Dart Rules
A Brief Look At Dart Rules And A Few Other Aspects Of The Game
Dart rules are generally quite simple, and few in number. There are many variations of the basic games of darts, and consequently a few twists as far as some of the rules are concerned. For the most part, darts are played between two players, or two teams, although there are some games in which any number of players can play as individuals.
The Basic Dart Rules - For most types of games, including the more common ones, the basic dart rules are as follows. Each player is allowed 9 practice throws before starting a game. To determine the starting order between players or among players on a team, each player takes one throw at the board. The player hitting closest to the bull's eye (the center of the board is called "the bull") will then go first, the next closest, second, and so on.
Most dart games are played between two players or two teams. The teams can be made up of two or more people each. Nine throws are generally allowed for each person as a warm-up before a game begins. Then, to determine which team or person is to take his turn first one dart is thrown by a person from each team. The team with the dart closest to the bull's eye takes the first turn. If it hasn't been agreed upon ahead of time what type of game is to be played, throwing at the bullseye can be used to make that decision, with the player getting closest deciding.
In most games a player is allowed three throws during each turn. For a throw to count, the player must not step on or over the line, variously called the Throw Line, the Toe Line, the Oche, or the Hockey. If the player steps over the line a re-throw is not permitted, and in some games, all throws in that turn are disqualified. A player may generally lean over the line, just not step on it. Also, if a thrown dart should hit the shaft and stick to a dart that is already on the board, it is called a Robin Hood. It's a neat looking shot but does not count for a score.
The score a player gets is usually determined by the number on a wedge on the boards, and multiples of that number are awarded if a dart lands inside the double ring (the outer thin ring on the board) or inside the triple ring, the inner thin ring. In some games the player may aim for any number he chooses, while in other games the dart rules specify that the numbers must be hit in a specific order to count. Most dart games, especially those involving league play or formal competitions, are played with steel darts and an English dart board. Formal competition by the way can mean two people playing a friendly game of darts in a tavern or pub. But dart rules are there for consistency if for no other reason.
The boundaries of the wedges, hence the numbers, are determined by the wires on the board, not by color boundaries (unless it's a cheap board of course). This makes sense, as the wire will guide the dart needle to one side of the other, so there will be no arguments. A dart must stick in the board, and stay there to count, and the score for a turn must be agreed upon and marked on the scoreboard before any darts are removed from the board. These are the general dart rules. Other rules come into play depending upon what game is being played and usually are either rules for scoring or rules for what constitutes a throw that counts.
There is a rich glossary of terms associated with the game of darts, and we won't go into them here, but two you are apt to hear are "Hat Trick" which is when a player hits 3 consecutive bull's eyes, and "Shanghai" when a player scores a single, double, and triple on the same number. In some games, a Shanghai constitutes a win. There is even a game of that name.
Etiquette - Although not technically dart rules, players are generally expected to follow certain guidelines of etiquette. These are common sense guidelines, which primarily state that nothing should be done which would distract the dart thrower. So you don't speak to the person about to throw the dart, or speak to others while a player is having his turn. If you must compliment a thrower, wait until he is does with this turn. It's also good etiquette to stand behind a player, or off to the side, and if this is not possible, to stand still while the player is taking his turn. And if team play is involved, only a teammate should be telling a player what to try to hit next. (continued...)