Darts Rules
All darts events in Great Britain that are organised under the exclusive supervision of the British Darts Organisation Ltd., or its subsidiaries, shall be played under the BDO Playing Rules.
The BDO Playing Rules are divided into two distinctly separate groups.
IE: General Playing Rules — numbered 1 to 15 inclusive.
Tournament Playing Rules — numbered 16 to 33 inclusive.
All the Rules have been numbered consecutively to avoid any confusion between the numbers used in each group
Some of the Rules have several Clauses which are also numbered consecutively relative to the Rule Heading, so that each Clause can be easily identified.
DEFINITIONS
Various ‘terms’ have been used within the Rules for simplification, these are defined below for reference.
‘BDO’ – shall mean the British Darts Organisation Limited or any of its subsidiaries.
‘Organisers’ – shall mean the British Darts Organisation Ltd., its Directors, or persons appointed by the British
Darts Organisation Ltd., to carry out its functions in relation to a darts event.
‘player’ – shall mean singular and plural, and shall include juniors, youths, men, women, and teams.
‘referee’ – shall mean the person appointed to take charge of matchplay at a Matchboard, or on stage, and
shall include those persons sometimes referred to as ‘callers’, or ‘checkers’.
‘markers’ – shall mean the person appointed to mark scores down on score sheets, or a score board, at a Matchboard, or on stage, and shall include those persons sometimes referred to as ‘scorers’.
‘scores recorder’ – shall mean the person appointed to record all scores and enter all relevant matchplay details
on official BDO Result Sheets, or Record Cards.
‘dartboard indicator operator’ – shall mean the person appointed to operate the electrical dartboard indicator
equipment located on the stage, which indicates to the audience which segments the darts players darts have landed in.
GENERAL PLAYING RULES
1.00 Players shall provide their own darts, which shall not exceed an overall maximum length of 30.5cms. (12 ins.), nor weigh more than 50 grms. Each dart shall consist of a needle shaped point, which shall be fixed to a barrel. At the rear of the barrel shall be an attached flighted stem, which may consist of up to five separate pieces. (IE: a flight, a flight securing device(s), a flight protector, and a stem.)
2.00 The BDO reserves the right to seed players, in certain events, when it is deemed necessary.
3.00 All players, and teams, shall play within the BDO Playing Rules, and where necessary, any supplementary Rules laid down in an entry form, or programme.
4.00 All players, and teams, shall play under the supervision and direction of BDO appointed Organisers, and Officials, in all darts events organised under the jurisdiction of the BDO.
5.00 All trophies awarded to a player shall be retained, unless they are of a challenge, or perpetual type, which shall be returned to the BDO on request.
6.00 Any player failing to comply with any of the BDO Playing Rules during an event shall be liable to disqualification from that event.
7.00 The interpretation of the BDO Playing Rules in relation to a darts event shall be determined by the BDO appointed Organisers, whose decision shall be final and binding.
8.00 Information concerning such interpretations shall be forwarded to the BDO Board of Directors for consideration and possible inclusion in a revised version of the BDO Playing Rules.
9.00 Any matter not expressly covered by the BDO Playing Rules shall be determined by the Board of Directors, whose decision shall be final and binding.
10.00 THROW
10.01 A player shall throw darts from a standing position, excepting only in those circumstances when a physical disability, or physical injury requires a player to adopt a non-standing position.
(IE: a wheelchair, or a similar form of support.)
10.02 All darts must be deliberately thrown, one at a time, by, and from, the player’s hand. All darts must be thrown with the needlepoint aimed towards the face of the dartboard. If a dart is not thrown in this manner then the ‘throw’ will be declared a ‘foul throw’ and will not count in that respective leg, set, or match.
10.03 A throw must consist of a maximum of ‘three darts’, unless a leg, set, or match is completed in less than ‘three darts’.
10.04 If a player ‘touches’ any dart, which is in the dartboard, during a throw, then that throw shall be deemed to have been completed.
10.05 Any dart bouncing off, or falling out of, the dartboard, does not count, and shall not be re-thrown.
10.06 A player deliberately abusing the dartboard when retrieving darts at the end of a throw will be given a verbal warning by the match referee. Another warning will be given to the player if a second incident occurs in the same match. If a third incident occurs in the same match then the player in question will forfeit that respective leg, and possibly the match in question.”
