Dart Terminologies

1. Dart Terminologies(Beginner-Friendly Guide with Stories & Simple Words) Ever found yourself watching a dart game and wondering, “What on earth is a double bull?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I remember the first time I walked into a pub where everyone was glued to a dartboard. People were shouting terms like “ton,” “checkout,” and “bust,” and I just stood there like I’d landed on another planet. If that sounds like you, let’s walk through these dart terminologies together—like friends swapping stories over a game. What are Dart Terminologies? Dart terminologies are words and phrases used to describe scoring, techniques, and gameplay in darts. Think of dart lingo like the slang you hear in sports or music. It’s not just words—it’s culture. And once you know them, you feel like part of the tribe. Whether you're playing at home, watching pros like Luke Littler, or just joining your pals at the pub, knowing these terms makes it way more fun. Bullseye and Double Bull – Not the Same! A bullseye is the center of the dartboard; it's split into an outer bull (25 points) and an inner bull or double bull (50 points). Here’s a funny story: my cousin once hit the outer bull and screamed, “Bullseye, I win!” We had to break it to him gently that he only got 25 points, not the full 50. The bullseye has two parts— hit the smaller red circle in the center, and that’s the double bull. It’s like scoring a goal in the top corner. Double and Treble – Sounds Fancy, Right? A double is the outer ring of the board worth double the number, while a treble is the inner ring worth triple. When I first heard “treble 20,” I thought someone was talking about music. But nope—treble 20 means 60 points in one dart! If you want to win games like 501 or 301, hitting trebles is the golden ticket. Think of doubles and trebles like power-ups—they multiply your score with the same effort. Checkout – Not Just for Groceries Checkout is the combination of darts needed to finish the game with exactly zero points.

2. The first time I successfully “checked out” with a double 16, I felt like a legend. That’s because you mustend the game with a double. If you’re on 32, you go for double 16. But here’s the kicker—if you miss and go over zero, it’s called a bust. Bust –Every Darter’s Nightmare A bust happens when you score more than what’s left to finish; your turn ends, and your score resets to the previous number. One night, I had 40 points left and went for a double 20. I hit a single 20, then a single 1, then... a triple 7. Total? 42. Bust!I laughed, cried, and learned. It’s a harsh rule, but it teaches patience. Leg, Set, Match –No, It’s Not Tennis A leg is a single game, a set is a group of legs, and the match is the full contest. Watching the pros, you’ll hear “He takes the first leg!” or “This is the deciding set.” Just like boxing or tennis, darts is broken into rounds. Each leg is one game. Win enough legs, you win a set. Win enough sets, you win the match. Ton and Ton-80 – High Scores With Style A ton is a score of 100; a ton-80 (or 180) is the highest you can score with three darts. The first time I saw a 180, the whole bar erupted. That’s when you hit three treble 20s. It’s rare, and it’s beautiful—like watching someone nail a slam dunk with flair. Oche –Say It Like ‘Hockey’ Without the H The oche is the line you stand behind when throwing your darts. It’s not “oak” or “oh-chay.” It's “ockey,” like hockey. Back in my beginner days, I used to stand wherever I wanted. Then I learned about the oche—it’s a sacred line. Cross it, and your throw doesn’t count. Stay behind it, and you’re golden. Dart Out and Three-Dart Average – Talking Numbers Dart out refers to finishing a leg with a specific set of darts. The three-dart average is the average score per turn. These terms help track your skill. When I started tracking my three-dart average, I went from random throws to focused plays. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about getting better every game. Final Thoughts: Learn the Lingo, Love the Game Knowing dart terms makes you more confident, whether playing or watching.

3. Dart terminology isn’t just jargon—it’s how we connect, compete, and celebrate. Every term has a story. Every game teaches a lesson. And once you know the words, you don’t just play darts—you become part of the darting family. So next time you hear “bust,”“checkout,” or “treble 20,” you’ll nod, smile, and maybe even share your own dart tale.