CSWStats · Rules

How to play Killer.

Killer is a darts pub game for three or more players, built for elimination, banter and turning on your friends the moment you get the chance. Everyone gets a number, everyone gets lives, last player standing wins.

What you need

Three or more players (it gets better with more), a dartboard, and enough numbers on the board for everyone to have their own. With a full board you can fit up to 20 players, though most games are 3 to 8.

Step 1: assign numbers

Each player is given their own number on the board, usually decided by everyone throwing one dart each at the board with their non-throwing hand or eyes shut, whichever number they land closest to (or hit) becomes their number for the game. If two players land on the same number, throw again. Write everyone's number and starting lives somewhere visible.

Step 2: become a "killer"

Playing in turn, each player throws at their own number, aiming for the double. The first double you hit on your own number makes you a killer, unlocking the ability to shoot at other players. Until you're a killer, you can only throw at your own number and can't be shot at yet by anyone who is one.

Step 3: take lives

Once you're a killer, on your turn you can aim at any other player's number. Hit their double and they lose one life. Players usually start with 3 to 5 lives, agreed before the game starts, more lives makes for a longer game.

House rules vary a lot on one point: whether a killer who hits their own double again loses one of their own lives, as a penalty for getting complacent. Some groups play it that way, some don't. Agree this before you start, it changes the game noticeably.

Step 4: last one standing wins

When a player loses all their lives, they're out. The game continues until one player has lives remaining and everyone else is eliminated, that player wins.

Variants worth knowing

Doubles rule for the whole game: some groups play that ANY double, not just your own, counts once you're a killer, and only your own double is needed to become one.
Friendly fire off: a common house rule where you can't kill the player who made you a killer, to stop pile-ons at the start of the game.
Random number draw: instead of throwing to land on a number, some groups just write numbers on paper and draw them, faster to set up with a big group.

Fancy something you can score online too? CSWStats scores 501, 301 and Around the Clock in your browser, free.

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Common questions

How many lives do you start with in Killer?

Most commonly 3 or 5, agreed by the group before the game starts. More lives means a longer game.

Can you play Killer with 2 players?

You can, but it works much better with 3 or more since the "everyone can gang up on the leader" dynamic is most of the fun. With just two it plays more like a straightforward duel.

What's the difference between Killer and Round the Clock?

Killer is a multiplayer elimination game with lives, Around the Clock is usually a solo accuracy drill or a race, hitting every number 1 to 20 in order with no lives or eliminating anyone involved.