11.00 STARTING AND FINISHING
11.01 In all darts events each leg shall be played with a straight start, and the finish must be on a ‘double’, unless stated otherwise in the playing format of a particular event.
11.02 The ‘Bull’ shall count as ‘50′, and if ‘50′ is required to complete a leg, set, or match, then the ‘Bull’ shall count as ‘Double 25′.
11.03 The ‘Bust’ rule shall apply, IE: if a player scores more than the number required then that score shall not count, and the player’s score shall revert back to the score the player required prior to the opponent’s last throw.
11.04 A ‘Game Shot’ called by a referee is valid, only if the darts thrown achieve the required finish, and remain in the dartboard until retrieved by the player at the time that ‘Game Shot’ is called.
11.05 If a ‘Game Shot’ called by a referee is declared invalid, then the player shall have the right to continue the throw, which is in progress, in an attempt to achieve the required finish.
11.06 If as a result of the error declared in Clause 11.05 the player has retrieved a dart, or darts, then the referee shall replace the dart, or darts, in as near as practicable the same position, or positions, and then invite the player to complete that throw.
11.07 The BDO does not recognise the principle of ‘equal darts’, a player who finishes by obtaining the points required in accordance with the BDO Playing Rules wins that leg, set, or match, whichever is applicable. The only exception to this Clause is in those events when an equal number of darts are allocated to players in a specific playing format.
11.08 Any darts mistakenly thrown by a player after scoring the required ‘double’ shall not be counted, as the respective leg, set, or match is concluded by the dart scoring the required ‘double’.
12.00 SCORING
12.01 A dart shall only score if the point remains in, or touches the face of the dartboard, within the outer double wire, and having been ‘called’, shall be retrieved from the dartboard by the player.
12.02 The score is counted from the side of the segment wire in which the point of the dart enters and remains in, or touching, the face of the dartboard.
12.03 Darts shall be retrieved from the dartboard by the thrower but only after the score has been ‘called’ by the referee, and recorded by the marker.
12.04 A protest about the score attained, or called, after the retrieval of the dart, or darts, may not be upheld.
12.05 All scores and subtractions made, should be checked by the referee, the marker, and the players after each throw, and where practicable, before the next player’s throw commences.
12.06 All requests by a player to check scores recorded, or subtractions made, must be made before that player’s next throw.
12.07 The actual score required by a player, must be shown on the score sheet, clearly visible, at eye level, in front of the players and the referee.
12.08 No indication of the required ‘double’ shall be given by the marker, or the referee.
(IE: ‘32′ required and NOT ‘Double 16′.)
12.09 The first player to reduce the score required to exactly zero, by obtaining the required ‘double’, is the winner of that leg, set, or match, whichever is applicable.
12.10 The referee shall act as an umpire in all matters pertaining to the BDO Playing Rules when conducting a darts match, and shall, if it is necessary, consult with scorers, and other officials, before announcing any decisions during the course of matchplay.
12.11 Example of setting out a Score Sheet, or Scoreboard.
First Leg Second Leg Third Leg
ANYONE ANYBODY ANYONE ANYBODY ANYONE ANYBODY
*501 501 501 *501 *501 501
100 401 85 416 100 401 140 361 180 321 85 416
95 306 85 331 85 316 140 221 140 181 41 375
140 166 140 191 140 176 100 121 125 56 140 235
130 36 91 100 21 Game shot 56 Game shot
36 Game Shot
The result of this match is a Win for ANYONE by 2 legs to 1.
* The Winner of the Draw, or Toss, throws first in the 1st and 3rd legs.
The Loser of the Draw, or Toss, throws first in the 2nd leg.
13.00 DARTBOARDS
13.01 All dartboards used in BDO tournaments shall be manufactured by WINMAU
to the following specification;
(a) be of the ‘bristle’ type.
(b) be of the ‘1 – 20’ clock pattern.
(c) have an inner centre ring, ‘Bull’, that shall score ’50’ points.
(d) have an outer centre ring that shall score ’25’ points.
(e) have an inner narrow band, ‘Treble Ring’, which shall score
treble the segment number.
(f) have an outer narrow band, ‘Double Ring’, which shall score double
the segment number.
