People are only just realising why they start on 501 in darts and not 500

dailystar.co.uk:

Darts is a unique sport in many different ways – not least because you don't exactly have to be an Adonis of physical fitness to be a world-beater.

It's also different in the sense that, unlike other sports, the darts gods don't seem to be a fan of round numbers.Considering how the game is scored and the accuracy with which some of the game's top players throw, it's unsurprising to see why each leg begins with both players on 501.Even then, a few well-placed arrows can see a player pull off a much loved nine-darter – where they win the leg without having to break into double figures in terms of the number of darts thrown.The is, of course, a reason behind why the number is 501 rather than its nice round neighbour just one point below.No, it isn't simply to irritate those who prefer everything in their lives to be nice and neat and tidy – it's to add a bit more competitiveness into the game.If each leg began with players on 500, all they would conceivably need to do would be to keep aiming at the 20 to score without having to travel around the board.Having the scores start at 501 and making players hit a double to win they need to score at least one odd number before checking out – making it more difficult.Seems simple enough – but even now it seems not everyone is aware of why the scoring system is as odd as it is.What's the weirdest rule you can think of in any sport?

Let us know in the comments section. For even now, there are people asking that very question online, causing darts fans everywhere to groan in exasperation.