OFFICIAL

PLAYERS
GUIDEBOOK
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
AMOA NDA Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Dart Equipment Specifications . . . . . . . . .3
Throwing Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Proper Throwing Technique . . . . . . . . . . . .4
General Rules of Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Rules of Play-’01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Rules of Play-Cricket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Fouls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Scoring on the Electronic Dart Machine. . . .9
Official Skill Rating Procedure . . . . . . . . . . .10
Player Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

2015 Edition
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 PREFACE
The AMOA National Dart Association (NDA) is the
sanctioning body of electronic darting dedicated to the
standardization, recognition, promotion and growth of
competition worldwide.
Memberships are processed without regard to race, color,
religion, ethnic origin or age.

FORWARD
This player pamphlet entitled “Player’s Guidebook” has
been prepared for the exclusive use of the members of the
NDA. Areas of copyright are protected.

Topics covered in this pamphlet are to be viewed in two

ways. First, there are areas of standardization that require
compliance of NDA-sanctioned leagues.

Secondly, there are areas that have been included herein

that are suggested means of conducting local league play.
In all of these areas your local NDA Charter Holder will
have full and unequivocal authority to implement rules for
league play. Examples of those areas are:

• Protest
• Fines
• Forfeits
• Fees

We hope this pamphlet will be an asset to you in

maximizing your enjoyment of the fastest-growing
recreational sport in history: “Electronic Darting—The
Game You Can Count On.”

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 AMOA NDA REQUIREMENTS

Note: Attention should be given that the measurement is

from the “Foul Line” to the “Face” of the dart board and
not from “Foul Line” to the front of the machine cabinet.

DART EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

1. Tips used must be standard factory issue for

Electronic Darting and can not have broken tips.
2. Darts may not exceed eight (8) inches in length
measured from end of tip to end of flight.
3. Darts may not exceed NDA standard for Officially
Sanctioned NDA Tournaments. The current weight
standard is 20 grams. (Local standards may vary for
league and tournaments.)

THROWING AREA

The area directly in front of the assigned dart board,

not to exceed either dart board to the left or right of
the assigned board, is considered the official “throw

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area.” Up until the time a player has thrown a dart,
he/she is allowed to leave the throw area. Once a dart has
been thrown, a player is not allowed to completely leave
the throw area to the rear or the side. Partially stepping
on or placing one foot over the back or the side does NOT
constitute a foul.

The “players box” located directly behind the foul line, is

reserved for the players competing in the match. This
area is considered part of the throw area. The only player
allowed in the box is the one who is currently shooting.
This area is considered part of the throw area. Any player
who completely removes himself from the throw area has
indicated that his turn is complete.

For wheelchair-bound participants, the torso can be on

but not across the foul line.

PROPER THROWING TECHNIQUE

You are allowed to stand at the Foul Line with your foot
no farther than the front edge of the line. A suggested
stance is to have the throwing side of your body toward
the board. If you are right-handed, your right foot should
be on the line and your left foot approximately 18 inches
behind. Lean forward slightly with the right knee slightly
bent. Balance yourself with the toes of the left foot. Your
throwing arm should be in front of your body and the
upper arm at approximately a 45-degree angle down,
while the forearm is perpendicular. Find the center
balance of the dart and hold it lightly. This should be
comfortable; you do not need to use all four fingers. The
throwing motion should be from your elbow out, holding
the upper arm as motionless as possible. Bring your
forearm back slightly and with a fluid motion throw the
dart toward the target. Remember to follow through by
pointing your index finger at the area from which you
threw.

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 GENERAL RULES OF PLAY

1. Players stand at the “throw” line, 96 inches horizontally

from the face of the dart board. It is legal to lean over
the line. They may step on, but not across, the line.

2. Players may use their own darts if they meet the

following specifications:

A. They must be plastic-tip darts.

B. Flights may be any length as long as they do not
exceed 8” in total length.
C. Flights may be no wider than 3/4”, as measured
from shaft to flight edge, and may not have more
than four wings.
D. Complete darts may not exceed 20 grams in weight.
This is the total weight of the dart including the
flight, tip, shaft, barrel, etc.
E. Darts may not have broken or cut off tips.
F. Darts will be inspected upon request.

