Competition Rules : Promoted by The National Crown Darts Association

The Laws of the Game of CROWN DARTS
(Interpretations for these laws are indicated in Italics)

1. The Game.

1.1 - The Game shall be played on a grass pitch with dimensions no greater than 25m long and 10m wide

1.2 - The game shall be played by two players, each having two darts, the players playing alternately until each have delivered both darts, except in the event of the leader having forfeited their first dart, in which case their opponent will be allowed to deliver their two darts consecutively.

Except in the case of the leader having forfeited their first dart, their opponent will then be allowed to deliver their two darts consecutively, after the leader has played a lawful dart. In the case of the second player forfeiting their first dart, the leader shall deliver their second dart.

Please note the following:

Forfeited dart - A dart taken out of play by the Referees for an offence
Void End - Commence the End where the Void End was started.

1.3 - A dart must be played at least ten metres from the Delivery Mat to count.
To be measured by a certified measure from the nearest point of the Dart Body to the centre of the Delivery Mat

1.4 - Before commencing play the number of points to be scored to make the game shall be fixed.

1.5 - Where more than two players take part in a game, ie. doubles, these laws shall operate when applicable.

In pairs, no changing in order of play until an end is complete. eg. If a leader fails to set a Mark and the opponent sets a Mark, the original Leader must play first, or if the Leader sets the Mark, they must play first to it. Not their partner.

2. Scoring.

2.1 -The winner of each end shall score one point for each dart they have nearer the Mark than their opponent's nearest Dart and they shall lead out the Marker Dart at the succeeding end.

2.2 - Only the winner of the end shall signal the result to the point scorers, who must sit together and initial each other's score card every third end to signify agreement.

2.3 - Where the score cannot be agreed, it shall revert to the end where both point scorers show the score to be agreed as correct.

3. Commencement of the Game.

At the commencement of the Game, the Delivery Mat must be placed, by the Leader, within three metres from the end of the pitch and one metre away from either left or right long boarder edge, and from there play shall commence.

4. The Delivery Mat.

>4.1 - The Delivery Mat, which shall be round, shall have a diameter not less than 128mm(5inches) and not more than 154mm(6inches)

4.2 - Every player must place their toe from either foot on the Mat when launching either Marker or Player Darts and may retain possession of the Mat until their turn has been played.

4.3 - Should players not conform with the Law 4.2, then any delivery not so played may be stopped by the Referee and shall be played again. Should a player again transgress during the course of the game, the Dart wrongly played shall be deemed dead.

4.4 - At no time may the Delivery Mat be used within one metre away from the edge of the pitch.

4.5 - If a player takes up the Mat after playing a Dart, which for any reason has to be replayed, or if the Mat is displaced for any other reason during the end, it shall be replaced as near as possible to its former position.

4.6 - After the end is concluded, the Mat shall be placed at the Mark by the last player. The Leader in the succeeding end may, however, before delivering the Marker remove the Mat anywhere they please within the space of two metres from the spot where the Mark lay at the termination of the preceding end, subject to the provisions of Law 4.4

Only the winner of the previous end to place the Delivery Mat, not the opponent if the Leader fails to set a Mark.

5. A Mark.

5.1 - The Leader shall deliver the Marker Dart to set a Mark, the object of the players being to play their own Darts as near as possible to the Marker Dart. To set a Mark, the Marker Dart must be delivered under arm in a sweeping Lob and if it comes to rest upon the Pitch, shall be deemed a Mark.

5.2 - The following shall be deemed 'not a Mark';

If after objection, the Marker Dart is proved by measurement to be less than 15 metres from the Delivery Mat, the measurement to be taken from the nearest point of the Body of the Dart to the centre of the Delivery Mat.

If, when delivered, the Marker shall fall beyond the boundaries of the Pitch.

5.3 - If the Leader in one trial shall fail to set a Mark, their opponent is then entitled to set the Mark with the same Marker Dart, but not to play first at it. If the opponent fails in one trial to set a Mark, the original Leader shall then have one trial and so on alternatively, until a Mark has been set by one of them, the original Leader to play the first Dart at it.

