Dartsmind Online Darts League – Season 7

Welcome to the Dartsmind Online Darts League (DODL).

DODL is designed to provide a competitive, fair and, most importantly, enjoyable online darts community. These rules are here to help the league run smoothly and ensure that everyone knows what is expected of them.

By accepting a place in a DODL division, players agree to follow these rules, treat others with respect and make a reasonable commitment to completing their fixtures and engaging with the league.

1. League Structure

Divisions

DODL currently operates eight paid divisions:

Premier League
Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
Division 4
Division 5
Division 6
Division 7

There will be a maximum of 14 players per division.

The Premier League is the highest tier.

DODL reserves the right to operate additional free waiting-list divisions where appropriate.

Season Format

Each player plays every other player twice – once as the home player and once as the away player.
The home player invites the away player on Dartsmind, ensuring that each player has the opportunity to throw first.
A 14-player division therefore has 13 fixture rounds and 26 individual matches.
Each fixture round consists of two matches against the same opponent – home and away.
All official league matches must be played using Dartsmind.

2. Player Commitment

DODL relies on players being committed to completing their fixtures and engaging with the league throughout the season.

Players should expect to commit approximately 1 to 1½ hours per week to completing their league fixtures, as well as checking Discord regularly for messages, match arrangements, announcements and league updates.

We understand that circumstances can change and genuine emergencies happen. However, players should not accept a place in a division if they do not reasonably expect to have enough time to complete their fixtures.

Running DODL requires considerable work from our volunteer League Administration Team and Division Captains. Players withdrawing, repeatedly failing to arrange matches or not engaging with the league can also have a significant impact on everyone else in their division.

If you are unable or unwilling to make this level of commitment, DODL may not be the right league for you.

3. Minimum Age

Players must be at least 16 years old to participate in DODL.

The UK Government has announced new restrictions relating to social media access for under-16s, expected to come into force from spring 2027.

Discord is an essential part of participating in DODL and is used for match arrangements, communication, results and league administration.

While the precise scope of the new restrictions is still being determined, DODL has taken the decision to introduce a minimum age of 16. We believe this is the most appropriate step to safeguard the future operation of the league and provide a clear and consistent age requirement for our community.

Players must therefore be aged 16 or over when joining DODL.

4. Points System

Players receive:

Win – 2 points
Loss – 0 points

League positions are determined by:

Total points;
If level, leg difference (Legs For minus Legs Against);
If players remain level where a final position needs to be decided, a one-off First to 4 play-off will be played.

For a play-off, the player with the highest overall season average will throw first.

5. Match Format

All league matches are:

First to 4 legs;
501 format;
Single in, double out; and
Played using Dartsmind.

Cameras

Cameras must be enabled for all official DODL matches.

The camera must clearly show all of the dartboard, and movement of the camera during a match should be kept to a minimum.
Players must ensure that their darts can be clearly seen.
Where one dart obscures another, players may need to carefully move or remove a dart to make the score clear.
Trebles and doubles – particularly winning doubles – should be made clearly visible before the darts are removed from the board.
This can be done with a quick flick, wiggle or twist of the dart while it remains in the board. Players may also tap the dart or use a hand gesture to indicate multiple trebles where appropriate.
If you cannot clearly see your opponent's board, stop play and ask them to correct their camera.
If the problem cannot be resolved or repeatedly occurs, you may leave the game after taking appropriate screenshots or other evidence and contact your Division Captain.

Microphones

Microphones do not need to remain switched on throughout a match.
However, we encourage players to open their microphone before starting to say hello and wish their opponent good luck.
Microphones must also be used where communication is required during a match, including when correcting a Dartsmind AI scoring error.

Dartsmind Coins

Players must have sufficient Dartsmind coins to play their matches and must pay their share of the match cost.
Repeatedly failing or refusing to pay your share may result in disciplinary action or removal from the league.

Breaks & Slow Play

Players needing an unexpected break during a match should tell their opponent rather than simply disappearing.
Repeated or excessive unexplained breaks may be reported to your Division Captain.
Where disciplinary action is requested because of alleged deliberate slow play or repeated disappearances, players may be asked to provide appropriate evidence, such as a screen recording.

