Hit and Beat Darts Rules

Elimination game where players set and chase target scores. Three variants to choose from.

Overview

Hit and Beat — also known as "Chase" or "P\u0159esko\u010dka" (Czech) — is an elimination game built around a simple idea: one player sets a target score and the next player must beat it. Fail to beat the target and you lose a life. Lose all your lives and you're out. The last player standing wins.

The game creates natural drama as targets escalate and players push their luck. It works best with 3 to 5 players, though it can be played with 2 or more. Three variants — Classic, Shuffle, and Chase — offer different levels of unpredictability.

Game Setup

Game Phases

The game alternates between two phases depending on whether a target score is currently active.

Phase 1: Setting the Target

When there is no active target (target = 0), the current player throws darts to establish one:

• The player throws up to 3 darts, trying to score more than 0
• If score > 0: That score becomes the new target. The phase switches to Chasing and the next player must beat it.
• If score = 0 (all 3 darts miss): The player loses a life. The target remains at 0 and the next player attempts to set a target instead.

Setting a target is relatively easy since any scoring dart will do. However, missing all three darts is a costly mistake — you lose a life without anyone even chasing.

Phase 2: Chasing the Target

When there is an active target, the current player must try to beat it (score strictly higher) using up to 3 darts. The turn ends either when all 3 darts have been thrown or when the target has been beaten.

Beating the Target (score > target)

• The player's score becomes the new, higher target
• No life is lost
• The next player must now chase this new, higher target

Matching the Target (score = target)

• The target resets to 0
• No life is lost (a neutral outcome)
• The next player enters Phase 1 to set a new target

Failing to Beat (score < target)

• The target resets to 0
• The player loses a life
• The next player enters Phase 1 to set a new target

Target Persistence Across Rounds

The target score carries over between rounds — it does not automatically reset when a new round begins. If the last player in a round beats the target and sets a new higher one, the first player in the next round must chase that target. The target only resets to 0 when a player matches it exactly or fails to beat it.

This persistence is important because it means a high target set at the end of one round can put immediate pressure on the first player of the next round.

Elimination

When a player's lives reach 0, they are eliminated from the game. Eliminated players receive a finish position based on elimination order (first eliminated = last place). Only active (non-eliminated) players continue to participate in subsequent rounds.

The game continues until only one player remains. That player is the winner.

Game Flow Example

A 3-player game with 3 lives each, showing the first few turns:

Variants

Hit and Beat offers three variants that change how player order is determined between rounds.

Classic

Players throw in a fixed rotation throughout the entire game. The order never changes, just like most traditional darts games. This is the most predictable variant and recommended for beginners.

Shuffle

After each complete round (every active player has thrown once), the player order is randomly shuffled. This adds an element of unpredictability — you never know who will have to chase a high target next.

Two important constraints apply to Shuffle:

• No back-to-back turns: The last player from the previous round cannot be the first player in the next round. This prevents anyone from playing two consecutive turns.
• Fixed rotation with 2 remaining: When only 2 players are left, the order becomes fixed (no more shuffling). This ensures a fair head-to-head finish.

Chase

Uses a queue system with random elements. Similar to Shuffle but with a different threshold — the random ordering applies until a smaller number of players remain, at which point the order stabilizes. This variant offers the most variety in player ordering.

Starting Player Rotation

In multi-leg matches, the starting player rotates between legs. The first leg starts with the designated starting player, the second leg with the next player in the order, and so on. Random shuffling (in Shuffle and Chase variants) only happens within a leg, not between legs.

Strategy Tips

• Set moderate targets: When setting a target, a score around 40–60 is a good balance. Too low and the next player beats it easily, too high and the target will likely reset anyway when the chaser fails — but at the cost of their life, which benefits you.
• Watch the target escalation: Targets can escalate quickly as players beat each other. If the target reaches 100+, consider that failing costs you a life but also resets the pressure. Sometimes losing a life strategically is better than chasing an impossibly high target.
• Matching is underrated: Matching the target exactly is a neutral outcome — you lose nothing and the target resets. If you reach the target score with your first or second dart, you might consider carefully whether to throw your remaining darts (potentially overshooting and setting a high target someone else can fail on) or to stop if you already matched.
• Conserve lives early: In the early game when many players are active, there are more chances for targets to reset. Don't play too aggressively with your lives — outlasting opponents is more important than flashy scores.
• Go aggressive in the endgame: When only 2–3 players remain, every turn matters. Set high targets to pressure your opponents and aim for their elimination.
• Shuffle variant awareness: In Shuffle mode, pay attention to who went last. They can't go first next round, which means you might be next. Stay mentally prepared for your turn at any moment.

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