How to Play Around the World in Darts (Rules, Tips & Tricks)

Darts is a truly fantastic game to play, one that requires skill, concentration, and a good deal of hand-eye coordination too. Some people might think that it is a very simple game with only one way to play it, but that isn’t quite true.

With nothing dartboard and a few darts, there are various games that can be played, with one of the most popular ones being around the world. Around the world is simple, straightforward, and it’s ideal for beginners and seasoned players alike.

Let’s get to it and teach you everything there is to know about playing this variant.

How Many People Can Play Around the World?

One of the great things about around the world is that it is versatile in terms of how many people can play it. Many professionals recommend that beginners play solo games of around the world in order to improve their aim and hand-eye coordination, so it is a game that can be played by one person.

Around the world can also be played by two people. When it comes to tournaments and officially sanctioned games, around the world is always played this way.

With that being said, as you will see from the rules and the aim of the game, as discussed below, there is technically no reason why three, four, or even five people could not play. This game involves hitting a sequence of numbers in order, with players taking turns.

As long as there are enough darts, and players are willing to be patient and wait for several others to take their turns, you could technically have an infinite number of people playing around the world in darts.

How to Play Around the World in Darts: The Rules

First off, let’s just cover what the basic aim of this game is. The goal of around the world is for a player to hit each of the numbers on a dartboard in sequence. For example, first, you would aim for the one, then the two, the three, and so on and so forth, all the way until you hit 20.

You have to hit each number between one and 20 in order. Each player gets to take three attempts to hit the specified number before it is the other player’s turn. The game continues on in this fashion until the first player gets to 20.

Typically, a game of around the world in darts is very high paced and generally lasts no longer than 15 or 20 minutes, although it can of course take much longer depending on the skill level of the players involved.

Now, let’s take a look at the main rules that you need to follow when playing a round.

Going First

At this time, there are no established rules as to which player goes first, so this is up to you to decide.

A simple coin flip would work fine, or all players involved could aim for the highest number on the dartboard, and whoever gets the best score goes first.

Attempts per Turn

Each player receives three attempts per turn.

If a player hits the designated number according to the sequence, his or her turn continues until three shots have been taken. If a player fails to hit the designated number in the sequence after three shots, the turn is over, and the opponent gets to take his or her three shots.

Order of Scoring

To be clear, players must first hit one on the dartboard, then two, all the way up to 20. Each number between one and 20 must be hit in order, with no numbers being skipped, for a total of 20 successful shots in sequence required to win the game.

No Doubles, Triples, or Bullseyes

In a classic game of around the world in darts, unlike in a normal game of darts, there are no doubles, triples, or bullseyes.

For instance, if you have to hit the nine, if you land on the double nine or triple nine, it still just counts as a nine. In other words, as long as you hit the nine, whether the single, double, or triple, you’re fine.

Moreover, bullseye shots do not count for anything in this game.

Keeping Score

As long as you can remember what number you are up to, there is no need to keep score in around the world.

Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks

To help you get better at the game of around the world in darts , follow the tips and tricks as outlined below:

• Around the world can be played on both soft tip and steel tip dartboards. The type of dartboard is not relevant to gameplay. When playing around the world on a soft tip dartboard, a throwing distance of eight feet is recommended. When playing on a steel tip dartboard, a slightly shorter throwing distance is recommended.
• If a two-player game is being played, and one player is substantially more skilled and experienced than the other, you do have the option of introducing a handicap. For instance, the skilled player could only receive one or two attempts per turn, whereas the beginner receives three or more.
• The rules of this game can also be altered to make it more suitable for pro players. For instance, shot limits per turn could be eliminated so that a player can continue to throw darts as long as they do not miss the required number in the sequence from one to 20. This way, a really good player who does not miss a shot could technically get from one to 20 in a single turn. The game could also be altered so that players must hit the doubles or triples, as opposed to just the singles.
• Around the world is a great game for beginners to play solo, as it makes for fantastic aiming practice.

Also, below are some tips to improve your darts game in general:

• When holding a dart, make sure that your grip is quite firm and stable, but that you are not putting undue tension on the dart. Your muscles should not be tense when holding the dart. The most common error in darts is to hold it too firmly, rather than too loosely.
• Remember that finger coordination is very important because it will determine the direction of the dart upon release. It is recommended that three fingers be used to hold a dart while aiming and throwing.
• Find the best throwing position for you. Some people find it easier to lean forward a little bit to get closer to the dartboard, but leaning forward too much can but strain and tension on your back, which can make it harder to aim. Finding the right lean is all about personal preference.
• When throwing the dart, always keep both feet firmly planted on the floor. Your front foot should hold most of your weight, with your back foot being used mainly for balance. Your throwing arm, your front leg, and your eyes should all be in one line.

Summary

Around the world is a fantastic variation of darts, one that is ideal for solo play, two-players, and more. It is also a game that is ideal for both beginners and professionals alike.

It’s a very simple and straightforward variation of darts, one that many people thoroughly enjoy.