(g) have segmental material comprising;
Wire types can be round, triangular or diamond-shaped in section
– maximum 1.85mm or 1.27mm minimum. (+/-.2mm)
– Inner and outer bull rings, if not made of wire, to have a wall thickness not greater
than 1.6mm {+/- 0.2 mm} and to have sharpened edges.
– Strip materials should not be greater than 1.85 mm in wall thickness and have a
sharpened edge to form an apex.
– All segmental materials shall either be affixed to the face of the board in such a manner
that they lie flat on the face of the dartboard or alternatively strip materials be embedded
into the surface of the board.
(h) have the following dimensions;
Double and Treble dimensions to be;
– for conventional wire boards, measured inside to inside = 8.0mm +/- 0.2mm
– for boards manufactured with strip material measured apex to apex = 9.6mm +/- 0.2mm
| ‘Bull’ inside diameter | = | 12.7 mm. | +/- 0.2 mm. |
| ’25’ ring inside diameter | = | 31.8mm | +/- 0.3 mm |
| Outside edge of ‘Double’ wire to Centre Bull | = | 170.0 mm. | +/- 0.2 mm. |
| Outside edge of ‘Treble’ wire to Centre Bull | = | 107.0 mm. | +/- 0.2 mm. |
| Outside edge of ‘Double’ wire to outside edge | = | 340.0 mm. | +/- 0.5 mm. |
| Of ‘Double’ wire | |||
| Overall dartboard diameter {+/- 3.0 mm.} | = | 451.0 mm. | +/- 3.0 mm. |
(i) All dartboards to be manufactured from African Sisal
(j) All dartboards to bear approved BDO and WINMAU logos
13.02 The dartboard shall be fixed such that the ’20’ segment is the darker of the two segment
colours and is at the top centre of the dartboard.
13.03 The dartboard shall be fixed in such a manner that the vertical height from the floor, at
the same level as the Oche, to a horizontal line through the centre of the ‘Bull’ shall
measure 1.73 metres.
13.04 A player or team Official shall have the right to request that the dartboard be changed or
moved before or during the course of a match, always providing that the opposing player
or team Official concurs with the request. Such change or move shall only be made before a match, or between Legs of a match and shall only be made by a BDO appointed Official.
14.00 LIGHTING
14.01 In tournament play all ‘floor’ dartboards shall be adequately lit by a suitably positioned light fitting at each dartboard. (IE: 100 Watt minimum intensity)
14.02 Dartboards used in ‘stage finals’ shall be adequately lit by suitably positioned light fittings.
(IE: Two 100 Watt minimum intensity fittings)
14.03 All light fittings must be fitted with screens to divert all light away from the player’s eyes when standing at the Oche.
14.04 In ‘stage finals’ the general level of illumination can be augmented by the use of ‘floods’ and ‘spotlights’, but extreme care is needed to prevent the introduction of unwanted ‘shadows’ on the dartboard during matchplay.
15.00 OCHES
15.01 A raised Oche, 38mm. high and 610mm long, (1.5ins high and 24ins long) must be placed in position at the minimum throwing distance and shall measure from the back of the raised Oche 2.37 metres, (7ft 9.25 ins) , along the floor to a plumb line at the face of the dartboard.
15.02 The diagonal distance from the Centre Bull to the back of the raised Oche at the floor level shall measure 2.93 metres. (9ft 7.5ins)
15.03 In those circumstances where the Oche is set down on a raised Playing Area, then the raised Playing Area must be constructed such that it is centrally placed in relation to the dartboard, the minimum width at the Oche shall not be less than 1525mm (5ft 0ins), and the minimum depth of the standing area to the rear of the Oche shall not be less than 1220mm. (4ft 0ins)
15.04 During matchplay no player shall tread on any part of the raised Oche, nor shall the player deliver any dart with his feet in any other position other than behind the toe edge of the raised Oche.
15.05 A player wishing to throw a dart, or darts, from a point on either side of the raised Oche must keep his feet behind an imaginary straight line extending on either side of the raised Oche.
15.06 Any player in breach of Clause 15.04, or 15.05, shall first be warned by the referee in the presence of the Player’s Captain, or Team Manager. Any dart subsequently delivered in breach of these Clauses shall not score, and shall be declared invalid by the referee.
