Big 6

Be the last player remaining with lives. In Big 6, each player sets a target on the dartboard that the next player must hit. Fail to hit the target and you lose a life. When all your lives are gone, you are eliminated. The last player standing wins.

Big 6 requires 2 or more players and a standard dartboard. Each player begins with 3 lives. Record each player's name and their starting lives on the scoreboard.

To determine throwing order, each player throws one dart at the bullseye. The player whose dart lands closest to the inner bull throws first, with the remaining players ordered by proximity. Once the order is established, play proceeds in that fixed rotation throughout the game.

The first player opens the game by throwing one dart at any segment on the board. The segment that dart lands in becomes the target for the next player. The target-setter may choose any valid segment — a single, a double, a treble, or the bullseye — making target selection a key strategic decision.

The next player in rotation then throws up to three darts, attempting to hit the target set by the previous player. Two outcomes are possible:

• Target hit: If the player lands at least one of their three darts in the required target segment, they survive with no penalty. That player then throws one dart to set a new target for the following player.
• Target missed: If all three darts fail to hit the target, the player loses one life. That player must still set a new target for the next player by throwing one dart.

Play continues in rotation. When a player loses their last life (reaching 0 lives), they are eliminated from the game. The rotation skips eliminated players.

Important: The target must be matched exactly. For example, if the target is set as double 20, only a dart landing in the double 20 segment satisfies the requirement — a single 20 or treble 20 does not count. Similarly, if the target is the inner bullseye, hitting the outer bullseye does not satisfy the target.

Big 6 does not use cumulative point scoring. The only value tracked on the scoreboard is each player's remaining lives. Each player starts with 3 lives, and one life is deducted each time the player fails to hit the target set for them.

• Target hit: No change — lives remain the same.
• Target missed (all 3 darts): Lose 1 life (e.g., from 3 lives down to 2).
• 0 lives: Player is eliminated from the game.

For example, if Player A sets treble 19 as the target and Player B throws three darts without hitting treble 19, Player B's lives drop from 3 to 2. Player B then throws one dart to set the next target for Player C.

The game continues until only one player retains at least one life. That player is the winner. All other players are eliminated as their lives reach zero.

In a multi-game session, players may agree to play a series of rounds and track total wins to determine an overall champion.

Adjusted Lives: Increase or decrease the number of starting lives to control game length. Starting with 5 lives extends play for larger groups, while 2 lives creates a faster, higher-pressure format.

Beginner-Friendly (Any-in-the-Number): In this simplified version, hitting any segment of the target number satisfies the requirement — the player does not need to match the exact ring. For example, if the target is double 20, hitting single 20 or treble 20 would also count. This lowers the difficulty considerably for newer players.

Handicap Play: In mixed-skill groups, experienced players must hit the exact segment (e.g., double 18 means only double 18), while beginners may hit any segment bearing that number (e.g., any 18). This levels the playing field without changing the core game.

Restricted Targets (Traditional Big 6): Some versions restrict the available targets to only the six highest-scoring segments on the board: treble 20, treble 19, treble 18, double 20, double 19, and double 18. This variant — from which the name Big 6 may derive — raises the difficulty for all players and focuses play on the premium areas of the board.

Set targets you can hit yourself: Because the rotation cycles back around, the target you set may eventually return to you — either directly or because another player matches your logic. Choose segments you are confident hitting so that you are not undone by your own selection.

Exploit your opponents' weaknesses: Pay attention to where other players struggle. If an opponent consistently misses the left side of the board, setting a target like double 11 or treble 9 can increase the odds they will lose a life.

Favour doubles and trebles for targets: Singles occupy a large area on the board and are relatively easy to hit. Doubles and trebles are narrow segments, making them significantly harder targets. Setting treble 17 rather than single 17 dramatically reduces your opponent's chance of survival.

Stay calm under pressure on your last life: When you are down to 1 life, every turn is an elimination round. Focus on hitting the target with your first dart so that you can use the remaining two as insurance. Do not rush — take each throw deliberately.

Use the bullseye strategically: The inner bullseye is one of the smallest targets on the board. Setting it as the target puts immense pressure on the next player. However, be mindful that it could cycle back to you, so use this option when you are confident in your own accuracy at the centre.