Around the ClockAround the Clock is the perfect game to kick off any darts night. It is exceptionally straightforward, making it an excellent warm-up for experienced players and a gentle introduction for beginners. The primary objective is to hit every number on the dartboard in sequential order from 1 to 20, finishing with the bullseye. Players take turns throwing three darts per round, attempting to hit the specific target number they are currently on.The game begins with everyone aiming for the number 1 segment. A player cannot move on to number 2 until they successfully land a dart in the number 1 slot. Once a target is hit, the player immediately advances to the next number, even if they have remaining darts in their hand during that turn. Doubles and triples count as a single hit, keeping the focus entirely on accuracy rather than point accumulation. The first person to successfully navigate the entire board and hit the bullseye wins the game.
KillerFor groups looking for a bit of friendly competition and strategic sabotage, Killer is an absolute must-play. This game introduces an element of player-versus-player interaction that standard dart games often lack. To start, each player throws a dart with their non-dominant hand to assign themselves a unique number for the match. If a player hits a number already taken, they must throw again until everyone has their own distinct target on the board.Once numbers are assigned, the first phase requires players to become a “Killer” by hitting the double segment of their own assigned number. Once a player successfully hits their double, they gain the title of Killer and can begin targeting the double segments of their opponents’ numbers. Each player starts the game with three lives. When a Killer hits an opponent’s double, that opponent loses a life. The last player left standing with lives remaining is declared the ultimate survivor and winner.
ShanghaiShanghai is a fantastic game for keeping everyone engaged because it rewards both steady consistency and sudden, dramatic comebacks. The game is played over seven rounds, focusing sequentially on numbers 1 through 7. In the first round, every player aims exclusively at the number 1 segment, trying to accumulate as many points as possible. Singles score one point, doubles score two, and triples score three points.In the second round, the target shifts to number 2, and the process repeats all the way through to number 7. While the player with the highest total score at the end of the seventh round normally wins, there is a thrilling shortcut known as a “Shanghai.” If a player manages to hit the single, double, and triple of the current target number all in a single three-dart turn, they achieve an instant victory, immediately ending the game regardless of the current scoreboard.
Halve ItHalve It introduces a high-stakes, pressure-cooker dynamic to game night that tests a player’s nerve under tension. Before the game begins, a selection of specific targets is written down on a scoreboard. A standard sequence might include targets like number 20, any double, number 16, any triple, number 11, and the bullseye. Players take turns throwing three darts at the first designated target, accumulating points based on their successful hits.The twist that gives the game its name occurs when a player fails to hit the target at all during their three-dart turn. If all three darts miss the designated segment, that player’s total accumulated score is immediately cut in half. This creates intense moments where a player with a massive lead can suddenly plummet back into the pack after one bad round. The player who survives the gauntlet with the highest remaining score at the end wins.
Grand NationalGrand National turns the dartboard into a thrilling racetrack inspired by the famous steeplechase. The game uses the board as a continuous path, where players must race clockwise around the numbers from 1 to 20. However, instead of just hitting any part of the number, players must specifically target the large outer single wedges, treating the wire dividers between the numbers as hurdles that must be jumped over.Players start at the number 1 slot and must hit each number in clockwise sequence. To make the race more challenging, landing a dart in any double or triple segment acts as a stumble, forcing the player to stay on their current number for an extra turn. This simulates the unpredictable nature of a real racetrack, allowing trailing players to catch up quickly if the leaders falter. The first player to complete the full lap around the board and cross the finish line back at number 1 takes the trophy.
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