15.07 A player, or team captain, shall have the right to request that the Oche dimensions be checked, and adjusted if necessary, always providing that the opposing player, or team captain, concurs with the request. Such request must be made before the start of, or after the completion of a leg. The match official shall, at his discretion, convey the request to the Stage Manager, or Floor Controller, so that a check, and adjustment if necessary, can be affected. Such check, and any adjustment, shall only be made before the start of, or after the completion of a leg.
15.08 Adjustments to, and the checking of, Oche dimensions shall only be carried out by a BDO appointed match official.
15.09 OCHE DIMENSIONS
16.00 TOURNAMENT AND CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING RULES
16.01 Unless stated otherwise all BDO Tournaments, and Championships, shall be run on a ‘Knock-Out’ basis.
16.02. Special events, or multiple team Play-offs, may involve a ‘Round Robin’ basis. IE: Each player or team, plays every other player or team in that event.
16.03 The BDO, or its appointed Organisers, reserve the right to cancel, or change, all dates, venues, and scheduled darts events, without prior notice.
16.04 Decisions on all matters pertaining to the BDO Playing Rules in any BDO Tournament, or Championship, shall be made by the appointed Organisers, whose decisions shall be final and binding.
16.05 In County Play-offs, where the number of entries for that County have been allocated into sections to be played off at different dates, times, and playing venues, it is acceptable for players to be re-allocated on request. Such re-allocation, however, is subject to being sanctioned in writing, by the appointed Organisers, prior to the date of the original allocation with a copy of the sanction being sent to the BDO Office for future reference in the instance of any enquiry.
16.06 All tournament players shall play within the BDO Playing Rules, and where necessary, any supplementary Rules laid down in a darts event entry form, or programme.
16.07 Any player, or team, found guilty of deliberately losing a leg, set, or match, shall be disqualified from any further participation in that particular BDO darts event, that player, or team, shall also be barred from entering any other BDO darts event until such time as laid down by the Board of Directors.
16.08 No player, or team, having been knocked out of a Knock-Out Tournament, shall play again in that Tournament either as a substitute player, or team or in his, or their own right, excepting in those circumstances when a breach of the BDO Playing Rules has occurred which materially affected the losing player, or team, such breach not having been occasioned by the losing player, or team. The BDO appointed Organisers may, at their own discretion, reinstate the player, or team, in the Tournament, either in substitution for, or in addition to the winning player, or team. This Clause shall be construed as embracing any number of players up to, and including a complete team.
16.09 On completion of a match a ‘losing’ player must remain available to mark the next match on the assigned matchboard on which the player in question had lost his/her match.
The player in question may arrange for another person to undertake this duty – failure to comply with this requirement then the player shall be liable to forfeit any trophy/prize money that may be due at that stage, pay a fine, or be excluded from the next scheduled darts event.
16.10 If a player, or team Representative, is not present at the official presentation ceremonies to receive trophies, prizes, or prize monies, without the BDO appointed Organiser’s or the Sponsor’s prior permission, then that player, or team representative, shall forfeit the right to receive any such trophies, prizes, or prize monies that they may be due.
16.11 Any player, or team, not fulfilling the playing commitments of a Tournament by failing to complete all scheduled matches, including Grand Finals shall forfeit the right to receive any such trophies, prizes, or prize monies that they may be due in relation to that respective Tournament.
16.12 If any additional expenses are incurred due to a default by a player, or team, then that player, or team shall be liable for those additional expenses.
16.13 In the instance of a player, or team being involved in, or causing actions which are considered to have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute, then that player, or team shall be liable to Disciplinary Proceedings being taken against the player, or team, which could mean the imposition of fines, suspensions, or other penalties.
See the BDO Code of Practice No 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook.
17.00 ENTRY
17.01 Admission fees into tournament venues are not refundable.
17.02 Entry fees into tournaments are not refundable, except on those occasions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.
17.03 All entries are to be made on official BDO entry forms, which must be accurately completed and returned together with the appropriate entry fees, before, or on the specified closing date.
17.04 Any entry form found to be inaccurately completed, or not submitted strictly in accordance with the requirements laid down on the entry form, may not be accepted by the Organisers, or the entry disqualified before, during, or after the event depending upon when the inaccuracy is discovered.