5.4 - Objection to a Mark

Objection to a Mark must be made verbally after the first player Dart has struck home. Any Player objecting to a Mark must raise their hand as an indication to the referee that an objection has been made.

Only the opponent of the player attempting to set a mark may object. If a player does not think they have set a Mark, they may concede the Marker Dart with the consent of the opponent. If a Mark is objected to before the first Player Dart is thrown, the Leader may have the Marker Dart and Player Dart returned if they so desire.

5.5 - If after an objection to a Mark has been made, it is proved by measurement to be a qualified Mark, the Marker and Player Darts shall remain.

5.6 - If the original Leader fails to set a Mark and objects to the Mark set by their opponent, they shall not be allowed to deliver their Player Dart until the objection has been settled, and if the measurement shall prove that a legitimate Mark has been set, it must be accepted.

5.7 - A tape or other certified measure (at least 15 metres long) must be used for the purpose of carrying out these Laws. Only metric certificated measures or tapes can be used.

6. The Marker Dart.

6.1 - Standard Marker Darts, using the T146 polypropylene Flight shall be used in all competitions. The flight shall use a body and spigot combined weighting of between 70 grammes and 120 grammes.

If after a match has commenced the Marker Dart is found not to be standard in accordance with these Laws, the game(s) shall be declared void and restarted with standard Marker Darts. If a player is found to have substituted a non-standard Marker for a standard Marker, the game shall be awarded to their opponent, no score being allowed to such player.

6.2 - A Marker must only be used for the sole purpose of setting a Mark.

6.3 - Delivery of the Marker Dart.

A Player shall not deliver the Marker without first allowing their opponent the opportunity of seeing with what weighting they use and watching its course and range from a point near the Delivery Mat.

6.4 - If the Marker is impeded in any way or falls on the area of the other players, it must under all circumstances be returned, no penalty being incurred.

6.5 - When after delivery of the Marker and a mark set, the Leader is prevented from delivering their first Player Dart through any reasonable grounds (ie. a Player from another game is in potential hazard range or the tape being on the pitch during the measure of another mark) for a period longer than two minutes, the Leader may have the Marker returned and again set the Mark.

6.6 - Changing Marker or Player Darts.

No player shall be allowed to change the Marker or Player Darts during the progress of the game except with the consent of the referee and then only if, in their opinion, the Marker or Player Darts are so damaged as to be unplayable.

6.7 - No Player shall be permitted to play with Marker or Player Darts that have a device for adjusting the weighting, nor shall any Player be permitted to alter the weighting of Marker or Player Dart, by any means during the course of the play.

6.8 - No Player shall deliver a Dart while the Marker or preceding Dart had not yet struck home, otherwise their Dart shall be deemed dead and must be taken out of play.

7. The Player Dart.

7.1 - A Player Dart shall use the T146 Polypropelyene Flight, with Body and Spigot weighting to be between 70 grammes and 140 grammes, the total weight of the Dart not exceeding 180 grammes.

7.2 - If a Player Dart is played out of turn it must be returned and played again in its proper turn.

7.3 - If a Player Dart other than the Players own is delivered, whether by mistake or otherwise, it shall be deemed a dead Dart to that player and be returned to the proper owner to be played, the defaulter losing one of their Darts as a penalty.

In pairs, one must not play with partners Darts.

7.4 - If a rested Dart is disturbed by any person other than the players concerned, it must be replaced as near to its original position but should either Player touch or displace a rested Dart before the end is completed, both the offending Players' Darts shall be forfeited at the end concerned.

7.5 - If a Player has taken up their position on the Delivery Mat and a Dart falls from their hands (even by accident) and falls so far that they cannot recover it without standing on the positioned Delivery Mat, such Dart shall be considered dead and must be taken out of play.

7.6 - A Dart that falls outside the boundary of the pitch, even if it is the closest to the Mark, shall be deemed dead.

7.7 - At the conclusion of an end, neither the Marker or any Player Darts claimed to count, may be moved without the consent of the opponent, until the points have been counted and both Players are satisfied, otherwise the opponent shall score one point for each of their Darts in play.

