Around the Clock : Rules for Beginners

Never played darts before? Start with this one.

Around the World (also known as Around the Clock) is the simplest darts game there is: all you have to do is hit the numbers 1, 2, 3… up to 20, in order. It’s the perfect game for a first round and an excellent exercise for learning to aim.

Around the World in a Nutshell: The Objective of the Game

The concept can be summed up in one sentence: you must hit every number on the dartboard in order, starting with 1, then 2, 3… all the way to 20, and finally the bullseye to finish. The first player to complete the full round wins the game.

That’s it: no scoring, no complicated rules. That’s what makes it the perfect game for beginners.

What you need to play

The bare minimum:

• A dartboard set up at the correct distance and height

• 3 darts

You can play alone to practice, or with others in race mode.

The rules, step by step

First, aim for the 1. As soon as you hit it, move on to the 2. Then the 3, and so on up to 20, before finishing in the center.

On each turn, you throw your 3 darts. You advance as many numbers as you hit in order. Good news for beginners: it doesn’t matter which section you hit (single, double, or triple)—you just need to hit the right number.

Example: On her first turn, Marie hits 1 and 2, but misses 3. So she stops at 2. On the next turn, she picks up where she left off: she aims for 3.

How to Win

The first player to hit 20 and then the center wins the game. With multiple players, each takes a turn, and everyone’s progress is compared: the first to complete their target round wins.

Variations (to make the game more challenging)

When the classic game gets too easy, try:

• Mandatory double or triple: you must hit the double (or triple) of the number to move forward. Much harder, but great for improving your skills.

• Multiplayer race: everyone starts at the same time; the first to reach the center wins.

• Increase the rounds: set a number of complete rounds to be completed. This helps build endurance and sometimes allows players to catch up.

• 3 hits: Require 3 hits per number before moving on to the next section. Three hits means three darts in the single, or one in the triple, or one in the single plus one in the double.

Why it’s the perfect game for beginners

The World Tour makes you aim at all sectors of the target, which naturally improves your accuracy. And since there’s no score to calculate, you can focus 100% on your form. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll be ready to move on to scoring games like 501 or Cricket.

Starting your first game (summary)

• 1. Set up the dartboard

• 2. Aim for the 1

• 3. For each number you hit, move on to the next one in order

• 4. Finish with the center

• 5. The first player to complete the round wins