Follow the Leader

Be the last player with lives remaining by successfully matching the target segments set by other players. Each round, a leader designates a specific segment on the dartboard that all other players must hit; those who fail lose a life. The leader rotates as players successfully match targets, creating a dynamic, ever-shifting challenge that rewards both accuracy and cunning target selection.

Follow the Leader can be played by any number of players, though the game is most enjoyable with 3 or more participants. With only two players the back-and-forth can become repetitive, so larger groups are strongly recommended.

On the left side of the scoreboard, write each player's name alongside 3 tally marks representing their lives. To determine throwing order, each player throws one dart at the bullseye; the player whose dart lands closest to the inner bull throws first. That player becomes the first Leader.

No special equipment beyond a standard dartboard and a set of three darts per player is required.

The game proceeds in rounds, each governed by a target segment that all non-leading players must attempt to match.

Setting the initial target: The first Leader throws one dart with their off-hand (left hand for a right-handed player, right hand for a left-handed player) to establish the opening target. This off-hand requirement applies only to the very first target-setting throw of the game; it ensures the initial target is random and unpredictable. The target is defined as the specific segment where the dart lands — not merely the number wedge but the exact ring (single, double, or triple) and, in the case of the bullseye, whether it is the outer bull or inner bull.

Matching the target: Each subsequent player in order then throws up to 3 darts, attempting to hit that exact segment. The following outcomes apply:

• If a player fails to hit the target segment with any of their 3 darts, that player loses one life. One tally mark is erased from the scoreboard.
• If a player successfully matches the target, they are safe for that round. Any darts remaining in hand after the successful hit may be thrown to set a new target for the players who follow. Only the last dart thrown by that player determines the new target segment. The player may also choose to stop throwing after matching the target, in which case the existing target carries forward to the next player.
• If a player's last dart misses the board entirely, that player loses a life regardless of earlier throws, and the previous target remains in effect.

Leader's privilege: If the Leader sets a target and every other player fails to match it, the Leader may elect to keep the same target for the next round without throwing — effectively forcing opponents to face the same difficult segment again.

Elimination: When a player loses all 3 lives, they are eliminated from the game and take no further turns. Play continues with the remaining players until only one survives.

Follow the Leader uses no point accumulation. The only value tracked on the scoreboard is each player's remaining lives, beginning at 3 and decreasing by 1 each time the player fails to match a target or misses the board with their final dart.

Matching a target requires hitting the exact segment — the specific ring of the specific number. For example, if the target is set as triple 18, only a dart landing in the triple-18 bed satisfies the match; a single 18 or double 18 does not count. Likewise, if the target is the outer bullseye (25), a dart in the inner bullseye (50) does not qualify, and vice versa.

The game continues until all players but one have been eliminated by losing their 3 lives. The last player with at least one life remaining is declared the winner.

In casual play, multiple rounds may be played with the overall winner determined by the most game victories across an agreed number of rounds. No formal tiebreak is required since the elimination format guarantees a single survivor in each game.

Number-Only Matching: In this simplified version, players need only hit the correct number wedge — any ring (single, double, or triple) of that number counts as a successful match. This is considerably easier and well suited to beginner or younger players.

Five Lives: Some groups start each player with 5 lives instead of 3, extending the game and giving less experienced players more room for error. This variant is particularly recommended for large groups where early eliminations can leave players idle for long stretches.

Off-Hand Target Setting Throughout: Rather than limiting the off-hand throw to the very first target, some versions require every target-setting throw to be made with the off-hand, increasing randomness and leveling the playing field between skilled and novice players.

Follow the Leader is conceptually similar to the basketball game HORSE, where one player sets a challenge and others must replicate it or receive a penalty letter. The darts adaptation substitutes segment accuracy for shot selection.

Set punishing targets: When you have the opportunity to set a new target, aim for the most difficult segments on the board — triple beds and the inner bullseye are the hardest to hit. A target of triple 17 or double bull maximizes the chance that your opponents will miss and lose a life.

Prioritize the fat single when matching: When trying to match a target in a number-only variant, or when the target happens to be a single, focus on hitting the largest single area of that number first. Survival is more important than style — land the match early and preserve your remaining darts for strategic target-setting.

Know when to stop throwing: After successfully matching the target, you are not obligated to throw your remaining darts. If the current target is already difficult for your opponents, consider stopping immediately rather than risking an accidental throw that resets the target to an easier segment. Restraint is a legitimate tactic.

Use the Leader's privilege wisely: If you set a target that every opponent missed, strongly consider keeping it in play for the next round. A segment that proved impossible once is likely to drain more lives a second time, accelerating eliminations in your favor.

Watch the life counts: Pay attention to which opponents are on their last life. If you can set a target that specifically exploits a struggling player's weak area on the board, you can hasten their elimination and narrow the field to your advantage.