How many practice darts do you get before a match?
A · Advanced · Matches, officials and conduct · 2 of 3Each player may throw six practice darts at the match board before the match, or nine if conditions change. After that, practice needs the referee's permission. Players have three minutes to reach their board when called, a player not there forfeits, and a referee may allow up to five minutes away during a match.
How it works
- Practice darts: six at the assigned board before the match.
- Nine: in exceptional cases, such as changed lighting or oche, an official may allow nine.
- During a match: no practice without the referee's permission.
- Other boards: no practice on unassigned match boards once the event starts, unless allowed.
- Getting to the board: three minutes from the call to the assigned board; failing may forfeit the match.
- Being called: five minutes from a public address call to reach the control desk or board.
- Not present: a player absent when called forfeits the match.
- Leaving the area: up to five minutes, for an urgent reason, at the referee's discretion.
- Equipment: up to three minutes to repair or replace damaged darts.
The glossary has the practice darts, the time limits (darts), the draw (darts), the match (darts), the referee (darts) and the playing area (darts).
Tricky cases
The stage lights change before a final. Can players warm up again?
An official may allow up to nine practice darts in exceptional cases like this.
A player is four minutes late to the board. What happens?
They may forfeit the match; three minutes is allowed.
A player needs the toilet mid-match. Can they go?
The referee may allow up to five minutes for an urgent reason.
Can a substitute step in for an individual player?
No. Individual events allow no substitutes.
Why the rule exists
A short, equal warm-up lets both players get used to the board without delaying the event. Time limits keep a full day of matches on schedule.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Practice | Six darts, nine in exceptional cases | WDF 13.01 to 13.05 |
| Time limits | Three minutes to the board; five after a call; five to leave | WDF 10.03, 10.04, 14.02, 14.12 |
| The draw | One draw; no substitutes | WDF 11.01 to 11.03 |
From the rule book
World Darts Federation, Playing and Tournament Rules (twentieth revised edition, 28 February 2018), Tournament Rules 10, 11, 13 and 14.02, 14.11 and 14.12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WDF Playing and Tournament Rules.