Darts Betting Rules - A Comprehensive Guide

We’ve explained all of the main darts odds markets for you so you can place a bet with confidence. Get the ins and outs of the most popular odds markets available in darts.

Alex Matless
Alex Matless

Last Updated: 2024-09-19

Wade McElwain

5 minutes read

Darts is an exciting game that many people like to engage in, and darts betting can add another layer of excitement. No need to worry if you are new to it. This guide will outline the process of betting on darts for you in simple terms so you can understand it.

Darts Betting Rules


General Rules

It’s vital to understand the rules of darts when engaged in both playing and betting online. In a standard game, each player commences with 501 points. The aim is to reduce this score to zero without any remains prior to your competitor doing this. Players throw 3 darts at a dartboard; they try hitting different point-scoring areas around the board. The outer bullseye is worth 25 points, whilst the inner bullseye carries 50 points.

They must finish on a double, which means they have hit either a double section or bullseye; otherwise, they don’t win their leg. For example, if someone has 40 points left, then he needs to hit double twenty to win. If a player goes over his/ her required score, their turn ends, and their score reverts back to what it was before that turn happened. Knowing these rules will help you comprehend more about the game and make wise darts betting strategies.

Darts Tournament Betting & Rules

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been around the board a few times, knowing the different types of bets and the rules can make all the difference. Since there are a number of darts tournaments, you can start betting after knowing the available markets. 

Tournament bets are placed before a tournament begins. Most bookies will let you place these bets whilst the tournament is taking place, however, be aware that odds won’t be as valuable than they would be if you place the same bet before the tournament begins.

 

Outright Tournament Winner

You are essentially placing two bets with an each way darts bet:

You are betting on which player you think will win the tournament. Or you are betting on that same player to place in the top 2 of the tournament. Example bet: Luke Humphries to win the PDC World Championship (E/W) – 5.0 win, 3.0 place

Most 180s (Tournament or League)

This bet is an Over/Under bet predicting the total amount of 180s hit by all players in a league or tournament. Example bet: Over 39.5 180s hit in Premier League Darts Week 1 – 1.91

To Finish Top/Bottom (Tournament or League)

With this bet you are predicting which player you think will finish top or bottom of the tournament or league, respectively. Example bet: Michael Smith to finish at the top of the Premier League Darts table – 15.0

Nationality of Winner

You’re betting on what nationality you think the winner of the tournament or league will be. Example bet: Winner of Premier League Darts to be Welsh – 11.0

Number of Wins/180s

This bet is a prediction of how many wins or 180s you think a certain player will have in a league or tournament, usually as an Over/Under bet. Example bet: Luke Humphries to hit over 3.5 180s in Night 7 of Premier League Darts – 2.2

Wins/180s Matchbet

You’re betting on the player you think will get the most wins or 180s in a tournament or league. Example bet: Gerwyn Price to hit most 180s in week 7 of Premier League Darts – 5.5

Darts Match Betting

Match betting is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of betting before a tournament, you are betting on individual darts matches within a tournament or league. Below are some of the most popular darts match bets.

 

Outright Match Winner

You are betting on the player you think will win the match. Example bet: Luke Humphries to beat Michael Smith – 1.4

Correct Score

This bet is a prediction of the final score in a match. Example bet: Luke Humphries to beat Peter Wright 6-1 – 6.0

Handicap Betting

With a handicap bet, you are backing a player to win after the handicap values (positive or negative) have been applied. Example bet: Luke Humphries to beat Peter Wright with -2.5 leg handicap – 1.73

Double Result

This bet is in two parts. Firstly, it’s backing the result after a certain number of legs. Secondly, it’s backing the final result of the match. Example bet: Peter Wright to be winning after 4 legs, Luke Humphries to win match overall – 12.0

Winner Over X Legs

This is a bet on who you think will be winning the match over a certain number of legs. Example bet: Luke Humphries to be winning after 4 legs – 1.8

Correct Score X Legs

You’re betting on the exact score after a certain number of legs. Example bet: Luke Humphries to be leading 3-1 after 4 legs – 2.

Player Average

This Over/Under bet is a prediction of how high or low you think a player’s 3 dart average will be during a match. Example bet: Peter Wright to have a 3-dart average of 94.5 or more – 1.8

Highest Player Average

You’re betting on who you think will have the highest 3-dart average in the match. Example bet: Nathan Aspinall to have highest 3-dart average against Rob Cross – 2.1

Most 180s

This is a bet on who you think will hit the most 180s in a darts match. Example bet: Luke Littler to hit more 180s than Michael Smith – 1.83

Highest Checkout

This bet is predicting which player will have the highest checkout score in a darts match. Example bet: Michael van Gerwen to have highest checkout score against Gerwyn Price – 1.8

First/Last/Next 180

In this bet you are backing which player will hit either the first, last or next 180 in a darts match. Example bet: Michael van Gerwen to hit the first 180 – 2

170 Checkout

You’re betting on whether you think a 170 checkout (treble 20, treble 20, bull) will be achieved in a darts match. Example bet: 170 checkout to be hit in Michael van Gerwen vs Gerwyn Price match – 9

9 Dart Finish

This is a bet on whether you think a 9 dart finish will be achieved by either player during a darts match. Example bet: 9 dart finish to be hit in Luke Littler vs Michael Smith match – 21

Match Double

In a match double, you are betting on who you think will win the match AND who will hit the most 180s OR will have the highest checkout. Example bet: Luke Littler to win match and Michael Smith to hit most 180s – 4.5

Match Treble

In a match treble, you are betting on who you think will win the match AND who will hit the most 180s AND who will have the highest checkout. Example bet: Luke Littler to win match, Michael Smith to hit most 180s and have the highest checkout – 8.5

Final Words

Betting on darts makes the game more fun. By knowing the rules of betting in darts and tactics, you can make your wagers confidently. Familiarise yourself with various kinds of bets that will enhance your strategy.

This knowledge can greatly boost your odds of success when placing bets in tournaments or single matches. In conclusion, it is simple and exciting to bet on darts. Take these steps, understand the rules and enjoy playing.

FAQs

How does darts betting work?

Darts betting involves placing wagers on various outcomes of a darts match. Common bets include predicting the match winner, the exact score, total number of legs, highest checkout, and whether a player will achieve a nine-dart finish. You select your bet type, choose your stake, and place your bet on a betting site.

How many 180s in a darts match?

The number of 180s (the highest score possible with three darts) in a darts match can vary widely based on the players' skill levels and the match format. On average, professional matches may see several 180s, while amateur matches might see fewer. Always check player statistics for a better prediction.

What does highest checkout mean in darts?

The highest checkout in darts refers to the highest score a player achieves to finish a leg. For example, a player ending a leg with a score of 170 (triple 20, triple 20, and bullseye) would have a high checkout of 170. Betting on the highest checkout involves predicting which player will achieve this in a match.