All darts events in Great Britain that are organized under the exclusive supervision of

the British Darts Organization Ltd., or its subsidiaries, shall be played under the BDO
Playing Rules.

The BDO Playing Rules are divided into two distinctly separate groups.

IE: General Playing Rules — numbered 1 to 15 inclusive.

Tournament Playing Rules — numbered 16 to 33 inclusive.

All the Rules have been numbered consecutively to avoid any confusion between the
numbers used in each group

Some of the Rules have several Clauses which are also numbered consecutively
relative to the Rule Heading, so that each Clause can be easily identified.

DEFINITIONS

Various ‘terms’ have been used within the Rules for simplification, these are defined
below for reference.

‘BDO’ – shall mean the British Darts Organization Limited or any of its subsidiaries.
‘Organizers’ – shall mean the British Darts Organization Ltd., its Directors, or persons
appointed by the British
Darts Organization Ltd., to carry out its functions in relation to a darts event.
‘player’ – shall mean singular and plural, and shall include juniors, youths, men,
women, and teams.
‘referee’ – shall mean the person appointed to take charge of matchplay at a
Matchboard, or on stage, and
shall include those persons sometimes referred to as ‘callers’, or ‘checkers’.
‘markers’ – shall mean the person appointed to mark scores down on score sheets, or
a score board, at a Matchboard, or on stage, and shall include those persons
sometimes referred to as ‘scorers’.
‘scores recorder’ – shall mean the person appointed to record all scores and enter all
relevant matchplay details
on official BDO Result Sheets, or Record Cards.
‘dartboard indicator operator’ – shall mean the person appointed to operate the
electrical dartboard indicator
equipment located on the stage, which indicates to the audience which segments the
darts players darts have landed in.

GENERAL PLAYING RULES

1.00 Players shall provide their own darts, which shall not exceed an overall maximum
length of 30.5cms. (12 ins.), nor weigh more than 50 grams. Each dart shall consist of a
needle shaped point, which shall be fixed to a barrel. At the rear of the barrel shall be an
attached lighted stem, which may consist of up to five separate pieces. (IE: a flight, a
flight securing device(s), a flight protector, and a stem.)

2.00 The BDO reserves the right to seed players, in certain events, when it is deemed
necessary.
3.00 All players, and teams, shall play within the BDO Playing Rules, and where
necessary, any supplementary Rules laid down in an entry form, or programmer.

4.00 All players, and teams, shall play under the supervision and direction of BDO
appointed Organizers, and Officials, in all darts events organized under the jurisdiction
of the BDO.

5.00 All trophies awarded to a player shall be retained, unless they are of a challenge,
or perpetual type, which shall be returned to the BDO on request.

6.00 Any player failing to comply with any of the BDO Playing Rules during an event
shall be liable to disqualification from that event.

7.00 The interpretation of the BDO Playing Rules in relation to a darts event shall be
determined by the BDO appointed Organizers, whose decision shall be final and
binding.

8.00 Information concerning such interpretations shall be forwarded to the BDO Board
of Directors for consideration and possible inclusion in a revised version of the BDO
Playing Rules.

9.00 Any matter not expressly covered by the BDO Playing Rules shall be determined
by the Board of Directors, whose decision shall be final and binding.

10.00 THROW

10.01 A player shall throw darts from a standing position, excepting only in those
circumstances when a physical disability, or physical injury requires a player to adopt a
non-standing position.
(IE: a wheelchair, or a similar form of support.)

10.02 All darts must be deliberately thrown, one at a time, by, and from, the player’s
hand. All darts must be thrown with the needlepoint aimed towards the face of the
dartboard. If a dart is not thrown in this manner then the ‘throw’ will be declared a ‘foul
throw’ and will not count in that respective leg, set, or match.

10.03 A throw must consist of a maximum of ‘three darts’, unless a leg, set, or match is
completed in less than ‘three darts’.

10.04 If a player ‘touches’ any dart, which is in the dartboard, during a throw, then that
throw shall be deemed to have been completed.

10.05 Any dart bouncing off, or falling out of, the dartboard, does not count, and shall
not be re-thrown.

10.06 A player deliberately abusing the dartboard when retrieving darts at the end of a
throw will be given a verbal warning by the match referee. Another warning will be given
to the player if a second incident occurs in the same match. If a third incident occurs in
the same match then the player in question will forfeit that respective leg, and possibly
the match in question.”
11.00 STARTING AND FINISHING

11.01 In all darts events each leg shall be played with a straight start, and the finish
must be on a ‘double’, unless stated otherwise in the playing format of a particular
event.

