If you’re new to the game of darts, you may be surprised to learn that there’s a whole lot of slang associated with it. From “301” to “bed and breakfast”, here are some common terms you might hear while playing darts.
Table of Contents
301
One of the ‘01 games. The score starts at 301, and the goal is to get as close to zero as possible. The first player to get there is the winner. It is dependent on doubling in and doubling out.
501
501 is the other ‘01 game and the most common. Therefore, it’s the basis of many rules and regulations. The score begins at 501, and the goal is to get to zero, or as close as possible. To win, you need to double in and double out.
Check out how to finish in 501.
3 in a bed
When all three darts during your turn land on the same number and the same section. It includes getting three doubles, three triples, three little singles, or three fat singles in the same number section.
Ace
Getting a double one in an ‘01 game (301 or 501) is also known as a “madhouse”.
Archer
The name is given to a player who throws fast and even darts that sail smoothly to the target. You can also refer to it as Derek.
Arrows
This is another name for darts and is especially used in the United Kingdom.
Check out our funny darts sayings next.
Baby Ton
Scoring five 19s in one round of the game, leading to a score of 95 points.
Bag O’ Nuts
Refers to getting 45 points for all three throws in a turn and is named after a prize given at the fair for the same.
Bail Out
When the third dart in your throws lands a high triple score when the other two get low scores.
Barn Dart
When the third dart of your turn hits the intended target that was missed by the first two.
Basement
Getting a double three.
Black Eye
Hitting the middle of the bullseye and earning 50 points.
Black Hat
Landing three double bulls in a throw.
Breakfast
You can also refer to it as Bed & Breakfast, Bagadix, or Two & Six. It means getting a score of 26 in a round by hitting one 20, one 5, and a 1. The name originates from England, where breakfast was twenty-six pence.
Bull Out
Getting a win using a double bull.
Bulls Eye
The central area of the board has an inner circle (double bull) and an outer circle (single bull) and is also called a cork. To cork is to decide who throws first.
Bust
It happens when a player ends up with a score beyond zero when trying to finish the ‘01 games. It also happens when the score is a zero, but the last dart didn’t land a double.
Championship Board
A good practice board where the target, triples, and doubles are half the size in comparison to the normal board.
Check-Out
It happens when you score exactly what you need to win. For example, getting a double to win an ‘01 game.
Chucker
A name given to a player who throws without aiming or setting a target.
Circle It
Finishing a turn with less than 10 points for all three darts thrown.
Cork
To cork is to decide who goes first by each player aiming to get closest to the bullseye.
Cracked
It is a term that refers to ending up with a single while aiming for a double.
Dartitis
It is also called the “Yips” and refers to a player being unable to throw their dart.
For more info on dartiti check out our article.
Dead-Eye
Scoring three double bulls in one turn.
Double In
Landing a double to begin an ‘01 game.
Double Out
Landing a double to end or win an ‘01 game.
Easy In, Easy Out
Refers to starting or finishing a game without having to land a double. Its use is also for games that don’t need a double to start or finish the game.
Fallout
Scoring by missing the intended target. It’s also called a “slop” or “scud.”
Fat
The biggest wedge between the double and triple is a single.
Flight
The wings or feathers of a dart that help it fly straight.
Fish
Scoring nine or less in a turn.
Game Shot
Getting the winning throw in a game.
Grand Slam
This is scoring by hitting a triple one, triple five, and triple 20 in one turn.
Hat Trick
Getting the bull shot with all the tree darts in a turn.
High Ton
Getting a score of 151-180 in a round of ‘01 games.
Hockey
Sounds like ‘hockey’ but they are actually saying “ockey”. This is the line from which players throw. It’s also known as the “oche” or “toe line”.
Island
The area of scoring darts on the board. Shots outside this area are said to be ‘off the island’.
Jugging
This slang is used to refer to checking out when the rival’s score is greater than 200.
Leg
A game in a match. A match can have several legs, often three.
Maximum
This is a triple 20 score. Also called a “perfect score”.
Mugs Away
The loser begins the next game.
Paddling
When you have a foot or both feet across the throw line, it is also referred to as “wet feet.”
Pie
The triangular numbered area of the board.
Robin Hood
This is when a dart perches onto another dart on the board and sticks to it.
Round
A turn; each player gets three throws.
Round the Clock/World
Hitting all the numbers on the board in the agreed order.
Learn how to play Around the World game.
Rubber
The last leg of a triple-leg game.
Shanghai
When you land the single, double, and triple of the same number in a turn.
Splash
When two darts are thrown at the same time to determine who goes first.
Straight In
It is also called “Single In” and refers to a game that doesn’t need a specific combination, such as a double to start.
Three in a Bed
Landing three darts on the same number and area. For example, 3 doubles, 3 singles, or 3 triples.
Ton
Getting 100 points or more during a round.
Ton-Eighty
Getting triple twenties thrice in a turn. Therefore, this is the highest possible score in a turn.
Tops
Landing a double 20 and is also called a “double top”.
Tough Darts
A term used to encourage players whose darts bounce off or miss the target. It means “unlucky”.
Upstairs
The top portion of the board.
Web
It is also called the “Spider” and is the wiring that divides the board into sections.
Wiring
A dart that hits the wire and bounces off.
Sources
https://www.pdc.tv/players/rules-darts
https://dartsguide.net/guides/darts-glossary/
https://bargames101.com/common-darts-terms/
https://www.theukrules.co.uk/rules/sport/darts/terminology.html
Sue has been playing darts since her 20’s when she played in weekly tournaments and she enjoys writing about darts. She’s also a great teacher, and she enjoys helping others learn how to play the game well. When Sue isn’t throwing darts, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
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