17.05 The first named player, or representative, on a team entry form shall assume the responsibility of notifying the second, or other named players, of the receipt of, and the contents of all communications in connection with the darts event received by him from the BDO appointed Organisers.
17.06 The receipt of an entry form will only be acknowledged if a self addressed envelope is enclosed with the entry form, together with sufficient postage to cover the return of the receipt.
17.07 Only the players named on an entry form as the competing individual, or team, shall be eligible to play in the respective darts event.
17.08 No player, or team, shall enter more than once in any respective darts event.
17.09 No player shall play in more than one team in any respective darts event.
17.10 All players participating in a Singles, or Pairs darts event must play under their own name.
17.11 Unless stated otherwise all entry fees shall be used exclusively in defraying tournament expenses: to further the promotion of the Sport of Darts: or to support a specific charity.
17.12 In certain circumstances it may be necessary to impose an age limit on the players allowed to participate in
an event subject to the legal requirements governing a sponsorship agreement relating to an event.
17.13 The completion of an entry form by a player, or team, for a BDO darts event, and the acceptance of that entry form by the BDO, shall be deemed as an acceptance by that player, or team, of the BDO Playing Rules in relation to that event.
17.14 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to refuse, or cancel any entrant, at any stage prior to, or after a darts event, without assigning a reason for so doing, and their decision shall be final and binding in all matters relating to that event.
17.15 Any entrant into a BDO Members Only darts event is always subject to the player complying with the BDO Eligibility Rule.
18.00 REGISTRATION
18.01 All tournament players shall register at each darts event at scheduled times, which are predetermined by the BDO appointed Organisers.
18.02 Any tournament player failing to register by the notified time shall be eliminated from that respective tournament, in which instance no entry fee shall be refundable.
18.03 No player shall be allowed to register more than once in any respective darts event in any one Playing Season.
18.04 Any player, or team, that is not in attendance when called upon to play at the nominated time shall forfeit that leg, set, or match, whichever is applicable, in such instances no entry fee shall be refundable.
18.05 Only THREE minutes shall be allowed from the time of calling over the public address system for the player, or team, to reach the Control Desk, or the Assigned Matchboard, or at a convenient point in the venue.
18.06 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to alter scheduled times and the Playing Format of a darts event whenever it is deemed necessary.
18.07 Any player, or team, has the right to be advised the time of the next match that the player, or team is scheduled to play.
19.00 DRAW
19.01 There will be only ONE draw for opponents which will be conducted prior to the darts event, the bracket system being adopted.
19.02 The BDO appointed Organisers shall arrange preliminary matches so as to eliminate all ‘Byes’ from the first round proper of the darts event.
19.03 Draw Charts must be displayed, where possible, at the Control Desk, in the event programme, at the Matchboard, or at a convenient point in the venue.
19.04 The times indicated on the Draw Chart are for the players guidance only, who should be prepared to be called up to the Control Desk up to 45 minutes earlier than the times indicated.
19.05 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to seed players, or teams, in the draw for a darts event, whenever necessary.
19.06 No substitutes shall be allowed in an individual darts event.
19.07 No substitutes shall be allowed after the first round of a team event, unless the Playing Rules of the particular event allow for reserve members of a team to be used, or in extenuating circumstances allowed for at the discretion of the BDO appointed Organisers.
20.00 ORDER OF PLAY
20.01 The Order of Play shall be determined by a draw, or toss of a coin, at the Control Desk, prior to the issue of a Match Assignment Card.
20.02 The Winner of the draw, or toss, shall throw first in the first Leg, or Set, and all ODD alternate Legs, or Sets, thereafter in that respective match.
20.03 The Loser of the draw, or toss, shall throw first in the second Leg, or Set, and all EVEN alternate Legs, or Sets, thereafter in that respective match.
20.04 In all matchplay events a Bull-up shall decide the order of throw in the deciding leg of each match.
20.05 If the Order of Play has not been correctly adopted then that respective Leg shall be stopped, and then restarted using the correct Order of Play.
20.06 If legs have already been completed using an incorrect Order of Play then the results determined in those legs shall stand, but the next leg shall be started using the correct Order of Play.
