In darts, 50 points can mean the inner bullseye, which scores 50 and also counts as double 25. It can also mean any visit or dart combination that totals 50, so context matters.
Last reviewed: 24 August 2026. This guide explains 50-point scoring in standard steel-tip darts, including inner bull, checkout rules and common 50-point combinations.
The direct answer
Fifty points is the value of the inner bull. The inner bull is the small centre circle on a standard dartboard. It scores 50 points and counts as double 25, so it can finish a standard double-out leg when a player has exactly 50 remaining.
However, 50 can also be a visit total. For example, outer bull, single 20 and single 5 add up to 50. Double 20 and single 10 also add up to 50. That is why you need to know whether someone means a segment score, a visit score or a checkout.
Where is 50 on the dartboard?
The 50-point segment is the inner bull, the small circle at the very centre of the board. It is surrounded by the outer bull, which scores 25. On many traditional boards the inner bull is red and the outer bull is green, but board colours can vary.
The key scoring distinction is fixed: outer bull is 25, inner bull is 50. A dart touching the centre area should be scored by where the point enters the board, not by the angle of the barrel.
Why 50 counts as double 25
In standard double-out 501, the winning dart must land in a double segment or the inner bull. The inner bull qualifies because it is double 25. That is why a player on 50 can win the leg with one dart at bull.
This is also why the inner bull is more than a high-value centre target. It has finishing value. A single 50-point dart can end the leg, while an outer bull cannot.
Common ways to score 50
| Combination | Total | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Inner bull | 50 | One dart in the centre |
| Outer bull, single 20, single 5 | 50 | 25 + 20 + 5 |
| Double 20, single 10 | 50 | 40 + 10 |
| Single 20, single 20, single 10 | 50 | Steady scoring visit |
Can you finish on 50?
Yes. In standard double-out darts, you can finish on 50 by hitting the inner bull. Because the inner bull counts as double 25, it satisfies the double-out rule.
If you are on 50 and hit outer bull, you have 25 left. That does not finish the leg. It also leaves an awkward odd number, so the next dart must usually be a setup single before a double can be attempted.
Best route from 50 with three darts
The direct route is inner bull. If you hit it, the leg is won. If you hit outer bull, you have 25 remaining, so the next dart needs to leave a double. For example, single 9 leaves 16 for double 8, and single 5 leaves 20 for double 10.
Some beginners prefer to avoid the bull entirely from 50 and use a setup route such as single 10 to leave 40. That is not the professional-looking route, but it can be sensible if double 20 is much stronger than bull for that player. The best route depends on skill level and confidence.
When not to aim at bull from 50
If the game is casual and you are still learning, the bull may be a low-percentage target. A player who rarely hits inner bull may be better aiming at a large single to leave a favourite double. That keeps the leg under control and avoids repeatedly leaving 25.
In competitive double-out darts, strong players are more likely to take the bull shot because one dart can win. But even then, context matters: match pressure, opponent position, and personal preference can all affect the decision.
Is 50 better than 25?
As a single dart score, 50 is worth more than 25 and can finish a leg. But 25 can be useful as a setup score, especially from numbers such as 65 where outer bull leaves tops. Better is not only about value; it is about the remaining score.
For beginners, the important rule is simple: 50 is inner bull, 25 is outer bull. Learn that first, then start thinking about when each target is strategically useful.
Why beginners misread 50
Many beginners call any centre hit a bullseye and assume it is 50. That is not accurate. The centre has two scoring areas. The surrounding ring is 25 and the small inner circle is 50.
Close calls should be checked while the dart is still in the board. Once the dart is removed, it becomes much harder to confirm whether it was in the inner or outer bull.
How to score close bull calls
Look at the point of the dart, not the barrel. The point determines which segment was hit. A dart angled across the centre can look misleading from the throw line, so walk to the board and check the entry point before calling 25 or 50.
In friendly games, agree the score before removing the dart. In league or competition settings, follow the scorer or caller's process. The practical habit is the same: do not disturb the evidence before the score is settled.
50 in a real leg of 501
If you have 150 left, one possible visit is inner bull, treble 20 and double 20 for 150. If you have 100 left, treble 20 and double 20 is a cleaner two-dart finish than aiming at bull first. If you have 50 left, the bull itself is the direct finish.
