To play 51 points in darts, most players mean 51 by 5s: each three-dart total must be divisible by 5, then you divide that total by 5 to get your game score. The usual aim is to reach exactly 51 game points, though house rules vary.
Last reviewed: 24 August 2026. This guide explains 51 by 5s, common house rules, scoring examples and beginner practice options.
The direct answer
Fifty-one points in darts is commonly played as 51 by 5s, also linked with All Fives-style scoring. Each player throws three darts. Add the three-dart total. If the total is divisible by 5, divide by 5 and add that number to the player's game score. If the total is not divisible by 5, the visit scores zero.
For example, a three-dart total of 50 scores 10 game points because 50 divided by 5 is 10. A total of 45 scores 9. A total of 44 scores zero because it does not divide cleanly by 5.
Basic 51 by 5s rules
- Choose the throwing order.
- Each player throws three darts per turn.
- Add the normal dart score for the visit.
- If the total ends in 0 or 5, divide it by 5.
- Add that result to the player's game score.
- The first player to the agreed target, usually exactly 51, wins.
Some versions require the winning visit to use all three darts. Some also cancel the whole turn if a dart misses the board. Agree these rules before starting.
Scoring examples
| Three-dart total | Game score | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 20 + 20 + 10 = 50 | 10 | 50 divided by 5 |
| 15 + 15 + 15 = 45 | 9 | 45 divided by 5 |
| 20 + 19 + 5 = 44 | 0 | 44 is not divisible by 5 |
| T20 + D20 + S15 = 115 | 23 | 115 divided by 5 |
Why divisibility by 5 matters
The game rewards totals ending in 0 or 5. This changes target choice. In 501, a player may simply chase high scoring. In 51 by 5s, a high score that is not divisible by 5 scores nothing for the game.
That makes the final dart important. If your first two darts total 39, you need a score ending in 1 or 6 to make the visit divisible by 5. If you cannot work that out quickly, you may waste a good visit.
Do you need exactly 51?
Many versions require exactly 51 game points. If you are on 48, you need 3 game points, which means a three-dart total of 15. If you score more than needed, the visit may not count or may leave you on the previous score depending on house rules.
For beginners, first to 51 or more is easier. For stronger players, exact 51 creates better pressure and forces more careful arithmetic.
Final turn rules
Some rule sets require the player to use all three darts on the winning visit. That means you cannot win with only the first dart unless your group allows it. This rule makes the finish more difficult and prevents a player from ending the game too easily with a single scoring dart.
If you use this rule, write it on the scoreboard before the game starts. It changes the final visit and should not be introduced after someone is already close to 51.
Strategy for beginners
A simple beginner plan is to aim for reliable totals ending in 0 or 5. Single 20, single 20 and single 10 is a useful 50. Three single 15s make 45. Outer bull plus single 20 and single 5 also makes 50.
Do not only chase trebles. A steady divisible total beats a higher total that scores zero. The best visit is the one that adds usable game points.
Arithmetic practice
Fifty-one by 5s is excellent for mental maths. Players have to add the visit, check divisibility and divide by 5. This makes it a useful practice game for people who struggle with scoring under pressure.
To make it easier, remember that valid totals end in 0 or 5. Once the total is valid, divide by 5: 25 gives 5, 40 gives 8, 60 gives 12, 100 gives 20.
Common mistakes
- Counting invalid totals: if the total is not divisible by 5, it normally scores zero.
- Forgetting exact 51: exact-finish versions punish overshooting.
- Changing final-turn rules late: agree whether all three darts must be used.
- Only chasing high scores: high but invalid totals do not help.
- Not planning the third dart: the last dart often decides whether the visit scores.
Practice routine
Play ten visits solo. Record the normal three-dart total, then record the game score if it divides by 5. The target is not maximum scoring; the target is usable scoring. Count how many of the ten visits were valid.
Next, repeat the drill but require at least 40 normal points per valid visit. This adds pressure and stops the game becoming only a low-score maths exercise.
Planning the third dart
The third dart is often the difference between scoring and wasting the visit. If your first two darts total 38, you need a score ending in 2 or 7 to make the visit end in 0 or 5. If your first two darts total 41, you need 4, 9, 14 or 19 to make the total divisible by 5.
Beginners do not need perfect maths at first. Start by checking whether the total currently ends in 0 or 5. If it does not, use the last dart to steer the total towards a valid ending. This habit is the real value of the game.