11.02 The ‘Bull’ shall count as ‘50′, and if ‘50′ is required to complete a leg, set, or
match, then the ‘Bull’ shall count as ‘Double 25′.

11.03 The ‘Bust’ rule shall apply, IE: if a player scores more than the number required
then that score shall not count, and the player’s score shall revert back to the score the
player required prior to the opponent’s last throw.

11.04 A ‘Game Shot’ called by a referee is valid, only if the darts thrown achieve the
required finish, and remain in the dartboard until retrieved by the player at the time that
‘Game Shot’ is called.

11.05 If a ‘Game Shot’ called by a referee is declared invalid, then the player shall have
the right to continue the throw, which is in progress, in an attempt to achieve the
required finish.

11.06 If as a result of the error declared in Clause 11.05 the player has retrieved a dart,
or darts, then the referee shall replace the dart, or darts, in as near as practicable the
same position, or positions, and then invite the player to complete that throw.

11.07 The BDO does not recognize the principle of ‘equal darts’, a player who finishes
by obtaining the points required in accordance with the BDO Playing Rules wins that
leg, set, or match, whichever is applicable. The only exception to this Clause is in those
events when an equal number of darts are allocated to players in a specific playing
format.

11.08 Any darts mistakenly thrown by a player after scoring the required ‘double’ shall
not be counted, as the respective leg, set, or match is concluded by the dart scoring the
required ‘double’.

 12.00 SCORING

12.01 A dart shall only score if the point remains in, or touches the face of the
dartboard, within the outer double wire, and having been ‘called’, shall be retrieved from
the dartboard by the player.

12.02 The score is counted from the side of the segment wire in which the point of the
dart enters and remains in, or touching, the face of the dartboard.

12.03 Darts shall be retrieved from the dartboard by the thrower but only after the score
has been ‘called’ by the referee, and recorded by the marker.

12.04 A protest about the score attained, or called, after the retrieval of the dart, or
darts, may not be upheld.
12.05 All scores and subtractions made, should be checked by the referee, the marker,
and the players after each throw, and where practicable, before the next player’s throw
commences.

12.06 All requests by a player to check scores recorded, or subtractions made, must be
made before that player’s next throw.

12.07 The actual score required by a player, must be shown on the score sheet, clearly
visible, at eye level, in front of the players and the referee.

12.08 No indication of the required ‘double’ shall be given by the marker, or the referee.
(IE: ‘32′ required and NOT ‘Double 16′.)

12.09 The first player to reduce the score required to exactly zero, by obtaining the
required ‘double’, is the winner of that leg, set, or match, whichever is applicable.

12.10 The referee shall act as an umpire in all matters pertaining to the BDO Playing
Rules when conducting a darts match, and shall, if it is necessary, consult with scorers,
and other officials, before announcing any decisions during the course of matchplay.

12.11 Example of setting out a Score Sheet, or Scoreboard.

First Leg Second Leg Third Leg

ANYONE ANYBODY ANYONE ANYBODY ANYONE ANYBODY

*501 501 501 *501 *501 501
100 401 85 416 100 401 140 361 180 321 85 416
95 306 85 331 85 316 140 221 140 181 41 375
140 166 140 191 140 176 100 121 125 56 140 235
130 36 91 100 21 Game shot 56 Game shot
36 Game Shot

The result of this match is a Win for ANYONE by 2 legs to 1.

* The Winner of the Draw, or Toss, throws first in the 1st and 3rd legs.
The Loser of the Draw, or Toss, throws first in the 2nd leg.

13.00 DARTBOARDS

13.01 All dartboards used in BDO tournaments shall be manufactured by WINMAU

to the following specification;

(a) be of the ‘bristle’ type.

(b) be of the ‘1 – 20’ clock pattern.

(c) have an inner centre ring, ‘Bull’, that shall score ’50’ points.

(d) have an outer centre ring that shall score ’25’ points.

(e) have an inner narrow band, ‘Treble Ring’, which shall score
treble the segment number.
(f) have an outer narrow band, ‘Double Ring’, which shall score double
the segment number.

