Rules of Dolf

1.01Players provide their own Dolf: maximum 30.5 cm length, maximum 50 grams weight. Each dart has needle point fixed to barrel with flighted stem attached at rear.

1.02All Dolf thrown deliberately, one at a time, by hand.

1.03Throw consists of maximum three Dolf.

1.04If player touches any dart in dartboard during throw, that throw is deemed complete.

1.05Any dart bouncing off or falling out shall not be rethrown.

1.06Any dart falling before throw completion, if retrieved, shall not count.

2.01Each tournament/Leg played with straight start: player needs only land dart in dartboard inside outer Doubles wire to begin scoring.

2.02Tournament winner is player with lowest total aggregate score of all rounds.

3.01Dart scores only if point remains in or touches dartboard face within outer double wire until throw completion and score called/recorded.

3.02Bull counts as zero points; player receives two additional eligible Dolf. Player receives dart back plus one additional throw. No limit to frequency. If eligible dart exists but no dart available, player may remove one Dolf from board for reuse; removed dart scores as if remaining.

3.03Outer centre ring 'the 25' counts zero points; player receives that dart back as eligible dart. No limit to frequency.

3.04Score counted from segment wire side where dart point enters/touches dartboard.

3.05Caller announces score; Marker records after each dart.

3.06All Dolf retrieved by thrower once all eligible Dolf called and marked.

3.07Protest about score after Dolf retrieval shall not be upheld.

3.08Arithmetic errors stand as written unless corrected before next player throw.

3.09Current hole and aggregate score by each player shown on scoreboard, clearly visible at eye level, in front of players and Referee.

3.10Referee acts as umpire on Playing Rules matters; consults with Scorers/Officials before announcing decisions.

3.11Dart in triple for current hole: awarded -2 points.

3.12Dart in double for current hole: awarded -1 points.

3.13Dart in single score area for current hole: awarded 0 points. Each additional dart in single area: -1 point.

3.14Once player awarded 0 or less points for hole, cannot receive >0 points for that hole on subsequent throws.

3.15Scoring restarts for each hole.

3.16Dart in ineligible area, player not yet awarded zero/less points: awarded one point.

3.17No minimum or maximum score for given hole.

4.01During tiebreak, previous scoring rules do not apply.

4.02If multiple players tie at final round end, tiebreak round played with all such players. Each player attempts "Hooves": Bull, 'the 25', triple 20.

4.03Non-Hoof dart: player's turn continues; attempt same hoof again.

4.04Dart landing in Hoof out of consecutive order: player's turn ends.

4.05Player with most consecutive Hooves wins tiebreak.

4.06Multiple players tied for most Hooves: tiebreak restarts with those players. Process continues until one player has most Hooves.

5.01All WDFF tournament dartboards shall:
(a) be 'bristle' type
(b) be '1–20' clock pattern
(c) have inner centre ring, 'Bull'
(d) have outer centre ring 'the 25'
(e) have inner narrow band 'Triple ring'
(f) have outer narrow band 'Double ring'
(g) have wires forming segments, Double, Triple, Bull, outer centre rings ('Spider') affixed flat to dartboard face
(h) have dimensions:
  'Double' and 'Triple' rings inside width = 8.0 mm
  'Bull' inside diameter = 12.7 mm
  'the 25' ring inside diameter = 31.8 mm
  Outside edge 'Double' ring to centre = 170.0 mm
  Outside edge 'Triple' ring to centre = 107.0 mm
  Overall dartboard diameter (±3.0 mm) = 453.0 mm
  'Spider' wire gauge: 18 SWG minimum to 16 SWG maximum

5.02Dartboard fixed so '20' segment (darker of two colours) at top centre.

5.03Dartboard fixed so vertical height from floor at Oche level to horizontal line through Bull centre = 1.73 metres.

5.04Player/team Official may request dartboard change/move before or during tournament, provided opposing player(s) concurs.

5.05Change/move only made before tournament or between Holes by WDFF appointed Official.

6.01Each floor dartboard adequately lit by suitably positioned light of 100 Watts minimum.

6.02Staged finals dartboards adequately lit by at least two suitably positioned lights of 100 Watts minimum each.

6.03All fittings fitted with screens diverting light away from player's eyes at Oche.

6.04Staged finals: general illumination may be augmented by flood/spot lights, care taken to prevent dartboard shadows.

7.01Raised Oche, 38 mm high and 610 mm long, placed at minimum throwing distance. Measures from back of Oche 2.37 metres horizontally to plumb line at dartboard face.

7.02Diagonal distance from Bull centre to Oche back at floor level = 2.93 metres.

7.03During tournament play: no player shall tread on raised Oche; player must deliver dart with feet behind raised Oche.

7.04Player throwing from Oche side shall keep feet behind imaginary straight line extending from Oche.

