What is dart board: How to Choose it

Discover the basics of what is dart board and how they are used in the game of darts. Learn about the design, scoring system, and key elements of a dart board. Find out what makes a dart board essential for a thrilling game of precision and skill.

Table of Contents

Dart Board Basics

A dart board is a circular board used to play the game of darts.
The most common type of dart board is the bristle dart board, made of small, stiff bristles that allow darts to stick into it.
Dartboards come in various sizes and materials, but all have a similar basic design.

Dartboard Design

Dartboards typically have 20 numbered sections, each with a different point value.
The outermost ring is worth double points, while the innermost circle is worth triple points.
The center of the dartboard is the bullseye and has its own point value.

The Board

The dartboard is divided into different scoring areas, known as “bullseyes.”
Each bullseye is marked with a unique number or letter corresponding to its position on the board.
The number next to each bullseye indicates the points it counts towards the score.
For example, if there are three bullseyes at the bottom of the board, numbered 1, 2, and 3, hitting each would contribute to the score accordingly.

The Darts

Darts are thrown at the dartboard, aiming for the bullseyes.
Each bullseye has a specific number or letter associated with it.
A dart must land within the corresponding area of the board to score points.

The Score

The official scoring system divides the total points scored by the number of darts thrown.
For example, if you throw 63 darts at a double-bull, your score would be 63/63 = 1.00.
The score is then converted into a ‘Dartboard’ score and displayed on the scoreboard.
The Dartboard score is shown in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.

For more reading about The Best Dart Games to Play Now

Dart Board Play

Each player begins with a 501 score and takes turns throwing three darts.
Each turn’s score is computed and subtracted from the player’s total.
The bullseye is worth 50 points, the outer ring is worth 25, and a dart in the double or treble circle is worth twice as much.
The goal is to achieve a Dartboard score of at least 300 points to win.
Hitting all three double-bulls on the board before reaching 300 points, or hitting all three double-bulls and then hitting every dart thrown, result in a perfect game.
If a player doesn’t score 300 points this way, they lose as soon as someone hits their first bullseye.

The Double-Bulls

The double bulls are the big red bullseyes spaced out along the board.
They are worth two points each, so hitting one award two points, and hitting all three grants 3 x 2 = 6 points.

The Bullseyes

Blue Bullseye: On the top left-hand side of the dartboard, worth a single point.
Yellow Bullseye: On the top right-hand side of the dartboard, worth a single point.
Green Bullseye: At the bottom left-hand side of the dartboard, worth a single point.
Black Bullseye: At the bottom right-hand side of the dartboard, worth a single point.

Dart Board Score

Once a player scores 300 points or more, they win.
The amount of money won is determined by the total score of all their darts.
If one player scores 100 points and the opponent scores 200 points, the player with 200 points wins the game.

How to Play

The game is played with two players starting with a score of 0.
Each dart thrown is worth one point.
Hitting a double bullseye is worth 2 x 2 = 4 points.
Hitting all three double-bulls is worth 6 x 2 = 12 points.
The first person to reach a score of 300 wins.

Double or Nothing

If a player throws all their darts and ends up with a score of 300, they win.
If no bullseyes are hit, the game is over.
If a double-bullseye is hit, the game is automatically over.

The Winner

The winner is the first player to achieve a total score of 300 points or more.

Strategy Tips

Aim for the double bulls when the score is low to earn more points.
Be aware of opponents’ scores; they may have already won before reaching 100 points.
Other strategies include aiming for the triple bulls, which would award 12 points if all three are hit, or aiming for the double-bullseyes to potentially score 6 x 2 = 12 points.
Another strategy is to win automatically by throwing all darts and ending up with a score of less than 100. This requires opponents to score more to beat you.

Try Some of These Popular Games

301:
- Participants: Any number, commonly two individuals or two teams.
- All digits are in play, but 19 and 20 help you reach zero quickly.
- Each player or team starts with 301 points and aims to deduct the amount scored in each turn from the remaining number.
Killer:
- Participants: Any number, more enjoyable with three or more people.
- Players choose their numbers by throwing a dart with their opposite hand.
- Rules: Players attempt to hit double their number with three throws each turn.
- Successful hits designate a player as a ‘killer’ and a K is marked next to their name on the scoreboard.
- A killer aims to double opponents’ numbers, while opponents aim to avoid losing their lives.
- The last player standing wins.
Round the World:
- Participants: Two players.
- The goal is to be the first player to hit all board numbers from 1 to 20 in order.
- Any part of the number counts, and numbers must be hit to progress.
- After three throws, players switch roles.
- The winner is the first player to hit a 20.
Cricket:
- Participants: Two players or two teams.
- Numbers in play: Bullseye, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15.
- The goal is to ‘close’ these numbers on the board and score the most points.
- Each player/team takes turns throwing three darts.
- Three of a number are required to ‘close’ it, and subsequent throws on that number score points.
- Once both players/teams have ‘closed’ a number, it can no longer be scored on.
- The total of all numerical scores is added to determine the winner.

Enjoy these popular dart games and have fun testing your skills and aiming for high scores!

American darts

American darts are a regional variant of the traditional English style, mainly played in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and parts of New York state. Originating in the early 20th century, this style features a round dartboard divided into three sections with thirty-two small round numbers per section.

Each team has specific target areas, including triple 20s, double 20s, bullseyes, and a single 10. American darts typically use brass, copper, or nickel silver darts instead of steel.

