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Game modes · Match game · 1 to 6 players · teams

Shanghai

In Shanghai darts each round has one number, and only that number scores. Pile up points on it, or hit its single, double and treble in one visit. That is a Shanghai, and it wins the leg on the spot. Three tiles show you how close you are.

  • Two players, a whole room or teams, bots included
  • 1 to 20 rounds, the numbers in order or drawn at random
  • A tile each for single, double and treble shows what you still need
  • One ring to go and the board lights exactly that ring
  • A Shanghai wins the leg, adds 100 points or just scores its points
Play Shanghai
How it works
Shanghai · Round 5 of 7 Anna wins the leg
  1. Ben61
  2. Anna82
Round 5 · Target5Anna
  1. 5Dart 1
  2. D5Dart 2
  3. T5Dart 3
ShanghaiAnna
ShanghaiWins at once
  1. Single5
  2. DoubleD5
  3. TripleT5
Round 5 as the app shows it, and only the 5 counts. Ben hits the single and the treble, but his third dart misses the double. Anna has the single and the double after two darts. The tiles and the board point her to the treble 5, and she hits it for a Shanghai and the leg.

How a leg works

Shanghai darts rules

Seven rounds by default. Players take turns, three darts a visit.

  1. One number per roundRound 1 is the 1, round 2 the 2, and so on. The round’s number lights up on the board.
  2. Only that number countsEvery hit on it scores in full, doubles and trebles included. Any other dart scores nothing, and its dart chip shows that.
  3. ShanghaiHit the single, double and treble of the round’s number in one visit, in any order. By default that wins the leg on the spot.
  4. Most points winIf nobody hits a Shanghai, the highest total after the last round wins. On a tie, the player who hit the round numbers more often wins.

In the game

See your Shanghai coming

Below the turn panel sit three tiles for the single, double and treble of the round’s number. Each one fills in when you hit it:

  • Two rings in, one dart left: the missing tile glows amber, the turn panel names the field and the board lights only that ring.
  • No longer possible with the darts you have left? The tiles fade out, and you can play for points instead.
  • Shanghai! The caller shouts it, a big callout appears and the tiles pop.
  • The dart chips show what each hit scored, or off target for any dart that missed the round’s number.

In the demo above, Ben hits the single and the treble, but his last dart misses the double. Anna gets the single and the double, and the board lights only the treble 5.

Setting · Numbers

In order or at random

Seven rounds, with round 5 in play:

  • In orderDefault
    1. 11
    2. 22
    3. 33
    4. 44
    5. 55
    6. 66
    7. 77

    Round 1 is the 1, round 2 the 2, and so on. With 7 rounds you play 1 to 7, with 20 the whole board.

  • RandomNew every leg
    1. 114
    2. 23
    3. 319
    4. 48
    5. 51
    6. 611
    7. 76

    The numbers are drawn when the leg starts and are the same for everyone. The big numbers don’t always come last.

Setting · Shanghai

What a Shanghai is worth

Anna hits the single, double and treble 5 in round 5:

  • Wins at onceDefault
    Shanghai

    The classic rule. A Shanghai wins the leg on the spot, whatever the score, so nobody is safe until the last round.

  • +100 pointsCalmer
    +100

    A Shanghai scores its points plus 100, and the game goes on. A big lead, but one that can still be caught.

  • Just pointsPure scoring
    +30

    Single, double and treble 5 are worth 30 points, nothing more. Only the total after the last round counts.

Setup

Start a game

Pick Shanghai in the game setup. The rest works the same as for any match.

  • PlayersAlone for practice, two players, a full room or teams. Bots at your level can join in.
  • RoundsA slider from 1 to 20. It marks 7, the classic length and the default, and 20 for the whole board.
  • NumbersIn order (the default) or at random. See the numbers above.
  • ShanghaiWins at once (the default), +100 points or just points. See what a Shanghai is worth above.
  • HandicapsGive any player a head start in points. A beginner can start on 30 while the others start on 0.
  • LegsOne leg, first to 2, first to 3 or more.
  • Who throws firstWhoever is top of the list, a bull-off or a random draw.

Tips

Play for the Shanghai

  • Start with the treble. It is the hardest ring. Get it early and the easier single and double are left for your last darts.
  • Watch the tiles. Two rings in after two darts? Then throw the last dart at the lit ring, not the fat single.
  • Behind in the last rounds? With the classic rule a Shanghai still wins the leg, so go for it.
  • Want a longer game? 20 rounds in random order take you round the whole board, in a new order every leg.
  • Shanghai as a test. The JDC Challenge plays Shanghai on 10 to 15 and on 15 to 20, with one dart at every double in between.

Game modes

More ways to play

Ready to throw?

Play Shanghai darts in your browser and go for the single, double and treble. The camera keeps score. No account, nothing to install.

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