Information
Welcome to the official darts rules page for the Paphos Pub Leagues! Here, you'll find everything you need to know to participate in our friendly yet competitive darts league. We aim to foster a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie while maintaining a fair and structured environment for all players. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, understanding these rules is key to enjoying the game and contributing to the league's success.
Friendly darts league rules season 2025/26
Below are the official rules for the Paphos Pub Leagues, Darts Section. Please read them carefully to ensure fair play and a positive experience for everyone.
1. League name and aim
1.1 The league shall be known as the PAPHOS PUB LEAGUES, DARTS SECTION.
1.2 The aim of the league is to foster friendship between pubs and clubs and to improve the standard of darts in the district during the winter months.
1.3 The league is an open league and shall have no allegiance or alliance with any other federation and shall remain wholly independent.
1.4 Participation in the PAPHOS PUB LEAGUES DARTS by a team and its' registered member requires full acceptance and compliance with the rules of the PAPHOS PUB LEAGUES DARTS SECTION.
1.5 Each team captain will be responsible for the behaviour of his players and supporters and any player found to be not behaving in the spirit of the league will be banned.
1.6 Any player persistently not behaving in the spirit of the league shall receive a lifetime ban sanctioned either at the end of season meeting or special meeting called.
1.7 Any venue owner that fails to comply with the spirit of the league shall have any venue where they have a financial interest refused entry into the league.
1.8 The league reserve the right to exclude any venue or person from the league should they feel it or they will cause disruption to the running of a friendly league.
1.9 Food will be provided by the home team and shall be split in two with one half to the opposition and the other to the home team.
3. Player registration
3.1 Captains must complete a registration form, and submit it to the league on registration night and the team registration fee.
3.2 During the season a player may transfer from one team to another providing they have a release form signed by their existing captain, or landlord if the captain is involved. A transferred player who has played in the cup will not be eligible to play for their new team as they be deemed to be cup tied. A player may be refused a transfer should it be felt that the player has been approached by another team to play for them. The LEAGUE should be informed, in writing, and action will be taken against the offending team should it be proven.
3.3 If another league is started within the Paphos pub leagues then both leagues shall be stand alone and should one league be considered a higher standard a player may transfer up but not down within the season.
3.4 Out of season players may transfer from one team to another without restrictions.
3.5 Teams shall consist of no less than six players on a match night.
3.6 Additional players must be registered with the LEAGUE by text or email to vic.hemming@cytanet.com.cy seven days prior to the Tuesday before the match has been played. No player may register after the midway of the season.
5. Match rules
5.1 All games to be played on a standard size brush board with doubles, trebles, semi bull and bull. Height of the board shall be 5' 8" (1.73 metres) from centre of the bull.
5.2 Boards are to be of a good playing standard.
5.2.1 if a venue has a practice board it must be situated out of the eye line of the players throwing in the match.
5.3 Any venue that has two written complaints about the quality of their match board, on separate weeks, shall be asked to replace it before their next home game should a member of the LEAGUE agree to the complaint after inspection. Failure to comply will result in a ten euro fine for each week the board has not been replaced. N.B this need not be a brand new board
5.4 The length of throw shall be 7' 9.25" (2.37 metres) the oche shall be at least 1 metre wide marked with a raised metal strip or moveable oche. A surround must be fitted to boards. A mat or board put down to prevent damage to darts. Score screens to be positioned in front of players.
5.5 The home team shall supply a scorer and each score is to be written down and deducted on scoreboards in a prominent position. The scorer must announce the score achieved after three darts have been thrown. Each team will be responsible for nominating a checker for each game and this person may ask for the score to be checked. From 170 down the last score and the previous balance should be struck through to leave the balance required only and must be expressed as e.g.. 32 and not 2x16. The last six scores must be recorded and retained on a computer so that the captains can view and decide when a shootout is required
5.6 No darts are to be removed from the board until the scorer has called the score. Scorer may request the thrower move, not remove, a dart to enable the scorer to see where it has landed.
5.7 A minimum of 24 hours must be given for any match cancelled. Any team that cancels a match will forfeit the match 0-11.
5.8 Should an away team cancel a match at short notice in the first half of the season then the corresponding fixture shall be reversed.
5.9 A game may be postponed due to e.g.:- a religious reason if notified to, and approved by the league 14 days before the proposed match was due to take place.
7. Cup competition rules - team
7.1 All matches will be played on a Tuesday with teams arriving at 19.15 for a 19.45 start and shall take place after the league fixtures have been completed and be open to all registered players. All games will be played over two legs with the winner of cumulative score progressing to the next round.
7.2 In case of a tied result then the captains will nominate a player to play best of three to decide the winner. The start of the game will be determined by the throwing of a dart (home team first) nearest bull and the winner will start legs one and three and the loser leg two the scorer will remove any semi or bulls eye from the board.
7.3 All rounds will be on a home and away basis.
2. Finance
2.1 Teams shall pay a registration fee of 65 euro per team registered.(any number of players)
4. Trophies
4.1 The winner of the league shall be presented with a perpetual shield which they shall keep until the end of the next season plus the winner and runner will receive a trophy which they shall retain.
