Darts, a game of precision and skill, has carved out a niche in the world of sports entertainment, captivating audiences with its simplicity and excitement.
Originating centuries ago in the taverns of England, darts has evolved from a humble pastime to a globally recognized sport with a dedicated following. In this article, we explore the rules of darts, its rich history, the equipment used, popular variations, and the top players who dominate the professional circuit today.
History and Origin of Darts:
| Medieval Era (1300s) |
| – Darts originated in England during the medieval era, around the 14th century. |
| – Initially played by soldiers as a way to pass time while stationed in barracks. |
| – Soldiers would compete by throwing spearheads and sharp objects at upturned wine casks. |
| – Officials encouraged this pastime as it helped soldiers practice their aim and throwing skills. |
| – Soldiers eventually moved on to using cross-sectioned tree trunks as targets. |
| – The tree trunk’s natural structure provided different sections for testing throwing ability. |
| – The tree trunk’s growth rings and radial cracks influenced the modern-day dartboard design. |
| Evolution Over Time |
| – Dartboard set has evolved over hundreds of years, gradually approximating the game we know today. |
| – By the 19th century, darts began to take its recognizable form. |
| From Royal Courts to London Pubs |
| – Darts grew in popularity rapidly. |
| – It became a beloved pastime in London pubs and taverns. |
| – The game has come close to disappearing from the London pub scene at times. |
| – Brian Gamlin, a carpenter from Lancashire, is credited with inventing modern darts in 1896. |
The origins of darts can be traced back to the late Middle Ages in England, where soldiers used shortened arrows or crossbow bolts as makeshift projectiles for target practice. Over time, this practice evolved into a popular pub game, with players throwing sharpened darts at wooden targets affixed to the walls.
As the game gained popularity, standardized rules and scoring systems were established, laying the foundation for modern darts as we know it today.
Dartboard and Equipment:
| Equipment | Description |
| Dartboard | – The central component of the game. – Typically made of sisal fibers or cork, which allow the darts to stick to the surface. – Divided into numbered sections, including the double and triple rings. |
| Darts | – The throwing implements used to score points on the dartboard. – Consist of three main parts: the barrel, shaft, and flight. – Barrels are available in various materials (such as brass, tungsten, or nickel-silver). – Shafts connect the barrel to the flight. – Flights are the wing-like components that stabilize the dart during flight. |
| Floor Marker | – Used to indicate the throwing line (also known as the oche). – Typically placed 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters) from the dartboard. |
| Shoes | – Players often wear flat-soled shoes to maintain balance during throws. |
| Scoreboard | – Used to keep track of scores during the game. – Can be a traditional chalkboard or an electronic version. |
| Writing Utensil | – Necessary for recording scores on the scoreboard. |
| Dart Case or Wallet | – Used to store and transport darts. – Protects the darts and keeps them organized. |
Central to the game of darts is the dartboard, a circular target divided into numbered segments and a central bullseye. Traditionally, dartboards are made of sisal fibers compressed into a dense board, although electronic dartboards with built-in scoring systems are also popular.
Players use small, pointed darts—usually made of tungsten or brass—with feather or plastic flights at the tail end to stabilize their trajectory in flight.
How to Count Darts Scores:
| Step | Description |
| 1. Throw Darts | Begin by throwing three darts per turn. Aim for the numbered sections on the dartboard. |
| 2. Add Points | Add up the points based on where each dart lands. If you hit the bullseye, that’s 50 points! |
| 3. Double and Triple Rings | The outer ring (known as the double ring) doubles the score of the section it surrounds. The inner ring (known as the triple ring) triples the score. |
| 4. Multiply if Needed | Check the number you hit and multiply by 2 (for double) or 3 (for triple) if applicable. |
| 5. Total Score | Add all three throws to get your total score for that turn. Practice and precision will improve your scoring abilities over time. |
Scoring in darts is relatively straightforward, with players aiming to reduce their starting score to zero by hitting specific segments of the dartboard. The outer ring counts as double the segment’s value, while the inner ring (known as the “triple”) counts as triple the value.
To complete a game, players must “check out” by hitting a double segment that brings their score exactly to zero.
Types of Darts Games:
| Game | Description |
| ’01 Games (301, 501, 701) | Each player starts with a specific score (e.g., 301, 501, or 701 points). The goal is to reduce the score to exactly zero by subtracting points with each throw. |
| Cricket | Players aim for specific numbers (15–20) and the bullseye. The objective is to close these numbers by hitting them three times each. |
| Around the World | Players take turns hitting each numbered section on the dartboard in sequence. The first player to hit all numbers wins. |
| Shanghai | Players aim for specific numbers (1–20) and the bullseye. In each round, players score points by hitting the single, double, and triple of the chosen number. |
| Killer Darts | A multiplayer elimination game. One player is the “killer” and aims to hit specific numbers to eliminate opponents. The last remaining player wins. |
Darts offers a wide variety of game formats to suit players of all skill levels and preferences. Some popular games include 501, where players start with a score of 501 and work to reach zero, Cricket, where players aim to “close out” specific numbers on the dartboard, and Around the Clock, where players must hit each number on the board in sequence.
