The history of the game of darts goes back a long time. Legend has it that soldiers during the Middle Ages used to throw spears at barrel bases or cut-up tree trunks to get over their boredom. This gradually gave shape to what we now know as dart games. The system of scoring, followed across the world, came into being during the early 18th century.Dart games have become popular over the years as it is inexpensive to play, can be played indoors during bad weather, no dress codes are required, and can be played by anyone – male or female, young or old.

The basic requirements are a dartboard and darts. With the advancement of technology dartboards have also evolved through the times. The most common dartboard is the bristle board – either cork or sisal. Cork dartboards deteriorate quickly with continued used, as the darts leave holes in the boards and the cork crumbles. The fibrous nature of sisal, however, is able to overcome this drawback and has therefore gained popularity. Sisal does not crumble even after constant use. Electronic dartboards are also available, and are equipped with sensors allowing for automated scoring.

There are various types of darts. The main parts of a dart are the tip, barrel, shaft and flight. Tips are either steel or soft. Soft tips are preferred on electronic dartboards and cork dartboards and are also recommended for new players. Steel tips are for the more experienced dart players. Shafts also come in various types. Synthetic flights are the most common nowadays and can be combined with the shafts. The use of feathers as flights has decreased considerably nowadays.

Many dart accessories are available nowadays. Instead of simply hanging the dartboard on walls, dart cabinets can be used to add style and elegance to your dart game. Many players also attach add-a-grams to get the required weights on the darts. The perfect weight improves accuracy in shooting. Dart mats are useful for new players, as the bounce-off from the boards may cause considerable damage to the floor. It is also important to have a rule book as there are many methods of keeping scores and the game can be played under different rules.

There are several elements to consider when choosing your darts. Grip is also and important factor. Many players get nervous when playing matches and there is nothing worse than having your dart slip out of your fingers when aiming for that crucial double to win the game. Here are some ways to choose a dart grip when throwing darts:

Four fingers and thumb -Typically the smallest finger rests on the top or bottom of the dart tip for maximum guidance in acceleration. This option provides maximum touch on the dart which can help with accuracy and placement. However, it does require a lot fingers on the dart barrel which can cause your throw to get away from you. Using all four of your fingers on the dart can cause your throw to “stick” to your fingers or can cause you to over-power, or push your throw.

Three fingers and thumb – This is a basic option that gives you a lot of control over the dart during the acceleration of your throw. You can also have more control over the placement of the dart using this option. However, the third finger on the dart barrel does increase your chances of a misfire, similar to the four finger grip.

Two fingers and thumb – This option allows for fewer fingers to get in the way of a great throw while sacrificing some control of the placement of your dart. If your dart flutters or snaps awkwardly in the middle of your throw try moving your thumb slightly behind the center weight of the dart for more control. The majority of competitive dart throwers use this style of grip in their game.

One finger and thumb – This position is similar to how you would hold a writing pen. Many dart players who use this style also let the dart rest on tip of the second finger for support. This option minimizes your touch points on the dart barrel at the expense of control over the dart. It can be very effective for achieving consistent dart throwing. However, because it minimizes your control it can take some time to get used to before you are successful with this grip.