Darts have been a mainstay in English pubs and American bars for over seven hundred years. It’s a fun game and can help with eye-hand coordination. Hanging the board correctly adds to the enjoyment. I like playing darts. Some people are gamers, but I’m a game player. And my game is darts.
So, how do you hang a dartboard? Use precise measurements from the floor to the center of the bullseye to get the correct height. You also must measure from the bullseye to the throwing line to achieve the correct distance from the board. All boards should be mounted flush with the wall.
I learned how to play while visiting my grandfather when I was a kid. I think he learned how to play when he was over in England during WWII. As a GI, he probably hung out in a few pubs and learned the game. Regardless of where he learned, he taught me the proper rules, which included hanging the dartboard correctly.
Regulation Dartboard Height and Distance
For the height of the board, you start with the bullseye. Most people think it’s the top of the board. But you want to measure from the floor to the center of the bullseye. You need to be at 5’8” height. This is standard. Although different leagues may have different heights, 5’8” is the height the professionals use.
When it comes to the distance from the board, there is a slight deviation. The distance should be measured from the bullseye to the oche (pronounced oky). An oche is dart talk for throwing line. This measurement should be 9’7” ½ . This is the standard that the pros use.
However, the throwing distance can be 7’9” ¼ . That’s because you can lean over the oche (as long as your feet stay behind the line) when you throw without being levied a fault.
If you’re installing a dartboard in your game room, you should have the proper measurements for play. First and foremost, make sure you have plenty of space. This includes headroom. You don’t want a dart sticking in your ceiling or worse a bounce back hitting you or your friend. Three things to think about when mounting a board are:
- Height of room
- Length of room
- Width of room
You want to make sure you have ample area to throw a dart. Make sure you have at least 7’6” ceilings. And as for the width, you should have at least 2 feet on each side of the dartboard. I don’t know about you, but I need every bit of that extra space for my (occasional) wayward shots.
Dartboard Distance from Wall
The dartboard should be flush with the wall. I recommend you use a flat backing to protect your wall. But the dartboard should still be flush to the backing. It should never be tilted forward. When mounting your dartboard, make sure that D20 is at the top.
A quality dartboard weighs around 10 pounds, so make sure you anchor it securely.
What is Dartboard Distance in Centimeters?
For those using the metric system, the height and distance are converted into centimeters. The standard distance from the oche to the dartboard in centimeters is 2.93m. The throwing distance is 2.37m. The standards are the same.
Dartboard Height for Juniors
There isn’t any specific height for juniors. Although we want to encourage children playing darts. So, let’s make it fairer and fun for them. There are two ways to adjust the board for a child’s height. One is to center the board’s height around the child’s nose or mouth. That should put it pretty much in proportion for standard adult size dartboard height.
Another way is the 3/4 rule. Set it up, so it’s 3/4s the standard distance away from the board and 3/4 of the standard height. That would make it 51” in distance and 70” in height.
Dartboard Height and Distance for Players in Wheelchairs
Throwing darts is universal fun. Anyone can do it. But when you’re in a wheelchair, the standard height and distance of a dartboard could be a problem. If you enjoy shooting darts, this is going to put a damper on a good time. That’s why there are different measurements for wheelchair users.
The standard height of a dartboard for a wheelchair user is 4’6” from the center of the bullseye to the floor. The distance from the bull to the oche is 9,’ and the throw distance is 7’9” ¼ . The foot fault rule still holds true for a wheelchair user.
Construction of a Dartboard
We’re going to skip electric dartboards, although they do exist and are gaining popularity. If you are interested in electronic dart boards, check out our Best Electronic Dartboards guide.
In this article, I’m going to be a purist. Let’s talk about your standard, enjoy-a-drink-and-good-company-while-you’re-playing kind of board. There are three types of materials dartboards are made of – and it’s helpful to know when you’re hanging one. And also when you’re buying one.
- Paper
- Sisal fibers
- Cork
You may note that all three types are made out of natural plant fibers. You might even say it’s the first and only vegan certified game available. Who knew, right? Let’s take a look at the differences.
1.Paper
These are boards made of wound paper. They are inexpensive but are not generally used by professionals. The main reason is that they’re just not that durable. The theory behind a wound paper board is that the dart will imbed in the board when it hits.
But if there is any chip or burr on the dart’s point, it will tear the paper. This can cause irreversible damage. They just don’t stand up to frequent play. Even for an amateur, I don’t recommend one.
2.Sisal fibers
Made out of the stripped, braided, and sliced leaves of the agave sisalana plant, this is an extremely durable board. Interesting fact, the agave plant is used to produce tequila. So, it’s very appropriate to be on the wall of your favorite watering hole.
Agave is very common and grown throughout the world. This makes it very inexpensive. Sisal boards are highly durable and are generally used by the pros. I have one and would highly recommend it.
3.Cork
This is the worst material of all the boards. They’re cheap, and they don’t hold up. Cork is never used by professionals. Strapped for cash, maybe you might get one. But even at my poorest poor, I never bought a cork dartboard.
If you are looking for a pro level dartboard, check out this guide to the Best Dartboards.
How do You Keep Score in Darts?
When I first started playing, I thought it was great to start with a score of 501. It always encouraged me. I felt like I was already ahead of the game. Later, I discovered that was the standard starting point for most professional dart matches. Well, at least I started as a pro. As I progressed in the game, I learned that some dart games start with a score of 301.
To most people, the rules are simple, and for the most part they are. You throw the dart at the board and try to hit the bullseye. But it’s a little more complicated than that. In playing 501, each player is given three darts. And with those darts, there are three parts to a dartboard that you must aim at.
- The Bullseye
- The 25 ring
- The trebles
You want to nail a bullseye, that will net you fifty points. The outer rings will give you twenty-five points. And then there are the trebles. The trebles were introduced to the game when the Clock dartboard came into play. This is what changed the difficulty of the game.
The trebles are located halfway to the edge of the board from the twenty-five-point ring. These are difficult to hit. But the trick to winning is to hit them with consistency.
As you can see, the rules are simple. So mount your dartboard in your game room, invite your friends over and have fun.
