Darts

Full view of a dart board in the Steinway Beer Garden, in a pre-release GTA IV screenshot.

Aiming during a game of darts in GTA IV.

“You don't have to be drunk and obese to play darts, but you can be, and that's what makes it the sport of kings.”

— GTA V Manual

Darts is a sport which can be played in Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City and Grand Theft Auto V. 

Description

In GTA IV, it is possible to play darts in the following locations: Steinway Beer Garden in Dukes, and Lucky Winkles in Algonquin. These places serve as both drinking and darts venues. Darts is available when on dates, while socializing with friends, and when alone. To win, the player must be the first to reach 0 points, as described below, from an original score of 301. The highest amount the player can score in a round is 180.

In GTA V, there's only The Yellow Jack Inn in Great Senora Desert, next to Sandy Shores. The dartboard becomes available after the mission Crystal Maze.

In GTA Online, players can also play Darts inside their MC clubhouse and arcade heist-planning level, and at The Freakshop.

Description

When playing darts for the first time, the game will display information on how to play the game (instructions slightly edited for better explanation): 

• Score points by throwing darts within the 20 numbered sections [numbered 1 to 20].
• This is the number shown on the outer rim. (Referring to the numbers near the edge of the dart board, which are base points.)
• Hitting one of the large portions of a [black or white] section scores you single points.
• Hitting within the outer [red and green] band scores you double points for that dart.
• The middle band [the inner red and green band] scores you triple points.
• The bullseye is the circle in the center of the board. The outer ring scores 25; the inner circle (the bull) scores 50.
• The object of the game is to reduce your score to exactly zero, before your opponent does.
• But remember: the winning dart must hit a double or the bull [by targeting an outer band or inner circle that will cancel out the remaining score]! Not "doubling out" results in your score being reset to the previous score, and your turn ending [also known simply as a "bust"]! [Another unspoken rule is that if the player manages to reduce their score to 1, they will evidently be incapable of closing their game with a double, also leading to a "bust".]

During aiming, the player's crosshair will tremble erratically, making aiming slightly difficult. By pressing a specific command, the player can momentarily improve accuracy, indicated by a steadier and more focused crosshair.

Scoring a 180 with three darts is a requisite for the "One Hundred And Eighty" achievement for GTA IV.

Scoring 301 with only 6 darts will earn the player the "Checking Out" award the first time they do it in GTA Online.

Videos

GTA 4 - One Hundred And Eighty Achievement Trophy (1080p)

GTA V - Darts

A perfect darts game in GTA V.

Trivia

• The fletching of the darts feature characteristics related to the characters playing darts, including:
  • Niko Bellic: Colors of the flag of Russia.
  • Roman Bellic: Game art of the unnamed bikini-clad woman from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, reflecting his love for women.
  • Little Jacob: A marijuana leaf, reflecting his avid use of marijuana. Also used when Luis Lopez is playing with Henrique Bardas.
  • Patrick McReary: A caricature of a drunk, pants-less Irish man (similar to that of the Lucky Winkles' logo). Also used when Luis Lopez is playing with Armando Torres.
  • Any girlfriend or a random opponent (when not playing with a friend): The Flag of Scotland, likely referencing Rockstar North. Also used when Luis Lopez is playing with a random opponent.
  • Johnny Klebitz: Flag of the Confederate Army.
  • There are two more designs that are not used in the games:
    • First with this screenshot from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
    • Second with a golden dollar sign (similar to the Dollar Chain from Didier Sachs) on a black background.
• There is a Darts board at Tequi-la-la in Grand Theft Auto V, so it can be assumed it probably was another location for Darts, which was cut when the bar's interior was closed (with exception of the Vinewood Souvenirs side mission).
• In GTA V, the dartboards are manufactured by Bullshot Dartboards.
• In GTA V, just like Tennis, darts can only be played with one friend at a time.
• In GTA Online, the option to play as a single player, without opponent, is available. No NPC opponents are provided.