On the oche
Playing a match
Every dart lands on a 3D board. You choose how much of it you throw yourself, and you can change your mind at any time during a match.
The basics of a leg#
- Each player starts the leg on 501 and takes turns to throw three darts, called a visit.
- Each visit’s score comes off what you have left. 180, three treble 20s, is the most you can score in a visit.
- You must finish on a double, or the bull in the middle. Go below zero, or leave yourself on one, and it is a bust: the visit does not count.
- The first to win enough legs wins the match, or enough sets of legs in a set-play match. The match screen shows the format.
The game shows what you need and suggests a route to finish. Checkout routes in the hub lists the finishes from every score.
Your darts: four ways to throw#
Your darts on the match screen chooses how your darts are thrown. Switch at any time, even in the middle of a leg.
| Mode | How it works |
|---|---|
| Hold & release | The full throw. Pick the bed, then hold Throw: the reticle settles and the meter fills. Let go in the bright band. |
| Cursor | Aim with the mouse, the stick or your finger. The ring shows where this dart can land, and it widens under pressure. Then throw. |
| Targeting | Pick the bed and let your skills throw the dart, or take the coach’s call. |
| Full sim | Your darts are thrown for you. Take over whenever you like. |
However you throw, it is your player’s skills, form, nerves and kit that decide how true each dart flies. A dart that misses stays in the board for the rest of the visit.
Match speed#
Speed up or slow down the match. Your throws and your opponent’s can play at different speeds: Each side on Windows, Speed on a phone. Settings has the default.
Zoom#
On a phone, pinch to zoom in on the part of the board you are aiming at. The board pulls back to show your opponent’s visit and comes back to your zoom when it is your turn again, including at the start of a new leg. When you are on a finish, it zooms in on the double for you.
The bull-up#
Who throws first is decided by a dart at the bull. It is simulated unless you turn on Bull up yourself in Settings → Gameplay; then, in a singles match you play, you throw your own bull-up dart.
Skipping ahead#
The match options let you skip the rest of a leg or simulate the rest of the match. The pause menu has the rest. The result and the match’s stats are shown at the end, however it was played.
The occasion#
A pub night and a world final are not the same. The stage, the lights, the crowd, the referee’s call and your walk-on all change with the size of the event, and so does the pressure on your arm.