Playing in the CDL
On This Page:
League Play | Camera, Lighting and Internet | Match Format | Starting The Match | Scoring and Video | Scheduling and Forfeits | Breaks and Interruptions | Divisions and Standings | Disputes and Player Conduct
CDL league play is organized into tiers based on each player’s average:
Elite: 75 and above
Tier 1: 65-74.99
Tier 2: 55-64.99
Tier 3: 45-54.99
Tier 4: 44.99 and below
Ladies Tier 1: 50 and Above
Ladies Tier 2: 49.99 and below.
Players may choose to compete in a higher tier, but they may not enter a tier below the one that corresponds to their average.
Resolution: A minimum camera resolution of 720p is required, with 1080p recommended for greater clarity. Disable autofocus and manually adjust the focus so the dartboard remains sharp and clear.
Positioning: Mount your camera securely and aim it directly at the face of the dartboard. A wall bracket or tripod can help keep the camera steady.
Lighting: Use bright, even lighting to ensure your opponent can clearly see the dartboard with minimal shadows. An LED surround ring light can help achieve this, but any lighting setup that provides adequate visibility is acceptable.
Internet Connection: A stable upload speed of at least 3 Mbps is required, with 5 Mbps or higher recommended to help maintain a clear, reliable video connection.
All CDL league matches are played using 501 SIDO (Single In, Double Out). Each leg starts at 501, and players can begin scoring without first hitting a double.
To win a leg, a player must reduce their remaining score to exactly zero, with the final dart landing in a double. For example, a player with 32 remaining can win the leg by hitting double 16.
Matches follow a “first to” format, with the number of legs required to win determined by the player’s tier. For example, in a “first to 10” match, the first player to win 10 legs wins the match.
A two-leg winning margin is not required. A “first to 10” match can therefore finish with a score of 10–9.
The player listed on the left-hand side of the match list is designated the home player. The home player may choose to throw for the bull first or ask their opponent to “show one,” meaning the opponent throws for the bull first.
When throwing for the bull, each round consists of one dart from each player. The following rules apply:
- An inner bull (red, worth 50 points) beats an outer bull (green, worth 25 points).
- A dart landing in either bull segment beats a dart landing outside the bull.
- If both players hit the same bull segment, or neither player hits a bull segment, they must rethrow. The throwing order reverses for each rethrow, with the player who threw second throwing first.
- After five rounds without either player hitting a bull segment, players may choose to use the coin-toss option instead.
CDL also permits players to use the Coin Toss feature in DartConnect as an alternative to throwing for the bull. The away player chooses heads or tails, and the home player activates the coin toss. The winner starts the first leg.
Players alternate who starts each subsequent leg for the remainder of the match, including any deciding leg.
The CDL uses DartConnect for scoring and Discord for video during matches.
DartConnect
A free DartConnect guest account is sufficient for CDL league play. A paid Premium membership is not required.
Open DartConnect
Learn how to use DartConnect with the CDL
Discord
The free version of Discord provides the video features needed for CDL play. A paid subscription is not required.
Download Discord
Learn how to get started with Discord through CDL-U
Weekly Schedule
The CDL season follows a weekly schedule, with each week representing one round. For example, Week 1 is Round 1. Players in groups with an odd number of participants will have scheduled bye weeks.
All match times and round deadlines are based on Eastern Time (ET).
Each round begins on Monday at 12:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Matches must be completed within their assigned seven-day window unless rescheduled as outlined below.
A time zone converter can be found here: Time Zone Converter
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Scheduling and Rescheduling
Either player may initiate contact to arrange a match.
If both players have agreed to a date and time but extenuating circumstances require a change, the match may be rescheduled. Both players are expected to make every reasonable effort to arrange a new time and complete the match as soon as possible.
Rescheduled matches may extend beyond the seven-day round, provided the tier administrator is notified.
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Late Arrivals
Players who expect to be late should notify their opponent as soon as possible.
If no delay has been communicated, a 15-minute grace period applies from the agreed start time. After this period, the waiting player may claim a forfeit win or agree to reschedule the match promptly.
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Unanswered Scheduling Requests
If one player makes reasonable efforts to schedule a match but their opponent does not respond, the player making those efforts will be awarded a forfeit win.
Unexpected Breaks
Unexpected situations at home may occasionally require a player to pause a match. The player taking the break should make every reasonable effort to resume play as soon as reasonably possible.
Unexpected personal breaks and optional breaks must not exceed five minutes. Internet and power outages are handled separately, as outlined below.
Optional Breaks
Players may take an optional break at the following point in their match:
First to 12 - After Leg 8
First to 11 - After Leg 7
First to 10 - After Leg 6
First to 9 - After Leg 5
These break points refer to the total number of legs completed in the match.
Internet and Power Outages
Internet and power outages are handled by the CDL admin team and are not subject to the standard five-minute break limit. If an outage interrupts a match, notify the admin team for guidance.
Once the connection is restored, the disconnected player may rejoin and resume the match.
The player who remained connected may need to provide the returning player with the DartConnect online connection code. To find this code, tap the green or red circle beside the gear icon in the DartConnect app.
If the match cannot be resumed, the admin team will determine how to proceed.
Average Verification and Tier Placement
Player averages are verified using the competition average card available through each player’s My DartConnect profile.
Players without a DartConnect competition average may submit a competition average from another platform, such as DartCounter or Webcam Darts.
Players are placed in the tier matching their verified average, unless they choose to compete in a higher tier. For example, a player with a verified DartCounter average of 57.88 qualifies for Tier 2 (55–64.99).
Standings and Tiebreakers
Standings are determined by match record (wins and losses), followed by total legs won.
If two players remain tied, their head-to-head result determines their positions. For example, if Jack and Fred both finish with seven wins, five losses, and 77 legs won, Jack ranks ahead of Fred if he won their head-to-head match.
A three-way tie is resolved using:
1. Leg difference (legs +/−): Total legs won minus total legs lost.
2. Legs percentage (Legs %): Used if players remain tied on leg difference.
Playoff Qualification and Seeding
At the end of the round robin, the top four or eight players from each division advance to the knockout playoffs, depending on the format for their tier.
Examples:
Tier 3 - Four divisions of 10 players - Top Four from each division
Tier 2 - Two divisions of 10 players - Top eight from each division
Players are seeded for the knockout playoffs according to their round-robin performance.
Reporting Disputes
Report any dispute immediately by tagging your tier administrator in the match chat. To tag an administrator, type "@" and select their name from the list.
The CDL admin team will investigate the matter and issue a final ruling.
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Player Conduct
All CDL players are expected to treat their opponents with courtesy, respect, and professionalism throughout their matches.
Excessive profanity and abusive behaviour will NOT be tolerated. Players found to have engaged in this conduct will be required to leave the league.
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The CDL is committed to maintaining a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all players. Discrimination, harassment, and abuse - including conduct based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability - will NOT be tolerated.
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Rule Violations
Reports of rule violations will be reviewed by the CDL admin team. Confirmed violations may result in suspension or removal from the league.