What is a Robin Hood in Darts

Key Takeaways:

• A Robin Hood in darts refers to when a player’s dart lands in the back of another dart already on the board.
• Though visually impressive, a Robin Hood doesn’t count towards the player’s score. The dart needs to touch and stay on the dartboard to be considered valid for points.
• The occurrence of a Robin Hood is quite rare, especially for beginners due to the high degree of accuracy needed.
• Some players use metal flight guards, which can prevent Robin Hoods and keep flights at the correct angle.

Introduction

You’re certainly familiar with the tale of Robin Hood, the fabled English outlaw and archer who took from the wealthy and donated to the less fortunate. Another tale claims that he won an archery match by cutting his opponent’s arrow in half with one of his own shots. He was also well known for his prowess with a bow and arrow.

But what connection does Robin Hood have to darts? A Robin Hood darts occurs when a player throws a dart that falls exactly into the back of another previous dart that is already on the board in the game of darts. It seems like an arrow is being split when the point of the second dart gets lodged in the first dart’s flight or shaft. This is one of those unique occurrences in darts that can leave spectators in awe.

In darts, “Robin Hood” is when a dart lands in the back of another dart already on the board, sticking into it. Imagine one incoming dart “riding” the other like Robin Hood’s arrow! It’s cool to see, but the second dart doesn’t score any points. Just like a perfectly thrown arrow in archery, this kind of perfect darts maneuver is a sight to behold. 🎯🏹

In this article, I will look into the following:

What is a Robin Hood in Darts?

To pull off a Robin Hood in darts requires a unique combination of skill and chance. As dart players strive to increase their score in darts, occasionally they throw a dart that, instead of achieving the desired bullseye in darts refers, it performs this rare feat. When players throw their oncoming darts closely together, there’s a risk that the dart landing might be closer than intended.

A player may also throw their dart with great power and velocity, causing it to bounce off the board and strike another lost dart that is already on the board. The spectacle can become even more impressive, with two or even three darts getting entangled in what might be one of the most memorable moments in dart history.

The dart setup, from the dart flights to the dart shaft, plays a significant role in achieving such a feat. Players might even experiment with heavier darts or adjust their throwing technique to increase or decrease the chances of such an event. Some professionals, like well-known dart players such as Adrian Lewis, have had their brushes with such rare occurrences.

It’s advised only to do a Robin Hood occasionally since it might detract from your primary objective, which is to collect points. However, it can be a terrific way to amuse the audience and showcase your abilities. It’s ideal to use it sometimes as a show shot or to relieve tension in a tight game.

Practice is essential while attempting to master the Robin Hood shot. Throw darts at a board with a dart stuck in it and try to hit the dart’s shaft. Be sure to carefully monitor your form and make any required adjustments before releasing the dart. As you go along, experiment with various dart throws and distances.

To pull off the Robin Hood shot successfully requires a high degree of accuracy and precision. Successful players are regularly praised by fans and opponents alike for their abilities. Even though it’s not necessary for the win, it’s a fantastic chance to wow the audience and flaunt your abilities. The Robin Hood shot requires a lot of practice to perfect, but anybody can become proficient in this nimble maneuver with enough repetition.

Robin Hoods, while being one of the intriguing feats in darts, are not as common as one might think, especially at the professional level when players aim for precision. However, when it happens, it becomes one of the talked-about shots in darts.

Adrian Lewis, one of the well-known dart players, showcased a spectacular Robin Hood during a competitive leg of darts. His precision and skill combined to create a shot that remained in the annals of achievements in darts history.

Another example of a Robin Hood in darts was done by Michael van Gerwen at the 2019 World Championship. He threw his first dart into the treble 20, his second dart into his first dart’s flight, and his third dart into his second dart’s shaft. He was unhappy with his result and shook his head in disbelief.

