Below is my take on Hare and Hounds—how I first discovered it, why it’s such a unique chase-style darts game, and some tips and handicap ideas from my own experiences.
How Hare and Hounds Works
- Concept
- You have one “Hare” who starts at a number on the dartboard—often 20. The rest of the players are “Hounds,” starting behind on the same or a lower number.
- The Hare’s goal is to make a full circuit around the board (e.g., hitting 20, 1, 2, 3, and so on in order) and get back to 20 (or a chosen end point) before the Hounds catch them.
- The Hounds aim to land on the same number as the Hare—or pass that number—to “catch” them.
- Movement Mechanics
- Typically, each player must hit the next sequential number in order to advance. For example, if you’re on 5, you aim for 6. If you miss, you stay on 5 for your next turn. If you hit it, you move on to 7 in the same turn (if you still have remaining darts).
- The Hare starts ahead—maybe on 20 or 1—while the Hounds start behind (some versions have them start on 5 or 12 numbers behind, depending on group preference).
- Winning / Ending
- If the Hare completes the board loop (e.g., gets all the way around to the starting number again) before the Hounds catch them, the Hare wins.
- If any Hound lands on (or surpasses) the Hare’s current number, they’ve caught the Hare. The Hound(s) win.
- Variations
- Short Loop: You can shorten the loop to 1–10, for instance, if you want a quicker game.
- Multiple Hares: Sometimes, if you have a bigger group, you can have two Hares starting at different points, and all the Hounds chase both—chaos ensues!
Personal Experiences
- First Time Chaos
In my first Hare and Hounds session, I volunteered to be the Hare, thinking it’d be easier just to “run.” I rapidly moved from 20 to 1… but then got stuck on 3 for three turns! Meanwhile, a buddy jumped from 1 to 3 in two perfect throws and “caught me” right there. Everyone laughed at how quickly the tables turned. - Epic Long Chase
One of my favorite memories is a game where I was a Hound, and the Hare was just five or six numbers ahead of me. Every time I advanced, so did the Hare—neither of us got stuck long. It turned into a tense back-and-forth until I miraculously hit a triple that let me skip two numbers in a single turn, catching up in a dramatic finish. - Team Spirit
Sometimes, if you have multiple Hounds, you’ll see them strategize: “Hey, if you pass him first, that’s good enough for us!” Everyone celebrates together if someone snags the Hare. It creates a fun group dynamic.
Tips & Tricks
- Focus on Consistency
- Hare and Hounds is about hitting consecutive numbers in order. I like to “zero in” on each target, often aiming for the larger single section rather than gambling for doubles or trebles. Progress is crucial—one big miss can cost you the game.
- Use a First-Dart “Finder”
- If I’m off my aim, I’ll try to land somewhere in the single portion of my next number with the first dart to gauge my alignment. Then I adjust with the remaining two darts.
- Hare Strategy
- If you’re the Hare, try to build an early lead. Those first few numbers are critical—any turns spent missing can let the Hounds close in. The more you can quickly skip numbers, the safer you are.
- Hound Strategy
- Don’t get discouraged if you’re stuck—often the Hare might get stuck too. I’ve found it’s best to aim carefully rather than rushing. A single good turn can quickly erase a lead.
- Keep It Friendly
- Hare and Hounds can get competitive, especially if multiple Hounds are close to catching the Hare. Remember it’s meant to be fun—celebrate those near misses and epic catches!
Handicap Ideas
If the skill levels in your group vary, here are ways to keep it fair:
- Adjusted Start Points
- For a less experienced Hare, let them start even further ahead (e.g., 10 numbers ahead instead of 6). If an experienced player is the Hare, put them closer to the Hounds so it’s not too easy.
- Extra Darts for Newbies
- Give novices 4 darts per turn, while seasoned players stick to 3. That extra dart can help them move steadily along the sequence.
- Shorter Sequences
- If a newbie is the Hare, use a smaller circuit (1–10) instead of the entire board. Meanwhile, advanced Hounds chase the full loop or only start a few steps behind.
- Team Variation
- Have a beginner Hare paired with an advanced Hound against a group of intermediate Hounds. The advanced Hound can coach the beginner on aiming strategy, making it a collaborative experience.
- Limited “Catch” Criteria
- If new players are the Hare, require the Hounds to not just land on the Hare’s number but also surpass it by at least one number to count as a catch. This gives the Hare a little extra buffer.
Why I Love Hare and Hounds
Hare and Hounds brings a totally different vibe compared to typical dart games where everyone is just accumulating or subtracting points. The chase aspect adds suspense and tension—everybody’s eyes are on the Hare, watching to see if they’ll fly through their numbers or stumble at a tricky segment. Meanwhile, the Hounds cheer each other on, hoping at least one of them can reel the Hare back in.
It’s also great practice for hitting specific segments in sequence, which helps in other skill-based dart games. And it scales well to different group sizes—two players can do a simple 1-on-1 chase, or a whole pack of Hounds can gang up on a single Hare in a party setting. If you’re looking for a unique, social, and sometimes hilariously tense dart experience, I highly recommend giving Hare and Hounds a spin. Just be ready for those nerve-wracking moments when the Hare is one number away from victory!
If you’re craving a fun, race-style darts twist that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats, Hare and Hounds is the perfect pick. It’s easy to learn, highly interactive, and offers plenty of strategic possibilities—so grab some friends, decide who’s the Hare, and let the chase begin!