21.00 MATCH ASSIGNMENT/RESULT/RECORD/CARD
21.01 An assignment/result/record/card shall be made out, at the Control Desk, detailing the Order of Play, and indicating the Order of Throwing. This card shall be presented to the assigned Match-Board referee by the player, the referee shall be responsible for ensuring that the Order of Play, and the Order of Throwing is strictly adhered to during that respective match.
21.02 On conclusion of the match the referee shall sign the assignment/result/record/card clearly indicating the winning player and the card shall be returned immediately to the Control Desk by the winning player.
21.03 The progression of players shall be marked up on Draw Charts, or made available at the Control Desk, so that players, or spectators can determine the current positions during the darts event.
21.04 When made available, all players are required to wear ID badges at all times during a darts event, unless specifically requested to remove them by a BDO appointed Official.(IE: During a televised stage match.)
22.00 PRACTICE
22.01 Each player is ONLY entitled to ‘6′ practice darts to be thrown at the assigned Matchboard prior to the match commencing. No other practice darts may be thrown during that match without the prior permission, or instruction, of the Matchboard referee.
22.02 In Round Robin events a player’s practice darts shall be reduced by ‘3′ for the second, and subsequent visits to the Matchboard.
22.03 In exceptional circumstances the number of practice darts may be extended from 6 to 9 to allow players to
appraise changes in oche conditions/dimensions, stage lighting, etc., prior to resuming matchplay.
22.04 No practice shall be allowed on unassigned Matchboards after the darts event has officially started.
22.05 Practice boards shall be provided in, or adjacent to, the tournament room for the exclusive use of tournament players ONLY.
23.00 TOURNAMENT PLAY
23.01 In tournament play all players shall play under the supervision and direction of BDO appointed Organisers and Officials.
23.02 No person shall be allowed within the Playing Area other than the Matchboard referee, markers, scores recorders, and assigned players.
23.03 Only referees, or markers, and the Dartboard Indicator operators shall be allowed to be situated in front of a player actually at the Oche throwing darts.
23.04 Stage officials are expected to restrict their own movements to a minimum during the course of a player’s throw, and they are not permitted to smoke, or drink on stage during a match.
23.05 A player’s opponent must stand at least ‘610′ mm.(2ft.0ins.) to the rear of the player actually at the oche.
23.06 In ‘stage finals’ the players shall engage in matchplay under the supervision and direction of Stage Officials, and in between throws shall be located in such a position as to afford an unrestricted view of proceedings for players, Officials, spectators, and in some darts events, for television/video cameras.
23.07 During matchplay all players shall remain silent, and only the player at the Oche shall direct enquiries to the referee. Neither shall any prompting be allowed by any other player, any spectator, or any Official.
23.08 Any player in breach of Clause No. 23.07 shall first be warned by the referee in the presence of the Player’s Captain, or Team Manager; any subsequent breach during the same match shall incur the immediate disqualification of that player from that respective match. The voicing of an enquiry, or protest, to the referee shall not constitute a breach of Clause No.23.07
23.09 A player at the Oche is entitled to consult with the referee on the amount scored, or required, at any time during a throw, however, the player shall not be advised on how to finish.
23.10 Any enquiries on scores recorded, or subtractions made, will not be entered into after the conclusion of that respective leg, set, or match.
23.11 In team events where all players throw in rotation, the Order of Throwing must be determined and
displayed on the Matchboard before the first throw of that leg, set. or match, whichever is applicable.
23.12 Any protest must be lodged with the Matchboard referee, or Floor Controller, at the time of the alleged violation and a judgement given on the spot before the leg, set, or match is allowed to continue. Any late protests will not be honoured.
23.13 If a player’s equipment becomes damaged, or is lost during the course of a throw then the player shall be allowed up to a maximum of three minutes in which to repair, or replace, the playing equipment.
23.14 A maximum time limit of three minutes, subject to the referee’s permission, shall be allowed in the instance of player requiring to leave the playing area, in exceptional circumstances, during the course of matchplay.
23.15 During matchplay, any player using offensive language, or seen to be ‘mouthing’ any offensive language, or seen to be making offensive gestures, shall be deemed to have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute, and shall become liable to Disciplinary Proceedings being taken against them. See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook.
