Walk into any pub in the world and more likely than not, alongside a bar, a couple of taps, and some beaten up stools, there’ll be a dartboard somewhere in the establishment. In addition to being a professional sport, darts is also a classic pub game all over the Northern Hemisphere. It’s one of the few things the Scandinavians, the Irish, the Germans, and even the Americans all have in common. The game consists of throwing small “missiles” at a circular, fixed board, and can be played with as few as two people or as many as two full teams. So where exactly did one of our most beloved bar games start?

Darts originated in the U.K. sometime in the mid-19th century. It’s been said that the game first started with soldiers throwing short arrows at tree trunks or the bottom of a barrel. Wood would dry out and cracks would form, creating “sections” on their makeshift boards. Apparently some woodworkers even began paying their bar bills by making homemade dartboards and giving them to pubs! Dartboards used to be called “butts,” coming from the French word for target. The first set of proper darts was crafted using wood, lead for weight, and turkey feathers.

Darts Rules & Basics

Many variations of darts exist, though the most commonly played version is 501. The correct placement of a fixed dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the ground, with the bullseye being the point of reference. The proper distance between player and board, from toeline to front of board, is just over 7 feet 9 inches.

According to the Professional Darts Corporation, each team (or individual player) starts out at 501, with the goal of working their way down to zero. Teams alternate taking turns, with each turn consisting of three dart throws per turn. At the end of each turn, the total number accrued from the three darts thrown is subtracted from 501; the bullseye is worth 50 points. The catch, however, is that in order to win, the final thrower on the team must reach zero with a double. That’s to say, if the team has 20 points left, the final thrower must hit the 10 twice. For odd numbers, the first dart must be used to change the number to an even (example, starting with 25 and scoring 5 points), then the doubling on the last two throws. Some variations of the game call for a “double start,” which incorporates this final process at the beginning as well. This is referred to as the “double in, double out” rule. Whichever team hits zero first wins. If neither team gets to zero in 20 turns, the team with the lower number of points wins. If the scores are tied at 20 turns, 10 additional rounds will be played. At 30 rounds, if the scores are still equal, the match concludes with a draw.

Tempted to join a dart league yet? Maybe not. Tempted to head to your local pub and get to practicing over a beer? We thought so.

Popular Dart Games & Variants

Game Pigeon has a bunch of different options to play. The iMessage extension lets you play 24.

Where do you throw the darts from?

The play area for darts is determined based on the center of the board (bull).

The place where you throw from

It is called the throw line.

Distance

Distance from directly below the board to the throw line is 244 cm.

Height

The distance from the floor to the bull is 173 cm.

Grip

The way you hold the darts is called the grip. There are different types of grips, so try to find one that suits you.
The important point for grips is not to disrupt the balance of the dart. Hold the dart with your fingers with applying not too much pressure.

Holding the dart with three fingers

First place your index finger on the dart and find the spot where the dart is level.

Support that position with your thumb from above, and use your other fingers to lightly support the dart.

Holding the dart with four fingers.

Use your index and middle finger to find the spot where the dart is level.

Support that position with your thumb from above, and use your other fingers to lightly support the dart.

Stance

The position of your feet when throwing darts is called the 'stance'. The stance is important as it helps to firmly stabilize your body.
*It is OK to stand on the throw line. Be careful not to step over the line!

Middle stance (Medium style)

Stand diagonally to the dart board

This is the most standard stance. This is a balanced form that makes it easy to adjust the position of your legs and how you position your center of gravity and makes it easier to aim. The angle tends to change each time so try to take the same stance all the time.

Closed stance (Side style)

Stand completely sideways to the dart board

The front feet is placed on the throw line for this stance, this make it easier to take the same angle and stance each time. Be careful not to put too much weight on the front feet, as this will cause the back feet to leave the floor and the body will lose stability. This stance is also known as the side stance.

Open stance (Front positioning)

Stand facing the dart board straight

It is easy to take the same angle with this stance, but since you cannot lean forward, your release will be further away from the board. Not many players use this stance. This is also called the front stance.

How To Throw Darts Game Pigeon Simulator

Throwing the Dart

Just before throwing

When holding the dart, have a relaxed posture and release the tension from your entire body.
Stand up straight and try not to lean forward too much.
Turn your face so it is facing the dart board and use both eyes to firmly aim.
Your elbow should be fixed at a position that is most comfortable when slowly lowering the hand holding the dart from above your head.

How to throw

The act of throwing a dart is made up of three movements, the “take back”, “release”, and “follow through”.
Try to maintain your posture so that you can throw in a stable motion.

1. Take back

The movement where you draw back the dart. Try to move your arm from your elbow so your arm makes a folding fan shaped movement. If you can position your hand so that the palm naturally faces up, then you won’t strain your wrist!

2. Release

How To Throw Darts Game Pigeon Play

The movement where you release the dart. Throw like you are releasing a paper plane and do not move your elbow. Try to release all your fingers at once. If any of the finger's release is delayed, the flight of the dart will be unstable.

3. Follow through

The movement where you extend your arm straight after release.
It is almost like you are pointing at the target you aimed for with your fingertips.

Learn how to score on the board!

Dartboard

About the dartboard

●Numbers

Shows the points scored for each area.

●Single scores

The number on the board is the point scored.

●Double scores(Double ring)

The point scored is twice the number on the board.

●Triple scores(Triple ring)

The thin ring inside the point area. Scores three times the number of points shown on the board.
The highest score with a single throw is a triple at 20, which is 60 points.

●Bull

The circle in the center of the board. The smaller inner circle is the double bull (50 points).
The outer circle is the single bull (25 or 50 points depending on the game).

No points

No points will be scored in below cases:

1. If the dart lands outside the double ring or outside the point area.
2. The dart hits the previous dart and doesn’t stick on the board.
3. If the dart gets stuck in the flight of the previous dart.
4. The dart does not reach the dartboard.
5. The dart bounces off the dartboard and drops onto the floor. However, if the board registers the points, then the score will be added.
6. If the player steps over the throw line. At official matches, this will be checked strictly.