Shanghai Darts Rules

Score on the current round's number. Hit single + double + triple for an instant win.

Overview

Shanghai is a scoring darts game with a thrilling twist: the possibility of an instant win. Each round, all players throw at a specific number, accumulating points. The player with the highest score after all rounds wins — unless someone hits a Shanghai. A Shanghai occurs when a player hits the single, double, and triple of the target number in the same turn, instantly winning the game regardless of the current scores.

The Shanghai mechanic makes every turn exciting, because even a player who is far behind in points can win the game in a single turn. Shanghai is a great game for groups of any size and works well for players of all skill levels.

Game Setup

Scoring

Each round has a target number that matches the round number. Round 1 targets segment 1, Round 2 targets segment 2, and so on. Only darts that hit the current round's target number score points. Darts that land on any other segment score zero for that throw.

Points are calculated as the segment value multiplied by the multiplier:

• Single: Segment value (e.g., Single 7 = 7 points)
• Double: Segment value × 2 (e.g., Double 7 = 14 points)
• Triple: Segment value × 3 (e.g., Triple 7 = 21 points)

Your round score is added to your running total. The maximum points in a single round are three triples, which scores 9 times the segment value (e.g., three Triple 20s in Round 20 = 180 points).

Shanghai — Instant Win!

A Shanghai is the highlight of this game. It occurs when a player hits all three multiplier types of the current target number in a single turn:

• Single of the target number
• Double of the target number
• Triple of the target number

All three must be hit in the same turn (3 darts), but the order does not matter. Whether you throw Single-Double-Triple, Triple-Single-Double, or any other combination, it counts as a Shanghai.

A Shanghai is an instant win. The game ends immediately and the player who hit the Shanghai wins the leg, even if another player has a much higher total score. This mechanic keeps every round tense, because any player can win at any time.

Variants

7 Rounds (Quick Game)

In the 7-round variant, the target numbers are 1 through 7. This produces a shorter game with generally lower scores. It is a good choice when time is limited or when playing with larger groups, since each game finishes faster.

Because the target numbers are low (1–7), the maximum possible score per round is lower. However, Shanghai is slightly easier to achieve on lower numbers since the segments are physically larger on the dartboard.

20 Rounds (Full Game)

In the 20-round variant, the target numbers are 1 through 20. This is the full-length version with higher scores and more opportunities for a Shanghai. The later rounds (15–20) are especially valuable because the point values are much higher, making them critical for winning.

A strong performance in the high-value rounds can overcome a poor start, so the game remains competitive throughout all 20 rounds.

Win Condition

There are two ways to win a leg of Shanghai:

1. Normal win: After all rounds are complete, the player with the highest total score wins the leg.
2. Shanghai win: Any player who hits a Shanghai (single + double + triple of the target number in one turn) wins the leg immediately, regardless of score.

In a best-of-N-legs format, the match continues until one player wins the required number of legs. The starting player rotates with each new leg to ensure fairness.

Strategy Tips

• Maximize every round: Even if you cannot hit a Shanghai, score as many points as possible. Aim for the triple of the target number, since it gives 3 times the points of a single.
• Go for Shanghai when behind: If you are trailing in score, deliberately aim for a Shanghai by placing one dart on each multiplier. It is your best chance to come back and win instantly.
• Protect your lead: If you have a strong score lead, focus on consistent scoring rather than risky Shanghai attempts. A few solid singles and doubles per round will maintain your advantage.
• High-value rounds matter most: In the 20-round variant, rounds 15 through 20 carry significantly more weight. A triple 20 in Round 20 is worth 60 points, compared to only 3 points for a triple 1 in Round 1.
• Watch for opponent Shanghais: Be aware that any opponent can win instantly with a Shanghai. This means a large lead is never completely safe, adding to the excitement.
• Practice lower numbers: Many players are less accurate on numbers 1 through 7 because they rarely aim at them in other games. Practicing these targets improves your Shanghai game significantly.

Scoring Example

A two-player game using the 7-round variant:

In Round 3, Alice hit Single 3, Double 3, and Triple 3. That is a Shanghai — Alice wins instantly! Bob's total score was 19 vs. Alice's 26, but the scores do not matter when a Shanghai is hit.

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