Just starting in darts (or already playing but looking for help) and wondering how to set your board up. No problem, we got you 🙂 – read on.

How should a dartboard be set up?

• Bullseye on the dartboard to the floor 5-ft 8 in or 1.73 m ( 173cm)

• The face of the dartboard to the throwing line (oche) 7-ft 9 ¼ in or 2.37 m ( 237 cm)

•  bullseye measured diagonally to the throwing line (oche) 9 ft 7 ⅜ in  or 2.93 m (293cm)

A dartboard setup will vary depending on who is going to be using it. The standard height for your board is for the bullseye to be 5ft 8 inches (1.73 m/173cm) from the floor.  The reason for using this measurement is that it is eye level height for a 6-ft (1.83 m/183cm) tall person.

The distance from the front face of the dartboard to the oche (or throwing line), behind which the thrower must stand, is 7-ft 91 inches (2.37 m / 237cm).  Please note this is from the face of your board, not the wall or the dartboard cabinet you may have your board mounted in.

This standardized measurement came about because the United Kingdom and the rest of the world were measuring the distance differently – these are now the agreed set up dimensions.

This diagram set’s these measurements out for you.

 NOTE: The usual height of a dartboard is 17 ¾ inches or 45.1 cm in diameter.

Can you lean over the line in darts?

It is absolutely legal to lean your leg or your upper body over the oche in a game of darts.  What you must not do is to allow your toe or even a part of your shoe to cross the edge of the oche. If you throw from that position your dart is void. 

How to throw a dart

First get your stance right,  your favored foot – the same side left or right, you will throw the dart with – towards the oche. Keep your shoulders at 90 degrees to the board you are aiming for. Maintaining a strong stable stance gives you the foundation to throw your dart straight and true.

Next shuffle along the oche to get your throwing arm in line with the bullseye and the top of the 20.  

Keep your shoulders and hips straight and in a line above each other. The more experienced you get means you may find that you lean slightly forward, this is fine as long as you keep a straight and upright stance.

Loosely hold the barrel of the dart between three fingers and your thumb. Your grip may change with more experience – in fact, you may find the way you naturally pick up a dart for the first time will be the way you are most comfortable throwing.

Keeping your hand, elbow, and shoulder in a straight line, bring the dart back to your chin, picking a suitable way to aim for your chosen target on the board. I use the top of my top finger on the dart.

Push the dart away from you pivoting through your elbow, pushing the dart through the air towards the board. Release the dart and follow through with your fingers even when the dart has left your hand. This follow-through helps with the direction and strength with which you throw.

Finally – practice, practice, practice, practice. You will hear this from me a lot! 

How much space do you need for a dartboard?

As well as being able to set your dartboard to the correct height,  and having enough room to get the correct distance from the board.  There is a bit more information you need to be able to site a dartboard correctly but also safely.

Always make sure you have as much space as possible to allow the person who is not throwing enough space so they aren’t too close to the board in case a dart bounces out. Standing to the side to score is generally safe enough unless you are an absolute beginner and don’t trust yourself not to miss the board in the direction of the scorer!

If you were to measure this out in general terms, an area of approximately 5 ft (1.52m / 152cm) wide by 10 or 11 ft (3.35m / 335cm) long would be the smallest area you need to play without feeling uncomfortable whilst having enough space to move freely out of the way of your opponent. 

How to hang a dartboard

Your dartboard should come with a wall hanger when you buy it. This should be screwed securely either into your wall using appropriate fixings or into the material you are using to protect your wall from holes made by errant darts.

What to put behind a dart board to protect your wall

There are various types of material you can protect your wall with by placing it behind your dartboard. I have made my own backboard from an old pallet, it didn’t take too long and I quite enjoyed the process if you’d like to make your own hit me up and I’ll send you some instructions. You can also use special dartboard surrounds that are circular or rectangular to cover a greater area of the wall. You may even decide to use a dart cabinet.

Dart board cabinet

As its name suggests a dart board cabinet is capable of holding a traditional dartboard. Coming with two doors on the front which you can close on the dartboard is not in use. When the doors are opened they usually have chalkboards on them which you can use to score. Inside the cabinet will be places to store your darts, flights, chalk, etc. 

Summary:

Make sure you have the minimum space available to be able to set your dart board up and play comfortably with enough space for your opponent to stay safely out of the way. Fundamentally though you don’t need a great deal of space to hang a dartboard at home so choose your spot, hang your board and enjoy your darts!