The Throw Lab library
Learn darts from setup to checkout.
Focused answers built from the low-difficulty questions players actually search—organized so one answer naturally leads to the next skill.
setup
Setup guides
Dartboard Height and Distance: Regulation Setup
Mount the bullseye at 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m). For steel-tip darts, measure 7 ft 9¼ in (2.37 m) horizontally from the board face to the oche; the diagonal is 9 ft 7⅜ in (2.93 m).
Read the guide →how far is the dart line from the boardHow Far Is the Dart Line From the Board?
The steel-tip throw line is 7 ft 9¼ in from the face of the board, not the wall. Soft-tip competition commonly uses 8 ft, so verify the rules for your board or league.
Read the guide →how high is a dart boardHow High Is a Dartboard?
The center of the bullseye should be 5 ft 8 in above a level floor for standard steel-tip and soft-tip play.
Read the guide →how to set up dart boardHow to Set Up a Dartboard at Home
Choose a clear lane, locate the board face correctly, place the bull at 5 ft 8 in and measure the oche from the face—not the wall.
Read the guide →what size is a dart boardWhat Size Is a Dartboard? Regulation Dimensions Explained
A standard bristle board is about 17.75 inches in overall diameter, while its scoring area measures 13.2 inches across. Product frames and cabinets add width.
Read the guide →what to put behind dart boardWhat Should You Put Behind a Dartboard?
Use a purpose-built surround, dense backboard or cabinet extending beyond the board’s edge. Choose enough coverage for the skill level of the players.
Read the guide →what to put behind dart board to protect wallHow to Protect the Wall Behind a Dartboard
Combine a dense surround or backboard with secure mounting and a clear throwing lane. Beginners generally need a wider protected area.
Read the guide →how to hang up a dart board cabinetHow to Hang a Dartboard Cabinet
Anchor the cabinet into framing or properly rated wall hardware, level it, then position the board so the bull—not the cabinet—is exactly 5 ft 8 in high.
Read the guide →how to hang dart board without drillingHow to Mount a Dartboard Without Damaging the Wall
Use a purpose-built stand for a truly no-drill setup. Adhesive-only mounting is usually inappropriate for the weight and repeated impact of a regulation bristle board.
Read the guide →how to soundproof a dart boardHow to Make a Dartboard Quieter
Use resilient backing, isolate the mount from the wall where safe and add surrounding soft materials. Shared-wall vibration often matters more than airborne sound.
Read the guide →dart board lightingDartboard Lighting: How to Eliminate Shadows
Use even light from multiple directions or a purpose-built ring so darts and wires do not cast hard shadows over scoring beds.
Read the guide →how much room do you need for a dart boardHow Much Room Do You Need for a Dartboard?
Allow the measured throw distance plus safe space behind the player, lateral clearance and room for spectators outside the throwing lane.
Read the guide →professional dart board setupProfessional Dartboard Setup at Home
Use a regulation board, precise bull and oche measurements, even lighting, a stable mount and enough clear space for an uninterrupted pre-throw routine.
Read the guide →scoring
Scoring guides
Dartboard Scoring Explained
A dart scores the number of its wedge, doubled in the outer narrow ring or tripled in the inner narrow ring. The outer bull scores 25 and the inner bull 50.
Read the guide →how to read dart boardHow to Read a Dartboard
Read the number outside the wedge first, then apply the ring: single, double, triple, outer bull or inner bull.
Read the guide →how to calculate dart board scoreHow to Calculate a Dartboard Score
Add the value of all valid darts in the turn, applying double and triple multipliers before subtracting from an X01 total.
Read the guide →why is a dart board numbered the way it isWhy Are Dartboard Numbers in That Order?
The sequence punishes inaccuracy: high-value wedges sit beside much lower numbers, so a small miss creates a meaningful penalty.
Read the guide →how to calculate darts averageHow to Calculate a Darts Average
For a three-dart average, divide points scored by darts thrown and multiply by three. In X01, use the actual darts thrown, including the finishing dart.
Read the guide →how to score cricket dartsHow to Score Cricket Darts
Record three marks to close each target. Extra hits score points only when you have closed the number and at least one opponent has not.
Read the guide →games
Games guides
How to Play Darts: The Complete Beginner Guide
Start with a stable stance and repeatable throw, learn the scoring rings, then play a simple format such as 301, Around the Clock or Cricket.
Read the guide →how to play 501 dartsHow to Play 501 Darts
Each player begins on 501 and subtracts each turn. Standard matches require the winning dart to land in a double that brings the score to exactly zero.
