How to Play darts

Impress your friends by actually knowing what to do with those darts—other than winging them toward the wall—next time you're at a bar.

You Will Need

* A dart board

* At least 3 darts

* 2-5 players

* A dart board

* At least 3 darts

* 2-5 players

Step 1: Find a dart board

Go somewhere that has a dart board. Nearly any normal bar will do.

Step 2: Pick up darts & stand behind oche

Pick up the darts, and stand behind the oche, the line marked by tape or paint.

Step 3: Set up players or teams

Set up your players or teams. Each player or team gets three darts. If there are not enough darts to go around, alternate who uses them.

Step 4: Warm up

Official dart rules allow for a warm-up by throwing up to nine darts per person.



Step 5: Decide who goes first

To decide who goes first, each person throws one dart at the board. Closest to bulls eye goes first.

Step 6: Throw your 3 darts

Once the game begins, take your turn by throwing your three darts.



Step 7: Grip dart

To throw a dart, hold the barrel between your thumb and index and middle fingers, lightly enough that you're not squeezing it.



Step 8: Raise throwing arm

Raise your throwing arm up, so that your upper arm is nearly parallel to the ground and your elbow is pointing forward.

Step 9: Put foot forward

Put forward the same foot as your throwing arm.

Step 10: Extend forearm

Extend your forearm, being careful to keep your elbow and upper arm in place.

Step 11: Release dart

Release the dart just before the top of the motion, causing a nice fluid arch trajectory.

Step 12: Calculate your score

Calculate your score. In an official game, the inner bull's-eye is 50 points, the outer bull's-eye is 25, and the numbered sections are scored according to their assigned point value written on the board, from 1 to 20.

Step 13: Remove darts

Remove your darts and allow the next player his turn.

Step 14: Alternate turns

Alternate turns wi