How to Play Killer Darts
Killer is a pub darts elimination game that works with 2 to 20 players. The rules take about two minutes to explain and the games can go on for a lot longer than that.
What You Need
A standard dartboard, some darts, and between 2 and 20 players. Any pub dartboard will do.
Setting Up
Each player throws one dart with their non-dominant hand. Wherever it lands is their number for the whole game. Two players on the same number? The second one throws again.
How Scoring Works
Hit your own number to score points:
• Single: +1 point
• Double ring: +2 points
• Triple ring: +3 points
You cap out at 3 points. If you hit someone else's number while you are not a killer, they get the points (2 for a double, 3 for a triple), not you.
Becoming a Killer
Hit 3 points on your own number and you become a Killer ⊕. Now the game flips: hitting another player's number takes points away from them (2 for a double, 3 for a triple). Hitting your own number costs you points and can drop you out of killer status. Killer status is checked dart by dart, not per turn: the moment you are below 3 points you are no longer a killer, even in the middle of your throws.
Elimination
A player is out when their score goes below 0. Only killers can do this. If you are not yet a killer, your throws can only give points to others, not take them.
How to Win
Last one standing wins. With 4 to 6 players expect somewhere between 20 and 40 minutes. With 2 it can be done in five. Great for a round between pints.
Variations
Rules differ from one pub to the next. Agree on the variations before the first dart.
More points to become a killer
Instead of 3, you need 5 points (or any other number from 1 to 10; with 1 point the first hit makes a killer, for a very quick game) on your own number to become a killer. Games take longer, which suits experienced players. The scoreboard lets you choose 3, 5 or your own number when you set up a game.
An exact hit to become a killer
To become a killer you have to land on exactly the points you need: a hit that goes past it does not count. With 3 needed and 2 points on the board, a double on your own number leaves you on 2. The scoreboard does not enforce this one: just do not tap + for a hit that goes past.
A worked example
Three players: Alice (#20), Bob (#1) and Carol (#18). After a few turns Alice has 0 points, Bob 1 and Carol 2. Everyone throws three darts per turn.
| Throw | What happens | Alice #20 | Bob #1 | Carol #18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alice: single 20 | Her own number: +1 point. | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Alice: double 20 | +2 more: 3 points, Alice becomes a Killer ⊕. | 3 ⊕ | 1 | 2 |
| Alice: single 18 | 18 is Carol's number and Alice is a Killer: Carol loses 1 point. | 3 ⊕ | 1 | 1 |
| Bob: double 18 | Bob is not a Killer, so the points go to Carol: +2. She reaches 3 and becomes a Killer. | 3 ⊕ | 1 | 3 ⊕ |
| Bob: single 1 | His own number: +1 point. | 3 ⊕ | 2 | 3 ⊕ |
| Carol: triple 1 | Carol is a Killer: Bob loses 3 points. Below 0, Bob is out. | 3 ⊕ | out | 3 ⊕ |
| Carol: single 18 | Her own number costs a Killer 1 point: 2 points, she is no longer a Killer. | 3 ⊕ | out | 2 |
| Carol: single 18 | Not a Killer any more, so her own number adds 1 point: 3 points, Killer again. | 3 ⊕ | out | 3 ⊕ |
| Alice: triple 18 | Carol loses 3 points: 0, still in the game. | 3 ⊕ | out | 0 |
| Alice: single 18 | Carol loses 1 more: below 0, she is out. Alice is the last one standing and wins. | 3 ⊕ 🏆 | out | out |
Playing on several phones
Start a game, then share the QR code or the link. Everyone who opens it follows the same game live, and anyone can enter the scores: tap + or − next to a player after a dart. Each phone shows the game in its own language. No account, nothing to install.
The game on your phone
-
Everybody taps the number they hit on the board -
Tap + and − as the darts land -
Scan the QR code to join: anyone can enter scores -
The last player standing wins
Tips
Go after fresh killers
Players who just became killers are fragile. One or two hits and they drop back out of killer status, which buys you breathing room.
Learn where numbers sit on the board
20 sits between 1 and 5. 19 is between 7 and 3. Knowing this helps you read where a stray dart is likely to end up, yours or someone else's.
The triple ring is your best friend early on
One clean triple on your first throw and you're already a killer before most people have even scored. Worth practising.
Questions people actually ask
Does it work with just 2 players?
Yes, perfectly fine. Games are shorter since there's nowhere to hide, but it makes for a decent head-to-head. First to push the other below 0 wins.
What if I hit a number nobody has?
Nothing happens. The dart counts for nothing and play moves on.
Can a killer eliminate themselves by hitting their own number?
No. Killer status is checked dart by dart. A killer has exactly 3 points and one dart removes at most 3 (a triple on your own number), so you can only drop to 0. At 0 you are no longer a killer, so your next hits on your own number add points again. Only another killer can eliminate you.
How long does a game take?
No fixed limit, games end when one player is left. Five players who know the rules usually finish in around 25 minutes. Complete beginners might take a bit longer.
Do I need an account?
No. Free, no sign-up, no app to install. Open it in your browser, start a game, share the QR code.