24.00 TIE BREAKER
24.01 In some darts events the ‘tie-breaker’ principle is brought into operation when the match result has reached an equality in Sets for each player, with one Set, the Final Set, remaining to be played.
The terms of the Tie Breaker Rule shall apply to the last Leg of the Final Set of that match.
24.02 Each player shall throw for the Bull to determine which player shall throw first in the last Leg of the Final Set, but the player that threw first in the match shall throw first for the Bull.
24.03 The decision will be based on the player’s dart that enters the board, remains in the board, and is judged by the referee to be nearest the Bull.
24.04 Darts that hit and remain in the Bull, or 25 bed, shall be retrieved by the player before the opponent throws a dart.
24.05 If a dart rebounds from the board, or falls out of the board during a throw, then the player shall throw a further dart, or darts, until one remains in the board.
24.06 If a dart enters, and remains in the board, in such a manner that the opponent’s view of the Bull, or 25 Bed, is obscured, then the opponent may request the referee to adjust the angle of inclination of the dart so as to afford a clearer view. Any adjustment of the angle of inclination must not alter the point of entry of the dart, but must align the dart so that it is perpendicular to the face of the board.
24.07 If the darts thrown for the Bull prove to be a tie, then both players shall retrieve their darts and shall throw again in reverse order, until a decision has been made by the referee.
24.08 The player that wins the last Leg of the Final Set is the winner of the match.
24.09 In those matches played over a number of straight legs when the result is tied, then the order of throw for the tie-breaker leg shall be determined by a throw for the bull conducted under the procedure outlined in 24.02 to 24.08 above.
25.00 PLAYING ATTIRE
25.01 Players are not permitted to wear jeans, neither shall they wear trousers, or skirts made with denim, or corduroy material, which have been fashioned in a ‘jeans style’. This restriction shall also apply to any form of ‘track-suit’ attire.
25.02 No headgear shall be worn, without the prior permission of the BDO appointed Organisers.
E.G. A Sikh would qualify for such permission.
25.03 Players are permitted to wear sweatbands on their wrists.
25.04 Players are not permitted to wear any article of clothing over their approved Playing Attire.
25.05 All players, or teams. representing their County at Regional Play-offs and Grand Finals shall wear their County approved Playing Attire. Subject to meeting the requirements of Clause No. 25.07.
25.06 All players, or teams. representing their Country in a BDO darts event shall wear their Country approved Playing Attire. Subject to meeting the requirements of Clause No. 25.07.
25.07 Member County, and International Member Country Organisers are recommended to have ‘unmarked’ Playing Attire available which shall be used on those occasions when advertising rights are likely to be infringed.
25.08 In all BDO darts events the Playing Attire of any participating player shall be subject to BDO approval. Any unacceptable Playing Attire must be changed before that player can participate in any introductions, matchplay on stage, interviews, and presentations.
25.09 Any player refusing to meet with BDO approval shall be liable to forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook.’
25.10 In Open events Clauses 25.01 to 25.09 shall not be enforced until players are required to participate in any introductions, presentations, and matchplay on stage.
26.00 PLAYING RECORDS
26.01 All players scores shall be recorded in the final rounds of all BDO darts events on official BDO Match Result Sheets, or Score Cards, so that reports on the darts events can be authenticated.
26.02 Such records may also be made available to Member County, and International Member Country
Selection Committees for determining the suitability of players for Inter-County, or International status.
27.00 ADVERTISING
27.01 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the rights to the use of all advertising material, slogans, or logos, in connection with the promotion and the organisation of any BDO darts event.
27.02 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to protect their Sponsor’s interests with regard to any advertising material, slogans, or logos, used by any players, teams, or other Sponsors, during a BDO darts event.
27.03 Players and spectators in a BDO darts event will not be allowed to wear any clothing that bears any advertising material, slogans, or logos, relating to any marketable product, or concern, without the prior written permission of the British Darts Organisation.
27.04 Players in a BDO darts event will not be allowed to use any playing equipment that bears any
advertising material, slogans, or logos, relating to any marketable product, or concern, without the prior written permission of the British Darts Organisation.
