If you're one of the thousands dart playing surfers who frequently visit the best dang dart blog on the planet... well, this doesn't apply to you. However, if you're amongst the half dozen or so folks who stumbled onto THIS blog, then read on...
One reason I haven't posted in awhile is that I've been in the process of setting up a more permanent blog over at dartdave.com. And I'm slow. And I procrastinate. And I've been spending alot of time practicing in case Michelob ever needs an official taste tester. But in my own defense, I was usually throwing darts at the time.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Overachieving at Darts Gets You Busted
It's been pointed out to me that when I wrote an otherwise brilliant post explaining how to play the dart game of 501, I failed to mention what happens if you score TOO many points in a throw. If you recall, the goal is to reach exactly zero points and the dart that puts you at zero MUST be a double. So what happens if you hit too big a number and it takes your score below zero?
In that case you've "busted" and receive no points for that turn. Ie, your score reverts to whatever it was before you threw the first of your three darts. The same thing happens if you reduce your score to exactly 1 point, since there is no way to double out on a one.
For example, you have 14 points remaining and (against my advice) you throw at the double 7. Ya hit a 19 and guess what? Yerrr busted! Go pull your dart and wait for your next turn. Going for double 1 and ya hit a single instead? That puts you at 1 point, so you busted, too. Got 16 remaining and trying to hit that double 8 but ya pop a single 16, bringing ya to zero, right? BONNNNNNKKKK! Wrong answer, thank you for playing our game. The dart that brings you to exactly zero MUST be a double, therefore you busted.
Sometime soon I'll tell the heartbreaking story of the biggest bust I ever saw up close.
In that case you've "busted" and receive no points for that turn. Ie, your score reverts to whatever it was before you threw the first of your three darts. The same thing happens if you reduce your score to exactly 1 point, since there is no way to double out on a one.
For example, you have 14 points remaining and (against my advice) you throw at the double 7. Ya hit a 19 and guess what? Yerrr busted! Go pull your dart and wait for your next turn. Going for double 1 and ya hit a single instead? That puts you at 1 point, so you busted, too. Got 16 remaining and trying to hit that double 8 but ya pop a single 16, bringing ya to zero, right? BONNNNNNKKKK! Wrong answer, thank you for playing our game. The dart that brings you to exactly zero MUST be a double, therefore you busted.
Sometime soon I'll tell the heartbreaking story of the biggest bust I ever saw up close.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Double 16 is Your Best Friend
According to a popular song years back, diamonds are a girl's best friend. And many folks will tell you that a dog is man's best friend. (This is true. Couple or three years ago I had my girlfriend and our dog living with me. Both eventually moved on. Guess which one I still miss.) But when it comes to doubling out in a dart game, double 16 is your best friend. Allow me to elucidate my assertion. (For you Alabama folks, that means I'm gonna tell ya why.)
Doubling out occurs in most 01 games, ie, 501, 301, etc. The object in these games is to reduce your score to exactly zero. The catch is that your last dart, the one that brings your score down to zero, MUST be a double. It can be any of the twenty doubles making up the outer ring of the board or even the double bull. So what makes the double 16 special? I'm glad ya asked that question!
Obviously you can only double out if you have an even number remaining. (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.) So it follows that if you have an odd number remaining, 11 for example, you can't double out. First you have to hit something to set yourself up with an even number. That's an extra dart you're forced to use before you can get back to trying to throw the winning dart. Clearly it's advantageous to always have an even number remaining near the end of the game even if you miss your intended target. That's where double 16 comes in.
Assume for just a moment that you throw at a double but miss it and hit the single instead. If you'd been throwing at double 7, for example, life suddenly seems so unfair because now you have seven points remaining and before you can go for the win you gotta spend a dart setting yourself up on an even number again. Boo, hiss, right? This is why I rarely throw at a "double odd" number.
What if you'd been throwing at double 20 instead? Ok, you miss and hit the single 20. No prob, you can still go for the win by pegging the double 10. Acck! You miss and hit the ten and now you're on an odd number. Curses! Is there no way to avoid this mathematical tragedy? (By now some of you are smugly thinking, "Hey, Dave, it'd be simpler to just hit what you were aiming for!" These folks forget one thing. You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition.)