7.05Breach of clauses 7.03 or 7.04: player first warned by Referee in presence of players.

7.06Dart subsequently delivered in breach: not scored, declared invalid by Referee.

7.07Player may request Oche dimensions be checked/adjusted before or during tournament, provided opposing player(s) concurs.

7.08Check/adjustment made only before tournament or between Holes by WDFF appointed Official.

7.09All Member Dart Bodies authorised to amend dartboard height and oche length for disabled person special events.

8.01Each WDFF Tournament has set of Playing Rules. Adopted by WDFF or regional council made up of regional Member Dolf Bodies.

8.02Playing Rules provide for events to be played in tournament.

8.03Events may include: Singles – mens, womens, or mixed; Youth – singles limited to persons under specific age.

9.01WDFF Playing Rules interpretation determined by WDFF appointed Organisers; decision final and binding. Information forwarded to WDFF Executive.

9.02Matters not expressly covered determined by WDFF Executive; decision final and binding.

9.03WDFF/appointed Organisers reserve right to cancel/change all dates, venues, scheduled events without prior notice.

9.04All tournament players play within WDFF Playing Rules, tournament Playing Rules, and any supplementary Rules in tournament Programme.

9.05All players play under supervision/direction of WDFF appointed Organisers and Officials.

9.06Player failing to comply with WDFF Playing Rules liable to tournament disqualification.

9.07Trophies awarded to player may be retained, except perpetual types returned to WDFF on request.

9.08Player not present at official presentation ceremony without Organiser permission forfeits right to receive awards.

9.09Player failing to complete all scheduled tournaments, unless excused for illness/injury/sufficient reason, forfeits right to awards.

9.10Player liable for expenses incurred due to their default.

10.01Organisers prepare official entry forms sent to eligible WDFF Member Dolf Bodies, listing players in each event.

10.02WDFF Member Dolf Body/appointed Organisers reserve right to refuse/cancel any entrant at any stage prior to/during/after Dolf event within their jurisdiction; decision final and binding.

10.03WDFF/appointed Organisers reserve right to refuse/cancel any entrant at any stage prior to/during/after Dolf event within their jurisdiction; decision final and binding.

10.04Organisers reserve right to exclude Member Dolf Body if player list not received by advised deadline (not more than 45 days before tournament start).

10.05No substitutes allowed. Unable player forfeits current tournament.

10.06No player entered more than once in any event.

10.07No player plays for more than one country in tournament.

11.01All tournament players registered for each event at scheduled time.

11.02Player failing registration by notified time eliminated from that event.

11.03Player not in attendance when called shall forfeit tournament.

11.04Only 5 minutes allowed from public address call for player to reach Control Desk or assigned board.

12.01Only one draw for opponents conducted prior to tournament.

12.02Draw Charts displayed at Control Desk, tournament programme, and convenient venue place.

12.03Draw Chart times for event beginning are guidance only; Organisers reserve right to start earlier/later.

13.01Member Dolf Bodies designate 'Order of Throw' to start game. Names chosen randomly or at WDFF discretion. Order remains until first half tournament completion, then players throw in descending order of aggregate tournament scores.

13.02Final round order same as tiebreak order.

14.01Score card made at Control Desk with event name, play round, player names. If order determined at Control Desk, entered on card. Picked up by player, presented to Referee of assigned board.

14.02Referees ensure order of play strictly adhered during tournament.

14.03On tournament conclusion, Referee ensures all required information entered on score card, attests by signature. Winning player returns card immediately to Control Desk.

14.04Tournament results entered on Draw Charts by Control Desk Officials.

14.05All player scores recorded on score cards for average/best result computation.

14.06Tournament records including all results and player averages/best results made available by Organisers to all WDFF Member Dolf Bodies.

15.01Each player entitled to 6 practice darts at assigned board prior to tournament. No other practice darts during tournament without Referee permission.

15.02No practice on unassigned boards after tournament starts.

15.03Practice dartboards provided for exclusive tournament player use.

16.01All players play under Organisers and Officials supervision/direction.

16.02Only Referee, Caller, Marker(s), Scorer(s), electronic indicator operators, and assigned players allowed in playing area.

16.03Only Callers, Markers, electronic indicator operators allowed in front of player when playing.

16.04Officials in front of player restrict movements to minimum during throws; no smoking/drinking during tournament.

16.05Opponent(s) stand at least 60 cms. rear of player at Oche.

16.06Stage finals: players under stage Officials supervision; between throws positioned for unrestricted view for players, Officials, spectators, television cameras (if applicable).

16.07Player at Oche entitled to consult Referee on amount scored anytime during throw.

16.08Enquiries on recorded scores/subtractions not entered after tournament conclusion.

