Double In Rules
Double-in means no score counts until a player lands an opening double. After that opening dart, scoring behaves normally for the rest of the leg under the agreed out rule.
- Open on a double No scoring counts before a valid opening double.
- Missed openers do not count Non-double opening darts leave the score unchanged.
- Normal scoring after opening Once opened, scoring follows standard visit rules.
🧠 What Double-In Means
- You must hit a double before any scoring begins.
- Darts thrown before opening do not reduce the score.
- Once the leg is open, the remaining darts in the visit count normally.
- The out rule still depends on the match format (often double-out, but not always).
- Double-in is less common than straight-in in standard events.
✅ What Counts Before and After Opening
Use these examples to decide quickly whether darts should change the score.
Before opening
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S20, T20, S20
No score change. The leg is still closed because no opening double was hit.
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Bull opening attempt
Counts only if local rules explicitly allow bull as a valid opening double.
After opening
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D10 then T20
Both darts count once the opening double lands in that visit.
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Miss first two darts, open with dart three
Dart three opens the leg; no earlier points in that visit count.
📘 Core Double-In Rules
How scoring starts
In double-in, the score remains unchanged until a dart lands in a valid opening double segment.
What counts in the same visit
After the opening double is hit, any remaining darts in that same visit are scored normally.
How double-in interacts with the out rule
Opening and finishing are separate conditions: double-in controls when scoring starts, and the chosen out rule controls how the leg ends.
🎯 How Players Approach Double-In Starts
Choose one or two opening doubles you trust
Repeatable targets improve rhythm and reduce random decision-switching at the start of legs.
Stay patient if the first visit does not open
Missing the opening double is normal. Rushing usually creates worse targeting and slower openings.
Stabilize scoring immediately after opening
Treat the first scoring visit as a control phase to regain structure before pushing for big scoring.
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes
Subtracting points before opening
Players sometimes count early singles or trebles even though the leg has not opened yet.
Do not subtract any score before the opening double lands.
Switching opening target too often
Constantly changing doubles breaks rhythm and makes adjustment harder under pressure.
Commit to a repeatable opening target.
Playing too fast after a delayed opening
Once the double finally lands, players often rush and throw away the first scoring opportunity.
Treat the first scoring visit after opening as a fresh phase.
🎬 Watch a Double-In Match Example
Brendan Dolan v James Wade (Double-Start) - 9-Darter
by Professional Darts Corporation
Useful real match clip to see how double-start pressure shapes the first visits.
Use this rule in real matchplay
Go from rule understanding to checkout decisions, setup habits, and practical in-game choices.
❓ Double In Rules FAQ
Is double-in used in all tournaments?
No. It is less common than straight-in and usually appears in specific formats or events.
Can bull open in double-in?
Only if local rules allow it. Some formats accept bull as an opening double, others do not.
Do later darts count in the same visit after opening?
Yes. Once the opening double lands, remaining darts in that visit count under normal scoring.
Do points scored before opening count later?
No. Any darts thrown before the opening double are ignored for score reduction.
Is double-in common in televised events?
It appears in selected double-start formats, but standard televised matchplay is more often straight-in.
🔎 Sources and Editorial Review
- Written by
- The Darts Fan editorial team
- Reviewed against
- WDF Playing Rules and PDC Rules of Darts
- Last reviewed
- March 2026
- How this page was built
- This guide combines official rules, match conventions, and beginner-focused opening examples.