Setup
Players
- 2-4 players
- Ages 12 and up if playing with sharp-ended darts, although most versions are child-safe nowadays with plastic tips
Materials
- Lawn darts set with weighted darts and target rings
- Optional: notepad for scorekeeping
Scoring
While house rules may vary, these are the most typical scores used in a game of Lawn Darts:
- Each team alternates throwing their two darts towards the circle target, aiming to reach 21 points
- Some variations call for exactly 21 points
- Another often-applied rule is that a team must lead by two or more points to win
- A dart in the circle = 3 points
- 2 x darts in the circle = 6 points
- Cancellation rules apply: if both teams land the dart on their circle, nobody gains points that round
Additional Setup Notes
- Set up a game of lawn darts in an open outdoor area with both rings in a row approximately 35 feet away from each other
- You can also refer to these Lawn Darts rules (although house rules vary, see below!)
- Don’t forget sunscreen!
Objective
The objective of Lawn Darts is to aim and throw weighted darts towards a horizontal ring target on the ground to score points.
Gameplay
Lawn Darts, also sometimes referred to as “Jarts”, requires a set of weighted darts and target rings. The gameplay involves two teams taking turns throwing their two darts towards a circle target positioned 35 feet apart. The objective is to accumulate 21 points, with some variations specifying an exact score of 21. In many house rules, a team must lead by two or more points to secure victory, but not always – you choose!
Scoring is pivotal in Lawn Darts:
- A dart landing in the circle earns the team 3 points.
- If both darts from a team find their mark in the circle, they score 6 points.
- Cancellation rules come into play; if both teams manage to land a dart in their respective circles, no points are gained for that round.
Players can opt for optional scorekeeping with a notepad. The strategic throws and cancellation rules add a special flair to the game, requiring a stellar aim to not only get to desired points, but also to cancel out the competition’s points as they are nearing the victory threshold.
Endgame
A game of Lawn Darts comes to an end once a player or team reaches 21 points or more.
Lawn Darts Variations and Alternate Rules
In the variation titled Handly Cup Scoring, players are also awarded points if they get their dart closer to the circle target as long as nobody lands their dart inside the target. Otherwise, the same scoring rules apply.
Lawn Darts Tips & Strategy
Lob your dart upwards to achieve an arc that lands your dart into the desired circle target. Depending on the rules you play by, you may need to be strategic about where you aim; for example, if you’re using the “exactly 21 points to win” rule along with Handly Cup Scoring, you’ll have to strategize to land the desired points while canceling your opponents’ points out.
FAQs
Can you play Lawn Darts indoors?
Plastic versions are safe to play indoors provided that there aren’t any fragile items the darts could land on and break!
What do you need to play Lawn Darts?
You need two circular targets and two sets of weighted darts.
What is the Handly Cup Scoring in Lawn Darts?
This alternate rule means players score points when neither gets a dart in the circle, but the one closest to theirs is awarded one point for that round.
