Bison Dart Leagues

Official League Rules

1. Sanctioning & Eligibility

Bison Dart Leagues are sanctioned by the National Dart Association (NDA). All league play must comply with official NDA rules unless otherwise stated in this document.

Participation in Bison Dart Leagues qualifies players for:

  • NDA Regional Tournaments
  • Wyoming State Dart Tournament
  • Colorado State Dart Tournament
  • Team Dart Tournament (Las Vegas)
  • Any event requiring official NDA statistics for qualification

Tournament qualification periods are typically one calendar year from the conclusion of the previous year’s tournament.

Note: The NDA sanctioning period and the tournament qualification period are not the same.

Official NDA rules can be found at:
https://ndadarts.com/nda-rules/

2. Machine Scoring Rule

The NDA rule “The Machine Is Always Right” is modified as follows.

2.1 Remote Matches

For all remote matches, the machine score is final.

2.2 In-Person Matches

  • If a dart bounces out, the machine score stands.
  • If a dart remains in the board but is scored incorrectly, the following procedure applies:

After all three darts have been thrown, and both team captains agree, the board may be backed up to the incorrect dart and the dart scored manually.

3. League Match Format

Each league match consists of 11 total games.

GamesFormat
5501 – Open In / Open Out (Full Bull)
5Cricket
1701 – Open In / Open Out or Wild Card Cricket (Family Game)

All games are handicapped using player averages calculated by league software, unless otherwise stated on the league signup form.

3.1 League Variations

Some leagues may use a different format for Game 11.

Singles Leagues: Game 11 will typically be Bermuda Triangle.

Masters Leagues: Game 11 will typically be 501 Double In / Double Out (Split Bull).

The specific Game 11 format will be stated on the league signup form.

4. Schedules & Statistics

4.1 Schedules

League schedules are distributed electronically before the first night of play. Printed schedules are available upon request.

Schedules include team captain contact information to facilitate communication between teams.

Schedules may change during the season due to:

  • Location events
  • Match rescheduling

The official schedule is maintained on the Bison website.

Website schedules are typically updated only for major changes beyond league or player control.

4.2 Statistics

Player and team statistics are available:

  • On dartboards through the league menu system
  • On the Bison website

Statistics are generally updated within 1–2 days after each league night.

5. Team Captains

Each team must designate a team captain.

The team captain is responsible for:

  • Understanding basic NDA rules
  • Maintaining team conduct during league play
  • Acting as the official team spokesperson
  • Knowing the league schedule
  • Ensuring a full team roster for each match
  • Securing substitute players when necessary
  • Verifying player statistics prior to match start
  • Resolving disputes with the opposing team captain
  • Contacting the League Coordinator if disputes cannot be resolved
  • Coordinating and reporting rescheduled matches

6. Player Conduct & Etiquette

Good sportsmanship is required at all times during league play.

6.1 Practice Darts

Practicing on a dartboard adjacent to or near an active league match is strictly prohibited.

Players may not throw practice darts on neighboring boards if doing so could distract or interfere with players currently competing in a league match.

Practice darts may only be thrown on boards not in use for league play and at a sufficient distance from active matches.

Team captains are responsible for ensuring their players comply with this rule.

The following conduct is prohibited:

  • Attempting to distract an opponent during play
  • Heckling, chanting, or harassment
  • Direct verbal interaction with the player at the throwing line

Additional expectations:

  • Coaching must occur only between teammates.
  • Breaks should be kept to a minimum to maintain match flow.
  • Players must treat dartboards and equipment with care.

Any damage to dartboards caused by hitting, kicking, or negligence must be paid for by the responsible player.

7. Age Requirements

Due to venue restrictions:

  • Players must be 21 years of age or older, unless permitted by the hosting location.
  • Spectators at league finals must also be 21 years of age or older, unless permitted by the hosting location.

8. League Fees

8.1 Team Fees

Team fees are $6.00 per player per match.

These fees are returned to players through end-of-season payouts and awards.

8.2 Game Fees

Game fees are $9.00 per player per match and cover the cost of dartboard usage.

8.3 NDA Sanctioning Fees

NDA sanctioning fees are $10.00 per player per year.

This sanctioning period runs August through August.

Sanctioning fees will be deducted from end-of-season payouts.

Players already sanctioned with another NDA vendor must notify the League Coordinator.

9. Substitute Players

Teams are encouraged to secure a substitute player if a rostered player cannot attend a scheduled match. This is considered a courtesy to the opposing team.

9.1 Substitute Eligibility

  • Existing league players must use their highest recorded league average.
  • Non-league substitutes must use default averages.

9.2 Default Substitute Averages

PlayerPPDMPR
Male17.01.7
Female15.01.5

9.3 Additional Substitute Rules

  • At least one rostered player must participate in every match.
  • A doubles team may not use two substitutes in the same match.
  • Players requiring substitutes are expected to cover any substitution fees.

10. Match Rescheduling

If more than one player from a team cannot attend a scheduled match and no substitute is available, the match must be rescheduled or forfeited.

10.1 Notification Requirement

The team captain must notify:

  • The opposing team captain
  • The League Coordinator

At least 24 hours prior to the scheduled match time.

10.2 Rescheduling Limits

Rescheduled matches must be completed:

  • Within two weeks of the original match date
  • No later than one week before a positioning round

For split seasons, all makeup matches must be completed one week prior to the start of the second half.

Teams may not have more than two pending makeup matches without approval from the League Coordinator.

11. Forfeits

A match will be considered forfeited if a team:

  • Fails to arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time, and
  • Has not contacted the opposing team captain.

If teams cannot agree upon a makeup date, the match will also be recorded as a forfeit.

11.1 Forfeit Scoring

  • Final score recorded as 11–0
  • All 11 wins awarded to the non-forfeiting team
  • Any unpaid team fees will be deducted from end-of-season payouts

If a match begins but cannot be completed:

  • Completed games remain recorded.
  • Remaining games are awarded to the non-forfeiting team.
  • The League Coordinator must be notified.

12. Awards & Payouts

At the conclusion of each season:

  • Plaques are provided by Bison Dart Leagues.
  • Team fees are distributed based on total wins and losses.

Each game has a payout value:

  • Win: ⅔ share
  • Loss: ⅓ share

Teams unable to attend the end-of-season awards event may collect awards and payouts from the League Coordinator.

If another individual will collect payouts on behalf of a team, prior coordination with the League Coordinator is required.