Chase the Dragon

Be the first player to hit every target in a fixed sequence of thirteen increasingly difficult shots: the treble of each number from 10 through 20 (in ascending order), followed by the outer bull (25) and finally the inner bullseye (50). Chase the Dragon is a pure race — there is no point tally, no subtraction, and no margin of victory. You simply must complete the sequence before your opponents do.

Chase the Dragon requires a standard bristle dartboard, a set of three darts per player, and two or more players. The full target sequence, which should be written on the scoreboard for reference, is:

• Treble 10
• Treble 11
• Treble 12
• Treble 13
• Treble 14
• Treble 15
• Treble 16
• Treble 17
• Treble 18
• Treble 19
• Treble 20
• Outer bull (25 ring)
• Inner bullseye (50)

To determine throwing order, each player throws a single dart at the bullseye; the closest dart throws first. Mark each player's name on the scoreboard alongside the thirteen targets so progress can be tracked at a glance.

Players take turns throwing three darts per visit. On each turn, a player aims at their current target in the sequence — and only the current target counts. A dart that lands in any other segment of the board, including the correct number but in the wrong bed (e.g., single 10 or double 10 when treble 10 is required), is a miss and scores nothing.

Advancing through the sequence: If a player hits their current target before all three darts have been thrown, they immediately advance to the next target in the sequence and may use their remaining darts to attempt it. In this way, a player could theoretically clear up to three targets in a single visit.

For example, suppose a player's current target is treble 12. Their first dart lands in single 12 — a miss, because only the treble segment counts. Their second dart lands in treble 12 — the target is marked off, and the player advances to treble 13. They now throw their third dart at treble 13. If it lands in the treble 13 segment, that target is also cleared and they will begin their next visit on treble 14.

Bull sequence: After hitting treble 20, the player must hit the outer bull (the 25 ring). Only after the outer bull has been struck does the player advance to the inner bullseye (50), which is the final and most difficult target in the sequence.

There are no bust rules, no penalty for missing, and no points to record. A miss simply wastes a dart. Players may not skip ahead in the sequence under any circumstances — every target must be hit in the prescribed order.

Chase the Dragon does not use a point-based scoring system. It is a pure completion race. The scoreboard is used solely to track each player's current position in the thirteen-target sequence.

After each visit, mark off any targets the player successfully hit. For clarity, a check mark or cross next to each completed target is recommended. A player who has, for instance, marks through T10, T11, T12, and T13 is currently working on treble 14 and has completed four of the thirteen required targets.

The first player to hit all thirteen targets in sequence — treble 10 through treble 20, then outer bull, then inner bullseye — wins the game immediately. There is no requirement to finish on a particular dart within the visit; the game ends the instant the final target (inner bullseye) is struck, even if the player has darts remaining in hand.

Because Chase the Dragon is a race rather than a points game, ties are not possible unless two players are on the same target and the game is being played with simultaneous throws (which is non-standard). In casual or league play, multiple legs may be played and the match awarded to the player who wins the majority of legs (e.g., best of 3 or best of 5).

Full Dragon (Easy / Extended Sequence): Instead of beginning at treble 10, the sequence starts at treble 1 and proceeds through treble 20, then outer bull and inner bullseye — a total of 22 targets. This version is considerably longer but allows newer players to warm up on lower-numbered trebles before reaching the more competitive segments.

Short Dragon (Hard / Abbreviated Sequence): The sequence begins at treble 15 rather than treble 10, reducing the target count to eight (T15–T20, outer bull, inner bullseye). This is a faster-paced variant suited to experienced players or time-limited sessions, and it concentrates play on the most commonly practised treble segments.

Double Dragon: The same sequential concept, but players must hit the double of each number rather than the treble. The outer bull and inner bullseye requirements remain the same. This variant shifts the difficulty profile, as doubles occupy the outermost narrow ring of the board.

Chase the Dragon itself can be considered a sequential-target variant within the broader family of round-the-board or clock-style dart games, sharing its DNA with games such as Round the Clock (also known as Around the World), but distinguished by requiring treble beds rather than any hit on each number.

Practise the neglected trebles (10–14): Most players spend their practice time on trebles 19 and 20. In Chase the Dragon, the lower numbers matter just as much. Spend dedicated sessions throwing at trebles 10 through 14 so their positions on the board feel natural, not foreign.

Use each visit efficiently: If you hit your current target with your first or second dart, immediately shift your aim to the next target in the sequence. A single visit in which you clear two or three targets can be the difference between winning and losing. Stay mentally prepared for the next number before you even step to the oche.

Plan your bull approach early: The final two targets — outer bull and inner bullseye — are the smallest segments on the board and represent the steepest difficulty spike in the game. As you work through trebles 18, 19, and 20, begin mentally transitioning to a centre-board aim. Some players find it helpful to slightly adjust their stance or grip for bull shots.

Control your pace under pressure: Because Chase the Dragon is a race, it is tempting to rush when an opponent is close to finishing. Resist this impulse. A calm, consistent throwing rhythm is far more effective than hurried darts that scatter around the target. One clean hit per visit is better than three panicked misses.

Track your opponent's position: Unlike point-scoring games, you can see exactly how close your opponent is to winning. If they are ahead, you may need to take slightly more aggressive aim to clear multiple targets in a visit. If you are ahead, prioritise accuracy and let steady progress protect your lead.