Players throw darts at a circular target divided into different scoring areas. Games are played by individuals, pairs, or teams of any number. Players aim to reduce a starting score exactly to zero.

The dartboard is usually made of cork, bristle, or elm, with the divisions and sector numbers marked by wires. Adjacent sectors are differentiated by colour. The board is always hung so that the 20 sector is vertically above the bull.

Dimensions of the dartboard
a Bull dia., 12.7mm (0.50in)
b Semi-centre dia., 31.8mm (1.25in)
c Double wire to centre bull, 170mm (6.69in)
d Treble wire to centre bull, 107mm (4.21in)
e Double and treble ring inside width, 8.0mm (0.313in)

Each player uses three darts. Darts must not exceed an overall maximum length of 30.5cm (12in), nor weigh more than 50g (1.8oz).

Darts comprise:
(1) a sharp point, usually made of steel;
(2) a barrel, with finger grips, made of metal (usually brass), wood, or plastic weighted with metal;
(3) a flighted stem which may consist of up to three separate pieces (made of feathers, plastic or paper).

The scoreboard is a slate or black-painted board. Each side’s score is recorded in chalk.

Scored throws are deducted from a starting total ? usually 301, 501, or 1001.
Darts in the inner bull score 50, and in the outer bull 25. Darts in a sector score according to the sector number ? unless they are within the outer (doubles) ring, when they score double the sector number, or the inner (trebles) ring, when they score three times the sector number.

The game ends with a double bringing the score exactly to zero. If the scores on a player’s turn take him past zero, or to one, he goes back to the score before that turn and forfeits any darts remaining in that turn.

The dartboard is hung on a wall, with the scoreboard to one side. The toe line, 2.37m (7ft 9 1/4in) from the dartboard, is marked either on a mat or the floor.

http://www.nzdarts.com