(g) have segmental material comprising;

Wire types can be round, triangular or diamond-shaped in section

– maximum 1.85mm or 1.27mm minimum. (+/-.2mm)

– Inner and outer bull rings, if not made of wire, to have a wall thickness not greater
than 1.6mm {+/- 0.2 mm} and to have sharpened edges.

– Strip materials should not be greater than 1.85 mm in wall thickness and have a
sharpened edge to form an apex.

– All segmental materials shall either be affixed to the face of the board in such a
manner
that they lie flat on the face of the dartboard or alternatively strip materials be
embedded
into the surface of the board.

(h) have the following dimensions;

Double and Treble dimensions to be;

– for conventional wire boards, measured inside to inside = 8.0mm +/- 0.2mm

– for boards manufactured with strip material measured apex to apex = 9.6mm +/-
0.2mm

‘Bull’ inside diameter

’25’ ring inside diameter
Outside edge of ‘Double’ wire to Centre Bull
Outside edge of ‘Treble’ wire to Centre Bull
Outside edge of ‘Double’ wire to outside edge
Of ‘Double’ wire
Overall dartboard diameter {+/- 3.0 mm.}

(i) All dartboards to be manufactured from African Sisal

(j) All dartboards to bear approved BDO and WINMAU logos

13.02 The dartboard shall be fixed such that the ’20’ segment is the darker of the two
segment
colours and is at the top centre of the dartboard.

13.03 The dartboard shall be fixed in such a manner that the vertical height from the
floor, at
the same level as the Oche, to a horizontal line through the centre of the ‘Bull’ shall
measure 1.73 metres.
13.04 A player or team Official shall have the right to request that the dartboard be
changed or
moved before or during the course of a match, always providing that the opposing
player
or team Official concurs with the request. Such change or move shall only be made
before a match, or between Legs of a match and shall only be made by a BDO
appointed Official.

14.00 LIGHTING

14.01 In tournament play all ‘floor’ dartboards shall be adequately lit by a suitably
positioned light fitting at each dartboard. (IE: 100 Watt minimum intensity)

14.02 Dartboards used in ‘stage finals’ shall be adequately lit by suitably positioned light
fittings.
(IE: Two 100 Watt minimum intensity fittings)

14.03 All light fittings must be fitted with screens to divert all light away from the player’s
eyes when standing at the Oche.

14.04 In ‘stage finals’ the general level of illumination can be augmented by the use of
‘floods’ and ‘spotlights’, but extreme care is needed to prevent the introduction of
unwanted ‘shadows’ on the dartboard during matchplay.

15.00 OCHES

15.01 A raised Oche, 38mm. high and 610mm long, (1.5ins high and 24ins long) must
be placed in position at the minimum throwing distance and shall measure from the
back of the raised Oche 2.37 metres, (7ft 9.25 ins) , along the floor to a plumb line at the
face of the dartboard.

15.02 The diagonal distance from the Centre Bull to the back of the raised Oche at the
floor level shall measure 2.93 metres. (9ft 7.5ins)

15.03 In those circumstances where the Oche is set down on a raised Playing Area,
then the raised Playing Area must be constructed such that it is centrally placed in
relation to the dartboard, the minimum width at the Oche shall not be less than 1525mm
(5ft 0ins), and the minimum depth of the standing area to the rear of the Oche shall not
be less than 1220mm. (4ft 0ins)

15.04 During matchplay no player shall tread on any part of the raised Oche, nor shall
the player deliver any dart with his feet in any other position other than behind the toe
edge of the raised Oche.

15.05 A player wishing to throw a dart, or darts, from a point on either side of the raised
Oche must keep his feet behind an imaginary straight line extending on either side of
the raised Oche.

15.06 Any player in breach of Clause 15.04, or 15.05, shall first be warned by the
referee in the presence of the Player’s Captain, or Team Manager. Any dart
subsequently delivered in breach of these Clauses shall not score, and shall be
declared invalid by the referee.

15.07 A player, or team captain, shall have the right to request that the Oche
dimensions be checked, and adjusted if necessary, always providing that the opposing
player, or team captain, concurs with the request. Such request must be made before
the start of, or after the completion of a leg. The match official shall, at his discretion,
convey the request to the Stage Manager, or Floor Controller, so that a check, and
adjustment if necessary, can be affected. Such check, and any adjustment, shall only
be made before the start of, or after the completion of a leg.

