A Look at the History of Darts and More

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 05 July 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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The History of Darts

• Understanding Darts Rules
• Darts History: A Comprehensive Overview
• Mastering the Art of Darts Scoring
• Darts Facts and Trivia
• Legendary Darts Players Through Time
• Darts Equipment Guide
• Darts Game Variations

Darts, a British pub game and now a competitive sport, has captivated players and spectators for hundreds of years. With its rich history and ever-changing rules, darts has become a global sport, attracting millions of players worldwide.

Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to refine your skills or a beginner curious about darts rules and facts about darts, this comprehensive guide will take you on a journey through the fascinating history of this sport!

Understanding Darts Rules

To play darts, you’ll need a dartboard and a set of darts. The standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered segments, ranging from 1 to 20, and a bullseye in the center. In standard darts rules, players take turns throwing three darts at the board, aiming to score as many points as possible. The outer ring is worth double the segment’s value, while the inner ring is worth triple. The outer bullseye is worth 25 points, and the inner bullseye is worth 50 points.

The most common game is 501, where each player starts with 501 points and tries to reach zero by subtracting the score of each throw. However, to finish the game, a player must reach zero exactly, with their final dart landing on a double or the bullseye. If a player exceeds the required score to reach zero, their score reverts back to the pre-throw value, and they must wait for their next turn to try again.

Darts can be an exciting game, and, best of all, it doesn’t require much practice or equipment. With a dartboard, some darts, and a bit of practice, you can learn the game pretty quickly, plus you can bet online on darts to add even more excitement to the sport!

Darts History: A Comprehensive Overview

The history of darts spans several centuries. The origins of the game can be traced back to medieval times when soldiers would throw short arrows or crossbow bolts at the bottom of a barrel or a slice of a tree trunk.

Of course, this part of darts history would have looked almost nothing like the game we know today – but it soon evolved, with targets being made from wood and, later, the dartboard we know and love today!

The game continued to grow in popularity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with the first official darts organizations being formed in the early 20th century.

An important date in darts history was 1908, when a carpenter named Brian Gamlin from Lancashire, England, is credited with creating the modern dartboard design. His layout, which includes the 20 numbered segments, the bullseye, and the double and treble rings, has remained largely unchanged to this day. One thing that has changed, however, is darts scoring rules – and even today, different parts of the world have different rules!

Today, darts is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide, with professional tournaments offering big prize pools and attracting millions of viewers. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the World Darts Federation (WDF) are the two main governing bodies in the sport, operating in a similar way to soccer’s FIFA.

Mastering the Art of Darts Scoring

Remember how we said that darts scoring rules can differ a lot? Well, for the purposes of this blog, we’ll be looking at scoring rules set out by the WDF.

The standard dartboard consists of 20 numbered segments ranging from 1 to 20, with a bullseye in the center. Each segment is divided into single, double, and triple scoring areas.

The outer ring of each segment is the double area, which scores twice the value of the segment. The inner ring is the triple area, scoring three times the segment’s value. For example, a dart landing in the double 20 scores 40 points, while a dart in the triple 20 scores 60 points. The outer bullseye, or the green ring, scores 25 points, and the inner bullseye, or the red circle, scores 50 points.

Strategic scoring in darts involves not only aiming for high-scoring segments but also planning ahead to set up a finish. For example, if a player has 32 points remaining, they might aim for double 16 to close out the game. If they have an odd number remaining, they might aim for a single to leave an even number, making it easier to finish on a double.

In addition to the standard scoring system, there are various other games and challenges in darts that require different scoring strategies. These include “Cricket,” where players aim to hit specific numbers and close them out before their opponent, and “Around the World,” where players must hit each number in sequence from 1 to 20.

Darts Facts and Trivia

If you’re looking for interesting darts facts, then check out the table below. We’ve compiled some interesting facts about darts, all of which you should know if you’re interested in playing – or betting on – the game!

Legendary Darts Players Through Time

Throughout the history of darts, numerous players have taken the darting world by storm – captivating millions worldwide and inspiring generations of future darts players!

Eric Bristow, known as “The Crafty Cockney,” was one of the first well-known darts players, emerging onto the scene in the 1980s. He ended up winning five World Championships and established himself as one of the most iconic figures in the sport.

