Darts is a fun social sport, the history of which can be traced back to the days of the longbow in Medieval England, and is still popular today.It has been said that darts were used in archery training because it helped with accuracy. They shortened the darts and had people throw them at the bottom of an empty wine barrel. It has been noted by historians that the use of the barrel lead to the development of the game of darts that we know today.

It was thought that darts developed into a sport in itself when soldiers being trained in archery took their shortened darts to local pubs and bars so they could refine their skills as well as exhibit their talents to the locals. When the bottom of the barrel proved to be inconvenient, someone created a cross-section of a moderate sized tree.

The game of darts itself soon spread and it was being played by old and young all over England. The rich and elite of the country were no different. They soon put their own stamp on the game. Darts can be traced back to the Pilgrims. It has been said that the game of darts was very popular on the Mayflower as it made its ocean crossing.

The rules of darts settled into what we know today at around 1900. The size of the board, throwing distance and even the size of the darts became standard. Many people enjoy the sport around the world. Today there are organized tournaments and organizations and leagues that specialize in the sport of darts. It is very popular and people make their living playing this sport all over the world.

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.