6. Fixture Release Schedule

Fixtures are released in three periods.

Period 1 – Fixture Rounds 1–4

Players have four weeks to complete these fixtures.

Period 2 – Fixture Rounds 5–8

Players have four weeks to complete these fixtures.

Period 3 – All remaining fixture rounds

The exact number of fixtures in Period 3 depends on the number of players in the division. For example:

14 players – final 5 fixture rounds;
13 players – final 4 fixture rounds;
12 players – final 3 fixture rounds.

Players may complete their fixtures in any order within the current period. You do not have to play them in fixture-number order.

However, all fixtures within a period must be completed by the end of that period.

7. Arranging Matches

Players are responsible for making a reasonable effort to arrange their fixtures.

When contacting an opponent, you should offer several reasonable options for dates and times.
Simply messaging an opponent asking whether they can play immediately is not considered sufficient effort to arrange a fixture. Players need reasonable notice and an opportunity to prepare.
Please use the Discord tag function when contacting your opponent so they are alerted to your message.
There is no fixed requirement for a player to respond within 24, 48 or 72 hours. Instead, Division Captains will consider the overall effort and engagement shown by both players throughout the relevant fixture period.
Once a match has been arranged, it should be posted in the appropriate Confirmed Games channel. This helps Division Captains monitor outstanding fixtures.
If you cannot reach an agreement with an opponent, contact your Division Captain.
If you are going on holiday, please post the relevant information in the Holidays channel and let your Division Captain know in advance.

We know that life can throw unexpected things at us. If something is affecting your ability to play, please speak to your Captain.

Good communication gives us the best opportunity to support you while also keeping the league running fairly for everyone.

8. End-of-Period Outstanding Fixtures & Forfeits

All matches allocated to a fixture period must be completed before that period ends.

At the end of each period, Division Captains will review any outstanding fixtures.

Where one player has clearly made more reasonable effort to arrange and complete the fixture, the outstanding matches may be awarded to that player as forfeits.
Where both players have made a similar level of effort, or there is insufficient evidence to reasonably determine that one player was primarily responsible, the two outstanding matches will normally be split:
- Player A receives one 4–2 forfeit victory;
- Player B receives one 4–2 forfeit victory.

Division Captains may consider:

Discord messages;
Availability offered;
Confirmed arrangements;
Cancellations;
Holidays;
No-shows; and
Any other relevant evidence.

Players are therefore strongly encouraged to arrange their fixtures through Discord so that there is a clear record of the efforts made by both players.

Standard Forfeit Score

Unless otherwise stated within these rules, a forfeited match will be recorded as 4–2.

For statistical purposes, the player receiving the forfeit will be assigned their current league average so that the forfeit does not unfairly distort their season statistics.

9. Lateness, Cancellations & No-Shows

Players should arrive for an arranged match at the agreed time.

If you know you cannot attend, you should tell your opponent as early as reasonably possible.

Where possible, players should aim to give at least two hours' notice of a cancellation. We recognise that genuine emergencies can occur with less notice.

Failure to Attend

If a player has not arrived 30 minutes after the agreed start time and has not contacted their opponent to explain the situation, the fixture may be treated as a no-show.

The player who attended then has two options.

Option 1 – Claim Both Matches. The player may claim both scheduled matches as 4–2 forfeit victories.

Option 2 – Offer One Further Opportunity. The player may voluntarily agree to rearrange the fixture and give their opponent one final opportunity to play.

The decision belongs to the player who attended the original arranged fixture. They are under no obligation to offer another opportunity.

If a second opportunity is agreed and the same player fails to attend again, both matches will automatically be forfeited 4–2. There will be no further opportunity to replay the fixture.

Neither the player nor the Division Captain has discretion to arrange another attempt following a second no-show.

10. Match Results & Statistics

Following completion of their fixtures, players are responsible for ensuring their results are submitted correctly.

The required information is available on the Dartsmind match summary screen and includes:

Final score;
3-dart average for both players;
Checkout percentage for both players;
Highest checkout for both players;
60+ scores;
100+ scores;
140+ scores; and
180s.

11. Results Submission & Website Approval

Following a match, the winning player should complete both of the following steps.

