Darts has exploded in popularity thanks to thrilling TV events, emerging young stars (Luke Littler), significant prize money, and an expanding fan base. It’s transformed from a pub pastime to a globally recognized sport, with organizations like the PDC and BDO leading its expansion in the UK and worldwide. To dive into this vibrant sport, you need to get the basics down, sharpen your skills, and dive into its distinct culture.
Starting this adventure means learning the darts jargon, understanding the dartboard layout, and getting the hang of scoring. Properly setting up your dartboard with the right distances and measurements is just as important as playing. Moreover, perfecting your throwing technique—how you stand, hold, and release the dart—is key, along with regular practice. These fundamentals are essential for players at any level to thrive and fully enjoy the game.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding dart terminology is essential for engaging with the sport.
- Knowledge of scoring and dartboard setup is fundamental for fair play.
- Mastering throwing techniques through practice underpins player improvement.
1. Darts Terminology
Understanding the jargon in darts is critical for both beginners and seasoned players alike. I’ll be explaining key terms important for everyone involved in the sport.
- Oche – This is the line behind which players stand to throw darts, signifying the official distance from the dartboard.
- Barrel – This is the main, weighted part of the dart, which I hold when taking aim and throwing.
- Shaft – The part extending from the barrel where the Flight is mounted allows the dart to glide smoothly through the air.
- Bust – A “bust” occurs when we exceed the required score and get more points than needed to close out the game. This results in an invalid turn and play progresses with my opponent’s throw.
- Checkout – Scoring exactly the score that is left to win the leg. A final double is required to win a leg in a 501 or 301 game.
Familiarity with these elements helps maintain proper darts etiquette and ensures I adhere to the rules of darts. Moreover, some prefer a heavy dart, affecting the barrel choice and throw style.
2. Understanding Your Dartboard
Dartboards are crafted from various materials, with the standard in quality being boards comprised of sisal fibres, known as bristle dartboards. In the realm of darts, these are highly regarded for their durability and self-healing properties, which make them a preferred choice over cork or plastic options.
Dartboard Layout
A standard dartboard is sectioned into 20 pie-shaped parts, much like the slices of a pizza, with each segment corresponding to a different point value.
- Double Ring: The outermost circle is the double ring. Strikes on this area grant double the segment’s point value.
- Triple Ring: The middle circle is the triple or treble ring. Landing a dart here will score triple the segment’s points.
- Bullseye: At the heart of the board is the bullseye. It’s made up of two parts:
- The outer green ring, referred to as the outer bull or single bull, scores 25 points.
- The inner red circle, known as the inner bull or double bull, is often simply called the ‘bull’ and scores 50 points.
Learning these areas is fundamental for both maximising score and understanding the game’s vernacular. When participants mention hitting the bullseye, they are commonly referring to the coveted inner red circle.
3. Setting up a Dart Board: Distances and Measurements
When installing a dartboard, precision is key. The apex of the ’20’ segment must align with the topmost point of the board. Secure the board to the wall, ensuring the center of the bullseye is at the height of 173 cm (5 feet 8 inches) above the floor.
For the oche, or toe line, measure a diagonal line from the bullseye to the ground, totalling 293.4 cm (9 feet 7 and a half inches). This ensures that the horizontal distance from the dartboard surface to the rear of the oche measures exactly 237 cm (7 feet 9 and a quarter inches).
Key Measurements:
- Bullseye to Floor: 173 cm
- Diagonal (Bullseye to Oche): 293.4 cm
- Horizontal (Dartboard to Oche): 237 cm
Optimum setup is crucial in darts!
Essential Tips:
- Rotate the board so the ’20’ is at the top and straight.
- Secure the dartboard at the specified height.
- Use a tape measure for accuracy.
- Set Oche distance diagonally for precision.
Following these guidelines ensures your dartboard setup meets official standards, whether for practice or competition.
4. Darts Scoring Explained
In the realm of competitive darts, I’m well aware that the scoring process underpins the sport’s strategic depth. In a standard game of 501, each player embarks with a tally of 501 points. Within their turn, each competitor has the opportunity to throw a trio of darts; the collective score is then subtracted from their running total. Expertise in arithmetic becomes crucial here, as the aim is to reduce one’s score to exactly zero. Crucially, the concluding dart must secure a landing in either a double segment or the double bullseye.