7.8 - A Player, when at the end where the Marker lies, must not stand directly behind the Marker or obstruct the view of their opponent. It is hazardous to stand within the area of fall.

7.9 - When it is the turn of either Player, before launch of their Player Dart, care to the safety of others must be taken into consideration.

8. The Referees, Measurers and other contingencies.

8.1 - Instructions to Referees and Measurers.

The Referee or Measurers are not permitted to touch, let alone move either Darts or Marker when measuring an end.

8.2 - No measuring is permitted until an end is finished.

8.3 - Before the displacement of either Darts or Marker, the points must be agreed between the Referee and Measurer.

8.4 - When an end is being measured, all Players should stand away and not interfere with the actions of either the referee or measurer(s).

8.5 - When measuring, the adjustable end of the pegs or permitted metal measures as approved by the National Crown Darts Association must be taken to the Marker Dart.

8.6 - If during a measure, the Marker or Player Dart is displaced by a player, they shall lose the point claimed.

8.7 - When a Player Dart rests on the Marker, or is touching the Marker and the Player Dart rested has to be removed to allow a measure, it must be removed by the Referee and the measure made after such a removal.

Nothing to lie between the Marker and the Player Dart to be measured.

8.8 - Referees are instructed to insist on, and see that, the games are carried out strictly in accordance with The Laws Of The Game.

8.9 - No person, other than the Players and the Referee, are allowed on the pitch, except for measurers when their services are required.

8.10 - If after the game has commenced, any player shall refuse or is unable to continue, the Referee shall decide upon the point of issue.

8.11 - Should a Player leave the pitch without informing their opponent and obtaining permission of the Referee, they shall forfeit the game, no score to be given.

8.12 - Any incident which necessitates a Player having to stop play or leave the pitch and being unable to resume before the finish of the match, their opponent shall receive the maximum points and the score of the player who left the green to remain as it stood, but in all cases of refusal of a Player to continue the game, their opponent shall be awarded the maximum score and they shall receive no score.

8.13 - Ungentlemanly and Unladylike Conduct.

In the case of a wilful breach of The Laws of The Game or any unfair play or unsporting conduct, the Referee may caution the offending Players or spectators or order them to retire from the game or pitch and, in the case of Player, no substitute shall be awarded to their opponent, who will receive the maximum score and the offending Player to receive no score. If a Player receives a second caution, they shall forfeit the game, their opponent receiving the maximum score and the offending Player to receive no score.

8.14 - Bad Light and Postponement of Game.

If during the course of the game, it becomes so dark that the Marker cannot be seen from the Mat, any Player may have a light exhibited at the Marker if they so requests, or they may appeal to the Referee, whose decision shall be final, for the game to be postponed. In the event of a postponement, owing to the above cause or any other unforeseen circumstances, the points scored by each Player shall count and the position of the Mat and Marker shall be marked.

If an end is in progress, Players to finish such end if possible and restart the game from an agreed point as near as possible to where the Marker Dart lay at the last end played.

8.15 - General Safety.

All players are required to take every precaution before delivering any Darts to eliminate the possibility of injury to other Players, the Referees, measurers and anyone else, by being struck with the Darts. A Player shall receive a caution for a first transgression of this law and for a second offence, the game shall be forfeited and awarded to the opponent who shall receive the maximum score, the defaulter no score.

THE ONUS AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY TO LIE WITH THE DELIVERER.

8.16 - Dispute not provided for in the Laws;

Any dispute arising which is not provided for in the foregoing Laws, shall be decided by the Referee, whose decision shall be final.

Approved Measures.

The following are approved by the National Crown Darts Association as measures in accordance with The Laws of The Game.

1. Any Crown Green Metal Measure.

2. Any form of String Measure.

3. Any Telescopic Measure.

4. Calipers

5. Feeler Guages.

Approved Manufacturers and Suppliers of Crown Darts, Player Darts and Markers.

Crown Darts UK Ltd, Uttoxeter, Staffs.
www.crown-darts.com