12 FUN DARTBOARD GAMES YOU CAN PLAY RIGHT NOW

Got a dartboard gathering dust? Time to fix that. Whether you're hosting a party, a games night, or just looking for something fun to do, dartboard games are an absolute winner. They're easy to learn, endlessly competitive, and work for all skill levels.

We've put together 12 of our favourite dartboard games — the same ones featured in our Darty Party digital download — so you can get playing tonight. And once you've mastered these classics, try playing our Shake It Up variations which add other elements to the game, from chaos, to simplicity, extra strategy or make them a team sport. 

1. CLASSIC 501

The OG of darts. Each player starts on 501 points and races to reach exactly zero, finishing on a double. It's simple, strategic, and endlessly replayable. If you want the full rules plus a printable scoreboard, grab our free Classic 501 Mini Game Guide.

The Darty Party digital download comes with Closest to Zero for younger players, 501 Relay for team play, and Nickname Multiplier — which is exactly as chaotic as it sounds.

2. CRICKET (or AMERICAN CRICKET)

A brilliant tactical head-to-head dartboard game  where you "close" numbers 20 through 15 and the bullseye by hitting them three times each. 

Our simple dart board cricket rules take two minutes to explain, but it's one of the longer playing times in the pack.

Our favourite Shake It Up from the Darty Party pack is Sticky Wicket. A brilliant faster-paced variant for families or party situations

3. KILLER

Killer darts is the game that turns any group into allies and enemies within ten minutes — the most played game in the pack by some distance. Everyone gets assigned a random number and has to hit it three times to become a "killer". Once you're a killer, you can take out other players by hitting their numbers. Last one standing wins. Chaotic, brilliant fun.

Our Shake It Up variations include: Blind Killer, Singles Killer, One Killer Only and Double or Treble Killer.

4. AROUND THE WORLD (or AROUND THE CLOCK)

Hit every number from 1 to 20 in order. Sounds simple — it is simple in theory... and infuriating in reality. Perfect for warming up or for players who are still getting to grips with aiming. First to 20 wins.

Added extras in the Darty Party pack include Bullseye Bomb, which lets you sacrifice your turn to send everyone else back, and Skip, Switch and Swap. Also known as Around the Clock darts.

5. SHANGHAI

Players take turns targeting the same number each round. You score points for hitting singles, doubles, and trebles of that number. Hit a single, double, AND treble in the same round? That's a Shanghai — and an instant win, and an opportunity to shake what your mama gave you. 

6. FOLLOW THE LEADER

A nerve-wracking game, fast paced game. The leader throws and calls the target. Everyone else has three darts to match it or lose a life. Quick, competitive and surprisingly brutal.

Our Captain and Crew Shake It Up turns it into a team sport — useful if you want someone else to blame for the result.

7. FOOTBALL

Hit the bullseye to kick off, then score goals by hitting doubles. First to ten wins.

Our Pitch Play Shake It Up variant works perfectly for kids and adults in the same group. Own goals are possible. VAR is not included.

8. GRAND NATIONAL

You're the horse. The dartboard is the racecourse. Race anticlockwise around the dartboard from 20 — miss with all three darts, and you're out of the race.

Place Your Bets is the Darty party Shake It Up that adds forfeits for anyone who backed the wrong horse. Galloping around the room is optional but encouraged.

9. SUDDEN DEATH

Simple, savage, and such good fun. Perfect for parties, and kids to keep energy high. Everyone throws three darts. Lowest score each round is out.

Shake It Up variations introduce the powers of Reincarnation and Resurrection. Feels a bit Harry Potter, but make it darts games. 

10. NOUGHTS & CROSSES

It's Noughts & Crosses, but as a dart game.

Our Shake It Up variation, Noughts and Chaos, is gloriously ridiculous. Kids love it. Adults love it. The perfect group party game or family game, game. 

11. BULLSHOT

This is a great game for beginners, kids or groups who want high energy and simplicity. Each ring on the dart board scores differently — outer rings lose you points, inner rings earn them.

Opt for chaos with Shake It Up - 'Double or Nothing' - and please tag us in your attempts, we cried laughing at Darty Party HQ, when testing this one. 

12. KNOCKOUT

Beat the target score or lose a life. Swift, and satisfying.

Shake It Up, Escalator mode fixes the target and raises it every round — the pressure builds beautifully. Bedlam Shake It Up adds Double Trouble, Reversal and Bullseye Wipe for when you want maximum anarchy. And we love maximum anarchy.

Want All 12 Games in One Place?

We've packaged all of these games — with full rules, plus our Shake It Up variations, scoring tips, and printable scorecards — into the Darty Party digital download. It's the perfect companion for any games night, and you can have it on your phone or printed out in minutes.

👉 Get Darty Party — 12 Dartboard Games (Digital Download)

New to darts? Start with our Classic 501 Mini Game Guide — it's a quick, easy read that'll have you playing confidently in no time.

Now go grab those darts. 🎯