What Is Around the Clock?
Around the Clock (also called Round the Clock or Around the World) is one of the oldest and most universally known dart games. The objective is simple: hit every number on the dartboard from 1 to 20 in sequential order. First player to finish wins. It is an ideal game for beginners learning the board layout and for experienced players warming up before a serious session.
Equipment & Setup
The game uses a standard dartboard and each player throws three darts per turn. Players can compete head-to-head or play solo against the clock. No scorekeeping of points is needed — just track which number each player is currently targeting. 9Darter manages this automatically.
How to Play
Every player starts on number 1. On each turn you throw your three darts. Any dart that hits the current target number (in any segment — single, double, or treble) counts as a hit, and you advance to the next number. You may advance multiple numbers in a single turn if you hit them consecutively: hit 1 with the first dart, 2 with the second, and 3 with the third in a single turn, and you move directly to targeting 4.
You do not have to use all three darts if you advance. Once you've hit your current number, subsequent darts on that same turn must target the next number. Play continues until a player hits 20 and wins.
Winning
The first player to hit number 20 (completing the sequence from 1 to 20) wins the game. In solo play, your goal is to complete the circuit in as few turns or total darts as possible — a great metric to track your improvement over time.
Variants
Doubles only: players must hit the double ring of each number to advance. Significantly harder and a useful precision drill.
Trebles only: players must hit the treble ring of each number. An advanced variant for experienced players.
Around the Clock with bullseye: after reaching 20, players must also finish on the bullseye (inner or outer) to win. Adds a tense finale.
Killer variant: if a player hits another player's current number, that player is sent back a set number of positions. Adds a competitive sabotage element in multi-player games.
Strategy Tips
- Aim for the segment, not the scoring band. Any part of the number segment advances you. In the standard game, a wide, confident throw beats a tight, nervous one aimed at the treble.
- Use doubles and trebles to skip ahead. Hitting the double or treble of your current number still counts as one hit and advances you by one — but if you're playing the doubles-only variant, they're essential.
- Stay relaxed through the run. Numbers 1 and 20 are on opposite sides of the board; the sequence covers the full face. Even pacing throughout the circuit is better than sprinting and stalling.
Play Around the Clock with 9Darter
9Darter tracks each player's current target number, updates it automatically after each hit, and shows the full board state at a glance. Whether you're playing solo or with friends, the app keeps the game running smoothly.