Important: Universal DRA Rules vs Tournament Formats
Universal Darts Regulations
Governed worldwide by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA). These specifications apply to all sanctioned darts competitions—including the World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay, WDF tournaments, and league play:
- Exact board height: 5ft 8in (1.73m) to bullseye center
- Exact oche throwline distance: 7ft 9.25in (2.37m) from board face
- 501 starting score countdown & straight-in throw
- Double-Out finishing requirement (Double ring or 50-pt inner bull)
- The official Bust Rule and segment score multipliers
World Championship Structure
Specific competition regulations set by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) exclusively for the World Championship at Alexandra Palace:
- Sets and Legs format (first to 3 legs per set, not straight legs)
- Round set distances (Best of 5 sets in R1/R2 up to Best of 13 in Final)
- Deciding set two-clear-legs tiebreak rule (up to 5-5)
- Sudden-death 11th leg in deciding sets with pre-leg bull-off
For complete set-play details, see our dedicated Sets vs Legs Format Guide.
Official Dartboard & Oche Dimensions (Universal DRA Standard)
Every regulation dartboard setup in professional darts must satisfy strict millimeter tolerances under DRA Section 5. Measurements are taken to the absolute back edge of the raised oche (throwline):
Floor level to the center of the inner bullseye
Front face of the dartboard to the back edge of the raised oche (throwline)
Center of the bullseye to the back of the oche throwline
Dartboard Segments & Multipliers
The standard English sisal bristle board is divided into 20 numbered pie-shaped segments arranged in an intentional distribution designed to penalize inaccuracy (e.g., placing low numbers 1 and 5 directly adjacent to the high-value 20).
| Segment Area | Points Multiplier | Maximum Value | Checkout Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Ring (Doubles) | 2x Face Value | Double 20 = 40 pts | Valid for Double-Out |
| Inner Ring (Trebles) | 3x Face Value | Treble 20 = 60 pts | Scoring Only (Cannot Finish) |
| Single Segments | 1x Face Value | Single 20 = 20 pts | Scoring Only (Cannot Finish) |
| Outer Bull (Single Bull) | 25 Points (Green) | 25 pts | Scoring Only (Cannot Finish) |
| Inner Bull (Bullseye) | 50 Points (Red) | 50 pts | Counts as Double 25 |
How a Game of 501 Works: Core Rules
Every leg in the PDC World Darts Championship is played under the 501 Straight-In, Double-Out format.
The Throw & Starting Score
Each player starts with 501 points. Players take turns throwing three darts per visit. Unlike vintage pub rules ("double-in"), professional play is "straight-in," meaning any scoring dart on the board counts immediately from dart one. Both feet must remain behind the raised oche edge during the release.
Subtracting Points & Strategy
The sum of the three darts thrown in a visit is deducted from the player's remaining total. The maximum possible score in a single visit is 180 points (three darts in Treble 20). Players aim for the treble 20 bed until their score falls below 170, at which point mathematical checkout setups begin.
The Double-Out Requirement
To win the leg, a player must reduce their score to exactly zero on a double segment or the 50-point red inner bullseye (which counts as a double 25). For example, if a player has 32 points left, they must hit Double 16. If they have 50 left, hitting the inner bullseye wins the leg.
The Bust Rule
A visit is declared "Bust" if a player:
- Scores more points than are required to reach zero.
- Reduces their score to exactly zero without hitting a double or inner bull.
- Leaves a remaining score of exactly 1 (since no double equals 1, making completion impossible).
When a player busts, their turn ends immediately, any darts remaining in hand are not thrown, and their score resets to whatever it was at the start of that turn.
Checkout Fundamentals & The "Big Fish"
Finishing 501 efficiently requires instant mental arithmetic. The highest three-dart checkout possible in darts is 170, affectionately nicknamed "The Big Fish":
Any finish of 100 or higher is officially recorded as a "ton-plus checkout." Checkouts cannot be completed in three darts from 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, or 159 (known as "bogey numbers").