Official rules & regulations · 2026 season

The rules
of the game

Equipment, court, gameplay, scoring and conduct for every sanctioned APL event — the complete rulebook, illustrated.
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Quick reference

The numbers you’ll ask about

Pulled straight from the rulebook below.
17ft
throw line · marker to the front edge of the box
18 ft when using ELITE series Popdarts (2026 season)
3×4ft
player box · two, side by side
24×47.5in
table top, minimum · 36 in high
10ft
minimum vertical clearance
recommend 12-15 ft indoors / covered
10sec
shot clock · after the previous dart rests
15sec
timeout · one per team per game
3
Popdarts per team · one color each
21
points · first to reach or exceed wins
Source: APL Rules & Regulations · 2025-26 Season · Updated 08/25/2025
The rulebook

Official rules & regulations

The full text of the APL Rules & Regulations, restructured for the screen — every rule verbatim, in the rulebook’s own order.

Equipment

Table · Darts — what you play on and what you play with.
Illustration: two teams' Popdarts in different colours standing on the table around the target marker, with the tower in the front corner

Table

  • Tables shall be made of high-quality smooth and non-porous materials approved by the APL, ensuring durability and consistency for play.
  • Table dimensions: At least 24" wide x 47.5" long x 36" high.
  • Target Marker position: Centered both front to back and left to right on table.
  • Tower position: Placed in the front right corner - 24" in front of the target marker.

Darts

  • Players must use APL-approved Popdarts branded for all sanctioned events (PRO series).
  • Players may not alter darts after purchase, including modifications to suction cups or weights.
  • Players must have two different color variations ready for use.
Table plan view: 24 by 47.5 inches, target marker centred, tower in the front-right corner 24 inches in front of the marker24"47.5"24"Target MarkerTowerFRONT · players' sideBACKPLAN VIEW
Table, plan view. At least 24" × 47.5". Target Marker centred; Tower in the front right corner, 24" in front of the marker.
Table front elevation: 24 inches wide, 36 inches high, tower at the front-right, target marker centred behind it36"24"Target MarkerTowerFRONT ELEVATIONseen from the players' boxestable height 36" · top surface at least 24" × 47.5"
Front elevation. 36" high. Drawn to scale (6 px per inch) — minimum dimensions.

Court Layout

Court · Throwing Zones · Vertical Clearance.
Court plan: two 3 by 4 foot player boxes side by side, front edge 17 feet (18 feet with ELITE series Popdarts) from the target markerTableTarget Markerfront edgeof the box17 ft18 ft with ELITE seriesPopdarts · 2026 season3 ft3 ft4 ftPLAYER BOXES · SIDE BY SIDECOURT · PLAN VIEW
Court, plan view. Two 3 ft × 4 ft player boxes side by side; front edge 17 ft from the Target Marker (18 ft with ELITE series Popdarts for the 2026 season). Scale 20 px per foot.

Court

  • The court is set up with two player boxes, each located 17 feet (18 ft when using ELITE series Popdarts for the 2026 season) from the Target Marker to the front edge of the box. These boxes define the designated throwing zones for players during gameplay.

Throwing Zones

  • Each players' box is a 3 feet by 4 feet rectangle located side by side.

Vertical Clearance

  • Indoor or covered play requires a minimum vertical clearance of 10 feet (recommend 12-15').
Minimum vertical clearance 10 feet between floor and ceiling; 12 to 15 feet recommended10 ftMIN. CLEARANCE

Pre-Game

Determine Who Goes First · Practice.
Illustration: the pre-game coin flip between two players holding blue and red Popdarts, with a referee between them

Practice

  • Players may complete practice throws during open play sessions before the game begins.

Determine Who Goes First

  • Coin flip or Rock Paper Scissors determines who goes first.
  • The winner chooses either to go first or their side.
  • The referee chooses who calls the coin toss either by but not limited to ranking or home field advantage.
  • Each team uses three Popdarts of a single color, with each team assigned a different color to distinguish them.

Gameplay

Throwing Protocol · Shot Clock · Timeouts · Gameplay Penalties · Proper Throwing Technique · Scoring · Advanced Rulings.
Illustration: a player throws a Popdart from inside the floor box toward the table, target marker and tower

Throwing Protocol

To start the game, the player elected to go first throws the first Popdart.

  • Players must alternate throws within a round to maintain a consistent rhythm of play.
  • The player whose turn it is to throw may leave their players’ box during their shot clock to examine dart placement, but the throw must be made from within the box with both feet remaining in the box.
  • The non-throwing player must remain inside their designated players’ box until the final dart of the round is released.
  • Once the final dart is released, both players may immediately leave their boxes.
Round order: teams alternate throws; each team throws three Popdarts of a single colour; the team with honors throws firstTEAM WITH HONORS · THROWS FIRSTOPPONENT · ALTERNATE THROWS123456
Round order. The team with honors throws first; players alternate throws; each team uses three Popdarts of a single color.

Shot Clock

10 seconds
10sec
per throw
  • Each player has 10 seconds to throw after the previous dart has come to rest.
  • Exceeding the shot clock results in the loss of that throw.

Timeouts

15 seconds
15sec
one per team, per game
  • Each team is allowed one 15-second timeout per game.
  • The shot clock resets after a timeout.

