Darts in Bali: History, Rules & Where to Play in Ubud

Few games are as simple to start — or as difficult to master — as darts.

You don't need a large playing field or complicated equipment. Give someone three darts, point them toward a dartboard and within minutes you've got a competition.

But behind that simple pub game is a long history, a professional sport played around the world and a surprising amount of strategy.

And if you're looking to play darts in Bali, you don't have to look far. At The Melting Pot Saloon in Ubud, darts is one of the many games you can pick up while enjoying a night out with friends, watching live sport or having a few drinks.

Where to Play Darts in Ubud

You can play darts at The Melting Pot Saloon on Jalan Raya Pengosekan in Ubud. We have two physical dartboards, and casual play costs IDR 15,000 per person. You don’t need to bring your own darts or have previous experience. Come with friends, try a game of 501 or Cricket, or start with a simple closest-to-the-bull competition.

For casual visits, simply walk in. You can also explore our other games and activities while you’re here.

The History of Darts: Where Did Darts Originate?

The exact origin of darts isn't as straightforward as some versions of the story make it sound.

Darts is generally associated with England, and popular accounts often connect its beginnings to soldiers throwing shortened arrows or other objects at targets as a way of practising accuracy. Tree trunks and wooden targets are frequently mentioned in stories about the game's early development.

However, the precise path from those early throwing games to modern darts isn't completely documented. What is much clearer is that darts developed into a popular British pub game before becoming increasingly standardized and organized as a competitive sport. That pub connection is still a major part of darts today.

You don't have to be a professional player to enjoy it. A dartboard, a couple of friends and a little competition are enough — which is one reason the game has travelled so well around the world.

How Did the Modern Dartboard Develop?

The dartboard is what turns throwing a dart at a target into a game of both accuracy and strategy.

A standard dartboard contains numbered sections from 1 to 20, but hitting a number doesn't always give you its face value.

The narrow outer ring is the double.

The narrow inner ring is the treble or triple.

The outer bull scores 25.

And the inner bullseye scores 50.

That means the highest-scoring target on the board isn't actually the bullseye.

It's treble 20, worth 60 points. Hit three treble 20s in one turn and you've scored 180 — the maximum possible score from three darts in standard 501.

The seemingly strange arrangement of numbers around the dartboard also rewards accuracy. High numbers often sit beside much lower ones, meaning a dart that misses its intended target can be punished heavily. Aim for the 20 and drift slightly to one side, for example, and you might score 1 or 5 instead. That's part of what makes darts so easy to understand but so difficult to master.

From Pub Game to International Sport

Darts may still be strongly associated with pubs, but modern competitive darts has grown far beyond a casual game over a few drinks.

Organized competitions, standardized rules and professional tournaments helped turn darts into an international sport, with skilled players capable of producing remarkable consistency under pressure.

The basic challenge, however, remains the same whether you're playing professionally or throwing your first dart in a bar: Hit the target you intended to hit.

That's much easier said than done.

Darts Around the World and in Asia

Although modern darts has particularly strong roots in Britain, the game is now played internationally.

Organized darts extends across Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia, with international competitions bringing together players from different countries and darts organizations around the world.

The game travels particularly well because it doesn't require much space or complicated equipment. That makes darts equally suitable for serious competition and casual social games. And in an international destination like Bali — where locals, expats and travellers regularly meet in bars and entertainment venues — darts fits naturally into a night out.

You don't need to speak the same language.

You just need to agree on who's throwing first.

How Do You Play Darts?

There are many different darts games, but most use the same basic setup. Players stand behind the throwing line — known as the oche — and normally throw three darts during each turn. Where each dart lands determines the score.

On a standard dartboard:

• A regular numbered section scores the number shown.

• The double ring scores twice the number.

• The treble ring scores three times the number.

• The outer bull scores 25.

• The inner bull scores 50.

Official competition boards position the centre of the bull 1.73 metres (5 ft 8 in) above floor level. Once you understand the board, you can play dozens of different games.

Two of the best-known are 501 and Cricket.

How to Play 501 Darts

Each player starts with 501 points and throws up to three darts per turn. Subtract the points you score from your remaining total. For example, scoring 60 on your first turn leaves you with 441.

The aim is to reach exactly zero. In standard double-out 501, your winning dart must land in a double. The inner bullseye, worth 50, also counts as a double.

If you have 40 remaining, hitting double 20 wins the game.

You go bust if you score more than you have remaining, leave yourself with one point, or reach zero without finishing on a double. Your turn ends, and your score returns to what it was at the start of that turn.

For a casual beginner game, you can agree on simpler finishing rules before you start. Just make sure everyone is playing the same version.