For those of you not so grammatically challenged, let's fit double 16 into our example. Well bust my buttons and call me Pete! Suddenly life seems full of opportunity! Miss and hit the single 16? No worries, mate! You've got 16 remaining, so go for double 8. Hit the single 8 by mistake? It's cool, go for the win on double 4. Drat! A single 4. Again, it's casual. Just pop a double 2. Missing it by hitting a single two STILL leaves you with a chance to win on double 1.
No other number on the board gives you this many chances to hit the single by mistake and still have a winning shot available. So be sure to set aside time during your practice sessions to hit on your new best friend, double 16.
Doubling out occurs in most 01 games, ie, 501, 301, etc. The object in these games is to reduce your score to exactly zero. The catch is that your last dart, the one that brings your score down to zero, MUST be a double. It can be any of the twenty doubles making up the outer ring of the board or even the double bull. So what makes the double 16 special? I'm glad ya asked that question!
Obviously you can only double out if you have an even number remaining. (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.) So it follows that if you have an odd number remaining, 11 for example, you can't double out. First you have to hit something to set yourself up with an even number. That's an extra dart you're forced to use before you can get back to trying to throw the winning dart. Clearly it's advantageous to always have an even number remaining near the end of the game even if you miss your intended target. That's where double 16 comes in.
Assume for just a moment that you throw at a double but miss it and hit the single instead. If you'd been throwing at double 7, for example, life suddenly seems so unfair because now you have seven points remaining and before you can go for the win you gotta spend a dart setting yourself up on an even number again. Boo, hiss, right? This is why I rarely throw at a "double odd" number.
What if you'd been throwing at double 20 instead? Ok, you miss and hit the single 20. No prob, you can still go for the win by pegging the double 10. Acck! You miss and hit the ten and now you're on an odd number. Curses! Is there no way to avoid this mathematical tragedy? (By now some of you are smugly thinking, "Hey, Dave, it'd be simpler to just hit what you were aiming for!" These folks forget one thing. You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition.)
For those of you not so grammatically challenged, let's fit double 16 into our example. Well bust my buttons and call me Pete! Suddenly life seems full of opportunity! Miss and hit the single 16? No worries, mate! You've got 16 remaining, so go for double 8. Hit the single 8 by mistake? It's cool, go for the win on double 4. Drat! A single 4. Again, it's casual. Just pop a double 2. Missing it by hitting a single two STILL leaves you with a chance to win on double 1.
No other number on the board gives you this many chances to hit the single by mistake and still have a winning shot available. So be sure to set aside time during your practice sessions to hit on your new best friend, double 16.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Who Throws First in a Dart Game?
One of the first things a new dart player is likely to learn is the procedure for deciding which player throws first in a game. It's quite simple. Each player (or one player from each team, if teams are playing,) throws one dart. Whichever is closest to the bullseye goes first. And what is the name for this simple yet decisive procedure?
I suppose the closest thing to an official name would be based on the word "cork" which refers to the bullseye. Players throw for the cork or "cork it" to see who goes first. But being a colorful lot, darters have come up with a virtual cornucopia of slang terms for this simple act. Here are just a few variations.
Diddle for the middle
"Cork 'em up!"
"Show me one"
"I'll show you one"
Shoot for the cork
Bull-off
Middle for middle
Out for bull
Bull up
I suppose the closest thing to an official name would be based on the word "cork" which refers to the bullseye. Players throw for the cork or "cork it" to see who goes first. But being a colorful lot, darters have come up with a virtual cornucopia of slang terms for this simple act. Here are just a few variations.
Diddle for the middle
"Cork 'em up!"
"Show me one"
"I'll show you one"
Shoot for the cork
Bull-off
Middle for middle
Out for bull
Bull up
Monday, July 18, 2011
How to Play 501
Few dart games are as simple to play as the game of 501. The entire thrust of the game can be summed up by these two rules:
- The objective is to reduce a starting score of 501 points down to exactly zero points.
- The dart which brings the score to exactly zero MUST be a double.
That's it. Go play!
Ok, just kidding, there's a bit more to it than that. But not much, which makes it a great game for beginners since they can focus on learning to throw without the burden of also concentrating on some complex strategy.
