DARTBOARD SETUP
Ready to hang your new dartboard? There are standardized distances you have to follow while mounting your dartboard. Here is how you do it. From the floor to the center of the bull's-eye should be 5 feet 8 inches. To find the throwing line you measure 7 feet 9 ¼ inches from the front of the board. When you mount the dartboard you want to make sure that the board is flush; it shouldn't be leaning like a picture. Also, the 20 should always be at the top. If you ever have to rotate your spider (due to wear) always make sure that the 20 is a dark color. Most dartboards should come with mounting instructions on how to attach your board to the wall. Make sure that you hang your board in a safe location. You will miss the board from time to time and darts will bounce off the board as well. Never place a dartboard near windows or other breakables or where anyone could accidently walk into the path of a flying dart.
Dart Board Game Rules
Variations
There are many different house rules that are not official but are often played. At one of the places we used to play we had a rule that if you caught a dart that bounced off the board it entitled you to replay the dart (this is a potentially painful rule). Another rule we played was "Mugs away" the loser of the previous game got to start the next game. Remember these are not official rules, whenever you play in an unfamiliar place make sure you check out the local rules.
The 301, 501 etc.
The most popular dart variation is the x01 game with 301 and 501 being the favorite single’s game and teams often play from 701 or even 1001. The game object is to count down from the starting number to exactly zero. In all x01 games the player must finish the game with a double. If the three darts total score exceeds the remaining score the player has busted and the score returns to what is was at the beginning of the turn. Some people play that in order to start scoring one must first hit a double, in fact it is customary to play 301 this way (note: a double bull counts as 50 and can be used to finish a game or start a game). Many tournaments including many pro tournaments play 501 straight in and double out. John Lowe shot the only televised perfect 9 dart game. He started with 180 on his first turn followed by a second 180 on his second turn. With 141 left he shot a triple 17 followed by a triple 18 and finished with a double 18.
Cricket
Cricket uses the numbers 15-20 and the bull. The object is for a player to hit each number and the bulls-eye three times. Doubles count as two hits and triples as three. The first player to hit a number three times owns that number and it is said to be opened. Further hits on the opened number score that number of points until his opponent also hits that number three times, then that number is removed from play. Once a player has opened or closed all the required numbers and bull and has equal or more points than his opponent that player wins.
Variations
Many players add doubles and triples to the mix and are score them as a separate category as above. This variation can be played either as easy or hard rules. In easy rules any double or triple counts. In hard rules only the triples and doubles on the numbers from 15-20 count. In both variations a double bull can be used as a double. One other category that is sometimes added is a miss category. If none of a player’s three darts count, place a mark beside the miss category. Once one player has three misses subsequent misses score for the opponent until the opponent also has three misses. For example, if player one already has 3 misses and misses again you count the score of the missed darts and give that score to the other player. Once both players have 3 misses the category is removed from play.
Golf
Golf uses the numbers 1-18. Players alternate turns starting at the number 1 ascending to number 18. A triple on the number you are aiming for is considered a hole in one. A double is a birdie, 2. The area between the bullseye ring and the triple wire on the number you are aiming for is considered a par three. The area between the triple ring and the double ring on the number aimed for is a bogey 4. A complete miss of the number is a double bogey 5. All players play the 18 holes and the lowest score wins. Each player has up to three shots at each hole but only the last dart thrown counts. For example if on the players first dart it scores between the triple ring and double ring on the selected hole the player has the option of taking the 4 and not shooting the last two darts or shooting again hoping to improve on the 4. Since only the last dart shot counts the risk is that the player may end up with a complete miss and pick up a 5.
Round the Clock
Often the first game people learn is Round the Clock. Players alternate turns and must hit each number starting at the number 1 and finishing at the number 20. For instance, player one starts and the first dart hits the number 1. On the second dart the player aims for the number 2 but misses. On the third dart the player aims for and hits the number 2 so when this player starts their next turn the player will be aiming for the number 3. The first player to get to 20 wins.
Variations
There are many variations to round the clock. A popular one is if all three darts score the shooter continues to shoot. Another variation is that doubles and triples skip you two and three numbers respectively. For example a player is shooting for 14 and hits double 14, the player now shoots for 16 bypassing the 15 because of the double. One version we often play after getting to 20 in order to win the game the player must finish with either a bullseye or a double 20.
Baseball
Baseball uses the numbers 1-9. Players alternate shots starting at the number 1 moving up to the number 9. For example, in the fifth inning the players would shoot at the number 5 and score a run for each hit on the number. The player with the most "runs" at the end of the game is the winner. A perfect game would be 81 runs (9 in each inning). A tied game after 9 innings goes into extra innings starting with the number 10.
Assassin
A game for 2-10 players. To begin each player throws one dart with their opposite throwing hand (right handed players throw with their left hand and left handed players throw with their right). The number or bull each player hits is their number (each player must have a different number—if a player hits a number that is already taken the player shoots again until the player gets a number that has not been taken) Each player shoots for their own number to begin with. Once a player or players have hit their number 5 times the player or players become an ASSASSIN (doubles and triples count). Once a player or players become an ASSASSIN they can then shoot for the other players numbers taking away one hit each time they hit an opponents number. Once all a player’s hits are gone that player is eliminated from the game. This continues until there is only one player left. An important note: if for example player 1 is an ASSASSIN and another ASSASSIN hits player 1’s number, player 1 must get his number back up to 5 hits before player 1 regains his ASSASSIN rank.
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Dart Throwing Tips
Playing the game of darts can be a good recreational activity, as well as a good sport provided an individual knows the technique of throwing darts.
To learn the technique of throwing darts, one should understand that the dart travels through a curve, and the speed with which the dart is thrown should continue the movement until it reaches and strikes the dartboard.
The throwing of darts is completed through five stages — aiming, backward move, and acceleration, release and a follow through. While taking aim, the dart, the eye and the target have to be in a same line. Backward movement of the dart has to be done slowly and by controlling the aim, which normally comes with practice. Acceleration, although not essential, has to be done very smoothly, allowing it to go along with the follow through. If the throwing technique is right, the proper release comes naturally. Follow through is keeping the same position for a while, even after release, that is to aim at the target.
While throwing a dart one should not move the whole body, but the movement should be restricted to the arm alone. The elbow should be in a fixed position while moving backward and should be alleviated during acceleration. Using the wrist to throw a dart does not really help, but many people believe that by using their wrist, they can gain the required speed. To get best results while throwing darts and to avoid the dart from wobbling, one should use standard form flights and middle length shafts. Moreover to get the best throw, the darts should not point too much upward or downward.
Good luck and have fun!!
