Darts
Darts is a target sport where players throw small, hand-held missiles at a circular board mounted on a wall. Competitors score points based on specific segments hit, aiming to subtract down from a set total to exactly zero.
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- 19th century
- ORIGIN
- England
- PLAYERS
- 1 v 1 or pairs
- EQUIPMENT
- Darts, dartboard
- PLAYING AREA
- 2.37 m throw line
- DURATION
- 15 to 90 min
- GOVERNING BODY
- PDC, WDF
- OLYMPIC
- No
Dartboard Scoring
| Ring / Area | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Single Ring | Face value (1–20) |
| Double Ring | 2 × Face value |
| Triple Ring | 3 × Face value |
| Outer Bullseye | 25 points |
| Inner Bullseye | 50 points |
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1896 | Brian Gamlin devises the standard 20-number dartboard numbering system. |
| 1927 | The News of the World Darts Championship is established in England. |
| 1973 | The British Darts Organisation (BDO) is founded to govern the sport. |
| 1992 | Top professional players split from the BDO to form the World Darts Council (now PDC). |
| 2020 | World Darts Federation (WDF) becomes primary international federation. |
How a game works
Players take turns throwing sets of three darts at a standard dartboard mounted 1.73 meters high. The standard 501 game requires players to reduce their score from 501 to exactly zero. The final winning dart must land in a double segment or the inner bullseye.
Scoring in one line
Points scored are subtracted from the starting total, requiring exact calculations to reach zero without going over.
Where it came from
Darts originated as a pub game in England during the late 19th century, evolving from military target practice with shortened arrows. Standardized numbering was designed to punish inaccurate throws by placing low numbers next to high numbers.
Darts today
The sport is split into professional circuits, dominated globally by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Matches attract large arena audiences and television viewings, featuring both steel-tip and electronic soft-tip formats.
Run a Darts tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — Best of 11 legs.
FAQ
How far is the throw line from the dartboard?
The throw line, or oche, is positioned 2.37 meters (7 feet 9.25 inches) horizontally from the face of the board.
How high should a dartboard be mounted?
The center of the bullseye must be mounted 1.73 meters (5 feet 8 inches) above the floor.
What is the highest possible score with three darts?
The maximum score in a single turn of three darts is 180, achieved by landing all three darts in the triple 20 segment.