15.08 Adjustments to, and the checking of, Oche dimensions shall only be carried out
by a BDO appointed match official.

15.09 OCHE DIMENSIONS

16.00 TOURNAMENT AND CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING RULES

16.01 Unless stated otherwise all BDO Tournaments, and Championships, shall be run
on a ‘Knock-Out’ basis.

16.02. Special events, or multiple team Play-offs, may involve a ‘Round Robin’ basis.
IE: Each player or team, plays every other player or team in that event.

16.03 The BDO, or its appointed Organizers, reserve the right to cancel, or change, all
dates, venues, and scheduled darts events, without prior notice.

16.04 Decisions on all matters pertaining to the BDO Playing Rules in any BDO
Tournament, or Championship, shall be made by the appointed Organizers, whose
decisions shall be final and binding.

16.05 In County Play-offs, where the number of entries for that County have been
allocated into sections to be played off at different dates, times, and playing venues, it is
acceptable for players to be re-allocated on request. Such re-allocation, however, is
subject to being sanctioned in writing, by the appointed Organizers, prior to the date of
the original allocation with a copy of the sanction being sent to the BDO Office for future
reference in the instance of any enquiry.

16.06 All tournament players shall play within the BDO Playing Rules, and where
necessary, any supplementary Rules laid down in a darts event entry form, or
programmer.

16.07 Any player, or team, found guilty of deliberately losing a leg, set, or match, shall
be disqualified from any further participation in that particular BDO darts event, that
player, or team, shall also be barred from entering any other BDO darts event until such
time as laid down by the Board of Directors.

16.08 No player, or team, having been knocked out of a Knock-Out Tournament, shall
play again in that Tournament either as a substitute player, or team or in his, or their
own right, excepting in those circumstances when a breach of the BDO Playing Rules
has occurred which materially affected the losing player, or team, such breach not
having been occasioned by the losing player, or team. The BDO appointed Organizers
may, at their own discretion, reinstate the player, or team, in the Tournament, either in
substitution for, or in addition to the winning player, or team. This Clause shall be
construed as embracing any number of players up to, and including a complete team.

16.09 On completion of a match a ‘losing’ player must remain available to mark the next
match on the assigned matchboard on which the player in question had lost his/her
match.
The player in question may arrange for another person to undertake this duty – failure to
comply with this requirement then the player shall be liable to forfeit any trophy/prize
money that may be due at that stage, pay a fine, or be excluded from the next
scheduled darts event.

16.10 If a player, or team Representative, is not present at the official presentation

ceremonies to receive trophies, prizes, or prize monies, without the BDO appointed
Organizer’s or the Sponsor’s prior permission, then that player, or team representative,
shall forfeit the right to receive any such trophies, prizes, or prize monies that they may
be due.

16.11 Any player, or team, not fulfilling the playing commitments of a Tournament by
failing to complete all scheduled matches, including Grand Finals shall forfeit the right to
receive any such trophies, prizes, or prize monies that they may be due in relation to
that respective Tournament.

16.12 If any additional expenses are incurred due to a default by a player, or team, then
that player, or team shall be liable for those additional expenses.

16.13 In the instance of a player, or team being involved in, or causing actions which
are considered to have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute, then that player, or
team shall be liable to Disciplinary Proceedings being taken against the player, or team,
which could mean the imposition of fines, suspensions, or other penalties.
See the BDO Code of Practice No 3 in the BDO Authorized Handbook.

17.00 ENTRY

17.01 Admission fees into tournament venues are not refundable.

17.02 Entry fees into tournaments are not refundable, except on those occasions
deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

17.03 All entries are to be made on official BDO entry forms, which must be accurately
completed and returned together with the appropriate entry fees, before, or on the
specified closing date.

17.04 Any entry form found to be inaccurately completed, or not submitted strictly in
accordance with the requirements laid down on the entry form, may not be accepted by
the Organizers, or the entry disqualified before, during, or after the event depending
upon when the inaccuracy is discovered.

17.05 The first named player, or representative, on a team entry form shall assume the
responsibility of notifying the second, or other named players, of the receipt of, and the
contents of all communications in connection with the darts event received by him from
the BDO appointed Organizers.

17.06 The receipt of an entry form will only be acknowledged if a self-addressed

envelope is enclosed with the entry form, together with sufficient postage to cover the
return of the receipt.