As mentioned, you begin the game with a score of 501 points. Your objective is to count down to exactly zero points. Each turn you throw three darts and subtract the points you hit from your score to obtain your new score. The first player to reduce his score to exactly zero wins. The game of 501 is really that simple. Except for one little catch and it comes at the end of the game.
You must "double out" to reach exactly zero points. This means the dart that reduces your score to exactly zero MUST be a double. So if you have 40 points left, hitting a double 20 wins the game. Your score is down to 16? Double 8 does the trick. Should you find yourself with an odd numbered score remaining, you'll need to whittle it to an even number in order to double out. So let's say your score is down to 17. Your options include hitting a 1 followed by a double 8, a 3 followed by a double 7, a 5 followed by a double 6, etc.
So in a nutshell, score as many points each turn as you can, then when your score is low enough, set yourself up on an even number so that you can double out. That's really all a beginning dart player needs to remember while playing 501.
- The objective is to reduce a starting score of 501 points down to exactly zero points.
- The dart which brings the score to exactly zero MUST be a double.
That's it. Go play!
Ok, just kidding, there's a bit more to it than that. But not much, which makes it a great game for beginners since they can focus on learning to throw without the burden of also concentrating on some complex strategy.
As mentioned, you begin the game with a score of 501 points. Your objective is to count down to exactly zero points. Each turn you throw three darts and subtract the points you hit from your score to obtain your new score. The first player to reduce his score to exactly zero wins. The game of 501 is really that simple. Except for one little catch and it comes at the end of the game.
You must "double out" to reach exactly zero points. This means the dart that reduces your score to exactly zero MUST be a double. So if you have 40 points left, hitting a double 20 wins the game. Your score is down to 16? Double 8 does the trick. Should you find yourself with an odd numbered score remaining, you'll need to whittle it to an even number in order to double out. So let's say your score is down to 17. Your options include hitting a 1 followed by a double 8, a 3 followed by a double 7, a 5 followed by a double 6, etc.
So in a nutshell, score as many points each turn as you can, then when your score is low enough, set yourself up on an even number so that you can double out. That's really all a beginning dart player needs to remember while playing 501.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Temporary Fix for a Worn Out Bullseye
This little trick was taught to me twenty years or so ago by the owner of the Metro Atlanta Dart Association. It was my first night playing in a league and I'm forever grateful to Lewis for this tip.
If you've thrown on a board with a worn out bull, you know it can be frustrating watching dart after dart fall out because the material making up the bullseye has lost much of it's "grip" from overuse. Here's what ya do. Every two or three throws, stab the point of your darts into a slice of lime. You won't believe the difference this makes in the darts sticking. I have no idea why it works, but I'm pretty sure little green elves are involved.
Careful using this trick with hammerheads, especially if ya put much oomph into your throw to start with. You may find ya need a claw hammer just to pull your darts!
If you've thrown on a board with a worn out bull, you know it can be frustrating watching dart after dart fall out because the material making up the bullseye has lost much of it's "grip" from overuse. Here's what ya do. Every two or three throws, stab the point of your darts into a slice of lime. You won't believe the difference this makes in the darts sticking. I have no idea why it works, but I'm pretty sure little green elves are involved.
Careful using this trick with hammerheads, especially if ya put much oomph into your throw to start with. You may find ya need a claw hammer just to pull your darts!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Rules of Cricket
Cricket is the most popular dart game played in the US. There are already plenty of websites explaining the rules of Cricket. And now there is one more.
Cricket is played using only the numbers 20 through 15 and the bullseye. Many score boards in bars already have the numbers painted on, but if not simply make a column in the middle of the scoreboard starting with 20 and descending to 15 followed by a B for bull. The object of the game is to "close" each of those numbers. This is done by making three of the number. This could mean hitting 3 singles, or a double and a single or simply a triple. The outer bull counts as a single and the inner bull counts double. Simple enough, right? Here's the catch. Let's say I've closed my 20s but you haven't closed yours. Any time I hit a 20 after that I score points which I keep a running total of next to where I'm keeping track of the numbers I've hit. Once you close the 20s, I can no longer score on them. Same goes for all those other numbers. So not only do you have to close everything, but you have to be ahead or even in the score.
That's far from the best explanation of the rules of Cricket, but should give you a basic understanding of the game. I'll go into more detail in a future post.