Read the guide →how to play 301 dartsHow to Play 301 Darts
301 is a shorter X01 game. Players subtract scores from 301 and usually finish on a double; some formats also require a double to begin.
Read the guide →how to play cricket dartsHow to Play Cricket Darts
Close 20 through 15 and the bull by hitting each three times. After closing a number, score on it only while an opponent still has it open.
Read the guide →dart board baseball rulesBaseball Darts Rules and Scoring
Baseball darts uses nine innings. In each inning, only the matching numbered wedge scores, with singles, doubles and triples worth one, two and three runs.
Read the guide →how to play around the clock dartsHow to Play Around the Clock Darts
Hit 1 through 20 in order, advancing only after landing the current target. Add the bull as a final target for a tougher finish.
Read the guide →how to play killer dartsHow to Play Killer Darts
Players claim a number, earn killer status by completing the agreed hits, then remove opponents’ lives by hitting their numbers.
Read the guide →how to play shanghai dartsHow to Play Shanghai Darts
Each round targets one number. A single, double and triple of that number in one turn is a Shanghai and normally wins immediately.
Read the guide →how to play gotcha dartsHow to Play Gotcha Darts
Race upward to an agreed total. Exact matches can reset opponents, while overshooting the target does not count.
Read the guide →american dartboardWhat Is an American Dartboard?
American darts uses a distinctive regional board and ruleset, most closely associated with parts of Pennsylvania and nearby areas.
Read the guide →how to run a darts tournamentHow to Run a Darts Tournament at Home
Choose a format and leg length, seed or draw the bracket, define first-throw and tie rules, then keep one visible match and result board.
Read the guide →strategy
Strategy guides
Cricket Darts Strategy: When to Close and When to Score
Close your strongest high number early, build a controlled points cushion and avoid chasing low-percentage triples when two steady singles protect the lead.
Read the guide →darts checkout chartDarts Checkout Chart and Finishing Principles
Plan backward from a preferred double, use routes that preserve a finish after a single miss and avoid leaving bogey numbers.
Read the guide →darts checkout strategyDarts Checkout Strategy for Real Matches
Choose percentage routes you have practiced, protect a finish after a single miss and favor a comfortable double over a flashy combination.
Read the guide →easy darts checkoutsBest Darts Checkouts for Beginners to Learn
Learn common two-dart finishes and favorite doubles first, then build outward to three-dart combinations and setup shots.
Read the guide →care
Care guides
What Are Dartboards Made Of?
Quality traditional boards use compressed sisal fibers. Electronic boards use molded plastic segments, while safer recreational boards may use magnets, fabric or hook-and-loop surfaces.
Read the guide →what is a bristle dart board made ofWhat Is a Bristle Dartboard Made Of?
Despite the name, modern bristle boards are normally made from densely compressed sisal fibers rather than animal hair.
Read the guide →how dart boards are madeHow Dartboards Are Made
Sisal fibers are bundled and compressed into a circular base, colored scoring sections are applied, and a wire spider divides the numbered beds.
Read the guide →how to maintain a dart boardHow to Clean and Maintain a Dartboard
Keep sisal dry, remove loose dust gently, rotate removable number rings regularly and never soak or oil a modern bristle board.
Read the guide →how long does a dart board lastHow Long Does a Dartboard Last?
A well-made bristle board can last years in a home setting, but throw volume, grouping, humidity and regular rotation strongly affect wear.
Read the guide →how to rotate a dart boardHow and When to Rotate a Dartboard
Rotate a removable number ring and the board at regular intervals so frequently targeted beds—especially the 20—do not wear prematurely.
Read the guide →can you put a dart board outsideCan You Put a Dartboard Outside?
Play outside temporarily in dry, calm conditions, but store sisal boards indoors. Moisture, temperature swings and direct sun can deform and damage them.
Read the guide →diy
Diy guides
How to Build a Dartboard Backboard
Build a flat, securely anchored panel wide enough to catch likely misses, then mount the board so its face remains at the correct measured distance.
Read the guide →how to build dart board cabinetHow to Build a Dartboard Cabinet
Plan around the board’s diameter, door clearance, scoreboard space and safe anchoring. Complete the cabinet before making final bull and oche measurements.
Read the guide →buying
Buying guides
Best Dartboards: How to Choose the Right Board
The right board depends on tip type, player experience, room permanence and whether you value tournament feel, automatic scoring or child-safe play.
Read the guide →how much are dart boardsHow Much Does a Dartboard Cost?
Entry recreational boards can be inexpensive, while premium bristle boards, electronic cabinets and complete lighted installations cost substantially more. Compare the full setup, not the board alone.
