701 Dart Rules

701 is a longer format dart game, often played in team competitions or when players want a more extended match. It follows the same basic principles as 501 but with a higher starting score.

Basic Rules

• Starting Score: Each player or team begins with 701 points.
• Objective: Be the first player or team to reduce your score exactly to zero.
• Turn Structure: Players take turns throwing three darts.
• Scoring: The point value of each dart is subtracted from the player's remaining score.

Finishing Rules

Like 501, 701 is typically played with the double-out rule:

• Double-Out Requirement: To win, players must reach exactly zero by hitting a double. For example, if a player has 40 remaining, they must hit a double 20 to win.
• Busting: If a player scores more points than they have remaining or reduces their score to 1 or any score that cannot be finished with a double, the turn is a "bust" and their score reverts to what it was at the beginning of that turn.

Team Play

701 is often played as a team game:

• Team Format: Typically played with 2-4 players per team.
• Turn Rotation: Players on each team take turns throwing, with the order determined before the game starts.
• Shared Score: All team members work toward reducing the same 701 score.

Strategy Tips

• Consistent Scoring: With a higher starting total, consistency becomes even more important. Focus on steady scoring rather than risky shots in the early stages.
• Target Triple 20: The triple 20 (worth 60 points) is still the highest scoring segment and should be your primary target for maximum point reduction.
• Alternative Targets: If you're struggling with triple 20, consider aiming for triple 19 (57 points) or triple 18 (54 points) as alternatives.
• Endgame Planning: As in 501, plan your checkout route carefully to leave yourself on a finish that ends with a double.

Variations

• Double-In, Double-Out: Some games require a double to start scoring as well as to finish.
• Master-Out: Allows finishing on either a double or a triple.
• Split-Score Team Play: In some team formats, each player has their own 701 score rather than sharing a team score.