Useful targets in 51 by 5s
Numbers 20, 15, 10 and 5 are naturally useful because they keep totals divisible by 5. Treble 20 is still valuable because 60 divided by 5 gives 12 game points. Outer bull is also useful because 25 gives 5 game points by itself.
That does not mean every dart should be aimed at a multiple of 5. Sometimes the first two darts create a total that needs a non-multiple such as 1, 4, 6, 9, 14 or 19 to repair the visit. Good players learn both scoring and repair targets.
Exact-finish examples
If you are on 46 game points and need 5 to reach 51, you need a three-dart total of 25. That could be outer bull, 20 plus 5, or 10 plus 10 plus 5. If you are on 42 and need 9, you need a total of 45.
Exact 51 turns the game into checkout maths. You are no longer simply trying to score heavily. You are trying to produce the exact number of fives required.
Beginner score chart
| Throw total | Game points | Usefulness |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 5 | Good small finish or setup |
| 40 | 8 | Steady beginner score |
| 50 | 10 | Strong simple visit |
| 60 | 12 | Three single 20s or one treble 20 |
House-rule variations
Some groups play that a dart missing the scoring board cancels the whole turn. Some require all three darts to score on the final visit. Some let the first player past 51 win rather than requiring exact 51. These changes make the game easier or harder.
For beginners, use first to 51 or more and ignore the all-three-darts final rule. For stronger players, require exact 51 and all three darts on the winning turn. The stricter version creates more pressure and better arithmetic practice.
Worked game example
Player A opens with a normal score of 50, so they add 10 game points. Player B scores 44, which is not divisible by 5, so they add nothing. On the next visit Player A scores 45 and adds 9, moving to 19 game points. Player B scores 60 and adds 12, moving to 12.
After several visits, Player A reaches 48 and needs 3 game points to finish exactly 51. That means they need a normal three-dart score of 15. If they score 20, that would be 4 game points and may bust or fail depending on the exact house rule.
Playing with teams
For teams, alternate players and keep one shared team total. This works well in larger groups because every player gets meaningful turns and the arithmetic stays visible. If teams are uneven, give the weaker team a starting score or make the stronger team finish exactly.
Team play also helps beginners learn scoring because teammates naturally check each other's totals. The important rule is that one person should own the scoreboard so the running score does not become confused.
How to make the game easier
For a first game, play first past 51 and allow any valid divisible-by-5 total. Do not use the missed-board cancellation rule. Do not require all three darts on the final visit. This lets players focus on the core idea: valid totals end in 0 or 5.
Once players understand the scoring, add exact 51. Then add stricter final-turn rules. Difficulty should be layered in, not dumped into the first game.
How to make the game harder
Require exact 51, cancel any turn with a missed board, and require all three darts to be used on the winning visit. You can also set a minimum valid turn, such as 40 normal points, so players cannot crawl to the target with only tiny scores.
Another hard version is doubles-only scoring. Normal totals still need to be divisible by 5, but only darts in doubles count. This turns 51 by 5s into a focused finishing and outer-ring practice game.
Equipment that helps
A clear dartboard helps with quick scoring. Add dartboard surrounds for missed practice darts, or use a dartboard stand for a measured setup.
Use comfortable darts or dart sets for repeatable scoring visits. Keep darts accessories such as flights and stems ready, because poor flight can turn a planned divisible score into a wasted visit.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For more scoring games, read how to play 21 points in darts, how to score darts, the simple rules of darts, how to play darts 15 to 20 and how beginners learn darts.
Sources used
- The Dart Shop 51 by 5s rules.
- Darts-Oche Fives game rules.
- DartBase All Fives rules.
- PDC rules of darts.
- PDC Europe rules overview.
Bottom line
To play 51 points in darts, use the 51 by 5s format: add each three-dart total, score only totals divisible by 5, divide by 5 for game points, and race to the agreed target of 51.
FAQ
What is 51 by 5s?
It is a darts game where only totals divisible by 5 score, and the visit total is divided by 5 for game points.
Do you need exactly 51?
Many versions require exact 51, but beginners can play first to 51 or more.
What happens if the total is not divisible by 5?
It usually scores zero for that visit.
Is 51 the same as 501?
No. 501 is a subtracting leg format; 51 by 5s is a separate scoring game.
