Mastering Darts: A Comprehensive Guide to Darts Terms and Slang (U.S. Edition)

by Yuko Yoshimura

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, knowing the right darts vocabulary is essential to understanding the game and communicating with other players. In this guide, we’ll cover the key terms and slang used in the U.S. darts scene. While some terms overlap with those used in the U.K., we've focused on the phrases commonly heard in American darts communities.

Essential Darts Terms

These are the most fundamental terms you’ll encounter when playing or discussing darts.

  • Bullseye (Bull): The center of the dartboard. 
  • Oche (Pronounced 'ockey'): The line behind which a player must stand when throwing darts. In the U.S., it is often referred to as the “throw line.”
  • Ton: Scoring 100 points in a single turn (three darts).
  • Double: The thin outer ring of the dartboard, scoring double the number hit (e.g., hitting the double 20 scores 40 points).
  • Triple (Treble): The thin inner ring on the dartboard that gives triple the score (e.g., hitting the triple 20 scores 60 points).

Gameplay and Scoring Terms

Understanding these terms will help you follow the flow of the game and keep track of your score.

  • Checkout: The score required to win the game, which must end on a double in most game formats.
  • Bust: When you score more points than you need to reach zero, your score for that round is void, and you return to your previous score.
  • Leg: A single game or round of darts.
  • Set: A set is a collection of legs, and winning a set usually requires winning a certain number of legs (often three).
  • Cricket: A popular darts game in the U.S. where players aim to “close” certain numbers on the board (20, 19, 18, etc.) and accumulate points.

Player and Strategy Terms

These terms describe player actions and tactics during a game of darts.

  • Bust Turn: A turn where a player exceeds the number of points needed to finish and must reset to their previous score.
  • Choke: When a player misses an easy finish or checkout due to pressure.
  • Cover Shot: A shot aimed at a lower-numbered segment when the primary target is blocked by another dart.
  • Marker: A dart that lands near the intended target, helping the player aim the next dart more accurately.
  • Setup Shot: A shot aimed at leaving the player on a favorable checkout number for the next turn.

Popular Darts Slang

A bit of fun language that’s part of the culture around darts, especially in the U.S.

  • Robin Hood: When a dart lands in the shaft of another dart already in the board.
  • Ton-80: The maximum score in a single turn (three darts in the triple 20, for a score of 180).
  • Fish or Minnow: A term for a weak player.
  • Madhouse: The double-1 segment, often considered a challenging and frustrating checkout.
  • Tops: Slang for the double 20, a common checkout number.

Equipment Terms

Here are some terms related to the gear that players use.

  • Barrels: The main body of the dart, usually made of tungsten, brass, or nickel. The weight of the barrel affects the throw.
  • Flights: The small wings at the back of a dart, which help stabilize its flight path.
  • Shaft: The part of the dart that connects the barrel to the flight. Shafts come in different lengths, impacting throw style and accuracy.
  • Soft-Tip Darts: Darts with plastic tips used on electronic dartboards, commonly used in the U.S.
  • Steel-Tip Darts: Darts with metal points used for traditional bristle dartboards.

Game Variations

Several game formats are popular in both casual and competitive U.S. darts.

  • 301/501: The most common game format where players start with a set score (301 or 501) and aim to reach zero.
  • Cricket: A strategic game where players need to hit specific numbers and close them before their opponent does.
  • Around the Clock: A practice game where players aim to hit every number on the board in sequence.

Wrapping Up

Mastering darts isn't just about perfecting your throw; it's also about understanding the language of the game. Whether you’re chatting with fellow players or analyzing a professional match, these terms will help you fit right into the U.S. darts community. Keep practicing and get familiar with the vocabulary as it becomes second nature!

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