This shows why context matters. The same number can be a scoring segment, a setup route or a finish. Good darts players choose the target that gives the best route for the score in front of them.
Should beginners practise bull finishes?
Yes, but in proportion. The bull is small, and most beginner legs are won or lost by big singles, steady scoring and common doubles. Practise bull finishes as part of a balanced routine rather than making every session a bull challenge.
A useful drill is to start on 50 with three darts. If you hit inner bull, the leg is finished. If you hit outer bull, work out how to leave a double. If you miss the bull area, score the dart and continue honestly. This teaches both accuracy and decision-making.
A better 50 practice routine
Use three blocks. First, throw 15 darts at the whole bull area and record outer and inner hits separately. Second, start on 50 for ten attempts and write down how often you finish within three darts. Third, practise an alternative route such as single 10 to tops.
This routine teaches the real choice from 50. You are not only asking, "Can I hit bull?" You are asking, "Which route gives me the best chance to win this leg from my current level?"
50 as a visit total
A visit total of 50 does not have to include the bull. Single 20, single 20 and single 10 is 50. Double 20 and single 10 is 50. Outer bull, single 20 and single 5 is also 50. This is why the phrase "I scored 50" is different from "I hit the 50."
For scorekeeping, the total is what matters during the leg. For coaching, the route matters too because it tells you whether the player grouped well, hit a planned target, or rescued the visit after a miss.
What 50 teaches about darts strategy
Fifty is a good example of why darts is not just arithmetic. The same number can mean a high-value centre hit, a finish, or a routine visit made from ordinary singles. The best interpretation depends on the score remaining and the player's intention.
Beginners improve faster when they ask two questions after a visit: what did I score, and what did I leave? A 50 that leaves a simple double may be excellent. A 50 that leaves an awkward number may be less useful than a smaller, smarter setup.
Quick reference for 50
| Context | What 50 means | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Single dart | Inner bull | Small centre circle |
| Checkout | Double 25 | Can win a double-out leg |
| Visit total | Any darts adding to 50 | Route matters for analysis |
Famous finishes involving bull
The most famous bull finish is 170: treble 20, treble 20, inner bull. It is the highest standard three-dart checkout in double-out 501. The bull can also appear in many other finishes when a player needs 50 with the last dart.
For beginners, the lesson is not to chase spectacular finishes too early. Learn what the bull is worth, when it counts as a double, and when a simpler setup route gives a better chance of winning the leg. That decision-making is usually more valuable than one dramatic bull attempt in regular practice sessions too.
Common beginner mistakes with 50
- Calling outer bull 50: outer bull is 25.
- Forgetting bull is a double: inner bull can finish 50 in double-out.
- Aiming at bull from every checkout: many finishes have easier routes.
- Removing close darts too early: agree the score before touching the board.
- Practising only bull: doubles and big singles matter more often.
Equipment that helps
A clear dartboard and reliable lighting make centre scoring easier to judge. Use dartboard surrounds while practising small targets, and consider a dartboard stand if you need a measured temporary setup.
Comfortable darts or a balanced dart set make repeatable bull practice easier. Keep spare flights and stems in darts accessories, because damaged parts can make tight grouping harder.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For more scoring help, read how many points a bullseye is worth, what 25 points means, whether you can finish on 25, how to score darts and the simple rules of darts.
Sources used
- PDC rules of darts.
- PDC Europe rules overview.
- Darts501 dart game rules.
- Dartshopper 501 rules guide.
- Red Dragon darts rules.
Why 50 is more than one score
Fifty can mean a single dart at bull, a setup total, or the last dart of the leg. That context matters. Early in a leg, 50 is simply part of the running score. At the end of a leg, 50 becomes a finish because the inner bull counts as double 25. The same number becomes more valuable when it can end the leg immediately.
Bottom line
Fifty points in darts is the inner bull when you are talking about a single board segment. It also counts as double 25, so it can finish a leg from 50 in standard double-out 501. As a visit total, 50 can be made in many different ways.
FAQ
Is 50 the bullseye?
Yes, if by bullseye you mean the inner bull. The outer bull is 25.
Can you finish on 50?
Yes. Inner bull counts as double 25 and can finish a double-out leg.
Is outer bull 50?
No. Outer bull is 25.
What is three inner bulls worth?
Three inner bulls score 150.
