Rules & Regulations

• The Spring 2020 NSPL is an invitational long-format 501 league of 11 players.

• The league will be made up of three phases: a round robin points phase, a “shallow/deep end” pool phase, and a single-elimination playoff phase.

• Format for the round robin phase is best-of-8, with players earning 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.

• Points earned in the round robin phase determine the league standing as the pool phase begins, with the top 8 players placed in the “deep end” pool, and the bottom 8 players placed in the “shallow end” pool.

• Point totals carry over from phase 1 to phase 2 (meaning, tallies do not reset as phase 2 begins)

• The playoff bracket will be seeded according to the points totals at the end of phase 2, and (if necessary) leg difference.

• Format for the playoff phase will be best-of-5 in the “Kiddie Pool qualifiers,” best-of-7 for the “Shallow End” qualifiers, best-of-9 for semi-finals, and best-of-11 for the final.

As of 2020, a player receives an invite to the NSPL based on meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• Reigning NSPL Champion

• Reigning NSPL Runner-up

• MN State Championship Open 501 Singles Winner

• MN State Championship Open 501 Singles Runner-up

• MN State Championship 501 Ladies Singles Winner

• MN State Championship 501 Doubles Winners

• TCDA Dartmania 501 Open Singles Winner

• TCDA Dartmania 501 Open Singles Runner-up

• TCDA Dartmania 501 Ladies Singles Winner

• TCDA Dartmania 501 Doubles Winners

• Top-10 ‘01 3DA from TCDA Dartconnect A/AA Stats

  • • • must have played 3+ matches

• Remaining league spots are offered as wildcard invitations at the NSPL board's discretion.

If you've received an invitation, but feel that some logistical limitation may prohibit your participation, please contact Nick and Dustin at notsopremierleague@gmail.com to discuss whether an accommodation may be made.

All Not So Premier League (NSPL) matches and tournaments are operated under the rules laid down by the Darts Regulation Authority.

Details of the DRA Rules can be found at this link, downloadable as a PDF (rules updated in January 2019), while below is a basic guide for beginners to the sport of darts.

In addition to the standard playing rules for darts, NSPL tournaments have their own rules in relation to format, qualification and their Order of Merit status. Visit the Order of Merit section of this website to see these rules.

Dart Board Measurements:

Standard height from the floor to the bullseye on the dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches, while the oche (distance between the front of the board and the toeline) should measure 7 feet 9.25inches.

Basic Rules:

In a game of 501 the object is for one player or a team to be the first to reach zero from starting total of 501.

In simple terms, after three darts are thrown, the throwing player subtracts the total scored from his current total until he reaches zero.

In order to reach zero each player must finish by throwing a double i.e. if player one has 36 remaining he must hit double 18 to win, while if player two has 45 remaining he must hit single 5, double 20 to win - or a another combination of scores provided the final dart scores on a double.

Scoring and Code of Conduct:

During Covid-19, Not So Premier League players are playing at home, reporting their own score to a central graphics operator/statistician, or entering their own scores into Dartconnect. All NSPL players agree to adhere to the Darts Regulation Authority's rules and code of conduct, which includes acting with integrity and not bringing the sport into disrepute.

Video and images:

Players in the NSPL are responsible for providing a quality video image of their dartboard via reliable internet during matches. The NSPL and other players will work to help accomodate players to the degree possible, but cannot service internet-related issues (i.e. connection problems, speed/bandwidth problems, camera resolution issues). Players are encouraged to test the positioning and functionality of their streaming setup before their first match. Please contact Nick or Dustin at notsopremierleague@gmail.com to set this up.

Players agree that the video and images provided to the NSPL can be used on the Not So Premier League website and social media platforms (i.e. YouTube, Facebook).