3. Each player throws a maximum of three darts per

turn. Darts must be thrown only when the machine
instructs to “Throw Darts” and the proper player’s
number is lit.

4. It is not required for a player to throw all three darts

on every turn. A player may pass or throw fewer than
three darts. A player will always be allowed to throw
all three darts unless a foul occurs.

5. Any dart thrown counts as a throw, whether or not it is

registered on the machine. A throw counts if it misses
the board and bounces out, or if it misses the board
completely. A player may not throw the darts over.
Dropped darts may be thrown again.

6. Darts on the board may not be touched until the turn

is over, the “Player Change” is activated, and the
machine recognizes the end of the turn. Exception:
When a dart is in the board and machine reads “Stuck
Segment,” that dart must be removed by opposing
team captain before other darts are thrown.

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7. A round is defined as the period of time from the end
of a player’s turn to the start of his next turn. On
games with stacked teams (players on one score), a
round is defined as the end of the player’s turn to the
start of his/her partner’s turn.

RULES OF PLAY-’01
1. The game is ’01 Open In-Open Out. The bull’s-eye
will count 50 points, full bull.
2. All players start with 301/501 points and attempt
to reach zero. If a player scores more than the
total required to reach zero, the player “busts”
and the score returns to the score that was
existing at the start of the turn.
3. When a player reaches zero, the game is over.
The winning team is the team with the lowest
combined score (both team members). If the
game score ends in a tie, the player/team that
reaches zero first wins. If a player reaches zero
when he is “blocked” or “frozen,” he will not be
credited with any individual feats (4RO, 6DO,
etc./5RO, 9DO, etc.), and the win will be credited
to the opposing team as a team win only.

RULES OF PLAY- CRICKET

1. The game of Cricket will be played with a split
bull’s-eye.
2. The object will be to close the numbers 20, 19, 18,
17,16, 15 and the bull’s-eye in any order before
your opponent(s). The player/team that closes all
numbers and the bull’s-eye first, and has a greater
or equal point score, wins.
3. An outer bull’s-eye will count 25 points (or one
mark) and an inner bull’s-eye will count 50 points
(or two marks).
4. All general rules of play will apply.

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 FOULS

The following items constitute fouls. Committing a foul

may lead to loss of turn, loss of game, loss of match,
expulsion from tournament or league, expulsion from
site, or expulsion from future leagues or tournaments.
The tournament officials identified by official NDA
credentials will make all decisions concerning fouls
without specific penalties. The penalty for fouling,
unless otherwise stated, is loss of turn for the fouling
player.

1. Adherence to all general foul rules is required.

2. Fouls must be called within the round in which the
foul was committed.
3. Distracting behavior by opponents while a player
is throwing is not allowed and constitutes a foul.
Throwing on a non-coined machine is considered
a distraction.
4. On a thrown dart, the dart must make contact
with the board before the player’s foot makes
contact with the floor in front of the throw line
or a foul has been committed. A player must
receive a warning from the opposing captain. If
the problem continues, a referee must be called
to witness the foul. If the referee determines that
there is a foul, the player will lose his next three
darts.
5. It is each player’s responsibility to see that the
machine is displaying the appropriate player’s
number prior to throwing the darts. Play is
stopped immediately when the infraction is
noticed. If the game starts and ends in the same
order, the game stands as played. If the wrong
player shoots in a game and the infraction is
noticed before that player has started his/her
second round, the game will be started over with
the offending team being responsible for coining
the machine. If the infraction is noticed afterthe
start of the next game, the preceding game will
stand.