Step 1 – Upload the Dartsmind Screenshot to Discord

A screenshot of the completed match must be posted in the relevant Division #results channel.

This provides the official evidence of the result and allows the Division Captain to verify the information submitted.

Step 2 – Submit the Result on the DODL Website

The winning player should then visit the DODL website, find the corresponding fixture and enter the match result and required statistics.

Once submitted, the result will appear as pending, allowing players to see an immediate update of how the result affects the league table.

The relevant Division Captain will then check the submitted information against the Dartsmind screenshot posted in Discord.

Once the information has been verified, the Captain will approve the result and its status will change from pending to confirmed/current.

If information has been entered incorrectly, the Division Captain may correct or reject the submission before approving it.

This system allows everyone to see an up-to-date indication of the league table shortly after matches are completed while reducing the amount of manual data entry required from our volunteer Division Captains.

Players should complete both the Discord screenshot and website submission promptly following their matches.

Any discrepancies or disputes should be reported to the relevant Division Captain.

12. Dartsmind AI Score Correction Procedure

If Dartsmind's AI incorrectly records a player's score and the app has already advanced to the next player's turn, making the previous score impossible to edit, the following procedure must be followed.

Step 1 – Tell Your Opponent Immediately

The affected player must immediately open their microphone and tell their opponent that Dartsmind has recorded their score incorrectly.

They must clearly state:

The score Dartsmind recorded;
The score that should have been recorded; and
Their correct remaining score.

The opponent must acknowledge and agree with the correction before play continues.

Step 2 – Continue From the Correct Score

Once both players agree, play should continue based on the genuine correct score, rather than the incorrect score currently displayed by Dartsmind.

On the affected player's next visit, they should throw their turn based on the score they should genuinely have remaining.

After completing that visit, they may manually adjust the score entered for that turn to compensate for the previous AI error and return Dartsmind to the correct match position.

Example – Dartsmind Misses Points. If a player throws 60 but Dartsmind records 40, they are 20 points worse off on the app than they should be. If Dartsmind subsequently shows that the player has 100 remaining, their genuine remaining score is actually 80. They should therefore play their next visit from 80. After completing that visit, they may adjust the score entered for that visit so that Dartsmind once again displays the correct remaining score.

The same principle applies where Dartsmind incorrectly adds points to a player's score. The following editable visit may be adjusted to compensate for those additional points.

Step 3 – Checking Out

If correcting the AI error means the player genuinely has a finish and they successfully check out on their next visit, they may manually adjust the score in Dartsmind to reflect the winning leg.

This is permitted only where the opponent was informed of the scoring error beforehand and agreed with the correct remaining score before the checkout was attempted.

Step 4 – If Players Disagree

If either player disagrees with the correction, or there is uncertainty about the correct score, play must stop.

Both players should make a note of:

The current position in the leg;
The score Dartsmind recorded;
The score being disputed; and
Any relevant evidence.

The matter should then be referred to the relevant Division Captain before play continues.

Players must not continue while there is an unresolved disagreement about the correct score.

Step 5 – Fair Use

This procedure exists solely to correct genuine Dartsmind AI scoring errors.

Players must communicate openly throughout the process so that both players understand and agree on the correct match position.

Any repeated, suspicious or potentially abusive use of manual score corrections may be referred to the DODL League Administration Team for investigation and could result in disciplinary action.

The spirit of this rule is to ensure that genuine scoring errors can be corrected fairly while maintaining transparency, honesty and good sportsmanship between both players.

13. Membership & Payment

Annual membership must be paid before participating in fixtures unless otherwise agreed with the League Administration Team.
Players with unpaid membership will not normally be permitted to join a paid division.
Free waiting-list divisions are exempt from the paid membership requirement.
Payment details are provided through Discord and payment becomes due when a player accepts a place in the league.
Membership for 2026 was £10 per calendar year.
Players joining for the final season of a calendar year may be offered a reduced membership fee determined by the League Administration Team. For DODL Season 7 this is £5.
Where a season overlaps two calendar years, membership for the new calendar year will still become due in January. Players choosing not to renew will be permitted to finish the season already underway.
DODL is run on a not-for-profit basis. Membership income is used for league purposes, including trophies and website costs.

