Everyone owns a number and three lives. You have to arm yourself before you can take anyone else out — then it is open season.
Claiming numbers
Everyone throws one dart at the board, and whatever number it lands in is yours — tap that number to claim it. Bull does not count, and if someone already has that number you throw again.
Arming yourself
Your number is shown big at the top. Hit the double of your own number and you become a killer 🗡. Until then you cannot hurt anybody.
Hunting
Armed, every double of somebody else’s number costs them a life. Three lives each — the hearts on their card tell you who is nearly gone.
Careful: once you are armed, hitting your own double again takes a life off you. It is a real risk when your number sits next to someone else’s.
Walk through one
Your number is 18, theirs is 5. You hit D18 — armed. Two darts at D5 and they drop from three hearts to one. On their turn they hit D18 twice and now you are the one on one heart.
Winning
Last player with hearts left. Knocked-out players go grey with a 💀.
Killer keeping score in Dart Keeper
How to win at Killer
Arm yourself fast. Until you hit your own double you are defenceless. Getting in first gives you free shots at the whole table.
Pick your victim. Go after the player closest to arming themselves, or the one already armed. A player who cannot hurt you yet can wait.
Mind your neighbours. Once armed, hitting your own double costs you a life. If your number sits beside someone else's on the board, aiming at their double risks hitting yours.
Numbers matter. Doubles on the sides of the board (like 11 and 6) are awkward for many players; doubles at the top and bottom are more familiar.
Variations and house rules
Dart Keeper plays three lives each, numbers claimed with one throw each, doubles to arm and to take lives. Other house rules:
More lives. Five lives makes for a longer, more tactical game.
Numbers assigned. Instead of throwing for them, players are simply given numbers.
Killer questions
How do you become a killer in darts?
Hit the double of your own number. Until then you cannot take lives from anybody.
Can you lose a life by hitting your own number?
Yes — once you are armed, hitting your own double takes a life off you.
How many lives do you get in Killer?
Commonly three, which is what Dart Keeper uses. Some groups play with five.
DART KEEPER