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If the player throws while the machine is displaying an
opponent’s number, it constitutes a foul.

 a) If the player has thrown fewer than three darts, the

machine is advanced to his correct position by
use of the “Player Change” button, and the player is
allowed to throw their remaining darts. The game
then proceeds normally with the opponent
shooting next and so on.

b) If the player throws all three darts on the
opponent’s number before the infraction is noticed,
the player has completed his turn and the
machine is returned to the proper order (the
opponent’s number) and the game proceeds
normally.
c) If a player throws out of turn and ends the game on
that turn, his team loses that game.
If a player throws when the machine is displaying the
number of that player’s partner, it constitutes a foul.
a) If the player has thrown all three darts, his turn
is completed. The machine is then advanced to the
correct player position and play resumes, except
that both players from the offending team lose `
their next turn.
b) If a player has thrown less than three darts when
the infraction is noticed, the machine is advanced
to their correct player position, and he is
allowed to throw the remainder of his three darts.
The machine is then advanced to the correct player
position and play resumes, except that both players
from the offending team lose their next turn.
6. Manually scored points
a) on opponent’s score constitutes a foul. Advance
player change button to the correct player position
and continue play, except that the player who
committed the foul loses his next turn.
b) on player’s own score constitutes a foul. Advance
player change button to the correct player position
and continue play, except that both players from
that team lose their next turn.

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7. If a machine resets due to power failure or other
reason beyond control, the game will start over
(replayed from the start).
8. If a player reaches zero in a round in which that
player or that player’s partner committed a foul,
that player/team loses the game.
9. Any machine reset, tilt or malfunction due to
intentional or non-intentional player action shall
result in loss of game for the team committing the
action.
10. Abuse of equipment, poor sportsmanship or un
ethical conduct as judged by a league director or
tournament official may constitute a foul.
11. Any player/team that commits three fouls in one
game will forfeit that game.
12. Any player found to be using overweight darts or
otherwise illegal darts shall cause the team to forfeit
all games in the match that player has played. The
match will then continue with all players using legal
darts. Any protest about weight of darts must be
made before completion of the 3rd game and will
not be allowed once a match has been concluded.
13. Disregard of any rules may constitute a foul.

SCORING ON THE
ELECTRONIC DART MACHINE

1. The score recorded by the machine is the score that

the player receives. The players accept that the
machine is always right. The only exception will be
on the “Last Dart-Winning Dart” that meets the
following criteria:
a. The “Last Dart-Winning Dart” must stick.
b. If the dart does not stick and the machine
awards the win, the machine is right and the
game is over.
c. The machine was displaying the “Throw Darts”
message and all other rules were followed.
Then, no matter if the machine fails to score,
or scores incorrectly, the player/team will be
credited with the win in that game.

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 Example: Player’s score is 24 at the beginning
of his turn. His first dart hits and sticks in the
single 9 but does not register or score. His second
dart scores a single 15, leaving the player on 9.
The third dart is then thrown in the single 9, but
does not register or score. Since it was the “Last
Dart-Winning Dart,” that player/team wins the
game.
2. A dart that sticks in the board but does not activate
the electronic scoring may not be manually scored.
3. If there is any question as to whether the machine is
scoring or working properly, STOP THE GAME. Do
not remove darts or activate the “Player Change.” The
team captains must try to solve the problem. If they
are unable to do so, they will need to call for service.
If the situation cannot be resolved, play will need to
be moved to an available board. Scores will be
reentered and play will continue. In tournament play,
a referee must be called to resolve the problem.
4. If a dart bounces off the board it is considered a dart
thrown even if it does not score. It may not be
thrown again.
5. If a dart is thrown before the “Throw Darts” message
lights, the dart will not score and is considered a dart
thrown. It may not be thrown again.

OFFICIAL SKILL RATING

PROCEDURE
Points Per Dart (PPD) and Marks Per Round (MPR) are
the official means of classifying and ranking players.

● PPD: Points Per Dart is used for all ’01 games, (301,
501, etc.). To obtain a PPD, divide the total points by
the number of actual darts thrown. Example: Player
#1 wins the game with his 12th dart. He has achieved
a total of 301 points. His PPD is 25.08 (301 / 12 = 25.08).
The winner of the game will use the total points of
the game, (301, 501, etc.) all other players will use the
actual points scored as reported by the machine.

