In any game of Moving Target, the first player to reach 21 points wins the game.
To determine who goes first, each player throws a dart at bullseye. Whichever player is closer to bullseye is the “scorer” for the first round. The other player assumes the role of target-setter, or “setter”, for the first round.
GAME PLAY
In each round, the setter throws two darts to set the target for the round. The scorer then throws three darts, with each dart representing a unique opportunity to equal the target that has been set and score points. The role of setter and scorer reverses each round.
SETTING THE TARGET
The target is equal to either the sum or the difference of the two darts thrown by the setter. Doubles and triples do not count for these two darts. A bullseye thrown by the setter counts for 25. For example, if the setter throws a bullseye and a five, the target is either 30 or 20. (25 + 5 = 30 and 25 – 5 = 20)
The setter must land two darts on the board to set the target and for game play to continue. If the setter misses the board, he/she continues throwing darts until two darts have landed on the board.
SCORING
Once a target has been set, the scorer has three darts to equal the target and score points. Each dart is considered individually. Doubles and triples do count for this dart, so there may be multiple ways to hit the target. A bullseye thrown by the scorer counts for either 25 or 0.
A scorer can score between 0 and 9 points per round. If the scorer hits the target number with a single, the scorer gets 1 point. If the scorer hits the target number with a double or a singlebullseye, the scorer gets 2 points. If the scorer hits the target number with a triple, the scorer gets 3 points. If the scorer hits the target number with a double-bullseye, this is called a ZARTRON! A player who scores a ZARTRON! gets 3 points and skips their next turn as setter, allowing an opportunity to score again right away. In addition, whenever a ZARTRON! is scored, all participants in the game must yell, “ZARTROOOOOOON!!!”, yielding great personal satisfaction and generating interest and questions from people nearby so that knowledge of this wonderful game may spread to others.
Example
Using the previous example, the setter throws a bullseye and a five, setting a target of either 30 or 20. The scorer has the following options for scoring in this round:
Single-twenty = 20 for 1 point
Double-ten = 20 for 2 points
Double-fifteen = 30 for 2 points
Triple-ten = 30 for 3 points
Example
The setter throws two sevens, one double and one triple. However because doubles and triples do not count for the setter both darts still count for 7. The target in this scenario would be either 14 or 0. The scorer has the following options for scoring in this round:
Single-fourteen = 14 for 1 point
Double-seven = 14 for 2 points
Single-bullseye = 0 for 2 points
Double-bullseye = ZARTRON! for 3 points