Darts for Beginers


DARTS FOR BEGINNERS

Understanding the Board and How to Play Better

Darts is a fun and exciting game that anyone can enjoy, but to play it well, you first need to understand the dartboard and how scoring works. Once you know the basics, improving your throw and accuracy becomes much easier.

A standard dartboard has numbers from 1 to 20. At first glance, the numbers may appear randomly placed. However, their arrangement is one of the most important and carefully designed features of the game, intentionally created to reward accurate throws. 

Each number has different scoring areas: 

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    The large section (Inner single & Outer single) of a number gives you the normal score. 

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    The thin outer ring is called the double, and it gives you twice the base value. For example, hitting double 20 gives you 40 points.

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    The thin inner ring is the triple, which gives you three times the number. For example, hitting triple 20 gives you 60 points, which is the highest score from one dart.

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    The center of the board is the bullseye. 


The outer bull scores 25 points, while the inner bull scores 50 points. Beginners should not worry too much about hitting the bullseye early on. It becomes more important later when learning how to finish games.


BACKGROUND

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The modern dartboard layout was introduced in the late nineteenth century and is commonly credited to Brian Gamlin, an English carpenter. He intended to make darts a game of skill and consistency. By separating high-value numbers and surrounding them with low numbers, the board ensures that big scores only come from accurate and controlled throws.


This arrangement also adds strategy to the game. Players must carefully pinpoint their targets, especially in competitive formats like 301 and 501. Aiming for high numbers carries risk, while safer targets may produce lower scores but reduce the chance of costly mistakes.


For beginners, this numbering system teaches an important lesson early on: darts is not just about hitting a number, but about hitting the right spot. Every section of the board demands focus, control, and confidence. This is what makes darts challenging, fair, and deeply rewarding to learn.


“

Scoring is important, but finishing wins games

-Darts Philosophy

THE GAME - 501 & 301

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Most games of darts, such as 301 and 501, start and end with a double. This means that at the beginning of the game, you must hit any double before your score starts counting. This is called “double in.” To win the game, your last dart must also hit a double to bring your score exactly to zero. If you score more points than you need, your turn does not count, and this is called a bust.


In 501, which is the most common game, players usually aim for the number 20 because it has the highest scoring triple. However, beginners should focus more on hitting the large single areas first, instead of forcing triples. As the score gets lower, players start aiming for specific numbers so that they can finish the game on a double they are comfortable with.


Not all points are equally important all the time. When your score is high, it is good to aim for big numbers like 20 or 19. When your score is low, accuracy matters more than high scores. The goal becomes leaving a number that can be finished easily with a double.


Good darts are not only about the board, but also about how you throw. Eye and arm coordination is very important. Always look at the exact spot you want to hit, not just the number. 

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    Your throwing arm should feel relaxed.

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    Your elbow should stay steady as you throw. 

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    Most of the movement should come from your forearm and wrist, not your shoulder.

Exercise

Try to throw the dart in a smooth motion and follow through by pointing your hand toward the target after release. This helps the dart travel in a straight line. With practice, your body will remember the movement, and your throws will become more accurate.


Parting shot.

Darts is a game of patience and practice. By learning how the board works, understanding scoring, and using proper throwing technique, beginners can quickly improve and enjoy the game even more.




Yedu Sports Academy

www.yedusportsacademy.co.ke

Email: training@yedusportsacademy.co.ke

Phone/WhatsApp: (+254) 702 014 699 / +254 735 156 916.

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