14. Trophies & League Winner Prizes

DODL league winners may choose either:

A DODL winner's trophy; or
A £20 cash alternative.

Standard trophy postage is included for league winners based within the United Kingdom.

International winners may still choose to receive a trophy but will be responsible for any additional international postage costs before the trophy is dispatched. Alternatively, international winners may choose the £20 cash option.

Where payment is made in another currency, the £20 will be converted into the recipient's local currency. Any currency conversion, transfer or payment-processing fees will be deducted from the £20 prize. This means that the final amount received may be less than the equivalent of £20.

15. Player Conduct & Sportsmanship

Players are expected to:

Treat other players, Division Captains and League Administrators with respect and courtesy;
Demonstrate good sportsmanship;
Communicate respectfully on Discord and Dartsmind;
Play honestly;
Follow the rules relating to cameras, dart visibility and score corrections;
Pay their share of any Dartsmind coins required to play; and
Avoid cheating, deliberately manipulating statistics or engaging in other unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Depending on the seriousness and circumstances of an incident, breaches may result in:

A warning;
Point deductions;
Match forfeits;
Suspension; or
Removal from DODL.

Serious incidents do not necessarily require a warning to have been issued previously.

Decisions of the League Administration Team are final.

16. Collusion & Manipulation of League Standings

Players must always compete honestly and make a genuine attempt to win their matches.

Any attempt between two or more players to deliberately manipulate league standings, promotion, relegation, statistics, averages or the outcome of a fixture is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

Agreeing to deliberately lose or concede matches or legs;
Agreeing a result without genuinely playing the matches;
Deliberately manipulating scores, averages or other statistics;
Agreeing unnecessary forfeits to benefit another player;
Deliberately failing to complete a fixture to influence the league table;
Arranging or manipulating results to affect another player's promotion or relegation; or
Any other form of collusion intended to create an artificial league outcome.

Where the League Administration Team has reasonable grounds to believe that collusion or deliberate manipulation has taken place, it may investigate the circumstances and request screenshots, messages, recordings or other relevant evidence.

Confirmed deliberate manipulation will be treated as a serious breach of DODL rules and may result in results being voided, point deductions, suspension or removal from the league.

17. Promotion & Relegation

The top three players will normally be promoted to the division above for the following season.
The bottom three players will normally be relegated.
Promotion and relegation are primarily based on final league standings.
However, DODL reserves the right to move a player outside the standard promotion or relegation positions where their performance indicates that they would be significantly better suited to another division.
This discretion exists purely to help create competitive and enjoyable divisions for everyone.

18. Division Placement for New Players

New-player placement will be based on the best information available to the League Administration Team. This may include:

The player's Dartsmind average;
Their last 100 Dartsmind games;
Previous DODL performance, where applicable; and
Other relevant playing statistics.

Players may ask for their placement to be reviewed if they believe they have been significantly misplaced. However, DODL cannot guarantee that a move will be possible during an active season.

All final placement decisions are made by the League Administration Team.

19. Players Withdrawing During a Season

Once a DODL league season has officially started, any player who chooses to withdraw will be automatically suspended from participating in the following league season.

For example, a player withdrawing during Season 7 would not be eligible to participate in Season 8. They may apply to return for Season 9, subject to availability and approval by the League Administration Team.

This rule exists because withdrawing during a season affects every other player in the division and creates significant additional work for Division Captains and League Administrators.

Players should therefore carefully consider whether they can make the required commitment before accepting their place.

The League Administration Team may waive the following-season suspension in genuinely exceptional circumstances.

Replacing a Player

When a player withdraws from DODL during an active season, how their fixtures and results are handled will depend on when during the season they leave and whether they have any outstanding fixtures.

Withdrawal During Period 1 or Period 2. DODL will make reasonable efforts to find a replacement player of a similar playing standard.

Where a suitable replacement is found:

The replacement player will take over the departing player's position in the division.
All results already played by the departing player will remain valid and will stand.
The replacement player will take over the departing player's existing points, results and league position.
The replacement player will be responsible for completing all remaining fixtures within the relevant deadlines.
The replacement effectively continues the season from the position left by the departing player rather than starting again from zero.