While the standard rules align with English dart games like Cricket and Around the Clock, local variations exist, so it’s important to understand the specific regulations when playing with unfamiliar players in your region.

How to Play American Darts

To play American Darts, it’s important to set up your dartboard correctly for a fair and balanced game. Follow these steps:

Ensure there are no stray marks or scores on the board. Use a damp cloth (avoid cleaning chemicals) to wipe them off.
Hang the board at the appropriate height: 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) for a conventional board or 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) for an American committee.
Make sure all the numbers are facing outwards and in their correct positions on the board.
If you have an American board, check that the outer rim is 1.8 in (4 cm) wide, and the numbers are 1 inch (.25 cm) tall. The inner edge should be 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick, and the inner circle should be 2 inches (.5 cm) in diameter.
The distance between each number on the board should be 5 inches (12.7 cm), and the distance from the center of the first number to the center of the last number should be 10 inches (25.4 cm).
To measure this, use a ruler or yardstick against the board and ensure that the measurement extends into each side of each number, adding up to 10 inches (25.4 cm).

By following these guidelines, you’ll have a properly set up dartboard for an enjoyable game of American Darts.

Dart Boards Rules (basic darts rules)

Each player takes a turn in throwing three darts.
To decide who starts, each player throws one dart at the bullseye – the one closest begins the game. (If you prefer, toss a coin.)
When it’s your turn, throw one dart at a time; each dart score will tally to the total of all three darts thrown in that turn. But any dart that misses, bounces off, or falls from the board, earns no score. If a dart sticks in another dart, it counts as a throw and gets no score.
Each player begins with a 501 score. Each turn’s score is computed and subtracted from the player’s total.
The bullseye is worth 50 points, the outer ring is worth 25, and a dart in the double or treble circle is worth twice as much.
The goal is to be the first player to bring the score down to zero, but the final dart must land in a double or the bullseye.

These rules serve as the standard guidelines for playing dart board games.

Dart Board Scoring System

The game’s scoring system is based on a ‘possible’ total that includes both darts thrown and darts landed.
If you throw 63 darts at a double-bull but only land 2 of them, your possible total would be 62 – 2 = 60.
If you hit a bullseye and then miss one of the bulls, you’ll still get credit for that bull’s number.
If you hit all three double-bulls and then land every dart thrown, your possible total would be 63 – 3 = 59.
If you miss every dart thrown and hit all three double-bulls, your possible total would be 0 – 3 – 3 = 0.
If you miss all darts thrown but throw three perfect legs at a single bullseye, your possible total will be 60 + 1 = 61.
If you throw 63 darts and land two bullseyes but then miss one, your possible total will be 62 – 1 = 61.
If you throw 63 darts and land only one bullseye, your possible total will be 0 + 1 = 1.
If you miss all three bulls with every dart thrown and then hit all three double-bulls, your possible total would be 63 – 3 + 0 = 59.
If you miss all three bulls with every dart thrown and then hit one double bull and one single bull, your possible total would be 63 – 1 + 0 = 62.

For more reading about the Dartboard Reviews & Guide, and for more about Dart Sports Pro.

Height and distance

An “American” board is set higher than an “English” board and closer to the back of the dartboard. If we were to assess the dartboard at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) from the front of the board, it would result in a distance of 106.4 inches (2.70 m) from the center of the cork to the throw line.

However, if we set it at 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) from the floor, this would result in a distance of 107.4 inches (2.73 m) from one end of our dartboard to another- an increase of just 0.8 inches (.3 cm).

In the actual game, the extra distance comes from the fact that the board is higher, which means we have to throw our darts with a bit more force, resulting in more energy being transferred to the dart. This extra energy makes an American board harder to play on than an English board.

The distance between the two throwing lines is shorter on an American board than on an English board. On a 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) high American board, there’s a distance of 9.8 inches (0.25 m) between the throwing lines, while on a 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) high English board, there’s a distance of 8 inches (0.20 m) between the throwing lines- just 1.8 inches (.07 m) less than on an American one!

American boards are indeed more complicated to play on than English boards. But the main reason why is that they’re designed to be used with more giant darts (which are heavier and have more significant points) than English boards.

Conclusion: on (what is dart board)

A dart board is a circular board with numbers, colors, and sometimes other markings. It is used to play the game of darts. The most common form of dartboard comprises 20 numbered sections, each worth points. There are also other variations of the game that use various boards or even no board at all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Dartboards come in a variety of sizes and styles. The most popular dart board is the bristle board, which is made of sisal fibers. There are also electronic dart boards, which use sensors to keep score.

Q. What is the difference between a steel tip dart board and a soft tip dart board?

A steel tip dart board is made of thicker material than a soft tip dart board and has sharper points. Steel tip darts are used for playing on bristle boards, while soft tip darts are used for playing on electronic dart boards.

Q. How do I choose a dart board?

The size of the dartboard you choose should be based on the type of darts you will use. If you plan on using steel tip darts, choose a bristle board at least 18 inches in diameter.

Q. Can I hang a dartboard on the wall?

Most bristle boards are meant to be mounted to a wall. However, some soft-tip dart boards have keyholes that allow you to hang them on a wall.

Q. Are there any tricks to playing darts?

Many tricks can help you play better. For example, experts suggest you grip the dart like a pen rather than wrapping your fingers around it. It would be best if you also stood straight wh