Nine Lives

Hit every number on the dartboard in sequence — from 1 through 20, then the bullseye — without losing all three of your lives. The goal is to be the first player to complete the entire sequence or, failing that, to be the last player still standing after all opponents have been eliminated.

Nine Lives requires two or more players, a standard bristle dartboard, and a set of three darts per player. Each player begins with 3 lives, represented as tally marks on the scoreboard.

Draw a grid with player names across the top. Below each name, write three tally marks (I I I) to represent that player's lives. You will also need a column or row to track each player's current target number, beginning at 1. Determine throwing order by having each player throw a single dart at the bullseye; the player closest to the bull throws first, and play proceeds clockwise.

Players take turns throwing three darts per visit, attempting to hit their current target number. The sequence begins at 1 and progresses in order through 20, finishing with the bullseye. Numbers must be hit in strict ascending order — a player on target number 7, for example, cannot advance by hitting 8 or any other number out of sequence.

Any segment of the target number counts as a valid hit: the single, double, or treble of that number all satisfy the requirement. For instance, if your target is 14, you may hit single 14, double 14, or treble 14 — each counts equally as hitting 14.

If a player hits the target number with their first or second dart, they immediately advance to the next number in the sequence and may use their remaining dart(s) to attempt that new target. In this way, a skilled player can advance through multiple numbers in a single visit. For example, if your target is 5 and you hit single 5 with your first dart, your target becomes 6 for your second dart; hit that, and your target becomes 7 for your third dart.

Loss-of-life rule: If a player fails to hit the target number with any of their three darts during a visit, that player loses one life. Erase one tally mark from the scoreboard. The player's target number does not change — they must attempt the same number again on their next turn.

Elimination: When a player has lost all 3 lives, that player is eliminated from the game and throws no further darts. Play continues among the remaining players.

For the final target — the bullseye — either the outer bull (25 ring) or the inner bull (50) counts as a valid hit.

Nine Lives does not use a point-based scoring system. Only two pieces of information are tracked for each player:

• Current target number: The next number in the sequence (1–20, then bull) that the player must hit.
• Remaining lives: The number of tally marks still on the scoreboard, starting at 3 and decreasing each time the player misses the target with all three darts in a visit.

When a player hits their target, advance their target number by one. When a player misses with all three darts, erase one life. For example, if Player A is on target 12 and throws single 5, single 20, and single 3, none of those darts hit 12 — Player A loses one life and remains on target 12 for the next turn. Had Player A hit double 12 with the second dart instead, they would advance to target 13 and use the third dart to attempt 13.

The game ends as soon as one of two conditions is met:

• Sequence completion: The first player to successfully hit all numbers 1 through 20 and then the bullseye wins the game outright, regardless of how many lives they have remaining.
• Last player standing: If all other players have been eliminated (having lost all 3 lives), the last remaining player wins — even if they have not yet completed the full sequence.

In the event that two or more players are on the same target number and one completes the sequence, that player wins immediately. No tiebreak is necessary, as players throw in a fixed order and the first to finish claims victory.

Adjusted Lives: The most common modification is to change the number of starting lives to suit the skill level of the group. Beginners may start with 5 or more lives to ensure they stay in the game longer, while advanced players may reduce the count to 1 or 2 lives for a more punishing challenge. Despite the game's name, the default in most pub play is 3 lives.

Short Game (No Bull): Some groups end the sequence at 20 rather than requiring a final bullseye hit. This shortens the game and removes the difficulty spike of the smaller bullseye target at the end.

Reverse Nine Lives: Instead of starting at 1 and counting up, players begin at 20 and work their way down to 1 (and optionally the bullseye). The rules and penalty system remain otherwise identical.

Doubles/Trebles Only: In some advanced variants, certain target numbers — or all target numbers — must be hit in their double or treble segment to count. This dramatically increases difficulty and is suited to experienced players only.

Nine Lives is a direct variant of Around the Clock (also known as Round the Board), adding the lives-based elimination mechanic to what is otherwise a straightforward sequential-targeting game.

Doubles and trebles expand your target area: Remember that the double and treble rings of your target number count as valid hits. When aiming at a number, consider the entire vertical strip of the segment — the single bed, the treble, and the double — as your target zone. This gives you a significantly larger area than aiming at just one bed, especially useful for awkward numbers tucked between larger neighbors.

Be aggressive when you hit early: If you hit the target with your first dart, immediately shift your focus to the next number in the sequence. Advancing through two or three numbers in a single visit creates a substantial lead and puts psychological pressure on opponents. Hesitation wastes darts that could propel you ahead.

Take extra care on lower numbers: The numbers 1 through 5 are physically smaller wedges on the dartboard, making them easier to miss. Many players lose early lives rushing through these targets. Slow down, commit to your aim, and treat these visits as seriously as any other.

Manage your lives strategically: If you are comfortably ahead in the sequence, you can afford a missed visit. If you are down to one life, the consequences of missing are elimination. Adjust your composure accordingly — take a breath, settle your stance, and focus on clean mechanics when the pressure is highest.

Track your opponents' progress: Knowing where other players are in the sequence — and how many lives they have left — helps you gauge your position. If your nearest rival is two numbers behind you and has only one life remaining, you can throw with confidence. Awareness of the scoreboard prevents unnecessary panic and informs whether you need to push aggressively or simply play steady.