17.07 Only the players named on an entry form as the competing individual, or team,
shall be eligible to play in the respective darts event.

17.08 No player, or team, shall enter more than once in any respective darts event.

17.09 No player shall play in more than one team in any respective darts event.

17.10 All players participating in a Singles, or Pairs darts event must play under their
own name.

17.11 Unless stated otherwise all entry fees shall be used exclusively in defraying
tournament expenses: to further the promotion of the Sport of Darts: or to support a
specific charity.

17.12 In certain circumstances it may be necessary to impose an age limit on the

players allowed to participate in
an event subject to the legal requirements governing a sponsorship agreement relating
to an event.

17.13 The completion of an entry form by a player, or team, for a BDO darts event, and
the acceptance of that entry form by the BDO, shall be deemed as an acceptance by
that player, or team, of the BDO Playing Rules in relation to that event.

17.14 The BDO appointed Organizers reserve the right to refuse, or cancel any entrant,
at any stage prior to, or after a darts event, without assigning a reason for so doing, and
their decision shall be final and binding in all matters relating to that event.

17.15 Any entrant into a BDO Members Only darts event is always subject to the player
complying with the BDO Eligibility Rule.

18.00 REGISTRATION

18.01 All tournament players shall register at each darts event at scheduled times,
which are predetermined by the BDO appointed Organizers.

18.02 Any tournament player failing to register by the notified time shall be eliminated
from that respective tournament, in which instance no entry fee shall be refundable.

18.03 No player shall be allowed to register more than once in any respective darts
event in any one Playing Season.

18.04 Any player, or team, that is not in attendance when called upon to play at the
nominated time shall forfeit that leg, set, or match, whichever is applicable, in such
instances no entry fee shall be refundable.
18.05 Only THREE minutes shall be allowed from the time of calling over the public
address system for the player, or team, to reach the Control Desk, or the Assigned
Matchboard, or at a convenient point in the venue.

18.06 The BDO appointed Organizers reserve the right to alter scheduled times and the
Playing Format of a darts event whenever it is deemed necessary.

18.07 Any player, or team, has the right to be advised the time of the next match that
the player, or team is scheduled to play.

19.00 DRAW

19.01 There will be only ONE draw for opponents which will be conducted prior to the
darts event, the bracket system being adopted.

19.02 The BDO appointed Organizers shall arrange preliminary matches so as to

eliminate all ‘Byes’ from the first round proper of the darts event.

19.03 Draw Charts must be displayed, where possible, at the Control Desk, in the event
programmer, at the Matchboard, or at a convenient point in the venue.

19.04 The times indicated on the Draw Chart are for the player’s guidance only, who
should be prepared to be called up to the Control Desk up to 45 minutes earlier than the
times indicated.

19.05 The BDO appointed Organizers reserve the right to seed players, or teams, in the
draw for a darts event, whenever necessary.

19.06 No substitutes shall be allowed in an individual darts event.

19.07 No substitutes shall be allowed after the first round of a team event, unless the
Playing Rules of the particular event allow for reserve members of a team to be used, or
in extenuating circumstances allowed for at the discretion of the BDO appointed
Organizers.

20.00 ORDER OF PLAY

20.01 The Order of Play shall be determined by a draw, or toss of a coin, at the Control
Desk, prior to the issue of a Match Assignment Card.

20.02 The Winner of the draw, or toss, shall throw first in the first Leg, or Set, and all
ODD alternate Legs, or Sets, thereafter in that respective match.

20.03 The Loser of the draw, or toss, shall throw first in the second Leg, or Set, and all
EVEN alternate Legs, or Sets, thereafter in that respective match.

20.04 In all match play events a Bull-up shall decide the order of throw in the deciding
leg of each match.

20.05 If the Order of Play has not been correctly adopted then that respective Leg shall
be stopped, and then restarted using the correct Order of Play.
20.06 If legs have already been completed using an incorrect Order of Play then the
results determined in those legs shall stand, but the next leg shall be started using the
correct Order of Play.

21.00 MATCH ASSIGNMENT/RESULT/RECORD/CARD

21.01 An assignment/result/record/card shall be made out, at the Control Desk,

detailing the Order of Play, and indicating the Order of Throwing. This card shall be
presented to the assigned Match-Board referee by the player, the referee shall be
responsible for ensuring that the Order of Play, and the Order of Throwing is strictly
adhered to during that respective match.

