General Rules and Information

The following rules are guidelines to help resolve problems should they arise. Use common sense, practice good sportsmanship, and remember to enjoy yourself.

Foul Line

The foul line is positioned 96 inches (8 feet) horizontally from the face of the dartboard. Players must throw from behind the foul line.

Player Shooting Zone

The four players who are currently shooting must remain within the designated shooting area: no farther back than the table behind them, between the boards to the left and right, and up to the board in front of them.

Darts

Maximum weight: 18 grams.

Maximum length: 8 inches.

House darts and tips are available from the hosting establishment.

Malfunctions

The rule is: “the board is always right,” unless it involves the winning dart.

If all of the following are true, the player/team is credited with the win even if the machine fails to score or scores incorrectly:

(1) The winning dart must stick in the board.
(2) The machine must be displaying the “Throw Darts” message.
(3) All other rules must have been followed.

Fair Play

If a player throws up to three darts in one round and the darts are sticking in the board but do not register, those darts may be manually scored only if both team captains agree.

If the captains do not agree, refer to the rule: “the board is always right.”

Repeat Problems

If problems continue, captains must decide whether to continue play or reschedule the match.

Machine Tilt

Any team/player that tilts the machine automatically loses the game.

Freeze Rule

A player may take out the game if their partner’s score is less than or equal to the opposing team’s combined score.

If a player takes out the game when the opponents’ combined score is less than their partner’s score, that player/team loses the game.

Win by Forfeit

A win by forfeit is recorded as a team win, not an individual win.

Reset Button

Players should press the reset button before removing darts.

Maximum Darts

A player may throw a maximum of three darts per round; however, a player is not required to throw all three darts.

Wrong Game

If a player throws a dart in a game they are not scheduled to play in, it is an automatic loss of that game.

The win is credited to the opposing team as a team win (not an individual win).

Abuse of Equipment / Conduct

Abuse of equipment, poor sportsmanship, or unethical conduct may result in forfeiture of the game or match, or expulsion from the tournament without refund.

Infractions

Foot Infraction

A foot infraction occurs if either foot crosses the foul line before the game records the score of the dart reaching the board.

1. First infraction: Warning
2. Second infraction: Shooter loses turn
3. Third infraction: Loss of game

Coaching

Instructing or directing players is only allowed by the two teammates shooting in the game, not by the other two teammates.

1. First infraction: Warning
2. Second infraction: The person being coached loses turn
3. Third infraction: Loss of game

Distracting Behavior

Distracting behavior is anything done intentionally to divert the shooter’s attention.

1. First infraction: Warning
2. Second infraction: Shooter loses turn
3. Third infraction: Loss of game

Fouls

Shooting on Opponent’s Turn

(1) If a player throws all three darts, their turn is complete. The machine is advanced to the proper order (the opponent’s number) and the game proceeds normally.

1. First foul: Loss of partner’s turn
2. Second foul: Loss of game

(2) If fewer than three darts are thrown when the infraction is noticed, the machine is advanced to the shooter’s position and they may throw the remainder of their three darts. If the player takes the game out in that round, they automatically lose the game.

1. First foul: Loss of partner’s turn
2. Second foul: Loss of game

Manually Scored Points

Manually scoring points is not allowed. The only exception is ending the game by pulling your darts and manually scoring, which results in an automatic loss of game.

The freeze rule is not in effect for the opposing team for the next round, unless the team was already frozen before the foul.

1. First foul: Loss of partner’s turn
2. Second foul: Loss of game
3. Third foul: Loss of match

Technical

Shooting on Teammate’s Turn

(1) If the player has thrown all three darts, their turn is complete and the machine is advanced to the correct player position.

1. First technical: Loss of both teammates’ turns; freeze rule is not in effect for the opposing team (both players) for the next round, unless the team was already frozen before the technical.
2. Second technical: Loss of game.
3. Third technical: Loss of match.

(2) If fewer than three darts are thrown when the technical is noticed, the machine is advanced to the shooter’s position and they may throw the remainder of their three darts. If the player takes the game out in that round, they automatically lose the game.

1. First technical: Loss of both teammates’ turns; freeze rule is not in effect for the opposing team (both players) for the following round, unless the team was already frozen before the technical.
2. Second technical: Loss of game.
3. Third technical: Loss of match.