501 is king, but it isn't the only game on the board. Every pub darts crowd has a couple of alternative formats they wheel out for practice nights, big groups, or when someone's been throwing 501 for three hours straight and needs a change of pace. Here are the five that come up most.
Around the Clock
The best practice game there is
The classic drill for anyone learning to use the whole board — not just camp on the treble 20 and hope.
How it works
- Hit each number in order from 1 to 20, finishing on the bull.
- Three darts per visit.
- You only move on to the next number once you've hit the current one.
Hard mode: only doubles or trebles count. Turns a warm-up into a proper workout — you'll spend twenty minutes on double 3 alone.
Killer
The pub party game for three or more
Get four or five mates round a board with a few pints and this is the game to play. Grudges get held, alliances get formed, and someone always gets knocked out on double 1.
How it works
- Each player throws one dart with their off hand — whichever number it lands in, that's their number for the game.
- Everyone starts on three lives.
- To become a Killer, hit the double of your own number.
- Once you're a Killer, hit the doubles of other players' numbers to take a life off them. Last player standing wins.
Shanghai
Seven rounds, sudden-death finishes
Fast, punchy, and one perfect visit can end the game before it's over.