16.09Score protest must be made to Referee before protesting player's next throw. Caller/Marker decision, alleged misconduct, other matter protests made immediately to Referee/Officials. Judgment given before tournament continues. Late protests not honoured.

16.10Equipment damage/loss during throw: player allowed up to 3 minutes to repair/replace.

16.11Urgent player departure: Referee may allow up to 5 minutes leave from playing area.

17.01Tournament players conduct respectfully toward other players, refrain from annoying others, offensive language, offensive gestures, unsportsmanlike conduct (deliberately losing, delaying play, interfering with other throws).

17.02Player breaching clause 17.01 deemed bringing sport into disrepute, disqualified from further tournament participation, forfeits points/awards. Player/team Officials may challenge disqualification/forfeiture by immediate appeal to WDFF Executive; decision final and binding.

17.03WDFF Executive present at tournament: appeal put to board of one official from each participating country; Organisers' decision may be overruled by country Officials majority.

18.01All players representing country in WDFF tournament wear country's approved attire at opening ceremony, during tournament (until elimination), closing/award ceremony.

18.02Players uniformly attired: collared shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts or trousers/new jeans accepted.

18.03No player wears clothing bearing advertising/slogans/logos relating to marketable product without prior Organiser permission.

18.04No headgear worn without prior Organiser permission.

19.01Organisers reserve advertising materials rights relating to tournament promotion/organisation.

19.02Organisers reserve right protecting sponsor interests regarding player/sponsor advertising materials/slogans/logos.

19.03Tournament players/spectators not allowed wearing clothing bearing advertising/slogans/logos relating to marketable product without prior Organiser permission.

19.04Tournament players not allowed using playing equipment bearing advertising/slogans/logos relating to marketable product without prior Organiser permission.

19.05Before televised tournament, Organisers empowered requesting player withdraw/remove advertising/slogans/logos. Player refusing forfeits tournament.

20.01All players/Officials refrain from smoking/consuming alcoholic beverages while participating in tournament play and during introductions, interviews, presentations.

20.02Player breaching clause 20.01 liable to tournament forfeiture during offence occurrence, reported to appropriate Dolf body for disciplinary proceedings consideration.

21.01Playing for Member Dolf Body in official WDFF tournament requires person residence for minimum 3 years immediately prior to tournament in represented country.

21.02Two or more Member Dolf Bodies in one national entity: requirement interpreted as national entity residence.

21.03These minimum requirements; Member Dolf Body may impose additional eligibility requirements.

21.04Eligible person moving from country remains eligible for that Member Dolf Body until meeting another Member Dolf Body eligibility requirements.

21.06Person playing for Member Dolf Body in official WDFF tournament cannot play for another Member Dolf Body earlier than third calendar year after last former Member Dolf Body play year.

21.07Eligibility dispute: context put to WDFF Executive for ruling; final and binding. Applies to all WDFF jurisdiction dolf events.

21.08No player, official, or Agent participating in 'World', 'International', or National titled event outside WDFF jurisdiction/recognition eligible for WDFF Dolf events/ranked events.

21.09No player, official, or agent involved with 'World' or 'International' titled Dolf body outside WDFF jurisdiction/recognition eligible for WDFF Dolf events/ranked events.

21.10Right of Appeal by affected person/agent via written appeal submission, accompanied by relevant documentation, to WDFF Disciplinary Committee covering person's/agent's country residence.

21.11Player, official, or agent wishing entry/re-entry to Member Dolf Body after participating in clause 21.08 event or clause 21.09 dealings may apply via written application.

21.12Entry/re-entry written application submitted through Member Dolf Body representing application person's/agent's country residence. Forwarded with relevant documentation to WDFF Regional Disciplinary Committee covering that Member Dolf Body jurisdiction.

21.13WDFF Regional Disciplinary Committee decision final, subject to person's/agent's Appeal Right. Appeal submitted in writing to WDFF Executive with accompanying information/documentation not previously considered by Regional Disciplinary Committee.

22.01World Dolf Federation reserves right excluding any player, official, or Member Dolf Body from any/all WDFF official tournaments if found in breach of WDFF Playing Rules, tournament Playing Rules, WDFF Constitution, or WDFF Bye-Laws.

22.02Player, Official, or Member Dolf Body exclusion from WDFF official tournaments results only from disciplinary proceedings per WDFF rules/regulations in force.

22.03World Dolf Federation reserves right 'debt-suspending' any player, official, or Member Dolf Body from any/all WDFF official tournaments until outstanding debts cleared.

23.01World Dolf Federation reserves right amending, adding, deleting any WDFF Playing Rules anytime as deemed necessary by WDFF Executive.

24.01WDFF Playing Rules entire contents copyright World Dolf Federation; cannot be reprinted, copied, duplicated, reproduced wholly/partly without written copyright owner consent.