Though the game of darts can be played in many different ways, the circular game board is always a necessary component of play. It is a game which is played competitively, as well as in pubs and private homes. The board is usually made of sisal, a strong, durable fiber, with each section lined with wire. The standard dart board is hung so that the bull’s eye is five feet, eight inches from the floor, and the throwing line is seven feet, nine and a quarter inches from the board. For casual play these rules do not have to be set in stone as people are playing just for fun and social interaction.

The rules for playing darts are not complicated. There are usually two teams, each made up of two or more players. Each person is allowed nine throws as a pre-game warm-up. To determine which team or player will go first a dart is thrown by a person from each team. The closest throw to the bull’s eye is the team that will go first. When his turn comes, each player will throw three darts. Then the other side will also throw three darts. If someone accidentally crosses over or steps on the dart throwing line or oche in the course of play; the throw is disqualified and that person must wait for his turn come around again to resume playing.

Darts must remain on the dart board for five seconds to be counted and if sticks into another dart or causes it to fall of the board it does not count. Darts are scored in the following way: in the wedge, the amount posted on the outer ring; in the double ring (the outer, narrow ring) twice the number hit; in the triple ring (the inner, narrow ring) three time the number hit. Bull’s eye (outer bull) is twenty five points; the double bull’s eye is fifty points. Many people enjoy darts and even have their own special sets of darts, imbued with almost supernatural powers, that they will not play without. Dart players are a fun-loving bunch of people who enjoy the company of others in a fun yet mildly competitive way.

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.