21.02 On conclusion of the match the referee shall sign the

assignment/result/record/card clearly indicating the winning player and the card shall be
returned immediately to the Control Desk by the winning player.

21.03 The progression of players shall be marked up on Draw Charts, or made

available at the Control Desk, so that players, or spectators can determine the current
positions during the darts event.

21.04 When made available, all players are required to wear ID badges at all times
during a darts event, unless specifically requested to remove them by a BDO appointed
Official. (IE: During a televised stage match.)

22.00 PRACTICE

22.01 Each player is ONLY entitled to ‘6′ practice darts to be thrown at the assigned
Matchboard prior to the match commencing. No other practice darts may be thrown
during that match without the prior permission, or instruction, of the Matchboard referee.

22.02 In Round Robin events a player’s practice darts shall be reduced by ‘3′ for the
second, and subsequent visits to the Matchboard.

22.03 In exceptional circumstances the number of practice darts may be extended from
6 to 9 to allow players to
appraise changes in oche conditions/dimensions, stage lighting, etc., prior to resuming
match play.

22.04 No practice shall be allowed on unassigned Matchboards after the darts event
has officially started.

22.05 Practice boards shall be provided in, or adjacent to, the tournament room for the
exclusive use of tournament players ONLY.

23.00 TOURNAMENT PLAY

23.01 In tournament play all players shall play under the supervision and direction of
BDO appointed Organizers and Officials.

23.02 No person shall be allowed within the Playing Area other than the Matchboard
referee, markers, scores recorders, and assigned players.
23.03 Only referees, or markers, and the Dartboard Indicator operators shall be allowed
to be situated in front of a player actually at the Oche throwing darts.

23.04 Stage officials are expected to restrict their own movements to a minimum during
the course of a player’s throw, and they are not permitted to smoke, or drink on stage
during a match.

23.05 A player’s opponent must stand at least ‘610′ mm.(2ft.0ins.) to the rear of the
player actually at the oche.

23.06 In ‘stage finals’ the players shall engage in match play under the supervision and
direction of Stage Officials, and in between throws shall be located in such a position as
to afford an unrestricted view of proceedings for players, Officials, spectators, and in
some darts events, for television/video cameras.

23.07 During match play all players shall remain silent, and only the player at the Oche
shall direct enquiries to the referee. Neither shall any prompting be allowed by any other
player, any spectator, or any Official.

23.08 Any player in breach of Clause No. 23.07 shall first be warned by the referee in
the presence of the Player’s Captain, or Team Manager; any subsequent breach during
the same match shall incur the immediate disqualification of that player from that
respective match. The voicing of an enquiry, or protest, to the referee shall not
constitute a breach of Clause No.23.07

23.09 A player at the Oche is entitled to consult with the referee on the amount scored,
or required, at any time during a throw, however, the player shall not be advised on how
to finish.

23.10 Any enquiries on scores recorded, or subtractions made, will not be entered into
after the conclusion of that respective leg, set, or match.

23.11 In team events where all players throw in rotation, the Order of Throwing must be
determined and
displayed on the Matchboard before the first throw of that leg, set. or match, whichever
is applicable.

23.12 Any protest must be lodged with the Matchboard referee, or Floor Controller, at
the time of the alleged violation and a judgement given on the spot before the leg, set,
or match is allowed to continue. Any late protests will not be honored.

23.13 If a player’s equipment becomes damaged, or is lost during the course of a throw
then the player shall be allowed up to a maximum of three minutes in which to repair, or
replace, the playing equipment.
23.14 A maximum time limit of three minutes, subject to the referee’s permission, shall
be allowed in the instance of player requiring to leave the playing area, in exceptional
circumstances, during the course of match play.

23.15 During match play, any player using offensive language, or seen to be ‘mouthing’
any offensive language, or seen to be making offensive gestures, shall be deemed to
have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute, and shall become liable to Disciplinary
Proceedings being taken against them. See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO
Authorized Handbook.

24.00 TIE BREAKER

24.01 In some darts events the ‘tie-breaker’ principle is brought into operation when the
match result has reached an equality in Sets for each player, with one Set, the Final
Set, remaining to be played.
The terms of the Tie Breaker Rule shall apply to the last Leg of the Final Set of that
match.

