tip dart used on electronic dartboards.

Spider - The metal wiring that seperates the scoring segments on a dartboard.

Steel tip - A traditional metal-tip dart used on sisal dartboards.

Surround - A protective ring around the dartboard that catches missed darts.

Target Swiss point - A removeable point system that allows players to change dart points quickly.

Target VIRT - A camera setup used to play darts online against other players.

Many darts terms are connected to specific game modes. DartCounter includes classic match formats and training games that help players practise scoring, doubles, checkouts and consistency.

121 Checkout - A checkout training game focused on finishing under pressure. Players try to finish from a starting score, often 121, with a limited number of darts. Learn how to play 121 Checkout

501 Darts - The classic darts format where players start on 501 and try to reach exactly zero, usually by finishing on a double. Learn how to play 501 darts.

Around the Clock / Around the World - A practice game where players aim to hit the numbers from 1 tot 20 in order, usually finishing with the bullseye. Learn how to play Around the Clock

Bob's 27 - A doubles training game where players start on 27 and throw at every double from 1 to 20 and the bull. Learn how to play Bob's 27.

Cricket - A popular darts game where players close the numbers 15 to 20 and the bull by hitting each target three times. Learn how to play Cricket.

Tactics - A Cricket-style darts game where players close the numbers 10 to 20 and the bull. Learn Cricket and Tactics rules.

Doubles Training - A practice mode focused to improve accuracy on the double ring and the bull. Learn Doubles Training rules.

Halve-It - A darts game where players must hit specific targets. If a target is missed, the score is halved. Learn how to play Halve-It

Score Training - A training mode designed to improve scoring power and consistency. Learn Score Training rules.

Shanghai Darts Games - A darts game where players try to score points by hitting the single, double and treble of each target number. Learn how to play Shanghai.

Singles Training - A practice mode focused on improving accuracy on the single segments from 1 to 20 and the bull. Learn Singles Training rules.

Learn darts terms while you play

The easiest way to understand darts terminology is to use it during real games. With DartCounter, you can play 501, Cricket, Bob's 27, Around the Clock and more while tracking your scores, averages and progress.