Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newbie to the darts world, understanding scoring systems is critical for your progression in the game. One often-asked question is, “What is the highest score in darts?” In this post, we’ll dive into the mathematics of darts to provide an enlightening exploration of the highest possible score in a single throw and in a game.

The Highest Score in a Single Throw

The highest score a player can achieve with a single dart is 60. This is accomplished by landing a dart in the ‘triple 20’ sector (the small red or green section in the 20 slice), which triples the segment’s point value.

The Highest Score in a Three-Dart Turn

In a standard turn, a player throws three darts. Therefore, if all three darts land in the triple 20 sector, the highest possible score for a single turn is 180 (3 darts x 60 points). This feat is considered the pinnacle of accuracy and consistency, often met with cheers in professional darts matches.

The Highest Score in a Darts Game

The highest possible score in a darts game can vary depending on the game format. In a traditional 501 game, the objective is to be the first player to reduce your score from 501 to exactly zero. However, the score of 501 is not the highest possible score in the game, but the starting point.

In contrast, in ‘high score’ formats where the goal is to accumulate the most points within a specified number of rounds, the highest possible score will depend on the number of rounds played and the player’s ability to consistently hit the highest-scoring sections.

Record-Breaking Darts Scores

Now that we understand the theoretical highs, it’s worth mentioning that the world of professional darts has seen some remarkable scoring feats. The current world record for the most consecutive 180s (three-dart turns scoring 180) is 11, set by Ted “The Count” Hankey during a practice session. In official match play, the record for most 180s in a single match is 22, held jointly by Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Price.

Conclusion

Darts is a game of skill, strategy, and sometimes complex math. Achieving the highest possible score, whether in a single throw, a turn, or an entire game, is a thrilling aspect that adds to the excitement and competitiveness of the sport. So, the next time you step up to the oche, aim for that triple 20 and set your sights on a perfect 180!