27.05 Before any televised stage matches BDO appointed Officials, including the referee, are empowered to request a player to withdraw, or remove, any offending advertising material, slogans, or logos, which contravene any Clause in the BDO Playing Rules 27, or any Television Advertising Rules currently in force at the time of the darts event.
In those instances when a player refuses to comply with such a request then that player, or team shall forfeit that match.
27.06 In those instances when a player introduces onto stage any advertising material, slogans, or logos, which contravenes any Clause in BDO Playing Rule No. 27, or any Television Advertising Rules currently in force at the time of the darts event, then that player, or team shall forfeit that match.
28.00 SMOKING
28.01 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst engaged in a match played on stage which is being covered by television.
28.02 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst engaged in the televised introductions to matchplay, during any televised interviews either on or off stage, and during presentation ceremonies made on the stage.
28.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause 28.01, or 28.02 shall be liable to forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
28.04 Any match official found to be in breach of Clause 28.01, or 28.02 shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook’.
28.05 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, reserves the right to prohibit smoking in any other matches under its jurisdiction if it is considered to be in the best interests of the promotion of the Sport of Darts to do so.
29.00 DRINKING
29.01 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into the area covered by television, by any player, or match official whilst engaged in a match played on stage which is being covered by television.
29.02 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into the area covered by television, by any player, or match official during televised introductions to matchplay, during any televised interviews either on or off stage, and during presentation ceremonies made on the stage.
29.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause 29.01, or 29.02 shall be liable to forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
29.04 Any match official found to be in breach of Clause 29.01, or 29.02 shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice NO. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook’.
29.05 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall reserve the right to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic drinks in any other matches under its jurisdiction, if it is considered to be in the best interests of the promotion of the Sport of Darts to do so.
30.00 ANTI-DOPING POLICY
30.01 The terms and conditions laid down in the BDO Code of Practice No 6: Anti-Doping Policy shall apply to all players and officials participating in the Sport of Darts.
31.00 ORGANISATION OF DARTS EVENTS
31.01 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall have the right to organise a darts event anywhere in the British Isles. Wherever possible the BDO shall endeavour to schedule darts events so as to avoid clashing with any known major darts events.
31.02 A Member County shall NOT be allowed to organise a darts event, in an area known to be under another Member County’s jurisdiction, without the other Member County’s involvement or written approval.
31.03 No Member County shall organise, or promote, a ‘National’ titled darts event without the written
authority of the BDO Board of Directors.
31.04 A Member County appointed to organise the County, or Area Play-off of a BDO darts event, which includes players from more than one Member County, shall not organise that play-off on a date allocated for the County, or Area play-off of another BDO darts event.
32.00 EXCLUSION
32.01 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., reserves the right to exclude any Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts Organisation from any, or all BDO Members Only darts events, if that Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts Organisation is found to be in breach of any of the BDO Playing Rules, or any of the Rules and Regulations laid down in Volume ONE and Volume TWO of the BDO Authorised Handbook.
32.02 The exclusion of any Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts
Organisation from any, or all BDO Members Only darts events, shall ONLY be put into effect as a result of Disciplinary Proceedings being taken in accordance with BDO Code of Practice No. 3 as laid down in the BDO Authorised Handbook.
31.03 The British Darts Organisation reserves the right to ‘debt-suspend’ any player, or team, or Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts Organisation from any , or all BDO darts events until such time as all outstanding debts have been cleared.
32.00 AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS
32.01 The British Darts Organisation Ltd. reserves the right to add to, or amend, any, or all, of the BDO Playing
Rules, at any time to meet any purpose deemed to be necessary at that time by the Board of Directors.
33.00 COPYRIGHT
33.01 The entire contents of the BDO Playing Rules are the copyright of the British Darts Organisation Ltd., and may not be reprinted, copied, duplicated, or otherwise reproduced, wholly, or in part, without the written consent of the copyright owner.
33.02 When a darts event is being staged outside the jurisdiction of the British Darts Organisation Ltd., the Organisers of that darts event may be given consent to state that ‘ BDO PLAYING RULES APPLY’, on entry forms, and other darts event literature.
Consent to do this can only be obtained by making application in writing to the BDO Headquarters,
2 Pages Lane, Muswell Hill, London, N10 1PS.
Or by e-mail to < britishdartsorg@btconnect.com >