How to Play Cricket Darts

Cricket uses the numbers 15 through 20 and the bull. Each player throws up to three darts per turn.

To close a number, you need three marks on it. A single counts as one mark, a double as two and a treble as three. For the bull, the outer bull counts as one mark and the inner bull as two.

Once you’ve closed a target, additional hits score points while your opponent still has it open. When both players have closed that target, neither can score further points on it.

For example, if you’ve closed 20 but your opponent hasn’t, another single 20 adds 20 points to your score.

In standard scoring Cricket, you win by closing every target and having at least as many points as your opponent. If you close everything while trailing on points, you must keep scoring on targets your opponent still has open.

For an easier first game, try no-score Cricket: the first player to close every target wins.

Beginner Darts Tips

If you're completely new to darts, don't worry too much about copying the throwing action of professional players. Start with the basics.

Find a comfortable stance. You shouldn't feel like you're falling toward the board every time you throw.

Keep your movement simple. A repeatable throw is more useful than trying to throw as hard as possible.

Aim before throwing. It sounds obvious, but beginners often focus more on the throwing motion than the actual target.

Don't obsess over the bullseye. In many darts games, other areas of the board are more important.

Focus on consistency before power. Darts is an accuracy game, not a strength competition.

And most importantly:

Keep playing.

Your first few throws might end up everywhere except where you intended. That's normal. It also makes beating your friends considerably more satisfying when you finally start hitting what you're aiming at.

Playing Darts in Bali

Looking for somewhere to play darts in Bali? If you’re staying in Ubud or visiting this part of the island, The Melting Pot Saloon offers a place to enjoy a casual game with friends.

You can make darts your main activity or combine it with pool, shuffleboard and other games during the same visit. For a wider look at what you can play here, explore our games and activities in Ubud.

More Games to Try in Ubud

Alongside darts, The Melting Pot offers a wide range of games and activities, including:

• Full-size pool

• Mini pool

• Axe throwing

• Shuffleboard

• Ping pong

• Foosball

• Air hockey

• Basketball

• Golden Tee

• Arcade games

That makes darts an easy addition to a larger game night rather than something you need to build your entire evening around. If darts isn't going particularly well, there's always another game waiting.

Darts, Drinks and a Night Out in Ubud

Part of the reason darts has remained such a successful pub game is that you don't need to dedicate your entire attention to it. You throw. You talk. Your friend throws. Someone misses double 20 for the fifth time. Everyone laughs. Then you go again.

At The Melting Pot, you can combine a game of darts with Texas-style food, live sport and a large beer selection, including 23 beers on tap, 19 of them craft beers. If craft beer is part of your ideal game night, you can also explore our guide to craft beer in Ubud.

Looking for Things to Do in Ubud?

Ubud is famous for temples, rice terraces, yoga, art and wellness. But sometimes you don't want another sightseeing itinerary.

Sometimes you want to grab a few friends and find something competitive to do.

Darts is simple, inexpensive and doesn't require any previous experience. And because it's one of several games available at The Melting Pot, you can turn a quick game into an entire afternoon or evening.

So whether you've been playing 501 for years or you've never held a dart before, come give it a throw. You might discover you're naturally talented. Or you might discover you're exceptionally good at hitting the 1 when you were aiming for 20. Either way, you'll probably want another turn.

Darts in Bali: Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I play darts in Bali?

You can play darts at The Melting Pot Saloon in Ubud, Bali. Darts is one of several games and activities available at the venue.

Where can I play darts in Ubud?

The Melting Pot Saloon has dartboards at its venue on Jalan Raya Pengosekan in Ubud.

How much does darts cost at The Melting Pot Saloon?

Darts costs IDR 15,000 per person.

Do I need to book to play darts?

No. For casual darts, simply walk in and play. The Melting Pot generally doesn't require reservations for normal visits.

Can beginners play darts?

Absolutely. You don't need previous experience to play. You can start with a simple bullseye competition or learn games such as 501 and Cricket.

What is 501 in darts?

Each player begins with 501 points and subtracts the score from each turn. The objective is to reach exactly zero, with standard competitive games normally requiring the winning dart to land in a double.

What is Cricket in darts?

Cricket is a popular darts game focused on numbers 15 through 20 and the bull. Players attempt to hit each target three times to close it while using scoring strategically against their opponent.

Where did darts originate?

Modern darts is strongly associated with Britain and developed from earlier target-throwing games before becoming established as a pub game and eventually an organized competitive sport. Some traditional accounts connect its origins with soldiers practising their throwing accuracy, although the precise early history isn't completely documented.

How many dartboards does The Melting Pot have?

The Melting Pot currently has two physical dartboards. Darts is part of a larger selection of games and activities available throughout the venue.