Shanghai darts rules
By Pierre, updated
Shanghai is played over seven rounds, sometimes twenty: one number per round, and points only on that number. The single, the double and the treble of the same number in one visit make a Shanghai, which wins the game at once.
Everyone aims at the same number in the same round, each for themselves. Play it alone, with a friend or in a group, and the board reads at a glance.
The aim
Score the most points in 7 rounds, or hit a Shanghai first.
The round
In round 1, everyone throws at the 1; in round 2, the 2; and so on up to 7.
Only the round's number counts: a single scores the number, a double twice it, a treble three times. Points add up from round to round.
Shanghai
The single, the double and the treble of the number in one visit, in any order: the game is won at once, whatever the score.
The finish
Without a Shanghai, the highest total after round 7 wins.
Tied at the top, the leaders play the next number, between themselves, until one pulls ahead.
An example
Round 5, everyone aims at the 5. Your first dart hits the treble 5: 15 points. The second, the single: 5 more. You still need the double, and the third dart finds it: Shanghai, the game is won, whatever the score.
Without that double, your visit was worth 20 points, and the game went on to the 6.
Variants
- 7 rounds, 1 to 7, for a short game; 20 rounds, 1 to 20, for the long version.
- Depending on the house, the Shanghai must come in order (single, double, treble) or in any order. Bullcast takes it in any order.
- Tied for first after the last round: the tied players play the next number between them, until one pulls ahead. After the 20, it's the bull.
On Bullcast
Shanghai comes with Bullcast Complete, and is open to everyone on a Bullcast pub's board. The TV shows the round's number big, and the rings you still need for a Shanghai.
Questions
Are three trebles a Shanghai?
No: you need all three rings of the number, the single, the double and the treble. Three trebles still score nine times the number.
Does the bull count?
No, only the round's number scores. The bull only breaks a tie after the 20.
How many players?
From 1 to 8 on Bullcast, taking turns.