Cricket is played using only the numbers 20 through 15 and the bullseye. Many score boards in bars already have the numbers painted on, but if not simply make a column in the middle of the scoreboard starting with 20 and descending to 15 followed by a B for bull. The object of the game is to "close" each of those numbers. This is done by making three of the number. This could mean hitting 3 singles, or a double and a single or simply a triple. The outer bull counts as a single and the inner bull counts double. Simple enough, right? Here's the catch. Let's say I've closed my 20s but you haven't closed yours. Any time I hit a 20 after that I score points which I keep a running total of next to where I'm keeping track of the numbers I've hit. Once you close the 20s, I can no longer score on them. Same goes for all those other numbers. So not only do you have to close everything, but you have to be ahead or even in the score.
That's far from the best explanation of the rules of Cricket, but should give you a basic understanding of the game. I'll go into more detail in a future post.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Classic Dartboard Trick
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| Round and round and round she goes... |
Of course, depending on their sense of humor, your victim may pay you off with an empty beer bottle, having treated it to the same 120 degree tilt you gave the dartboard!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
How to Hang a Dartboard
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| Your basic dartboard bracket. Note the line at 5' 8'' |
From the floor to the center of the bull should be exactly 5 feet and 8 inches, or 68 inches. That's 173 cm if you're in a metric mood. The other critical measurement is your throwing distance which should be 7 feet 9 and a quarter inches, or 93.25 inches. That's 2.37 meters.
So measure 68 inches up the wall, make your mark and screw the bracket to the wall with two good wood screws. If you don't hit a stud, you'll probably wanna use toggle bolts instead of screws to be sure the bracket is good and secure. Remember, that's all that's holding up the board. Next you'll want to be sure to run a short, wide head screw into the exact center of the back of the dartboard. Leave the screw approximately a quarter inch out. This will slide into the bracket on the wall. Both the bracket and the screw should come with the board if bought new. Before you attach the board to the wall, there will probably be 3 or more rubber feet or metal strips which you attach to the back of the board in order to keep the board surface on an even plane.
Once the board is hung, plumb a line from the face of the board to the floor and make a mark. Then measure your 7 feet 9 and a quarter inches so you know where to place the oche (toe line, throwing line, etc.) Mark or tape a line there and you're pretty much done. If you care to triple check your work, then according to ol Pythagoras (who knew he threw darts?) a line from center bull to your toe line should be 9 feet 7 and 3/8 inches.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Good Darts!
"Good Darts!"
If you've played darts much at all, surely you've heard that phrase. Though it's often overused on mediocre or even lousy throws, (whatever happened to "nice try" or such?) when it's said with just that right tinge of awe, one knows a great throw has just been made. Especially a clutch throw, one that turns the momentum of the game in your favor. Used sparingly, there's no better compliment in the game of darts than to hear those two simple words. Good darts.
This blog is not for the advanced player. There are plenty of blogs and dart websites out there already for you. This is more for the beginner to average dart player. And the opinions expressed and strategies discussed are purely my own except where noted. I don't claim to be a pro, but that's why I'm not writing for them. If you're a beginner trying to figure out which end of the dart goes first, or a sophmore experiencing his first bout of dartitis, this blog is dedicated to you.
That's it for now, so get out there, throw a couple hundred darts at the bull today and first time you nail a 3iB, you can bet whoever you're practicing with is likely to say that special phrase.
Good darts!
If you've played darts much at all, surely you've heard that phrase. Though it's often overused on mediocre or even lousy throws, (whatever happened to "nice try" or such?) when it's said with just that right tinge of awe, one knows a great throw has just been made. Especially a clutch throw, one that turns the momentum of the game in your favor. Used sparingly, there's no better compliment in the game of darts than to hear those two simple words. Good darts.
This blog is not for the advanced player. There are plenty of blogs and dart websites out there already for you. This is more for the beginner to average dart player. And the opinions expressed and strategies discussed are purely my own except where noted. I don't claim to be a pro, but that's why I'm not writing for them. If you're a beginner trying to figure out which end of the dart goes first, or a sophmore experiencing his first bout of dartitis, this blog is dedicated to you.
That's it for now, so get out there, throw a couple hundred darts at the bull today and first time you nail a 3iB, you can bet whoever you're practicing with is likely to say that special phrase.
Good darts!
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