If you want to win at 501, you need to know how to finish with a double, and that’s one of the most difficult moves in darts. Bob’s 27 is THE training game designed for just that. Invented by Bob Anderson, a former world champion, it forces you to aim for every double on the board, from 1 to 20. It’s a bit challenging, but incredibly effective.
Bob’s 27 | Details |
|---|---|
👤 Players | 1 (or more, taking turns) |
🎯 Difficulty | High |
⏱️ Duration | about 10 minutes |
🎲 Equipment | A dartboard + 3 darts |
🏆 Objective | Go through all the doubles without dropping to zero, with the highest score |
Bob's 27 at a glance: the objective of the game
You start with 27 points (hence the name). You then aim successively at double 1, double 2, double 3… all the way up to double 20, then the bullseye. Each double you hit earns you points; but if you completely miss a double, you lose points. The goal: to finish the round with as many points as possible and, above all, never drop to zero otherwise, the game ends.
Why this game? The role of the doubles
In 501, you must end the game exactly on a double: this is a skill that is both crucial and difficult to master. Bob’s 27 has you practice all the doubles in order, making it the go-to exercise for improving your game. To get a clear picture of where the double is located on the dartboard, check out our guide to the anatomy of the dart and the dartboard.
The rules, step by step
Starting point: 27 points. Throw your first 3 darts at the double 1, then 3 at the double 2, and so on up to the double 20, before finishing in the bullseye (which counts as a double).
Scoring:
Each dart that hits the targeted double is worth its value (double 1 = 2 points, double 5 = 10 points, etc.).
If all three of your darts miss the targeted double, you lose the value of that double (missed double 5 = −10 points).
Example: Double 1, Marie hits it once → +2 (score 29). Double 2, she misses all 3 → −4 (score 25). Double 3, she hits it twice → +12 (score 37). The score goes up and down depending on success.
Watch out for zero
If your score drops to zero or below, the game ends immediately: it’s a loss. A string of misses early in the game can quickly eliminate you, so you need to nail your first doubles to build up a point cushion.
Track Your Progress
The main appeal of Bob’s 27 is tracking your progress. Write down your final score after each session: week after week, you’ll see your average climb as your doubles become more consistent. Finishing above 27 is already a good game for a beginner.
Starting Your First Session (Summary)
1. Set up the target
2. Start with 27 points
3. Aim for double 1, then double 2… all the way to double 20, then the bullseye
4. +the value of the double if you hit it, −the value if all 3 darts miss
5. Don’t let your score drop to zero
6. Write down your final score to track your progress
