16 basic dart terms you should know

The origins of darts can be traced back to the 14th century, with its roots thought to be in England. It was originally played with short darts aimed at a wine barrel, but has evolved to use wooden boards and short javelins. Today we know this game as modern darts.

Darts is a game for all ages that requires precision, skill and strategy. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, understanding the terminology used in darts is essential for effective communication and play. In this blog post, we'll discuss 16 common darts terms every player should know.

1. Bullseye : The center circle of the dartboard. In darts, the bullseye/inner bull/double bull is worth 50 points. The outer bullseye is worth 25 points.

2. Double : The narrow outer ring on the dartboard that doubles the value of the number it lands on.

3. Triple : The narrow inner ring on the dartboard that triples the value of the number it lands on.

4. Checkout : When a player successfully reaches the required score to end the game.

5. Throwing line : The line behind which the player stands when throwing a dart.

6. Score : The total number of points a player has collected in each round of darts.

7. Dart wings : Small feathers or plastic ends on a dart that help keep the dart stable in flight.

8. Grip : The way a player holds the arrow while throwing.

9. Ejection : The dart reappears after hitting the dartboard and no points are awarded.

10. Ton : Score 100 points with three darts in one round.

11. Singular : The large section of a number on the dartboard that is worth the number it lands on.

12. 180 : The highest score possible in a round by hitting three 20 points.

13. Breaking Points : When a player exceeds the allotted score and is eliminated, resulting in no points being scored in that round.

14. Tone 80 : Scoring 180 points in one round, also known as a maximum score or perfect score.

15. Tungsten : The material used to make up the barrel of a dart is known for its high density and durability.

16. Dartitis : A psychological condition that affects the player's ability to throw the dart smoothly.

Now that you're familiar with these darts terms, let's take a closer look at how they're used in a game. Darts is played by throwing three darts per round at a circular board with scoring areas. Each area has a different point value, with the outer ring counting double and the inner ring counting triple.
 
Players take turns throwing their darts, aiming to score as many points as possible in each round. The ultimate goal is to reach a set score, usually 501 or 301, and check out with a double or bullseye.
 
Understanding the terms "double" and "triple" is crucial to calculating scores and strategizing the game. For example, if a player has 40 points left, he may aim for a double 20 to check out. If he accidentally hits a single 20, he is left with 20 points and must aim for a double 10 on the next roll.

 
Another important term is "bust." This occurs when a player's score goes beyond the required number of points to check out. For example, if a player has 32 points left but hits triple 20, they are "busted" because their score goes beyond the set 0 points.
 
Reaching 180 points is the ultimate goal of many players in darts. This is the highest possible score that can be achieved with three darts and requires a bit of luck.
This guide will give you a foundation to understand the game of darts and start practicing. Remember, the key to progress is to practice continuously and have a positive attitude. So pick up your darts and start throwing!