If a suitable replacement cannot be found, the departing player will be removed from the active competition. All matches involving the departing player will then be recorded as 4–0 losses for the departing player, including matches that had previously been played.

Where necessary, opposing players will be assigned their current league average for these administrative results so that the withdrawal does not artificially improve or reduce their playing statistics.

Withdrawal During Period 3 With Outstanding Fixtures. If a player withdraws during Period 3 and still has outstanding fixtures, DODL will not normally seek a replacement player at this late stage of the season.

Instead, all of the departing player's results will be converted into 4–0 losses. This applies both to:

Matches the departing player has already completed; and
Matches that remain outstanding at the point they withdraw.

Any previously completed result involving the departing player will therefore be replaced by a 4–0 administrative victory for their opponent.

Where necessary, the opposing player will be assigned their current league average for the administrative result so that the withdrawal does not unfairly affect their season average or statistics.

Withdrawal After Completing All Fixtures. If a player withdraws during Period 3 but has already completed all of their league fixtures, their completed results will remain valid and will not be converted to 4–0 losses.

20. Captain Conflicts of Interest

Division Captains are responsible for making a number of decisions relating to fixtures, forfeits, disputes and player conduct.

Where a Division Captain is personally involved in a dispute or decision, or where there is another reasonable conflict of interest, they must not make the final decision themselves.

The matter will instead be referred to another Division Captain or the DODL League Administration Team for an independent decision.

This ensures that decisions are made as fairly and impartially as possible.

21. Tournaments

DODL may operate tournaments alongside league fixtures.

Each tournament may have its own rules and playing format.
Tournament participation is optional unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Tournament results do not affect league standings.

Specific rules will be announced for each tournament.

22. Technical Issues & Disputes

Dartsmind Technical Problems

Players should inform their opponent and Division Captain if technical problems prevent a match from being played or completed.
Matches may be rearranged where genuine technical problems make completion impossible.
Players are responsible for having a sufficiently stable internet connection and suitable equipment to participate in online matches.

Dispute Resolution

Disputes should be reported privately to the relevant Division Captain as soon as reasonably possible.
Division Captains may escalate matters to the League Administration Team.
Players should provide any relevant evidence available, including screenshots, screen recordings, Discord messages or other relevant information.
Do not raise or argue disputes publicly in division chats.
DODL is intended to be a friendly community, and disputes should be dealt with calmly and privately.
Knowingly making false or malicious accusations against another player may itself result in disciplinary action.

Final decisions of the League Administration Team are final.

23. Communication

Our main platforms are:

Discord – match arrangements, results, announcements and league communication.
Dartsmind – all official league matches.
DODL Website – fixtures, result submissions, league tables, statistics and other league information.
Facebook – community interaction, news and promotion.

Players are responsible for checking Discord regularly, particularly the #announcements channel, throughout the season.

24. Rule Changes & Amendments

The League Administration Team reserves the right to amend these rules where necessary to ensure the fair and effective operation of DODL.
Significant changes will be communicated through Discord.
Players are responsible for checking the #announcements channel regularly for important league information and rule updates.

Season 7 Important Dates

Period 1

Friday 7th August – Thursday 3rd September 2026

Fixture Rounds 1–4 must be completed during this period.

Period 2

Friday 4th September – Thursday 1st October 2026

Fixture Rounds 5–8 must be completed during this period.

Period 3

Friday 2nd October – Friday 6th November 2026

All remaining fixture rounds must be completed during this period.

Players may complete fixtures in any order within the relevant period, but all allocated fixtures must be completed before that period closes.

Contact & Support

Facebook: DODL – Dartsmind Online Darts League Official
Discord: Official DODL Server
Questions or concerns should be raised with your Division Captain or a member of the League Administration Team through Discord.

We want DODL to be more than just fixtures and league tables – we want it to be a community.

If you have questions, concerns, need support or are experiencing an issue, darts-related or otherwise, please reach out to us.

Good luck, enjoy your darts and may the best player win! 🎯

Last updated: August 2026 – Season 7

League Rules