Fifty-One/Fifty-Seven:

This is an excellent practice game to really sharpen your accuracy on triples. It can be played by any number of players or teams.

The Object: The object is to reach a pre-determined score first.

The Scoring: What number you are going to play needs to be determined, either 51 or 57, and should be written at the top of the scoreboard. For the example in this game, we'll use 51. What score you're going to play to should also be written at the top of the board. I like to play to 300, however, 500 or 1000 also works well if you're looking for a longer game. You may also handicap players by requiring weaker shooters to score 300 while stronger ones 500 or 1000.

Players names are written across the top of the board in playing order. Playing order is determined by a throw of one dart by each player/team at the bullseye. Closest to the bullseye goes first.

The Play: The board is scored in the standard way. The thin outer "doubles" ring counts as two times the number hit, the thin inner "triples" ring counts as three times and the remaining wedges count as the number hit.

Generally, you begin by trying to throw the triple-17. If you hit the triple-17, you have already scored 51 and you turn is complete. You DO NOT have to throw all three darts.

If the triple-17 is missed, you must now hit any combination of numbers on the board with one or two of your remaining darts and end up with a total of exactly 51.

If you scored a total of exactly 51, add to your side of the board (keep a running total). If you scored a total of less than or more than 51, you did not score for that round. Play continues on to the next player and alternates until one player/team has scored 300 or above (or whatever goal was decided upon in the beginning).

You can play this game using any number that is scorable with a one-dart-triple: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57 or 60. The most common games are for 51 or 57.

The Strategy: This game has no strategy, it is a game of accuracy.