The game has a pitfall known as a bust; this occurs if one’s score plunges below zero or stops at one. Under these circumstances, the turn is rendered null, and the score reverts to its previous number. Following a bust, the alternating player proceeds with the game.
Please note that it’s not mandatory to use all three darts when finishing. Imagine, if you will, a scenario where I am left with a score of 32; a single dart achieving a double-16 would clinch victory.
The shorter variant of the game starts at 301 points and has the same rule structure.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into darts scoring or explore different game formats, check out my guide. It covers 501 and other popular variations, ideal for anyone wanting to fully understand this precision sport.
| Starting Score | Objective | Winning Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | Reduce to zero | Final dart in a double or bullseye |
| 301 | Quicker game option | Same as 501 |
Remember, accuracy is key, and thinking strategically can really set the winners apart in this skill-based game.
5. Mastering Dart Delivery
Perfecting your Dart Stance
As you approach the line from which darts are hurled, known as the oche, ensure your lead foot is nearest to it. Right-handers should be angled leftwards relative to the board and the opposite for left-handers.
Position the majority of your body weight on your forward foot whilst using the back foot for stability, leaning gently towards the board. Ignore the exact foot angle at the oche, so long as your stance is comfortable and supports a forward lean without crossing the line.
Extend your arm aiming towards the dartboard, ideally in line with the treble 20. If aligning straight proves challenging, consider using an alignment aid like a horizontal line going from the centre of the bullseye all the way down the wall and up to the oche. Try to stand in the middle and aim inline with this centre line.
Gripping Darts
Holding a dart should be done with a light touch—gripping it too tightly can mess up your release. A common mistake for beginners is holding the dart too firmly, which can lead to tension and affect your throw.
There isn’t one correct way to hold a dart; the key is to find a grip that feels natural to you. Players differ in how many fingers they use, typically between two to four. Although I recommend not using the little finger for a smoother throw, go with what feels right for you.
You can grip the dart anywhere along its barrel. I prefer the middle, placing my ring finger near the point. If it feels odd at first, just start throwing; you’ll naturally find a comfortable grip soon.
Throwing Darts
Every dart player aims for a smooth release and complete arm extension when throwing. Take inspiration from Gary Anderson, a celebrated champion known for his fluid technique—it’s a great model for dart players.
Achieving a precise throw involves a few key steps. Start by positioning the dart below your eye line, making sure your elbow and wrist are aligned. Release the dart not at the end of your arm’s swing but just before, to maintain a steady flight path.
A crucial step for everyone, no matter your style, is the follow-through. After letting go of the dart, keep moving your arm until it’s fully extended. This ensures the dart goes where you want it to, with proper force and accuracy. Practicing this technique will greatly improve your precision and consistency.
6. Dart Practice
Getting better at darts requires mental toughness and physical skill. We have all seen even highly skilled players struggle under competitive pressure. It’s essential to sharpen your skills and develop a strong mental game to hit your targets confidently when it matters most.
Building confidence and skill starts with effective practice routines. These routines should make you believe, without any doubt, that you’ll hit the treble twenty or the game-winning double every time you aim.
Here are some practice routines I recommend:
- Muscle Memory and Accuracy: Focus on hitting specific parts of the dartboard, like doubles and trebles, to improve your precision.
- Consistent Rhythm: Aim to throw your darts in a steady rhythm, maybe up to twelve per round, to find your personal pace and establish reliability.
- Speed Practice: Some players, myself included, find it helpful to practice at a slightly quicker pace than usual to avoid overthinking during games.
- Quick Math: Work on dart counting to get better at recognizing scoring patterns quickly, making you more efficient in matches.
Skill-Boosting Games:
- Around the Clock: Hit each number in order to enhance precision and counting skills.
- 501 and 301: These games mimic competitive scenarios and improve your finishing skills under pressure.
Dart counting isn’t just about math; it’s about learning and remembering scoring patterns to gain an edge in your games. Finding the right practice routine might take some time, but with dedication, you’ll discover what elevates your game.