Key Takeways:

• The dartboard features a bullseye, an inner ring (treble ring), and an outer ring (double ring).
• Bullseye has two parts: Inner Bullseye (Double Bull) worth 50 points and Outer Bullseye worth 25 points.
• The double ring scores double the section’s number while the treble ring triples it.
• There are regional variations like the Yorkshire Board, Manchester Log-End, and others.

Reading a dart board is easy! It has numbers 1-20 in a circle. Each number has thin and thick areas. Hitting different areas scores different points. For instance, while playing a game with consecutive bulls, the thin outer ring gives you double points! The center, called the bullseye, scores the most. Ready to dive into the option for percentage play?

In this article, I will look into the following:

Curious to know how? Let’s get right into it –

The dartboard is like a big circle with lots of smaller sections inside. Think of it as a pie with different slices. Each slice has a special meaning.

In the current setup of dart games, numbers on a dartboard go from 1 to 20. They aren’t in order like 1, 2, 3… but are mixed up to make the game more challenging. As you play, remember to consider the option for percentage play. When you throw a dart, you aim for a number to get that many points. But with computerized scoring getting popular, the player doesn’t need to manually count the score, making the game faster and more accurate. So, practice your aim and enjoy the game!

Reading a dartboard involves understanding its layout, the different sections, and how the scoring system works. But as the game’s rules get complex in major tournaments, having a clear grasp of standard scoring is vital.

The dartboard is circular, divided into 20 numbered sections. Each section represents a number from 1 to 20.

This is the center of the board.

• Inner Bullseye (Double Bull): The very center, usually red. It’s worth 50 points.
• Outer Bullseye: The green ring around the inner bullseye. It’s worth 25 points.

This is the outer thin ring. If your dart lands in this ring, your score is double the section’s number. For example, if you hit the double ring in the section labeled ’20’, you’d score 40 points.

This is the inner thin ring. Landing your dart here triples the section’s number. So, hitting the triple ring in the section labeled ’20’ would give you 60 points.

In darts, “doubles” and “trebles” refer to the thin outer and inner rings of the dartboard, respectively.

Hitting double (the outer ring) scores double the number of that section, while hitting treble (the inner ring) scores triple the number.

• If you hit the double section of the number “20”, you’d score 40 points.
• Hitting the double section of the number “15” would give you 30 points.
• The outermost ring is also known as the “double ring.”

With major tournaments around the world, various dartboard variations cater to regional preferences. From the Standard Clock (or London) Board used in most professional tournaments to the Yorkshire Board that’s similar to the standard but lacks the treble ring, these variations keep the game diverse.

1.Standard Clock (or London) Board:

• This is the most common board, used in professional tournaments.
• It has numbers from 1 to 20 in a non-consecutive order around the board, with a bullseye in the center. The board also includes double and treble rings.

2. Yorkshire Board:

• Similar to the standard board but lacks the treble ring.
• Used historically in Northern England.

3. Manchester Log-End:

• Made from the end grain of a log, traditionally elm.
• No trebles, and the doubles and bullseye are smaller than on standard boards.
• Used mainly in the Greater Manchester area.

4. Tunbridge Wells (or Kent) Board:

• Has no numbers, just rings and a bullseye.
• Only the bullseye scores (usually 50 points), and the outer ring typically scores 25 points.

5. Ipswich Five Ring:

• Used in parts of Suffolk and Essex.
• Features only five concentric rings and a bullseye.
• Different scoring system compared to the standard board.

Type	Material	Description
Bristle Dartboard	Sisal fibers	The most common type for professional play. Self-healing and used in tournaments like the PDC.
Electronic Dartboard	Plastic with electronic scoring	Uses soft-tip darts. Scores automatically. Great for casual players and bars.
Coiled Paper Dartboard	Coiled paper	More affordable but wears out quickly. Suitable for occasional play and kids.
Cork Dartboard	Natural or composite cork	Often used in casual settings. Not as durable as bristle boards.
Magnetic Dartboard	Magnetic surface	Uses magnetic darts. Safe for kids and casual play. No sharp points.
Wooden Dartboard	Elm or poplar	Traditional boards. Require regular soaking to maintain. Not as common today.

When reading a dartboard, common mistakes include:

1. Misreading the segments: Mistakes can occur when players are unfamiliar with the current setup or dartboard they are using. It’s crucial to know your board well, especially if you’re gearing up for major tournaments.

2. Double and Triple Rings: Mistaking the outer ring (doubles) for the inner ring (triples) and vice versa.

3. Bullseye confusion: Not differentiating between the outer bull (25 points) and the inner bull or “double bull” (50 points).

4. Not checking the dart’s full position: A dart’s flight might cover the actual segment it landed on, leading to misreads.

5. Assuming a miss: If a dart lands outside the main scoring area, it doesn’t mean it’s always a miss. The thin outer ring is the double scoring area.

6. Incorrect score tallying: Not adding up scores correctly due to misreads or mental calculation errors.

In the absence of specifics, here are some general tips to avoid common mistakes in various areas:

Make an effort to learn from your mistakes. When something goes wrong, analyze what happened and think about how you can avoid repeating it in the future.

Reading the dartboard effectively is vital for consistent play and improving your darts game. Here are some practice tips for reading the dartboard:

Before you can read the dartboard in the heat of a game, ensure you understand the layout. Know where each number is and its relation to the double, triple, and bullseye sections.

Before throwing, take a moment to clearly focus on your intended target. The sharper your focus, the better your chances of hitting the mark.

Your body position plays a significant role in your line of sight to the board. Ensure you adopt a consistent and comfortable stance each time you throw.

If you find you’re squinting or struggling to see the board clearly, it might be time for an eye test. Even minor vision issues can throw off your game.

Don’t just focus on the popular targets like triple 20. Practice aiming for all segments to become familiar with the entire board.

Improving dartboard reading skills involves familiarizing oneself with the board’s layout, numbers, and different scoring sections. This will help with targeting specific areas on the board more effectively.

• Single Segments: Start by throwing darts at each individual number from 1 to 20 in sequence.
• Double Segments: Practice hitting the double ring for each number from 1 to 20.
• Triple Segments: Target the triple ring for each number from 1 to 20.

• Throw darts at each number in order, from 1 to 20. Progress to the next number only when you hit the previous one. Once you’re proficient at this, do the same but with doubles, and then triples.

• Try to hit every double, starting from 1 and ending at the bullseye, in sequence.

• Set a target checkout score, e.g., 40 (double 20). Once successful, move on to 41, 42, and so on. This drill helps familiarize yourself with possible finishing combinations.

Learning how to read dart board is fun and easier than you might think! We learned about the different parts of the dartboard and the numbers on it.

Remember, doubles and trebles can change your score a lot. There are different types of dartboards, so always check which one you’re using.

Don’t forget the mistakes that beginners might make and practice a lot to get better.