Darts Terminology & Glossary

Like many sports, darts has a plethora of interesting terminology and phrases. It’s almost impossible to keep up with them all. That’s why we created this glossary. You’ll find all the darts terminology you can think of, and if we have missed one, let us know and we will get it added ASAP!

# Count/# Mark

The score relative to the number of darts thrown in a game of darts cricket. For example, a 7 count/mark could be two trebles and one single number or a 4 count/mark could be two singles and one double.

Ace(s)

The double one, which is the outside segment of the number one, usually green in colour.

Arrows

A different term meaning ‘darts’ as in ‘a game of arrows’

Bag of Nails

Three bad darts, which are inaccurate and do not score many points.

Bag O’ Nuts

Scoring a total of 45 points, using three darts.

Barn Dart

This is the third dart thrown by a player, which hits the target, having previously missed that target with the first two darts. It also referred to as being the ‘bail out dart’.

Barrel

The metal part of the dart, which is used as the grip when throwing.

Basement

The double 3, which is at the bottom of the dartboard.

Bed

The scoring area of the dartboard in which a dart has landed.

Bed & Breakfast

This term is used to describe the total score of 26, with one dart hitting 5, one hitting 20 and one hitting 1, totalling 26 points.

It comes from the price of a traditional English breakfast, which used to cost Two and Six, many years ago. This manner of scoring 26 is also known as ‘fish and chips’ for the same reason.

Black Hat

The very difficult skill of hitting three bullseyes in one throw. Also known as a hat-trick.

Black Dog

The smallest circle, right in the middle of the dart board, which is worth 50 points. Also known as the bullseye.

Bombs/Bombers

Small but stocky darts, which are heavy.

Bones

When a double one has been left to win the leg.

Bounce Out

A dart which hits the wire on the dartboard and bounces away, failing to register a score.

Break

Winning a leg when the opponent has thrown the first dart.

Bull

The smallest circle, right in the middle of the dartboard, which is worth 50 points.

Bull Out

Hitting the bullseye to win the leg (the same as hitting the winning double).

Bull Up

Deciding who will throw the first dart in the leg, by throwing a single dart at the bullseye. The player with the closest dart has the choice to throw first.

Bust(ed)

Scoring more than the total left on the score board. For example, if there is 40 left and a player hits a treble 20, to score 60, they have ‘bust’ their score

Chalk(ing)

Marking the scores during a game.

Chips

The same as ‘Bed and Breakfast’ which is scoring 26 points by hitting 5, 20 and 1 with three darts.

Chucker

A player who throws the darts without aiming for anything in particular.

Clock

Playing the dartboard in the order of the numbers, from 1 to 20. Often referred to as ‘around the clock’.

A ‘Classic’

The same as ‘Chips’ and ‘Bed and Breakfast’.

Cork (noun)

The middle of the dartboard, which in scoring terms is the bullseye, worth 50 points.

Cork (verb)

Deciding who will throw the first dart in the leg, by throwing a single dart at the bullseye. The player with the closest dart has the choice to throw first.

Cracked

Hitting the wrong area of the board when trying to hit a double. For example, trying to hit a double 20 but throwing the dart into single 5.

Dartitis

The term given to a player who cannot let go of a dart when trying to throw at the board. It is a mental state which has even affected professional players in the past.

Dead

Hitting the exact number required to win the leg.

Devil

Hitting the treble 6 when attempting to hit treble 10 or treble 13, devil refers to 666 (treble 6).

Diaper Dart

A lucky shot, which scores a high amount but was not what the player was aiming for, such as hitting a treble 18 when aiming for a treble 20.

Diddle for the Middle

Deciding who will throw the first dart in the leg, by throwing a single dart at the bullseye. The player with the closest dart has the choice to throw first.

Dirty Darts

Slang term for when a player is using questionable tactics when throwing, such as scoring a high number of points in a game of cricket.

Downstairs

The lower section of the dart board, often used by darts commentators when a player throws for a treble 19, instead of a treble 20.

Double In (DI)

Hitting the double of any number, to start a match. This is often used in games of 301 or less but is occasionally used for 501.

Double Out (DO)

Hitting the double of any number to end a match. This is used in standard games of 501 or less.

Double Top

The double 20.

Dust

When a dart fails to score a single point by hitting outside the scoring zone.

Eights

Slang for 18’s in Cricket.

Easy In/Out

When a player is not required to hit a double to start/finish match, thus making it much easier to end the leg.

Fallout

Missing the target number but still scoring good points because the dart went in to a different number, such as aiming for treble 19 and hitting treble 17.

Fat

The largest scoring area of a number on the board, it falls between the double and treble of every number.

Fives

Slang for 15’s in Cricket.

Flight

This is the end of the dart, which is what aids the flight of the dart in to the board. These can be changed and come in all different shapes, sizes, colours and designs.

Galed

When the opposition win the leg and you have failed to score any points.

Game On

This is what the scorer will say, to indicate to the audience that the match is about to start. It is way to get them quiet, so the players can concentrate.