24.02 Each player shall throw for the Bull to determine which player shall throw first in
the last Leg of the Final Set, but the player that threw first in the match shall throw first
for the Bull.

24.03 The decision will be based on the player’s dart that enters the board, remains in
the board, and is judged by the referee to be nearest the Bull.

24.04 Darts that hit and remain in the Bull, or 25 bed, shall be retrieved by the player
before the opponent throws a dart.

24.05 If a dart rebounds from the board, or falls out of the board during a throw, then the
player shall throw a further dart, or darts, until one remains in the board.

24.06 If a dart enters, and remains in the board, in such a manner that the opponent’s
view of the Bull, or 25 Bed, is obscured, then the opponent may request the referee to
adjust the angle of inclination of the dart so as to afford a clearer view. Any adjustment
of the angle of inclination must not alter the point of entry of the dart, but must align the
dart so that it is perpendicular to the face of the board.

24.07 If the darts thrown for the Bull prove to be a tie, then both players shall retrieve
their darts and shall throw again in reverse order, until a decision has been made by the
referee.

24.08 The player that wins the last Leg of the Final Set is the winner of the match.

24.09 In those matches played over a number of straight legs when the result is tied,
then the order of throw for the tie-breaker leg shall be determined by a throw for the bull
conducted under the procedure outlined in 24.02 to 24.08 above.

25.00 PLAYING ATTIRE

25.01 Players are not permitted to wear jeans, neither shall they wear trousers, or skirts
made with denim, or corduroy material, which have been fashioned in a ‘jeans style’.
This restriction shall also apply to any form of ‘track-suit’ attire.

25.02 No headgear shall be worn, without the prior permission of the BDO appointed
Organizers.
E.G. A Sikh would qualify for such permission.

25.03 Players are permitted to wear sweatbands on their wrists.

25.04 Players are not permitted to wear any article of clothing over their approved
Playing Attire.

25.05 All players, or teams. representing their County at Regional Play-offs and Grand
Finals shall wear their County approved Playing Attire. Subject to meeting the
requirements of Clause No. 25.07.

25.06 All players, or teams. representing their Country in a BDO darts event shall wear
their Country approved Playing Attire. Subject to meeting the requirements of Clause
No. 25.07.

25.07 Member County, and International Member Country Organisers are

recommended to have ‘unmarked’ Playing Attire available which shall be used on those
occasions when advertising rights are likely to be infringed.

25.08 In all BDO darts events the Playing Attire of any participating player shall be
subject to BDO approval. Any unacceptable Playing Attire must be changed before that
player can participate in any introductions, match play on stage, interviews, and
presentations.

25.09 Any player refusing to meet with BDO approval shall be liable to forfeit that
respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary
Proceedings to be considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorized Handbook.’

25.10 In Open events Clauses 25.01 to 25.09 shall not be enforced until players are
required to participate in any introductions, presentations, and match play on stage.

26.00 PLAYING RECORDS

26.01 All players scores shall be recorded in the final rounds of all BDO darts events on
official BDO Match Result Sheets, or Score Cards, so that reports on the darts events
can be authenticated.

26.02 Such records may also be made available to Member County, and International
Member Country
Selection Committees for determining the suitability of players for Inter-County, or
International status.

27.00 ADVERTISING

27.01 The BDO appointed Organizers reserve the rights to the use of all advertising
material, slogans, or logos, in connection with the promotion and the organization of any
BDO darts event.

27.02 The BDO appointed Organizers reserve the right to protect their Sponsor’s
interests with regard to any advertising material, slogans, or logos, used by any players,
teams, or other Sponsors, during a BDO darts event.

27.03 Players and spectators in a BDO darts event will not be allowed to wear any
clothing that bears any advertising material, slogans, or logos, relating to any
marketable product, or concern, without the prior written permission of the British Darts
Organization.

27.04 Players in a BDO darts event will not be allowed to use any playing equipment
that bears any
advertising material, slogans, or logos, relating to any marketable product, or concern,
without the prior written permission of the British Darts Organization.

27.05 Before any televised stage matches BDO appointed Officials, including the
referee, are empowered to request a player to withdraw, or remove, any offending
advertising material, slogans, or logos, which contravene any Clause in the BDO
Playing Rules 27, or any Television Advertising Rules currently in force at the time of
the darts event.
In those instances when a player refuses to comply with such a request then that
player, or team shall forfeit that match.