Read the guide →where to buy dart boardWhere to Buy a Dartboard: What to Check First
Buy from a seller with clear dimensions, current availability and a workable return policy. Confirm board type, included accessories and mounting requirements before checkout.
Read the guide →what is the best electronic dart boardHow to Choose the Best Electronic Dartboard
Match the board to player count, game library, display visibility, online features, power requirements and replacement-tip availability.
Read the guide →are electronic dart boards any goodAre Electronic Dartboards Any Good?
Yes for families, groups and soft-tip players who value automatic scoring. Competitive steel-tip players usually prefer a quality sisal board for practice.
Read the guide →dart board for kidsChoosing a Safe Dartboard for Kids
Start with magnetic or age-appropriate soft-tip sets, supervise play and keep the throwing lane clear. Steel-tip darts are not children’s toys.
Read the guide →magnetic dart boardAre Magnetic Dartboards Good?
Magnetic boards are useful for young players, classrooms and travel. They trade regulation feel for simple setup and point-free safety.
Read the guide →widdy dart boardsWiddy Dartboards and American Darts
Widdy is closely associated with American-style dartboards. Confirm the game format and board dimensions because these differ from standard English bristle boards.
Read the guide →comparison
Comparison guides
Electronic vs Bristle Dartboards
Choose bristle for traditional steel-tip feel and quiet self-healing fibers; choose electronic for soft-tip safety, automatic scoring and built-in games.
Read the guide →steel tip vs soft tip dartsSteel-Tip vs Soft-Tip Darts
Steel tips are intended for sisal/bristle boards; soft tips are intended for electronic plastic-segment boards. Never use steel tips on an electronic board.
Read the guide →equipment
Equipment guides
Can You Use Soft-Tip Darts on a Bristle Board?
Soft tips can stick poorly or bounce from dense sisal and are not ideal for regular use. Match soft tips to electronic boards and steel tips to bristle boards.
Read the guide →what weight darts should i useWhat Dart Weight Should You Use?
Begin with a moderate, commonly available weight and prioritize a repeatable grip and release. Change weight gradually so you can identify what actually improves grouping.
Read the guide →dart barrel shapesDart Barrel Shapes Explained
Straight barrels suit many grips, torpedo shapes concentrate mass toward the front and scalloped barrels provide a repeatable finger reference.
Read the guide →dart flight shapesDart Flights Explained
Larger flights generally add stability; smaller flights can produce a faster, flatter path. The best choice depends on throw speed, shaft length and entry angle.
Read the guide →dart shaft lengthDart Shaft Length Guide
Shaft length changes balance and flight behavior. Test one change at a time and judge grouping and board-entry angle, not appearance alone.
Read the guide →why do darts bounce outWhy Darts Bounce Out—and How to Reduce Them
Bounce-outs can come from wire contact, dull or incompatible points, loose segments, poor board condition or a dart entering at an unstable angle.
Read the guide →technique
Technique guides
How to Hold a Dart
Use a relaxed, repeatable grip that controls the barrel without squeezing. Keep finger placement consistent and release cleanly toward the target.
Read the guide →how to throw dartsHow to Throw Darts More Consistently
Build consistency around a stable stance, quiet upper arm, smooth forearm action, clean release and complete follow-through.
Read the guide →how to aim dartsHow to Aim Darts
Align one repeatable visual reference with the target, keep your head still and focus on grouping before chasing individual high scores.
Read the guide →darts stanceDarts Stance: Balance, Alignment and Comfort
Place the same foot position at the oche every turn, lean only as far as you can remain balanced and keep your head position repeatable.
Read the guide →practice
Practice guides
How to Improve Dart Accuracy
Track grouping, not lucky triples. Use short focused blocks, repeat the same setup and score drills over multiple sessions.
Read the guide →darts practice routine for beginnersDarts Practice Routine for Beginners
Spend time on large singles, then doubles, then simple scoring. A short repeatable routine several times per week beats an occasional marathon.
Read the guide →20 minute darts practice routineA Focused 20-Minute Darts Practice Routine
Use five minutes for grouping, five for numbered singles, five for doubles and five for a pressure finish or checkout game.
Read the guide →darts doubles practiceBest Darts Drills for Doubles
Work around the board in a defined order, record attempts per hit and end with checkout situations that force you to choose doubles under pressure.
Read the guide →cricket darts practiceDarts Cricket Practice Drills
Train 20 through 15 and bull with measurable targets: marks per round, closure speed and controlled scoring after closure.
Read the guide →