What is Her/501 Darts? Her/501 Darts Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
19/04/2026
What is 501?
The standard scoring system in competition darts is based on the number 501. Under this system, both players take turns throwing three darts, and the combined score of those darts is subtracted from the total of 501 until one of the players becomes the first to reach zero. The other stipulation for winning is that the last dart hits a double on the board.
How is 501 Used in Sports Betting?
Although much sports betting is concentrated on sports like football, horse racing, golf or tennis, the widely televised nature of major darts championships and the strictly regulated format makes it in many ways an ideal choice for sports betting. The bets on offer range from outright betting on the result of a major championship or tournament to smaller bets on the individual circumstances of a match. Bets such as these range from betting on whether there will be a nine dart finish during the match – nine darts being the smallest number it is possible to finish on – to betting on which of the players will score the most 180’s. In play betting options also include betting on the result as the odd shift during play, betting on individual legs and betting above or below a certain number for the score on which a player will check out, which means the score on which they finish a 501 leg.
The key to successful betting on 501 darts lies in research. It’s vital to understand the format of the tournament in question – i.e. how many legs there are in each set and how many sets per match – and to know how individual players perform within these formats and in head to head conditions. Darts in play betting involves extremely fast decision making and a pretty strong nerve, as individual legs can be over in a matter of minutes.
