Rainy days often bring a sudden halt to outdoor plans, leaving groups of friends or family searching for ways to keep the energy high indoors. While board games and movie marathons are classic choices, a dartboard offers a dynamic, interactive alternative that naturally brings people together. Throwing darts requires minimal setup, fits into almost any room, and provides the perfect mix of friendly competition and casual conversation. To turn your next gloomy afternoon into a memorable game day, here are 12 fantastic dart games designed to keep groups entertained for hours.
1. Around the ClockThis game is perfect for groups with mixed skill levels because the rules are incredibly simple. The goal for each player is to hit every number on the board in chronological order, starting at 1 and ending at 20. Players take turns throwing three darts per round, moving to the next number only after successfully hitting their current target. To make the game finish faster for larger groups, you can allow players to skip ahead if they hit a double or a triple ring. The first person to hit all 20 numbers wins the game.
2. ShanghaiShanghai is a fast-paced elimination game that keeps everyone on their toes. Players compete in rounds, focusing on a single number each round, starting with number 1 in the first round, number 2 in the second, and so on, usually up to number 7 or 20. Points are scored based on the targets hit, with doubles and triples counting for extra points. However, there is a thrilling twist: if a player hits the single, double, and triple of the active number all in one turn, they achieve a “Shanghai” and instantly win the entire game, regardless of the current scores.
3. CricketPerhaps the most popular bar game in the world, Cricket is an excellent choice for groups when split into two teams. The objective is to “open” and “close” specific numbers on the board—specifically 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and the bullseye. A team closes a number by hitting it three times. Once a team closes a number, they can score points on it every time they hit it again, until the opposing team also hits it three times to close it down for good. The team with the most points after all numbers are closed wins.
4. KillerKiller is a highly competitive, laugh-out-loud game that works best with a larger crowd. To start, each player throws a dart with their non-dominant hand to randomly assign themselves a target number for the game. Players then take turns trying to hit the double ring of their own number to become a “Killer.” Once you are a Killer, your mission changes: you throw at the double rings of your opponents’ numbers to eliminate their lives. Every player starts with three lives, and the last person standing claims victory.
5. Halve ItHalve It is a high-stakes game that tests precision and punishes mistakes in a fun way. A list of specific targets is written on a scoreboard before the game begins, such as 20, 16, any double, 14, and the bullseye. In each round, players must hit the designated target to add points to their total running score. If a player misses the target completely with all three of their darts during a round, their total accumulated score is cut exactly in half. The player with the highest score at the end wins.
6. BaseballSports fans will love this clever adaptation of America’s pastime. The game consists of nine innings, corresponding to numbers 1 through 9 on the dartboard. In the first inning, players throw at the 1 section, in the second inning at the 2 section, and so on. A single counts as a single run, a double ring counts as a two-base hit, and a triple ring counts as a three-base hit. A bullseye can be designated as a home run. The player or team with the most runs after nine innings wins.
7. FootballFor a more head-to-head gridiron style experience, Football allows players to march up and down the board. To start the game and “gain possession of the ball,” a player must hit the inner bullseye. Once possession is gained, the player must hit consecutive numbers from 1 to 20 to score a touchdown. Meanwhile, the other players try to hit a bullseye on their turns to “steal” the ball away and start their own march down the field. It is a chaotic, shifting game perfect for a rowdy group.
8. High ScoreWhen you want something simple that requires zero explanation, High Score is the ultimate fallback option. This game is pure, unadulterated throwing power. Players agree on a set number of rounds, usually between five and ten. On each turn, a player throws three darts aiming for the highest-scoring areas of the board, which are typically the triple 20 or triple 19 slots. The scores from each round are added together, and the individual or team with the highest final tally takes home the crown.
9. Chase the DonkeyThis is a hilarious, fast-moving game of pursuit that works wonders for groups of three or more. The first player throws a dart at any number on the board to set the target. The next player must hit that exact same number before they can throw a dart to set a new target for the person behind them. If a player fails to hit the target set by the person before them within their three throws, the “donkey” catches up to them, and they receive a penalty point. The player with the fewest penalties wins.
10. GolfGolf brings the strategy of the green to the dartboard over a course of 9 or 18 holes. Hole 1 is the 1 section on the board, hole 2 is the 2 section, and so forth. The goal is to get the lowest score possible, just like in real golf. Hitting a triple counts as a hole-in-one (1 point), a double counts as 2 points, the inner wedge counts as 3 points, and the outer wedge counts as 4 points. Missing the number entirely gives you a bad score of 5 points for that hole.
11. 301 or 501This is the classic tournament game seen on television, and it can easily be adapted for group relay teams. Every player or team starts with a score of 301 or 501 points. As darts are thrown, the value of the hits is subtracted from the starting total. The ultimate goal is to reduce the score to exactly zero. To make it more challenging, standard rules require players to finish the game by hitting a double that lands exactly on zero, though groups can waive this rule for a more casual afternoon.
12. BattleshipBattleship turns the dartboard into a tactical naval grid. Teams secretly select three or four numbers on the board to represent their hidden fleet of ships. During a turn, the opposing team calls out numbers and throws darts at them to launch attacks. If they hit a number belonging to the enemy fleet, that ship is damaged. A ship is sunk when its section, including the double and triple rings, is hit multiple times. The first team to locate and sink all of the opposing fleet wins the naval battle.
Transforming a rainy afternoon from boring to brilliant is easily accomplished with a dartboard and a little bit of competitive spirit. These twelve games offer an incredible variety of playstyles, ensuring that whether your group prefers strategic calculations, rapid elimination, or simple high-scoring fun, there is a perfect option for everyone. Gathering around the board encourages laughter, high-fives, and memorable moments that will make everyone forget about the bad weather outside.
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