Avondaly is a game of skill and strategy played on a typical dart board and oche.
It can be played as a 2-player (two team) game (Avondaly), or a 3-player game (Avondaly3). Avondaly3 requires an alternative score board and has different point scoring rules. Both games can be customised to preference.
A Glossary is available to describe the terms used in the game.
The Avondaly Game (2-player)
The aim of the game is to be the first to close all the required targets and to have the higher points score. A drawn game, though rare, is possible.
The targets are [20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, Double, Triple, Bull], and may be selected in any order.
Game strategy is determined differently by different players, and is affected by the state of the score-board at the time of marking the score.
Marks and Points may be added to the score board regardless of the order in which they were thrown.
Example:
I require one Double, and can then start to score points on it. My first dart hits D16. My second is a miss and my third hits D2.
I can mark D2 as the Double and take 32 points on D16, even though I hit D16 with the earlier dart.
A mark is scored by hitting a target.
Triples on any number can be counted as a Triple, be it in the set of 13-20, or otherwise.
Doubles on any number can be counted as a Double, be it in the set of 13-20, or otherwise.
An Outer Bull can count as one Bull, or 25 points when scoring.
An Inner Bull can count as two Bulls, one Double, or 50 points.
Points are scored by a player when they have a target open but the opponent doesn’t.
Example:
If I have five 20s scored, and my opponent doesn’t, the next 20 I hit scores 20 points, which continues until my opponent closes the 20.
Once both players have scored five 20s, the number 20 is closed, and out of the game. At this stage, D20 and T20 could only be marked as a Double or Triple respectively.
Points on a Triple are calculated on the value of the Triple, so T7 = 21 points.
Points on a Double are calculated on the value of the Double, so D14 = 28 points.
A Bull is worth 25 points, Bulls-eye 50.
Each target must be hit five times. Doubles and Triples count, but a darts’ score can never be split. This rule is crucial to the strategies of the game.
Example:
I require two 19s, and hit a Triple 19. I can mark this as two 19s, or one Triple.
But to mark it as two 19s and then 19 points, would be ‘splitting the dart’.
Use it to mark two 19s or one Triple, but not both.
Should the Triple target itself be open at this time, the dart could be marked as 57 points or two 19s.
Example:
I have 4 Bulls, requiring one more. Should I hit a Bulls-eye, it could count as 1 Bull or a Double, but not 1 Bull and 25 points.
Strategies, timing and the current score will help determine decisions when a split the dart situation occurs.
A player must call their score so that it can be updated on the scoreboard before the next player approaches the oche.
The tip of the dart must be touching the dart board at the time of collection in order to score.
Dropped darts can be picked up and thrown.
Bounce Outs, Fall Outs and Robin Hoods score no points.
Sample scoreboard for Avondaly, mid-game scenario
Points
Team A
1-0
Team B
Points
20
0
20
4
3
19
4
5
18
1
5
17
5
5
16
5
5
15
5
5
14
2
4
13
5
5
D
3
3
T
1
4
B
4
Game Set-up and Customisations
The Bull-Shot is used to determine the starting order of the game.
Players throw one dart each towards the Bulls-eye, the closer starts the game.
For team games, the Bull-Shot can determine the teams as well as play order.
The number of marks required to open a target can range from 3 to 9.
The Target number set [13-20 Double, Triple, Bull] can have some targets excluded.
A Head-start can be granted.
The Avondaly3 Game (3-player)
The basic premise remains the same as Avondaly, Players need to score 5 marks on a number before being able to score points on it.
Customisations can be made in a similar fashion as Avondaly.
Scores can be marked against 2 players when it is not closed by 2 players, otherwise 1, meaning ‘Double points scoring’ is available at times.
This makes the strategy for the Avondaly3 game significantly different to that of Avondaly.
A distinct scoreboard is required, to display the current status and points, for the 3 players
Sample scoreboard for Avondaly3, mid-game scenario
Team A
Points
Team B
Points
Team C
Points
20
0
40
1
16
1
19
5
5
5
18
2
2
1
17
4
5
3
16
5
0
0
15
5
5
2
14
4
5
5
13
3
2
2
D
3
5
4
T
4
1
4
B
1
5
4
Glossary
Avondaly
This game is named after the House game of the exclusive Avondaly Darts Room, Auckland.
Avondaly3
A variant of the Avondaly game which accommodates three players.
Bounce Out
When a thrown dart hits the board and bounces out. No Score.
Bull
The centre of the board is called the bull. The phrase can refer to either an inner or outer bull.
Bulls-eye
The small inner circle at the centre of the dart board. A Bulls-eye can be counted as 2 Bulls or one Double.
Bull-Shot
Before the start of the game, each player throws one dart towards the bull to determine the order of play and/or teams. Nearest dart throws first.
Closed
A target on which all players have hit the required number of marks and is now out of the game.
Double
The outer ring of the dart board. Score value is based on the number hit. Bulls-eye can count as a double or 50 points.
Drawn Game
A rare, but possible, occurrence when all targets are closed and Points scores are equal.
Fall Out
When a dart knocks an already thrown dart out of the board. No score.
Game-score
The current score between the players / teams in games completed.
Head Start
A stronger player may offer an opponent a lead of a few marks in order to cause a closer finish to the game. It keeps things exciting.
Inner Bull
The centre part of the dart board. Also known as the Bulls-eye. It can count as 2 bulls or 50 points.
Lucky Dart
A Lucky dart is one which scores a mark, or points, on a target other than the one actually targeted.
Mark
A score made against target.
Open
A target for which one player has hit the required number of marks and on which can now score points.
Outer Bull
The ring around the Inner Bull. It can count as 1 bull or 25 points.
Points
Points are scored when a target is Open to the value of the target hit.
Points score
The cumulative number of points a player (or team) has scored.
Robin Hood
That unfortunate time when one darts lands in the flight of another. No score. And a broken shank.
Scoring darts
The tip of the dart must be touching the dart board at the time of collection in order to score.
Split the dart
A single dart can count as a mark or as points, but not both, thus causing a decision to be made in occasional circumstances. Strategies, timing and the current score will help determine decisions when a split the dart situation occurs.
Target
A number in the set of [20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, Double, Triple, Bull].
Triple
The inner ring of the dart board. Score value is based on the number hit.
