How to Play X01 Darts

Whether you're completely new to darts or just need a quick refresher, this guide explains how to play X01 darts, including popular games such as 301, 501, 701 and 1001. You'll learn the official dartboard measurements, throwing distance, match formats and checkout rules used in standard play.

Setting up your dartboard and oche for legal play

To set up your dartboard correctly, you'll need the mounting hardware supplied with the board, along with a Phillips (crosshead) screwdriver. A spirit (bubble) level is also recommended to ensure the board is perfectly straight.

Before mounting the board, make sure the playing area is clear. Check that there is nothing nearby that could be damaged by a stray dart, such as a television, window, picture frame or other valuable item. If you're using a dartboard surround or cabinet, make sure there is enough space to install it properly.

Attach the supplied wall bracket so that the centre of the bullseye is exactly 1.73 metres (5 ft 8 in) above the floor. Install the centre mounting screw into the pre-drilled hole on the back of the dartboard before hanging it securely on the wall bracket.

If your dartboard includes levelling feet or stabilising brackets, fit these as well. If not, you can purchase stabilisers online or simply use pieces of cardboard or folded fabric behind the board to stop it moving. The aim is to keep the dartboard stable and perfectly perpendicular to the wall.

If you're using a dartboard light, it's usually much easier to fit it before installing a dartboard surround.

If you have a rubber oche mat, roll it out so that it sits neatly against the wall beneath the dartboard. The throwing line should be positioned 2.37 metres (7 ft 9¼ in) horizontally from the face of the dartboard. This is the official throwing distance used in professional darts.

Some home players choose to use shorter distances for children or beginners, and many oche mats include additional practice lines. These shorter distances are intended for casual play and are not used in official competitions.

If you don't own an oche mat, simply measure the correct distance from the face of the dartboard and mark your throwing line using tape or another suitable marker.

Determining who throws first

There are two common ways to decide who throws first: Throwing for the Bull or using a Coin Flip.

Throwing for the Bull

Each player throws one dart at the bullseye. The player whose dart lands closest to the centre of the bull decides whether to throw first or second.

If both darts are judged to be equally close, the players throw again, with the player who threw second during the previous attempt throwing first in the re-throw.

Coin Flip

Alternatively, you can use the built-in Coin Flip feature within our app. It randomly selects which player throws first, after which play alternates normally throughout the match.

Match formats

Our app supports both Matchplay and Setplay.

Matchplay

The winner is the first player to win the required number of legs. For example, in a Best of 5 Legs match, the first player to win three legs wins the match.

Setplay

The winner is the first player to win the required number of sets. Each set consists of a predetermined number of legs, and the first player to win enough legs claims the set. The number of sets and legs can both be customised within our app.

Winning a leg and checking out

The objective of X01 darts is to reduce your score to exactly zero before your opponent.

Players score by hitting the numbered segments of the dartboard. The outer narrow ring doubles the value of a number, while the inner narrow ring trebles it.

In standard play, you must finish the leg by hitting a double. This is known as checking out.

For example, if you have 60 remaining, you could finish by hitting:

Single 20, Double 20
Single 10, Bullseye

If your score goes below zero, or you reach exactly zero without finishing on a double, your turn is known as a bust. Your score returns to what it was at the start of your turn and play passes to your opponent.

Single Out mode

Our app also supports Single Out rules.

In this mode, you only need to reduce your score to exactly zero. There is no requirement to finish on a double.

For example, if you have 60 remaining, a single Treble 20 would immediately win the leg.

Single Out is ideal for beginners, practice sessions and more casual games where players simply want to enjoy the match without worrying about double finishes.