Darts Organizations and Professional darts competition:
| Organization/Tournament | Description |
| World Darts Federation (WDF) | – Governing body for international darts. – Organizes tournaments, including the WDF World Championships. – Provides rankings and promotes the sport globally. |
| Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) | – Premier professional darts organization. – Hosts the PDC World Darts Championship, World Matchplay, Premier League, and other major events. – Features top players like Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, and Gary Anderson. |
| British Darts Organisation (BDO) | – Established in 1973, one of the oldest darts organizations. – Organizes the BDO World Darts Championship and other tournaments. – Has a rich history and tradition in the sport. |
| European Darts Organization (EDO) | – Promotes darts across Europe. – Organizes various European tournaments and championships. – Supports grassroots development of the sport. |
| Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) | – Ensures fair play and integrity in professional darts. – Enforces rules and regulations for players and officials. – Investigates disciplinary matters. |
Professional darts is governed by organizations such as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the British Darts Organisation (BDO), which oversee tournaments, rankings, and player contracts. The pinnacle of professional darts is the PDC World Darts Championship, held annually in London and featuring the world’s top players competing for the prestigious title.
How to Watch PDC Darts:
| Broadcast Partner | Coverage in the UK & Ireland | Coverage Worldwide |
| Sky Sports | – World Darts Championship (live on dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel) – Premier League – World Cup of Darts – World Matchplay – World Grand Prix – Grand Slam of Darts | – Viaplay (Netherlands) – DAZN (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, USA, Brazil, Canada) – Sport1 (Germany) – Fox Sports (Australia) – Sky (New Zealand) – Nova (Czech Republic & Slovakia) – Prago Sport (Hungary) – TV Play (Norway, Denmark, Bulgaria & Baltic States) – TVP (Poland) – VTM (Belgium) |
| ITV4 | – The Masters – UK Open – European Championship – Players Championship Finals | N/A |
| PDCTV | – All major televised PDC events (live online outside of the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland) – European Tour events (outside of Germany, Austria & Switzerland) – Live streaming from Players Championship and Women’s Series events – PDC Affiliated Tour events worldwide | N/A |
| Matchroom Live | – Live streaming in certain territories and archive content | N/A |
Fans of darts can catch the action live at venues around the world or tune in to televised broadcasts of major tournaments. The PDC’s official website and streaming platforms offer live coverage, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content for fans to enjoy.
Who are the Top 10 Darts Players:
| Rank | Player | Total Prize Money (GBP) |
| 1 | Luke Humphries | £1,528,250 |
| 2 | Michael van Gerwen | £1,106,250 |
| 3 | Michael Smith | £1,065,250 |
| 4 | Nathan Aspinall | £637,000 |
| 5 | Gerwyn Price | £603,000 |
| 6 | Rob Cross | £595,500 |
| 7 | Dave Chisnall | £504,750 |
| 8 | Peter Wright | £501,750 |
| 9 | Damon Heta | £493,250 |
| 10 | Dimitri Van den Bergh | £492,000 |
The world of professional darts boasts a roster of supremely talented players, each with their own unique style and strengths. Among the top-ranked players in the world are names like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright, and Gary Anderson, who consistently compete at the highest level and thrill audiences with their skill and charisma.
Women Darts Players:
| Player | Achievements |
| Lisa Ashton | – Four-time women’s world darts champion. – First woman to qualify for the PDC (previously men-only). |
| Fallon Sherrock | – Made history by defeating a male player at the PDC World Championship. – Continues to excel in the sport. |
| Deta Hedman | – Experienced player with numerous titles and consistent performances. |
| Mikuru Suzuki | – Two-time BDO women’s world champion. – Known for her skill and precision. |
| Maria O’Brien | – A strong competitor in various tournaments. – Contributing to the growth of women’s darts. |
Women’s darts has also seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with talented players like Fallon Sherrock, Lisa Ashton, and Mikuru Suzuki making their mark on the professional circuit. Women’s tournaments and exhibitions provide a platform for female players to showcase their talent and compete against the best in the world.
Darts Today:
In the modern era, darts continues to captivate audiences with its blend of skill, strategy, and drama. From local pub leagues to international tournaments, darts offers something for everyone, whether you’re a casual player looking for a fun night out or a dedicated fan following the exploits of your favorite players on the professional circuit.