4.2 The winner of the cup shall be presented with a perpetual shield which they shall keep until the end of the next season plus the winner and runner up will receive a trophy which they shall retain.
4.3 The winner and runner up in the singles and doubles competitions will receive a trophy.
6. League rules
6.1 The actual day of play shall be a Tuesday and teams are to arrive by 19.15 for a 19.45 start.
6.2 A fixture list will be supplied to all teams
6.3 Each match shall be played as follows:- Three threes, four pairs and eight singles best of one game
** Order of play: -2 x threes. - 701 ** 3 x pairs. - 601 Break for refreshments. 6 x singles. – 501 ** Players involved in these may advise each other during their match.
6.4 The start of a match will be determined by the throwing of a dart (home team first) nearest bull and the winner can decide if they wish their team or the opposition to start. The scorer will remove any semi or bulls eye from the board. Teams will then start alternately.
6.4a The home team shall always be on the left of the monitor or scoreboard.
6.5 All games will be a straight start with double finish and the bust rule will apply.
6.6 A minimum number of players to make a match will be six
6.7 One point will be awarded per game won.
6.8 Listing of games singles matches will be drawn before or after the doubles have been completed. Triples and Pairs. Each captain will select their teams and the team and place them on their score sheet in the order they wish and then meet the opposing captain and merge the two sheets. Singles. Each captain will list the six players they wish to play in the singles on their score sheet and then meet the opposing captain and merge the two sheets. A captain may ask the opposing captain to play a player out of order due to the player’s commitments*. No reasonable request may be refused. * A player may be listed in any position so that the opposing team can’t manipulate their team and it is a true random draw.
6.10 Result sheets must be signed by both captains and emailed to vic.hemming@cytanet.com.cy by midday on the Thursday of the match week.
6.11 Any alterations to the score sheet must be initialled by both team captains. Failure to do this will make alterations invalid.
6.12 It is the responsibility of the home team captain to make sure that the LEAGUE receives the result sheet by the time specified.
6.13 In the case of a disputed result then both team captains must sign the result sheet and indicate that the result is disputed. The reason for the dispute must be lodged with PAPHOS PUB LEAGUES DARTS in writing through the website within 48 hours for consideration of the LEAGUE.
6.14 Where a complaint is made by a team other than that involved in the match then this complaint should be forwarded to the LEAGUE through the PAPHOS PUB LEAGUES DARTS SECTION website within 48 hours of the date on which the match was played.
6.15 Should a team withdraw from the league then all their games will be cancelled and will be recorded as a 0-11 defeat.
6.16 Should a singles game become protracted and both captains agree that the players cannot finish after equal darts have been thrown, the game can be finished with nearest to the bull. * The maximum amount of darts in a singles match that can be thrown before a shoot- out shall be 75
6.17 Should a doubles or triples game become protracted and both captains agree that the players cannot finish after equal darts have been thrown , the game can be finished with nearest to the bull with the first player in order of play throwing. * The maximum amount of darts in a doubles match that can be thrown before a shoot- out shall be 96 * The maximum amount of darts in a triples match that can be thrown before a shoot- out shall be 111 * This is the maximum but captains may agree to go to a shoot- out before this is reached.
8. Cup competition rules:- individual and pairs
8.1 Players will submit their names for entry into the singles and doubles competitions after completing at least 50% of league games.
8.2 The finals will be a random draw with no bye drawn against a bye in the first round.
9. Duties of players
PLAYERS
9.1 Players will conduct themselves in a proper manner and to maintain the aims of the league.
9.2 No member shall smoke anywhere near the oche while a dart match is in progress.
9.3 Players will reasonably assist in calling, scoring and checking matches.
9.4 To attend any meeting that they are personally invited to by the LEAGUE
9.5 In case of any dispute inform the LEAGUE through the team captain.
9.6 Abide by the covid rules applicable at the time of a game.
TEAM CAPTAIN
9.6 Register players (3.1 )
9.7 Collect fees
9.8 Supply as many emails as possible of team members with a minimum of two email addresses and all team members mobile/landline phone numbers ( 3.1 ) to enable as many members as possible to be informed.
9.9 Study and know the rules and have a copy available for reference near the dartboard.
9.10 Attend meetings, or send a representative, to meetings called by the LEAGUE (see rule 9.51)
9.11 Controlling the behaviour and actions of his players and supporters ( 1.9 ) (1.8)
9.12 Supply callers and checkers for events.
9.13 Make sure match sheets are completed clearly and correctly with full names and that any alterations are initialled by both captains and return to the league by the required date or they shall be deducted two points for each week overdue.
9.14 Forward any complaints or disputes in writing to vic.hemming@cytanet.com.cy within 48 hours of the incident for consideration by the LEAGUE..
9.15 Make sure their team abides by the covid rules at the time of any game
Looking for more information?
If you have any further questions or need clarification on any of the rules, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help ensure everyone has a great time playing darts with the Paphos Pub Leagues!
