This is a subject most of thought we never needed the answer to. Why do darts games count down from 501? A 501 darts game is one of those sporting facts we all know exists, but without understanding the seasoning. Well, the short answer is that we count down from 501 because it adds some strategy and difficulty to the sport.
Using an odd number, rather than 500, means players need to think on their feet when it comes to checking out. Doubles are needed for checkout, meaning that will always be an even number, despite starting on an odd one. Players, from the start, are thinking about how to get away from the odd number to leave a possible checkout.
Counting from 501 Explained
As we said, traditionally a leg of darts begins with each player on a score of 501 points. This is a rare sport in which the initial scoring counts backwards to zero. The basic objective is to get that score to zero while finishing with a double, i.e., ‘double 10’, ‘double 15’ or any other. Double 20, owing to its position, is known as ‘Double Top’.
Players on most occasions will begin by peppering the treble 20, as this offers the highest individual score of 180 over three darts. But as they move through the leg, ‘counting’ begins which involves the maths needed to leave oneself on a finish, i.e., being able to hit a double in order to checkout.
In one sense, this is similar to tennis whereby a player can’t win a game by one point, it has to be two. A darts player cannot simply get to 0 from 501 any way this wish, there has to be strategy and skill involved. Counting from 500 which make this too easy and could involve more of a fluke finish.
Checking Out
Finishing a leg with a win, or ‘checking out’, is usually seen as the most difficult thing to do in darts. The intricate touch is needed. In golf, many people say “drives for show, putt for dough”. Similarly in darts, the phrase “trebles for show, doubles for dough” is well used. The ability to checkout and in a timely fashion is key for pros and amateurs alike.
For practice purposes, games such as ‘Round the Clock’ can help finishing. It’s crucial to get used to hitting parts of the board away from the 20 or the 19. Even the bull for that matter. You may end up randomly on a treble 3 to finish and you don’t want it to feel alien to you.
More Reasons for 501 Versus 500
🚨 Darts fans are only just realising why a game starts at 501 instead of 500 pic.twitter.com/vOghg3WtVA
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) March 28, 2024
Over the years, approximately 500 it seems offers us just the game length we want. Players can start from a lower number in amateur games if it speeds things up. The 501 starting score was adopted by the game to make sure that players can’t finish a whole leg using only single, double and treble 20s. If we began at 500, we could just throw for 20s until we finish and hope for the best.
The game would also potentially be boring and repetitive. If 500 were the score needed, we could simply throw 5 x 100s which is relatively easy for a pro. Remember, pros often average over 100 per three darts in tournaments. It may simply come down to who throws first then for spectator purposes, we wouldn’t have a sport.
The famous 9-darter is what many players aim for. This would also be too easy from 500 rather than 501. Even when not directly affecting the result of a match, players hitting 9-dart finishes creates massive excitement and adds another layer to the sport much like a 147-break or hitting a hat-trick in football. Using the odd number 501 offers way more variation during darts legs. It increases the need for skill regardless of what level a player may be at.
Quick maths is needed to play top-level darts. Throwing three darts, watching your opponent do the same, throwing again and then needing work out the finish you need all happens very quickly. There’s no major thinking time like there is in snooker. There are of course tactics involved with the pros, not leaving their checkout to chance. Most pros like to leave double 20, if not then 18, 16, 10 or 8. With that, familiar checkout combos have been developed over time.