I first heard about Fives from a local pub regular who was tired of the standard x01 and Cricket formats. She boasted, “Try my favorite game—you have to be good at math on the fly!” Intrigued, I gave it a go. To my surprise, even though it’s straightforward (just aim for multiples of 5), it still tests your accuracy and tactical thinking. You’ll be surprised how often you end up just a few points away from that perfect multiple-of-5 total!

How to Play Fives at Darts

1. Number of Players
   • Fives can be played by 2 or more players. The more, the merrier—just be ready for a bit of a wait between turns if you have a large group.
2. Objective
   • The aim is to score exactly multiples of 5 with each set of 3 darts.
   • You earn points each turn based on how many “fives” are in your total. Typically, if your three darts sum to a multiple of 5, you add (that total / 5) to your running score.
3. Starting and Winning
   • Most people start at 0 points.
   • You decide on a finishing target—like 50 or 100 points. The first player to reach or exceed that target wins.
   • Alternatively, you can play for a set number of rounds (e.g., 10 rounds) and see who has the highest score at the end.
4. Scoring Examples
   • If you throw three darts and their sum is 25, that’s a multiple of 5. You earn 25/5 = 5 points toward your total.
   • If your sum is 20, you earn 20/5 = 4 points.
   • If your sum is 23 (not divisible by 5), you get 0 points for that turn—no partial credit!
5. Going Over
   • Some house rules state that if you go beyond the finishing target (e.g., 51 when the target was 50), you either:
     1. Bust: You revert to your previous score, or
     2. Stay Put: You simply don’t gain any points that round.
   • Clarify which rule you’re using before you start.
6. Three-Dart Total
   • Remember, it’s the total of the three darts that counts. The distribution doesn’t matter as long as the final sum is a multiple of 5.
   • Whether you hit single segments, doubles, or trebles, just add it all up.

Personal Experiences

• That Satisfying 25
  Early on, I realized that hitting 25 in a round (like a bullseye’s outer ring = 25 points) is perfect for Fives—it converts directly to 5 points. I once threw two single 5s and clipped the outer bull for a neat 35 total (which gave me 7 points). My friends still remind me of that “lucky fling.”
• Narrow Misses
  It’s agonizing to end up at, say, 24 or 26. The difference of a single point can deny you any score that turn. We’ve all had that face-palm moment—so near, yet so far!
• Strategic Targeting
  After a few rounds, you start noticing patterns—like aiming for 20 or 25, or combining small hits to reach 15. I’ve gotten into the habit of quickly summing my first two darts, then deciding on the best final dart to land exactly on a multiple of 5. It’s surprisingly tense!

Tips & Strategy

1. Mental Math Practice
   • Get comfortable adding and subtracting dart scores in your head on the fly (e.g., if your first two darts total 14, you’ll need 1 or 6 or 11… to hit 15, 20, or 25, etc.). A quick mental calculation can guide that third dart.
2. Have “Go-To” Multiples
   • Many players aim for 15 (three single 5s or combinations around 19, 20, 25). Others consistently shoot at 20 or 25. Figure out which multiples of 5 you hit most reliably and plan around those.
3. Adapt if You Miss Early
   • If your first or second dart lands somewhere unexpected, recalculate. Don’t stubbornly keep aiming for the same big segment if it no longer helps you reach a multiple of 5 in three darts.
4. Stay Calm Under Pressure
   • As you get close to the target score (e.g., 50), tension builds—especially if going even slightly over might bust you. Take a breath before each dart. A cool head can prevent a frantic miss.
5. Mix High and Low
   • If you’re comfortable hitting triple 20, that’s 60 points in one dart—maybe too large if you just need 15 or 20 total. Sometimes singles or doubles are more practical to land that perfect multiple.

Handicap Options

To accommodate different skill levels:

1. Different Targets
   • Set a lower finishing target (like 30) for beginners and a higher one (like 50) for advanced players. Everyone tries to hit their personal target. First to reach it wins.
2. Extra Dart
   • Let novices use 4 darts per turn but still only count the sum of the best 3. This helps them craft multiples of 5 more reliably.
3. Flexible Multiples
   • Allow beginners to earn half points (rounding down) if they’re within 1 or 2 of a multiple of 5. For instance, if they total 23, treat it as though it’s 25 for half points. Skilled players get no such grace.
4. Team Variation
   • Pair a newbie with an expert. They alternate throws, combining the results into one total for the round. If they hit 25 collectively, that’s 5 points for the team.
5. Free Pass
   • Let novices skip one round if they fail to get a multiple of 5. Instead of getting 0 that round, they might automatically get 2 points. This helps them stay competitive.

Why I Love Fives

Fives (or All 5) strikes a nice balance between luck and skill. You don’t have to be a pro at hitting tiny segments—just enough to consistently land totals in multiples of 5. But if you’re more advanced, you can apply strategy to aim for big multiples (like 50 or 60) or precise smaller ones to avoid busting. It’s also a playful way to sharpen mental arithmetic while enjoying a few friendly rounds at the oche.

Another big plus? It’s flexible in length—play to 50 for a quick game or 100 for a deeper challenge. And the tension of “Will I land exactly on 30 or overshoot to 32?” never seems to get old.

So if you’re looking for another numbers-oriented dart game beyond x01 or Cricket, Fives is well worth a shot. Once you get the hang of hitting those sweet multiples, you’ll relish every turn you hear someone groan, “Ah, 26 again—0 points!” Happy throwing, and may your dart sums land perfectly on 5’s multiples!