Gameplay Penalties

  • Early Exit Violation: Leaving the players’ box before the final dart is released results in a dead dart for the offending player.
    • The opposing player may accept or decline a rethrow.
  • Shot Clock Violation: Failing to throw within 10 seconds results in loss of throw.
  • Throwing Out of Bounds: A dart thrown from outside the players’ box is declared a dead dart and removed from play.
  • Challenge Timing: All challenges regarding infractions (e.g., early movement, illegal throws) must be made before the next throw occurs.

Proper Throwing Technique

  • A legal throw involves propelling the Popdart towards the playing table.
  • Players must release the dart within their designated throwing zone without stepping beyond the front edge of the players box.
Illustration: blue and red Popdarts standing around the target marker; the closest dart's suction-cup edge is measured to the marker

Scoring

  • After all Popdarts have been thrown, points are awarded using Cancellation Scoring.

Cancellation Scoring

  • The points of one team cancel out the points of the opponent.
  • For example, if the blue team scores 5 points and the green team scores 2 points, the blue team wins the round with 3 points.

Scoring breakdown

  • Landing on top of the Target Marker (T-Nobber)
    10points
  • Closest Popdart that sticks
    3points
  • Each other Popdart that sticks
    1point
  • Any Popdart that sticks and is touching the Target Marker (“Kiss aka Lippy”)
    +1additional point
  • Wigglenobber™
    Double the points of the Popdart it sticks to, whether it’s your team’s or the opponent’s
    2×double the points
  • Fender Bender
    A Popdart touches or is lodged against the Target Marker.
    +1additional point (can stack with Kiss)
  • Tower Shot
    A Popdart lands on a designated tower shot.
    5points
  • T-Bone
    0no additional points
Rounds & the win
  • The team that was awarded points in the previous round starts the next round.
  • The team awarded points is responsible for ensuring that the Target Marker remains securely suctioned in place for the start of the next round.
  • If the Target Marker becomes unsecured during a round, the round is immediately nullified, and the team with honors forfeits honors for the next round.
  • First team to reach or exceed 21 points wins the game.
21First team to reach or exceed 21 points wins the game.

Advanced Rulings

  • If neither team gets a Popdart in play, the team who threw first loses honors and the other player goes first in the next round.
  • Tie Rule: If the closest Popdart from each team is equidistant from the Target Marker, the two tied Popdarts must be re-thrown, beginning with the team that originally threw first. Important: All other Popdarts remain in play during this re-throw. Once the re-throw is complete, scoring is determined, and all Popdarts are eligible to be counted toward the result.
  • Measurements are made by the ref using the official Popdarts Wire from the closest edge of the Popdart’s suction cup to the Target Marker.

Player Conduct

General Conduct · Dart Policy.

General Conduct

  • Players must respect officials, opponents, and venue staff at all times.
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior, including excessive taunting or distractions, may result in warnings or penalties.

Dart Policy

  • Players are responsible for ensuring their equipment complies with APL regulations.
  • Equipment challenges must be resolved before the game begins.

Broadcast Policy

Player Appearance · Fan Conduct.

Player Appearance

  • Players on broadcast matches must wear approved APL jerseys.

Fan Conduct

  • Fans are encouraged to cheer but must avoid personal attacks or profanity.
  • Violations may result in removal from the venue.

Terms and Definitions

Unique Shots · Gameplay Terms · Game Pieces.

Unique Shots

  • Wigglenobber™
    A Popdart sticks to another Popdart’s opposing suction cup.
    Point Value: Double the points of the Popdart it lands on
  • Target Marker Wigglenobber (T-nobber)
    A Popdart lands on top of the Target Marker.
    Point Value: 10 points
  • Kiss (aka Lippy)
    A Popdart touches the Target Marker while standing upright.
    Point Value: 1 additional point
  • Fender Bender
    A Popdart touches or is lodged against the Target Marker.
    Point Value: 1 additional point (can stack with Kiss)
  • Inch Worm
    A Popdart suctions to the Target Marker and the playing surface.
    Point Value: 11 points
  • Tower Shot
    A Popdart lands on a designated tower shot.
    Point Value: 5 points
  • T-Bone
    A Popdart rests on top of a live dart or target marker.
    Point Value: 0 points
  • Dogbone (aka Dead Dart)
    A Popdart not standing upright. Dead darts remain in play until the round ends.

Gameplay Terms

  • Live Dart
    A Popdart is eligible for scoring only if it stands upright without leaning on any other object or surface.
  • Honors
    The team going first in a given round
  • Captain
    The team member designated to make decisions and provide coaching.
  • Shot Clock
    The time allowed for a player to throw a Popdart. The clock starts when the previous dart sticks or comes to rest.
    Time limit: 10 seconds
  • Timeouts
    Each team is allowed one 15-second timeout per game. The shot clock resets after a timeout.
    Penalty for exceeding time: Loss of dart

Game Pieces

  • Popdart®
    A double-sided suction cup dart.
  • Target Marker
    A double-sided target marker for Pro scoring.
  • Wire
    Official measuring device.
2025-26 Season | Updated 08/25/2025 · verbatim from the APL Rules & Regulations
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