free printable
Lawn Darts Rules Card
A one-page lawn darts rules card: how to play, how to score, and how to set it up. Hit print, fold it, and keep it with your set. Want the full walkthrough? See the Lawn Darts rules.
LAWNLEAGUES.COM
rules card Lawn Darts
Players2 players or 2 teams of 2
Ages8+ with adult supervision (soft-tip sets)
SetupUnder 5 min
SpaceAbout 40 ft of open lawn, end to end
What you need
- A modern soft-tip or weighted-base lawn dart set (4 darts, usually 2 colors)
- Two target rings, one for each end of the playing field
- A flat, open patch of grass with nothing breakable nearby
- A scorekeeper or a phone to track points to 21
Scoring
- A dart that lands and stays inside the target ring scores 3 points; a common variation gives 1 point for a dart that lands closest to the ring without going in.
- Use cancellation scoring: if both teams land the same number of darts in the ring that round, those points cancel and nobody scores.
- Only the team with more darts in the ring scores, and only for the difference.
- First player or team to reach 21 wins. Many sets require hitting 21 exactly, with a bust sending you back to your previous total if you go over.
- Darts that land outside the ring score nothing, no matter how close they look.
How to play
- Set up the two rings. Place the two target rings on the grass facing each other. Most sets space them roughly 25 to 40 feet apart, so check your set's instructions for the exact distance and mark each throwing line beside a ring.
- Split into teams and pick colors. Play one-on-one or two-on-two. Each player or team takes one color of darts. In doubles, partners stand at opposite rings so the game flows back and forth.
- Throw underhand only. Standing at your throwing line, toss the dart underhand in a gentle arc toward the far ring. No overhand chucking, ever. The goal is a soft, lobbed landing inside the ring.
- Both players throw, then score. Each player throws all their darts (usually two each) at the opposite ring before anyone walks down to check. Wait until all darts have landed before stepping onto the field.
- Tally the round and clear. Count up who landed inside the ring, apply cancellation scoring, record the points, collect the darts, and throw back the other direction.
- Race to exactly 21. Keep alternating ends until a player or team reaches 21. If you overshoot 21, your house rules decide whether you bust back or just need to hit 21 on the nose, so agree before you start.
Set it up
Target rings are commonly placed about 25 to 40 feet apart depending on the set, with throwers standing at a line beside each ring. Check your specific set, since spacing varies by manufacturer.