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● MPR: Marks Per Round is used for all Cricket games.
To obtain a MPR, divide the total number of marks
scored by the actual number of darts thrown then
multiply by three (3). Example: Player #1 wins the
game with her 46th dart. She has achieved a total
of 59 marks. Her MPR is 3.85 (59 / 46 x 3 = 3.85).
Handicap rounds do not count for the players
without darts in that round. When two (2) players are
partners on the same number, they record their
results individually.

A player must compete in a minimum of 24 league

games in at least eight (8) separate league nights in
at least eight (8) separate weeks during a league season
that meets the following criteria to establish a
Skill Rating:
● 01 (301, 501, 701, etc.): Any ’01 league game played
open in/open out with a 50 point bull’s-eye (full bull)
on a 15.5 inch target.
● Cricket: Standard scoring Cricket games with a split
(25/50) bull’s-eye on a 15.5 inch target.

PLAYER ACHIEVEMENTS

The NDA recognizes the following player achievements:

•
01’ Feats

● 6 through 12 Dart Outs (Abbreviated 6DO, 7DO, etc.)

A perfect game for 301 is accomplished with 6 darts. A
perfect game for 501 is accomplished with 9 darts. A 7
or 10 Dart Out occurs when you win the game while
throwing only 7 or 10 darts. The same is true for 8, 11
and 12 Dart Outs.
● 4th Round Out (Abbreviated 4RO)
Winning the game on either your 10th, 11th or 12th dart.
● Low Ton (Abbreviated LT)
A score of 100 to 150 points in one turn. (A Hat Trick
is not counted as a Low Ton.)
● High Ton (Abbreviated HT)
A score of 151 to 180 points in one turn.

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● Ton Over
Same as High Ton.
● Hat Trick (Abbreviated HAT)
All three darts registering in either the inner or outer
portion of the bull’s-eye on one turn.
● High Out
The highest out score in any ’01 game.
● Assist (Abbreviated A)
When a player receives credit for his/her partner
winning the game.
● Win (Abbreviated W)
What a player receives when he/she throws the
winning dart.
● 5th Round Out (Abbreviated 5RO)
Winning the game on either the 13th, 14th or 15th
dart.

Cricket

● 8 Dart Out and 9 Dart Out (Abbreviated 8DO and 9DO)

8 Dart Out is a perfect game when there is a double
bull’s-eye. 9 Dart Out is a perfect game if there is not a
double bull’s-eye.
● White Horse (Abbreviated WH)
3 darts registering 3 different Cricket triples in 1 turn
that have not previously been marked or scored upon
by your team. (While there are 9 marks in a White
Horse it is not scored as a 9 Mark. See: 9 Mark)
● 9 Mark (Abbreviated 9M)
Registering 3 Cricket triples in one turn. This could be
three different triples that have previously been scored
upon by your team, 2 triples that are the same and a
different triple or the same 3 triples.
● 8 Mark (Abbreviated 8M)
Registering 2 triples and 1 double (could be a double
bull’s-eye) in one turn.
● 7 Mark (Abbreviated 7M)
Registering 2 triples and 1 single. 1 triple and 2 doubles
(could be two double bull’s-eye) in one turn.

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● 6 Mark (Abbreviated 6M)
Registering 2 triples, 1 triple and 1 double (could be a
double bull’s-eye) and 1 single, or 3 doubles in one
turn.
● 5 Mark (Abbreviated 5M)
Registering 1 triple and 1 double (could be a double
bull’s-eye), 1 triple and 2 singles, or 2 doubles (could
be two double bull’s-eye) and 1 single in one turn.
● 4 Mark (Abbreviated 4M)
Registering 1 triple and 1 single, 2 doubles (could be
two double bull’s-eye), or 1 double (could be a double
bull’s-eye) and 2 singles in one turn.
● Crick Hat (Abbreviated CHT)
All three darts registering in either the inner or outer
circle of the bull’s-eye in one turn. A Hat Trick in
Cricket will register anywhere from 3 marks up to 6
marks depending on whether they land in the
bull’s-eye inner or outer circle.
● Assist, Win - See ’01 Feats.