27.06 In those instances when a player introduces onto stage any advertising material,
slogans, or logos, which contravenes any Clause in BDO Playing Rule No. 27, or any
Television Advertising Rules currently in force at the time of the darts event, then that
player, or team shall forfeit that match.

28.00 SMOKING

28.01 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst engaged in a
match played on stage which is being covered by television.

28.02 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst engaged in
the televised introductions to matchplay, during any televised interviews either on or off
stage, and during presentation ceremonies made on the stage.

28.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause 28.01, or 28.02 shall be liable to forfeit
that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for
Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.

28.04 Any match official found to be in breach of Clause 28.01, or 28.02 shall be
reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorized Handbook’.

28.05 The British Darts Organization Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, reserves the right to
prohibit smoking in any other matches under its jurisdiction if it is considered to be in the
best interests of the promotion of the Sport of Darts to do so.

29.00 DRINKING

29.01 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into the area
covered by television, by any player, or match official whilst engaged in a match played
on stage which is being covered by television.

29.02 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into the area
covered by television, by any player, or match official during televised introductions to
matchplay, during any televised interviews either on or off stage, and during
presentation ceremonies made on the stage.

29.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause 29.01, or 29.02 shall be liable to forfeit
that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for
Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.

29.04 Any match official found to be in breach of Clause 29.01, or 29.02 shall be
reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice NO. 3 in the BDO Authorized Handbook’.

29.05 The British Darts Organization Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall reserve the
right to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic drinks in any other matches under its
jurisdiction, if it is considered to be in the best interests of the promotion of the Sport of
Darts to do so.

30.00 ANTI-DOPING POLICY

30.01 The terms and conditions laid down in the BDO Code of Practice No 6: Anti-
Doping Policy shall apply to all players and officials participating in the Sport of Darts.

31.00 ORGANISATION OF DARTS EVENTS

31.01 The British Darts Organization Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall have the right
to organize a darts event anywhere in the British Isles. Wherever possible the BDO
shall endeavor to schedule darts events so as to avoid clashing with any known major
darts events.

31.02 A Member County shall NOT be allowed to organize a darts event, in an area
known to be under another Member County’s jurisdiction, without the other Member
County’s involvement or written approval.

31.03 No Member County shall organize, or promote, a ‘National’ titled darts event
without the written
authority of the BDO Board of Directors.

31.04 A Member County appointed to organize the County, or Area Play-off of a BDO
darts event, which includes players from more than one Member County, shall not
organize that play-off on a date allocated for the County, or Area play-off of another
BDO darts event.

32.00 EXCLUSION

32.01 The British Darts Organization Ltd., reserves the right to exclude any Playing
Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts Organization from
any, or all BDO Members Only darts events, if that Playing Member, or Official, or
Member County, or Member Country Darts Organization is found to be in breach of any
of the BDO Playing Rules, or any of the Rules and Regulations laid down in Volume
ONE and Volume TWO of the BDO Authorized Handbook.
32.02 The exclusion of any Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member
Country Darts
Organization from any, or all BDO Members Only darts events, shall ONLY be put into
effect as a result of Disciplinary Proceedings being taken in accordance with BDO Code
of Practice No. 3 as laid down in the BDO Authorized Handbook.

31.03 The British Darts Organization reserves the right to ‘debt-suspend’ any player, or
team, or Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts
Organization from any, or all BDO darts events until such time as all outstanding debts
have been cleared.

32.00 AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS

32.01 The British Darts Organization Ltd. reserves the right to add to, or amend, any, or
all, of the BDO Playing
Rules, at any time to meet any purpose deemed to be necessary at that time by the
Board of Directors.

33.00 COPYRIGHT

33.01 The entire contents of the BDO Playing Rules are the copyright of the British
Darts Organization Ltd., and may not be reprinted, copied, duplicated, or otherwise
reproduced, wholly, or in part, without the written consent of the copyright owner.

33.02 When a darts event is being staged outside the jurisdiction of the British Darts
Organization Ltd., the Organizers of that darts event may be given consent to state that
‘ BDO PLAYING RULES APPLY’, on entry forms, and other darts event literature.

Consent to do this can only be obtained by making application in writing to the BDO
Headquarters,
2 Pages Lane, Muswell Hill, London, N10 1PS.

Or by e-mail to < britishdartsorg@btconnect.com >