A distinct feature of “Robin Hood” darts is the incorporation of the Robin Hood rule, which is as follows:

1. During each round, players or teams take alternating turns to throw a set of three darts.
2. Play begins with one player from each team in rotation.
3. Prior to commencing the game, players commonly select a target number, such as 301 or 501, which serves as each player’s or team’s initial score.
4. The objective for players is to diminish their score from the initial value to precisely zero.
5. In order to deduct points, players need to strike designated target zones, as specified in the Scoring section, and subtract the related points from their total.
6. A player is required to conclude the game on a double, meaning a hit on the outer ring, or on the bullseye. For instance, if a player’s residual score is 32, they are required to strike a double 16 to end the match.

“Robin Hood” darts use a scoring system that is comparable to standard darts but also has some distinct differences. Check out this rundown of the ‘Robin Hood’ darts scoring system:

Scoring:

1. Bullseye (inner circle): 50 points
2. Bullseye (outer circle): 25 points
3. Any other section on the dartboard counts for its face value (e.g., hitting a 20 gets you 20 points).

Double and Triple Rings:

The double and triple rings on the dartboard are still worth twice as many points as their adjacent single-ring counterparts in “Robin Hood” darts. In this case, a score of 40 would be awarded for a double 20, and a score of 60 would be awarded for a triple 20.

Winning the Game:

In the game “Robin Hood” darts, a participant can secure victory through two strategies:

1. The player scores the precise number of points required to achieve a zero score, concluding the game on either a double or a bullseye. For instance, should a player have 32 points left, they must land a double 16 to emerge victorious.
2. The player accomplishes a “Robin Hood” move, which entails hitting an identical number with each of the three darts during one turn.

In the game of darts, the term “Robin Hood” refers to an instance where a player throws a dart that lands in the rear of another dart already lodged in the dartboard. This terminology pays homage to the renowned English archer who is alleged to have split one arrow with another.

Particularly for newer players, the likelihood of making a Robin Hood throw is minimal. This is because putting a dart directly in another person’s back requires an unusually high degree of accuracy. The occurrence is so rare that when it transpires, it often triggers astonishment or is even the cause for celebration. Nevertheless, in professional circles, where players exhibit superior control and consistency, it is likely to occur with more frequency due to the players’ habit of clustering their darts closely around their desired target.

Crucially, while a Robin Hood shot may strike an onlooker as impressive, it doesn’t typically confer any advantages in a darts match. The second dart is usually non-scoring, and the two darts involved risk being damaged. Moreover, most digital dartboards are engineered to preclude the occurrence of Robin Hoods. They feature plastic sections with minuscule gaps, which significantly reduce the likelihood of one dart embedding into the rear of another.

Robin Hoods might seem impressive, but in a game where every shot in darts counts, it might not be the most strategic play. For those using soft-tip darts on electronic dartboards, the machine might not always register such a shot.

This rule only applies to steel tip darts, because electronic darts use a machine to decide the score. However, a Robin Hood still counts as a throw, so you don’t get another chance and you lose your turn.

A Robin Hood might cause more harm than your score. You don’t have to be concerned about your tips, but a terrible Robin Hood can ruin your flights or shafts.

It all depends on how the darts hit. Aluminum shafts may typically be repaired if they are bent, while nylon shafts or perforated flights are normally discarded. Robin Hood tosses have ruined many darts.

Metal flight guards, which can prevent Robin Hoods and maintain your flights at a healthy angle, are the only item that might assist a little. I use this Amazon bullet type protection. To summarize, while the word “Robin Hood” sounds good, it is not something you want to happen, especially in tournament play.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

When one dart falls into the rear of another dart that is already on the board, it is known as a “Robin Hood darts”. It has no point value and may void your game and darts. It is very uncommon and hard to get without a lot of luck and expertise. Some players have done it unintentionally as a challenge or a joke, while others have done it intentionally.

Have you ever thrown a dart at a Robin Hood? Is it a remarkable achievement or a frustrating accident? Tell us in the comments section below!