Specialty Achievements

● Perfect Attendance
Player participates/plays on every night of his/her
scheduled league play.
● Captain
Player who is Captain of their respective team.
● League Champion
Player/team champion at the conclusion of the league
season.
● Very Improved
Given to a player whose performance has improved
greatly during the league season.
● Top Gun
Player who is the top shooter.
● 5-Year Member
Player who has been sanctioned for 5 consecutive years.
● 10-Year Member
Player who has been sanctioned for 10 consecutive
years.

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 ● 1st-Year Member
Player who is sanctioned as a first-year member.
● Good Sportsmanship
Given to a player who is not the best player, but exhibits
a good attitude.
● Three In A Bed
All three darts registering in the same triple in
one turn.
● Top Hat
Player who has registered the most Hat Tricks.
● Ton 80
Player registers 3 triple 20s in one turn.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Here are some common terms or phrases that you will be

hearing as a sanctioned player for the NDA:
Actual Darts Thrown: Counting the actual darts that are used,
not passed, in a match. Only approved means of tracking feats
for the NDA’s Team Dart Tournament.
Blocked: A player is BLOCKED when his or her partner’s score is
higher than the combined score of their opponents. The player
may still throw to get his or her points lower but cannot go out
without losing the game because of his or her partner’s high
score. The following will result in a loss: When a player reaches
0 but his or her partner’s score is not equal to or lower than
their opponents combined score. Remember you can go out on
a tie. (See: FROZEN)
Classified League: Any league that consists of teams with simi-
lar or closely matched team averages.
Closed: When a team has scored 3 Marks on the same number
or Bull’s Eye in Cricket.
Feats: Various darting accomplishments. (See: 101 & Cricket
Feats)
Freeze Rule: Relates to ’01 games. (See: Frozen or Blocked)
Frozen: A player is FROZEN when his or her partner’s score is
higher than the combined score of their opponents. The player
may still throw to get his or her points lower but cannot go out
without losing the game because of his or her partner’s high
score. The following will result in a loss: When a player reaches
0 but his or her partner’s score is not equal to or lower than
their opponents combined score. Remember you can go out on
a tie. (See: BLOCKED)
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Games: The individual components of a dart match.
Geographic League: Any league that consists of teams from the
same area or location of town.
Ladies: Teams consisting of only females.
League: All teams that compete directly against each other in
a season.
League Division: Teams in a specified combination or skill level.
League System: All of the leagues run by one operator, not just
NDA or Team Dart leagues.
MPR: Marks Per Round - The system for averaging the “marks”
that a player throws each turn in a game of Cricket. The higher
the MPR, the better the player. The total number of marks
scored divided by the actual number of darts thrown, then
multiplied by three.
Mark: Any throw that registers on a number either to help close
the number or score points. The Single segment portion of the
Cricket number scores 1 mark. The Doubles segment scores
2 marks while the Triple segment scores 3 marks. The outer
portion of the bull’s-eye scores 1 mark and the inner section
scores 2 marks.
Match: The sum total of games played per league night.
Mixed: Teams made up of a set number of males and females,
depending on league type (e.g., Mixed Doubles is one female
and one male, but Mixed Triples could be two females and one
male or two males and one female)
Open: Teams made up of any combination of males and/or
females.
PPD: Points Per Dart - The system for averaging the points that
a player throws each dart in an ‘01 game. The higher the PPD
the better the player. The total points divdied by the number of
actual darts thrown.
Passed Darts: Darts not thrown during a round or game for one
reason or another.
Round: This is defined as a player/team’s turn during a game.
Each player has the option of throwing 0, 1, 2 or 3 darts each
round.
Spot Darts: A way of handicapping players, teams and leagues.
The better the player the fewer darts he/she would be
permitted to throw at the beginning of the game.
Spot Round(s): The first or opening rounds of a spot
handicapped game.
Turn: A player is entitled to a maximum of 3 darts per turn. A
player may opt to throw 0, 1, 2 or 3 darts.
Unclosed: When a team has 2 or less Marks on a number or
bull’s-eye.
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NOTES

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NATIONAL DART ASSOCIATION
800.808.9884 Toll Free
317.387.1299 Office
317.387.0999 Fax
www.NDAdarts.com