Darts has a unique scoring system that can seem confusing at first, especially around sets and legs. Knowing how they work makes matches much easier to follow, whether you are watching a major tournament or a local league night.
This guide explains how many legs make a set, how sets are won, and what happens in a tie. It also covers common formats like best of five and best of three, so you can quickly see how a match is structured.
You will also find who throws first in each leg, how sets sit within wider match formats, and where televised and local rules can differ, including common house variations.
How Many Legs Do You Need To Win A Set In Darts?
A set in darts is made up of a specific number of legs, which are the individual games within that set. In most professional tournaments, a player needs to win three legs to win a set. This is often called a best of five legs format, because the first player to win three legs takes the set.
Some events or local leagues use different formats. For example, a best of three legs format means the first to win two legs secures the set. The exact number may differ between competitions, but these are the most familiar setups.
Standard Set Formats In Professional Darts
Once you know how many legs are needed, it becomes easier to see how events use those rules in practice. Most professional matches follow one of two clear structures.
Best Of Five Legs Per Set
In the best of five legs format, the first player to win three legs wins the set. This setup is widely used at higher levels because it creates short, focused sets where steady scoring and timely finishing make a real difference to momentum.
Best Of Three Legs Per Set
In the best of three legs format, the set goes to the first player to win two legs. You will often see this in qualifiers or shorter sessions. Because the set can be over quickly, every missed chance can turn the balance.
Knowing the set length helps you understand how the pressure builds and where pivotal moments are likely to appear.
What Happens In A Tie Break In A Set?
A tie break in a set occurs if both players reach the same number of legs within that set. For example, in a best of five legs format, a tie break is triggered at 2-2.
To decide the winner, some formats require one player to win by two clear legs. Others only use that rule in the final set of a match. If there is a cap on extra legs and neither player pulls ahead, a final deciding leg, often called a sudden death leg, may be played. Exact procedures vary by event.
The throwing order for a deciding leg is usually set by a bull-off, where both players aim for the bull’s-eye and the closest throw goes first. That link to the start of a leg brings us neatly to the question of who throws first in general play.
Throwing Order And Who Starts Each Leg
Starting a leg can be an advantage because the player who throws first has the initial chance to reach zero. Before a match begins, the right to start is typically decided either by a coin toss or a bull-off. The winner of that process starts the opening leg.
From there, players usually alternate who starts each leg so that both have equal opportunities across a set. In a tie-break situation or a sudden death leg, the right to start is commonly decided by another bull-off to keep things even.
Understanding who starts and when makes the rhythm of a match easier to follow, especially during tight sets.
How Do Sets Fit Into Different Match Formats?
The overall shape of a darts match depends on whether it is played as best of sets or best of legs.
In a best of sets format, players compete to win a set number of sets, with each set made up of several legs. The first player to reach the required number of sets wins the match. This structure adds natural pauses and momentum swings as each set concludes.
In a best of legs format, matches are decided on legs alone, with no sets at all. The winner is simply the first player to win the stated number of legs. This produces a continuous flow without the reset points that sets provide.
Scoring Rules That Affect Set Outcomes
In most formats, players start each leg on 501 points and aim to reach exactly zero before their opponent, finishing on a double. Only completed, winning legs count towards the set.
The standard double-out rule means the final dart must land in a double segment or the bull’s-eye. If a player scores more points than they have left, the turn does not count, and their score returns to what it was at the start of that visit. Missed doubles can extend a leg and shift pressure back and forth, which in turn can delay the moment a set is decided.
These basics explain why some legs are wrapped up quickly while others stretch out and change the tempo of a match.
Are Set Rules Different In Televised Events And Local Leagues?
Set rules can vary between televised events and local league play. Major events tend to use standardised formats with clear rules on set length and tie breaks so that procedures are consistent from match to match.
Local leagues often prefer flexible setups to suit time slots and venue arrangements. That might mean fewer legs per set, shorter matches, or simplified tie-break rules. Organisers may adapt formats to keep matches moving and ensure everyone gets a game.
If you are switching between competitions, it always helps to check the match sheet or competition rules so you know how a set will be decided.
Common Variations And House Rules For Sets
While many events use familiar professional formats, local leagues and informal games often introduce their own tweaks. These can shorten match times, fit a venue’s schedule, or reflect what a group enjoys.
Typical variations include changing how many legs are needed to win a set, setting a maximum number of extra legs before a deciding leg, or skipping sets entirely and playing by legs only. Some groups also define how the starting player is chosen for each set, or experiment with different scoring, such as double-in as well as double-out. Whatever the approach, it is best for everyone to agree the rules before the first dart is thrown.
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Whichever rules you play or watch under, understanding how many legs make a set and how sets are decided makes following darts simpler and more enjoyable.
