Shanghai darts rules
Shanghai is played over 7 rounds (sometimes 20). In round one only the 1 scores, in round two only the 2, and so on: a single scores the number, a double twice, a treble three times. The highest score at the end wins, unless someone hits a "Shanghai": single, double and treble of the round's number in the same turn, which wins the game immediately.
- Players
- 2 or more
- Length
- 5 to 15 minutes
- Rounds
- 7 (or 20)
- Darts per turn
- 3
How it works
In round 1 every player throws their three darts at the 1; in round 2 at the 2, and so on. Only hits on the round's number count. Example in round 4: a single 4, a double 4 and a miss score 4 + 8 = 12 points.
The Shanghai
Hitting the single, double and treble of the round's number with the three darts of one turn (in any order) wins the game immediately, whatever the score.
Variants
20 rounds
Play every number from 1 to 20: a longer game with more chances of a Shanghai.
Must score
A player who misses the round's number is out.
Different start
Start on another number (13, for example) for variety.
Common mistakes
- Counting darts in a number other than the round's.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Shanghai in darts?
A single, a double and a treble of the same number in one turn of three darts. In the game of Shanghai, it wins on the spot.
How many rounds in Shanghai?
Seven in the most common version (numbers 1 to 7), twenty in the long version.