Bead · darts game rules
Killer darts rules
Killer, darts elimination game
Killer is a favourite party game for groups. Every player has their own number on the board and a set of lives. First you have to earn the right to attack by becoming a Killer. Then the hunting starts: every hit on an opponent's number takes one of their lives. It is quick, tense and full of alliances that never last.
- Players
- 2 to 8
- Length
- ≈ 15 min
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- What you need
- A dartboard (steel tip or soft tip) and 3 darts per player.
Rules
Setup
- Each player is given a different number between 1 and 20.
- Everyone starts with the same number of lives, from 3 to 5.
- Choose the variant: doubles only (the classic rule) or any segment (easier and faster).
How to play
- Phase 1: hit your own number three times to become a Killer. In the doubles variant, only the double of your number counts.
- Phase 2: once you are a Killer, throw at your opponents' numbers. Each valid hit removes one of their lives.
- Careful: if you hit your own target after becoming a Killer, you lose a life yourself.
- A player with no lives left is eliminated.
Scoring
- Doubles variant: only doubles count, both to become a Killer and to remove lives.
- Any segment variant: singles, doubles and trebles all count as one hit.
Winning
The last player with lives remaining wins.
Tips
- Becoming a Killer quickly matters, but a Killer is also everyone's first target.
- Go after the player closest to becoming a Killer before they can strike back.
- Avoid throwing near your own number once you are a Killer: a stray dart costs you a life.
The two Killer variants
| Variant | What counts |
|---|---|
| Doubles only | Your own double 3 times to become Killer; other players' doubles to take a life |
| Any segment | Single, double or treble: every hit counts as one |
| Self damage | Hitting your own number once you are Killer costs you a life |
FAQ
- How do you become a Killer in darts?
- Hit your own number three times. In the classic rule only the double of that number counts; in the any segment variant, any hit on it will do.
- How many lives do you get in Killer?
- Usually 3 to 5 lives each. Fewer lives make for a shorter, more brutal game.
- How many players do you need for Killer?
- It works from 2 players, but it really shines with 3 or more, when alliances start to form and fall apart.