Game Shot

The dart which ends the leg.

Good Group

Three darts which are close together on the dart board, in the scoring area the player was aiming for. Players will say ‘good group’ when this is the case.

Grand Slam

Hitting the treble 20, treble 5 and treble 1 with three darts

Hail Mary

A rescue dart, which hits a high score having hit a low score with the previous two darts thrown.

Happy Meal

A score of 69.

Hattrick

Hitting the bullseye with all three darts.

High Ton

Scoring anything above 150 in a 01 game with three darts.

Hummer Spot

The central hole in the bullseye on a soft-tip board.

Leg

A single game in of a match, for example, ‘the best of 5 legs wins the match’.

Lipstick

The name given to the treble 20 by famous British darts commentator, Sid Waddell.

Little/Small

The single bed which is located between the treble of each number and the bullseye.

Low Ton

This is a score between 100 and 150 with three darts in a game of 01.

Madhouse

When a score of 2 (double one) has been left to win the leg a player is said to be ‘in the mad house’.

Matador

The name given to a player who hits the bullseye.

Maximum

A score of 180 with three darts, which is the highest total possible.

Maximum Check-out

A score of 170 to end the leg, which consists of two treble 20’s and the bullseye.

Mugs Away

The player who lost the previous leg, gets to throw first in the next one.

Nines

Slang for 19’s in Cricket.

Oche

The line at which players stand behind to throw. No part of the foot is allowed to cross this line. It is also known as the throw line or the toe line.

Patriot

Hitting a treble or bullseye when a big score was required with the first dart, often under pressure from the opponent.

Perfect Leg

Finishing a leg in the lowest number of darts possible, 9 in a standard leg of 501 for example.

Pie

Any of the part of the dartboard which scores points.

Point Mongering

Derogatory term for scoring excessive points, commonly used in a game of cricket.

Premature Projection

When a player is getting excited by the game and throws his/her darts out of turn.

‘Right House, Wrong Bed’

Often used to describe when a player aims for a specific treble or double but hits a different number close by.

Robin Hood

When a dart hits the flight of another dart already in the board and stays there.

Round

The throwing of three darts by a player.

Round of 9

Hitting three trebles with three darts during the game of cricket.

Route 66

Scoring 66 points with three darts, also known as ‘clickety click’ 66.

Score Whore

Slang term for when a player is using questionable tactics when throwing, such as scoring a high number of points in a game of cricket.

Scud

Missing the target number but still scoring good points because the dart went in to a different number, such as aiming for treble 19 and hitting treble 17.

Set

Used as a scoring method in a darts match, the best of 3 or 5 legs can often make a set.

Sevens

Slang for 17’s in Cricket.

Shaft

The section of the dart which screws into the barrel at one end and accepts the flight into the other. These are often made from plastic or metal and come in different shapes, lengths and widths.

Shanghai

Hitting the treble, the double and the single of one number.

Shooting for the Cork/Bull

Throwing a dart at the bullseye, the closest of which gets to decide who will throw first in the match.

Single In (SI)

Starting a leg of 01 without having to hit a double first.

Single Out (SO)

Ending a leg of 01 without having to hit a double out.

Sixes

Slang for 16’s in Cricket

Spider (Web)

The wires on the dartboard, which separate the various scoring sections.

Splash/Splashing

A method of deciding who will play together in a game of doubles. Players throw two darts at the same time and those with the highest/lowest scores will play together.

Splitting the 11

Hitting the gap between the number 11 on the outside ring of the dartboard.

Straight Nine

Hitting the treble 20, treble 19 and treble 18 in the first turn of Cricket.

Straight In

Starting a leg without having to hit a double first.

Straight Off

Ending a leg without having to hit a double to finish.

Sunset Strip

Scoring a total of 77 points with three darts

Three in a Bed

Hitting the same number with all three darts.

Ton

Scoring 100 points with three darts.

Ton #

Scoring 100+ points with three darts. For example, a Ton 20 is a score of 120.

Tops

Refers to the double 20, which is at the top of the dartboard.

Trombones

Scoring a total of 76 points with three darts.

Trophy Darts

A compliment given when a player is doing well and throwing very accurate darts.

Two and 6

Scoring a total of 26 points in three darts, using the single 5, single 20 and single 1.

Two Fat Ladies

Scoring a total of 88 points with three darts.

Upstairs

The upper section of the dartboard.

Wet Feet

Placing one or both feet over the line of the oche.

White Horse

Scoring three trebles in Cricket, when none of the darts touch each other.

Wilson

Missing with all three darts in a game of Cricket.

Wiring

When a dart hits the wire and bounces away, usually falling to the floor.

Woody

A dart which fails to score a point because it has landed outside the scoring zone.

X#

This is often used when scoring, to signify the double which is left, such as X10 for double 10 or X8 for double 8.

WOW. You made it all the way to the bottom. Impressive work. If the term you were looking for was not on this list, we apologise whole heartedly. To make sure the sadness you’re feeling never happens again, let us know your term so we can add it in! Message us at [email protected]