The Rules of Darts Darts is a fun social game that has been around a very long time. Its enduring popularity reveals it to be a sport that combines talent, skill and even a bit of luck. This website will tell you everything you need to know about setting up and enjoying the game of darts. Click on a specific heading in which you might be interested, or simply click on the next page links at the bottom of each page to navigate the site in the order in which it was intended to be read: A Brief History of Darts The sport of darts began as training in the martial arts, (well, the martial art of archery). Darts began in Medieval England. Historians surmise, because they don't know for certain, that those teaching archery shortening some arrows and having their students throw them at the bottom of an empty wine barrel. The fact that the bottom of an empty wine barrel was used is a clue to how the game developed into a pastime. It is thought that the soldiers took their shortened arrows with them to the local drinking establishment to both exhibit their skill and have fun at the same time. When the bottoms of wine barrels proved to be inconvenient or in short supply, some inventive dart thrower brought in a cross-section of a moderate sized tree. The "board" provided rings, and when it dried out, the cracks provided further segmentation. This cracked and dried board began to evolve into what we think of as the current dart board. A game as fun as darts could not be hidden from the upper classes and they soon put their own stamp on the game. The oft married Henry VIII was reputed to enjoy the game immensely. So much so, that he was given a beautifully ornate set by Anne Boleyn. Like much of American History, the roots of darts in America can be traced to the Pilgrims. These hardy colonizers were reputed to have played the game on the Mayflower as it made its ocean crossing. It was then played avidly in America whenever leisure time was available. However, darts remained largely an Anglo-American sport until the Victorian age when it was spread world-wide by the great expansion of the British Empire. It seems that the "sun never set on the British Empire". At the same time, there was never a time when a dart was not in the air. Many native populations were exposed to the game and found enjoyment in it. Around 1900 the rules and darts began to settle into what they are today. Yet according to Christopher G. Carey, author of American Darts Organization Book of Darts, "The international throwing line of 7 ft. 9 1/4 inches was established in the 1970s to make it standard for international competitions; depending on the country (or at times, even the venue), the throwing line was anywhere from 7 ft 6 in. to 8 ft. Also, throughout the early part of the 20th century, there were many different types of dartboards until the 'clock' board became the standard...It really wasn't until after WWII that many of the rules of darts became standardized." Now people all around the world can enjoy the sport of darts in international competitions, in leagues, or in private parties and all be on an equal footing. So the next time you put your toe to the line and raise a dart to the board, remember that there is a rich history behind this engrossing sport. Darts Set Up Dart Boards vary in price from the cheap to the very expensive. A nice professional board can be acquired for under $50.00 along with two decent sets of darts. Cheap boards can also be fun, but you will find that the darts accompanying them suffer somewhat in balance and accuracy. The board itself should be set up with the bulls eye exactly 5 feet 8 inches from the floor. It is wise to place some type of board behind (and around) the dart board, just to save your drywall or panelling in case of complete misses. The board itself is 18 inches in diameter and divided into 20 sections. The section marked 20 is always centered at the top. The toe line (also known as the oche - named for a brewers case - Hockey - that was originally used to establish the distance between the board and the toe line) should be exactly 7 feet 9 1/4 inches from the face of the board. The line on the floor may also be a raised bar, 1 1/2 inches in height and two feet long. In most homes this will be an unwanted obstruction so a piece of masking tape is often used There should be at least two sets of 3 darts. Each player or team uses a set (a player may even own his own set). The darts themselves have a maximum length of 12 inches and a maximum weight of 50 grams. Generally, a chalkboard, hung near the board is used for keeping score. Darts Safety For obvious reasons, darts is not a game recommended for young children. Careless handling of a dart can result in serious injury. The dart tip is weighted and pointed and capable of penetrating wood. The procedure for throwing a dart is to not throw if any person happens to be forward of the oche or toe line. Rough housing with darts in hand can also be very dangerous. Keeping these precautions in mind many hours of fun can be had in the game of darts. There are available, boards made of plastic and rubber that accept a quality rubber tipped dart. Some of these boards are electronic and will even keep score for the players. Darts: Basic Rules Basically, dart games are played between two players or two teams. The teams can be made up of two or more people each. Variations that allow for more than two sides have been devised, but these have not achieved any popularity. Nine throws are generally allowed for each person as a warm-up before a game begins. Then, to determine which team or person is to take his turn first one dart is thrown by a person from each team. The team with the dart closest to the bull's eye takes the first turn. Each player throws three darts in his turn. Then the darts are retrieved. If a foot crosses over the line or a person happens to trip over the oche and releases his dart, the throw counts for no points and may not be re-thrown. Darts must stay on the board for at least five seconds after a player's final throw to count. A throw does not score if it sticks into another dart or if it falls off the board. Darts making it on the board score in the following manner: In the wedge: the amount posted on the outer ring. The double ring (the outer, narrow ring): twice the number hit. The triple ring (the inner, narrow ring): three times the number hit. Bulls eye (outer bull): twenty-five points. Double bulls eye (inner bull): fifty points. This is the basic method for play and scoring. A wide variety of games and variations are based upon it and will be discussed in the next section. Darts: Various Rules The two most popular games played by dart players around the world are "301" and "Cricket". "301" is the most obvious. Each side begins with 301 points and throws their darts in an effort to reduce their score to zero. Before points may count a player must first hit a double. The score is then quickly reduced toward zero. The real skill comes in at the end of the game when a player must throw a double or bull's eye that reduces the final score exactly to zero. Any series of three throws (one turn) that would reduce the score beyond zero do not count. Each game is considered one leg. The match is won when two out of three games are won. Cricket is a more intricate game requiring more throwing skill and strategy. It is played using primarilly the numbers 15 through 20 and the bull's eyes. At the begining 15 through 20 and the bull's eye are eligible to be opened. To open a number, a player or team must score three of that number (any combination of singles doubles and triples). Once a team opens a number every subsequent score on that number increases the score for the team. The opposing team may not score on that number. But may attempt to close it by getting three scores on that number. For example side A scores once on 17. He gets no points but his score accumulates. Side B scores four times on 17 (a double and two singles). The first three scores open the number for B. The fourth score gives B 17 points. Now A strikes 17 three times. The number is now closed for everyone. A gets no points, but does have the satisfaction of not allowing B to get any more points on 17. In attempting to open and close the bull's eye, the inner is counted as a double and the outer is counted as a single bull. The game ends when all of the numbers are closed off. However, it may be declared over sooner if the player in the lead closes all posibility of the other side scoring.