Aces

Win points by either throwing aces — hitting a bullseye or a double with your very first dart — or by outscoring your opponent's declared target when serving or receiving. The game uses a server/receiver format inspired by tennis, with alternating service and play areas that shift between the left and right sides of the dartboard for each point.

Aces requires a standard dartboard, a set of three darts per player, and two players. One player is designated the server and the other the receiver. Determine who serves first by each player throwing one dart at the bullseye; the closest dart earns the first service.

The dartboard is conceptually divided into two play areas:

• Left side: numbers 5, 12, 9, 14, 11, 8, 16, 7, 19, and their associated doubles and triples (the segments running from 5 through to 19 on the left half of the board).
• Right side: numbers 1, 18, 4, 13, 6, 10, 15, 2, 17, and their associated doubles and triples (the segments running from 1 through to 17 on the right half of the board).

The play area alternates between left and right for each successive point within a service game. The first point of each service game begins on the left side.

Play proceeds in a serve-and-respond structure. For each point, the server throws first. The server's first dart is critical:

• If the server's first dart lands in the inner bullseye, outer bullseye, or any double segment, an ace is declared and the server wins the point immediately — the receiver does not throw.
• If the first dart does not produce an ace, the server must hit a valid number within the current play area (left or right side, as determined by the alternating sequence) with one of their first two darts. If the server fails to land either of the first two darts in the designated play area, the point is awarded to the receiver by default.

If the server successfully lands a dart in the play area (without an ace), the server throws all remaining darts in the visit and tallies a total score. When calculating this total, any bullseye hit counts as 2 points (rather than the standard 25 or 50). The server then declares this total as the target score that the receiver must beat.

The receiver then takes their turn, throwing their darts and tallying their own total under the same scoring conventions (bullseye = 2). If the receiver's total exceeds the server's declared target score, the receiver wins the point. If the receiver's total is lower than the target, the server wins the point.

Tied scores: If the server and receiver finish with identical totals, the point is not yet decided. The server throws again to establish a new target score, and the receiver responds, continuing until the tie is broken.

After each point is resolved, the play area switches from left to right (or right to left) for the next point.

Points in Aces are won individually, one at a time, in a manner analogous to tennis scoring. The key scoring conventions are:

• Ace (instant point): The server's first dart lands in any double segment (outer narrow ring), the outer bullseye, or the inner bullseye. The server wins the point outright.
• Target score tallying: When no ace is thrown, both players tally their visit totals using face values for singles and triples, but with bullseyes counting as 2 rather than their standard 25/50 values. For example, if the server hits single 14 (14), treble 11 (33), and outer bullseye (2), the declared target is 49.
• Default point: If the server fails to land either of the first two darts in the current play area, the receiver wins the point without throwing.

Service games are structured similarly to tennis, with the server holding serve across multiple points. After a service game concludes, the roles swap — the receiver becomes the server for the next game.

The match is structured in service games modeled on tennis. Players alternate serving, and victory is determined by winning the required number of service games or sets as agreed upon before play begins. Because the full tournament structure (exact number of points per game, games per set, and sets per match) may vary between venues, players should agree on the match format before the first dart is thrown.

A common approach is to follow standard tennis conventions — playing to four points per game (with a two-point lead required at deuce) and a set number of games per set — but the precise format should be confirmed locally.

Aces is itself a distinctive, standalone dart game with a tennis-inspired service mechanic. No widely recognized named variations have been documented. However, players may adjust the match length (number of points per game, games per set, or total sets) to suit the available time and skill level of the participants.

Prioritize the ace on your first dart: As server, your opening dart should target the bullseye or a double in the active play area. An ace wins the point instantly and denies your opponent any chance to respond. Even if your accuracy on doubles is modest, the reward-to-risk ratio makes it worth attempting.

Maximize your target score when serving: If your first dart does not produce an ace, shift focus immediately to high-value trebles within the designated play area. For example, on the left side, treble 19 (57) and treble 16 (48) are premium targets. A high declared target puts enormous pressure on the receiver.

As receiver, aim for trebles relentlessly: You do not need to hit the play area with your first two darts — that restriction applies only to the server. Focus entirely on the highest-scoring segments available to exceed the target. Treble 20 (60), treble 19 (57), and treble 18 (54) are your best friends.

Know both sides of the board: Because the play area alternates left and right every point, you must be comfortable targeting high-value segments on both halves. Practice trebles on 19, 16, and 14 (left side) as diligently as you practice 20, 18, and 17 (right side).

Use the tie-break rule to your advantage as server: If scores are level, you throw again first — meaning you get another chance at an ace. When you sense the receiver will match your target, consider a moderate target that you can consistently set, giving yourself repeated ace opportunities in the re-throw.