Bullseye Baseball

Bullseye Baseball is a simulation-style dart game modeled on baseball's nine-inning format. The objective is to score more runs than your opponent over the course of nine innings. What distinguishes this game from standard Baseball Darts is a critical requirement: in each inning, at least one of your three darts must hit the bullseye before any runs count. Without that bullseye, your entire inning scores zero — no matter how well you hit the inning's target number.

The player (or team) with the highest cumulative run total at the end of nine innings wins the game.

Bullseye Baseball requires 2 or more players (or teams), a standard bristle dartboard, and a set of three darts per player. Prepare a scoreboard with a column for each player and rows numbered 1 through 9, representing the nine innings, plus a total row at the bottom.

To determine throwing order, each player throws one dart at the bullseye. The player whose dart lands closest to the inner bull throws first; the next closest throws second, and so on. In the event of a tie, the tied players re-throw until the order is resolved.

All standard dartboard segments are in play only insofar as they relate to the current inning number and the bullseye. No other segments contribute to scoring.

The game proceeds through nine innings, numbered 1 through 9. In each inning, every player takes one turn consisting of three darts. The target for each inning corresponds to the inning number — inning 1 targets the 1 segment, inning 2 targets the 2 segment, and so on through inning 9 targeting the 9 segment.

The Bullseye Requirement: At least one of a player's three darts in an inning must hit the bullseye (outer bull or inner bull) for any runs to count that inning. If none of the three darts lands in the bullseye, the player's score for that inning is 0 runs, regardless of how many darts struck the inning's target number. The bullseye dart itself does not score runs — it serves solely to unlock scoring for the remaining darts in that inning.

Run scoring on the inning number: Once the bullseye requirement is satisfied, any of the player's remaining darts that land in the current inning's numbered segment score runs as follows:

• Single of the inning number = 1 run
• Double of the inning number = 2 runs
• Triple of the inning number = 3 runs

Only darts hitting the current inning's number count for runs. Darts landing in any other numbered segment score nothing. A dart that hits the bullseye satisfies the unlock requirement but does not itself produce runs (under standard rules).

Example — Inning 5: A player's first dart hits the outer bullseye (scoring is now unlocked). The second dart lands in the triple 5 (3 runs). The third dart lands in the single 5 (1 run). The player records 4 runs for that inning.

Example — Inning 3 (no bull): A player throws single 3, triple 3, and double 3 — potentially 6 runs — but none of the three darts hit the bullseye. The player records 0 runs. All three darts are wasted.

Runs are recorded inning by inning on the scoreboard. The run values for darts that hit the current inning's target number are:

• Single segment: 1 run
• Double segment (outer narrow ring): 2 runs
• Triple segment (inner narrow ring): 3 runs

These runs count only if at least one bullseye was also hit during that same inning. The bullseye dart does not contribute runs — it merely enables scoring.

The maximum possible score in a single inning under standard rules is 6 runs: one dart on the bullseye to unlock scoring, and the remaining two darts each hitting the triple of the inning number (3 + 3 = 6). For example, in inning 7, hitting the outer bull, triple 7, and triple 7 yields 6 runs.

If a player hits two bullseyes and one triple, the maximum for that inning is 3 runs (only one dart remains for the target number). Players must therefore balance the need to hit one — and only one — bullseye against maximizing darts on the inning number's triple.

After all nine innings are complete, each player's runs are totaled. The player with the highest cumulative run total wins the game.

Tiebreaker: If two or more players are tied after nine innings, extra innings are played. In each extra inning, the bullseye itself becomes the sole target — the outer bullseye scores 1 run and the inner bullseye scores 2 runs. Players each throw three darts per extra inning. Extra innings continue until the tie is broken after a complete extra inning (i.e., all tied players must throw before a winner is determined).

Inner Bull Doubling: In this popular variation, if a player's bullseye dart is an inner bullseye (rather than an outer bull), all runs scored that inning are doubled. Under this rule, the maximum inning score becomes 12 runs — one inner bull unlocking the doubling bonus, followed by two triples of the inning number (3 + 3 = 6, doubled to 12). This variation substantially rewards superior bull accuracy.

Scoring Bullseye: Some groups allow the bullseye to count for runs in addition to unlocking scoring. Under this variant, the outer bull adds 1 run and the inner bull adds 2 runs on top of its unlock function. This slightly increases scoring potential and rewards players who hit the bull on their first dart.

Relaxed Bullseye: A simplified version in which any bullseye hit — outer or inner — simply unlocks scoring with no additional bonus. There is no doubling mechanic and no distinction between inner and outer bull. This is the standard version described in the core rules above and is recommended for newer players.

Bullseye Baseball is itself a variant of Baseball Darts, which uses the same nine-inning structure and identical run values but does not require a bullseye to unlock scoring each inning.

Throw at the bullseye first: Always dedicate your first dart to the bullseye. If you miss, throw your second dart at the bull as well. Securing the unlock early maximizes the number of remaining darts you can direct at the inning number's triple. If you save the bullseye attempt for last and miss, you lose everything.

Switch targets immediately after hitting the bull: Once you've landed a bullseye, do not throw additional darts at the bull (under standard rules, extra bulls add nothing). Immediately redirect your aim to the triple of the current inning number to maximize run output.

Prioritize bull practice above all else: The bullseye is required in every single inning. A player who can reliably hit the bull on the first dart effectively plays with three scoring opportunities per inning, while a player who needs two attempts to find the bull only gets one dart at the target number. Dedicate significant practice time to bullseye accuracy — it is the single most important skill in this game.

Know when the game is decided: Track the run differential as innings progress. If you hold a large lead in the later innings, you can afford to play conservatively — simply ensuring you hit the bull and collect at least one run per inning to maintain pressure. Conversely, if you trail late, you must aggressively pursue triples to close the gap.

Use the inner bull doubling rule to your advantage: If playing with the Inner Bull Doubling variation, it may be worth taking a more deliberate aim at the inner bull rather than settling for the outer ring. Landing an inner bull and then two triples yields 12 runs in a single inning — a swing that can overturn almost any deficit.