Phil Taylor, widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time, is another name almost everyone in the darts world knows. He’s won an astonishing 16 World Championships and over 200 professional titles, making him, undoubtedly, the best player in history.

Another notable name is Michael van Gerwen, who was born in 1989. He’s the current world number one and has won multiple World Championships. He’s known for his fast, aggressive playing style, and his ability to throw incredibly accurate darts.

Darts Equipment Guide

To fully enjoy the game of darts and perform at your best, it’s essential to have the right equipment. Here’s a comprehensive list of the essential darts equipment every player should know about:

1. Dartboard: The standard dartboard is made of sisal fibers and measures 18 inches in diameter. It features 20 numbered segments, a bullseye, and double and treble rings. Look for high-quality boards from reputable brands for optimal durability and performance.
2. Darts: Darts consist of four main parts: the point, barrel, shaft, and flight. Tungsten darts are the most popular choice for their high density and slim profile, allowing for tighter groupings. However, choosing the right dart is a lot about your personal preferences, so you may want to try out a few different ones to find one you’re comfortable with.
3. Dart Shafts: Shafts, also known as stems, connect the barrel to the flight. They come in various lengths and materials, such as plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber. Experiment with different shaft lengths to find the right balance and stability for your throw.
4. Dart Flights: Flights are the fins attached to the end of the dart, providing stability during flight. They come in various shapes and sizes, such as standard, slim, and pear-shaped. Select a flight shape that complements your throwing style and helps maintain a consistent trajectory.
5. Dart Sharpener: A dart sharpener is a handy tool for maintaining the points of your darts. Sharp points ensure that your darts stick in the board consistently, reducing bounce-outs and improving your scoring potential.
6. Dart Mat: A dart mat, or oche mat, is placed on the floor to mark the proper throwing distance from the board. It helps ensure that all players are throwing from the same distance and provides a stable, non-slip surface, too.
7. Dart Case: If you spend a bit of money on your darts, it’s only natural that you’ll want to protect them! That’s where a dart case comes in handy. A dart case protects your darts during storage and transport. Ideally, you should look for cases with individual compartments for each of your darts and shafts. You may also want one with extra space for accessories like a sharpener or spare parts.
8. Scoreboard: While not essential, a scoreboard can make keeping track of scores easier and more enjoyable. Choose from traditional chalkboards, dry-erase boards, or electronic scoreboards, depending on your preference and budget. If you don’t want to pay for a scoreboard, you can also download free apps on most phones – they do the job for you, for free!

Darts Game Variations

While the traditional games of 501 and 301 (the same as 501 but starting on 301 points instead) are the most well-known darts variations, there are numerous other games that offer a different game – and below, we’ll look at some popular darts game variations worth exploring:

Cricket

In this game, the objective is to “close out” numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye by hitting each three times before your opponent. Players can also score points by hitting a number that their opponent hasn’t closed out. The player with the highest score after all numbers are closed out wins.

Around the World

Players must hit each number on the board in sequence, starting with 1 and ending with 20. The first player to successfully hit all numbers in order wins the game. Variations include doubling the numbers or hitting them in reverse order.

Killer

Each player starts with a set number of lives. The objective is to eliminate other players by hitting the number they are assigned (usually based on the order of play). When a player loses all their lives, they are eliminated from the game. The last player standing wins!

Shanghai

In this game, players attempt to score as many points as possible by hitting a specific number and its associated single, double, and treble sections in a single turn. The number rotates each round, typically starting with 1 and ending with 20. The player with the highest total score after all numbers have been played wins.

Halve-It

Players start with a score of 41 and must hit any number on the board to begin. The score of each subsequent dart thrown is subtracted from the player’s total. If a player’s score reaches 0 or less, their score is halved. The first player to reach exactly 0 wins.

Darts Golf

In this game, each number on the board represents a golf hole, with the bullseye serving as the final hole. Players must hit each number in sequence using the fewest number of darts possible. The player with the lowest total score after completing all holes wins.

Scram

This two-player game combines elements of Cricket and 501. One player tries to close out numbers, while the other attempts to score as many points as possible on the open numbers. Roles reverse after each round, and the player with the highest total score wins.