Players alternate turns. On each turn you throw all three darts, then the scores are totalled and subtracted from your running total. The thin outer ring scores double, the thin inner ring scores triple, the inner bullseye scores 50, and the outer bull scores 25. There is no minimum score per turn.

You must finish on a double (or the bullseye, which counts as a double 25). Your final dart must land in the narrow outer ring to bring your score to exactly zero. For example, if you have 32 remaining, you need double 16. This rule makes X01 tactical — planning your checkout route is as important as throwing accurately.

Go for treble 20 — it is the highest-scoring single target (60 points) to reduce your score fast. Know your checkout routes: common finishes include 170 (T20 T20 Bull) and 160 (T20 T20 D20). Set up your finish by aiming to leave yourself on an even number that maps to a clean double.

X01 Dart Rules — How to Play 501, 301 & 701

Q: The Bust Rule

If you score more than your remaining total, reduce it to exactly 1, or reach zero without finishing on a double — you bust. Your score resets to what it was at the start of that turn, and play passes to the next player.

What Is X01?

X01 is the cornerstone of competitive darts. The name refers to a family of games where the starting score ends in "01": the most popular are 501, 301, and 701. Every player (or team) starts at the chosen score and races to reach exactly zero. The first to do so wins the leg.

X01 is played at every level, from pub leagues to the PDC World Championship. Mastering its rules is the foundation of any dart player's journey.

Equipment & Setup

You need a standard dartboard (bristle or electronic) hung with the bullseye at 1.73 m from the floor, and a throwing line (oche) at 2.37 m from the face of the board. Each player uses three darts per turn. In 9Darter, the app handles all the setup — just select your game type (301, 501 or 701) and number of players, and scoring begins automatically.

How to Play

Players alternate turns. On each turn you throw all three darts, then the scores are totalled and subtracted from your running total. The segments score as marked: the thin outer ring scores double, the thin inner ring scores triple, the small inner bullseye (bull) scores 50, and the outer bull scores 25.

There is no minimum score per turn — you can score 0 if you miss the board entirely, and play simply passes to the next player.

The Double-Out Rule

The most important rule in X01: you must finish on a double (or the bullseye, which counts as a double 25). This means your final dart must land in the narrow outer ring, exactly halving the segment's face value, to bring your score to zero. For example, if you have 32 remaining, you need double 16. If you have 50 remaining, you can finish on the bullseye.

This rule is what makes X01 tactical — planning your checkout route is as important as throwing accurately.

The Bust Rule

If you score more than your remaining total, or reduce it to exactly 1 (leaving no valid double finish), or reach zero without finishing on a double — you bust. Your score resets to what it was at the start of that turn, and play passes to the next player. Busting on a critical turn can cost you a leg, making risk management essential.

Straight-Out vs Double-Out

Most professional and competitive play uses the double-out rule. Some casual and beginner formats allow straight-out, where any dart that brings your score to exactly zero wins the leg, regardless of segment type. Always agree on the format before starting.

Strategy Tips

Go for treble 20. In 501 and 701, aim for T20 (60 points) to reduce your score fast. It is the highest-scoring single target on the board.
Know your checkout routes. Common finishes: 170 (T20 T20 Bull), 160 (T20 T20 D20), 121 (T20 T11 D20). Memorising the top 40 checkouts removes hesitation under pressure.
Set up your finish. As you approach low scores, aim to leave yourself on an even number that maps to a clean double. If you have 37, aim to hit a single 1 to leave 36 (D18), rather than risking the double 19 directly.

Play X01 with 9Darter

9Darter automatically tracks your score, suggests checkout routes as you get close to finishing, and records your best games and average scores. Whether you're playing 301 for a quick solo practice or 501 with friends, the app keeps everything accurate so you can focus on your throw.

Download 9Darter — Free on Android