Even if you’re not a regular darts player, you’ve probably at least played a game or two with your friends in a pub. If so, you’ve also probably considered purchasing a dartboard yourself for use at house parties, or just solo practice.
It’s just as much fun to play darts as it is to look for the proper dartboard. For those who have no prior knowledge of the game of darts, shopping for a dartboard may be slightly intimidating. That’s where this article comes in; we’ll assist you in selecting the best dartboard for your next darts game.
Elements of a Dartboard
There are different aspects of a dartboard to be aware of when looking to buy one, like the surface, inks, spider wire, and numbers ring. All of these specific parts of a dartboard could be different depending on the brand and style.
Surface
When it comes to the dartboard’s surface, the aim is to find a bristle surface that is easy to heal and sturdy. The surface of a dartboard is crucial since it’s the primary area where the dart will hit, and so it is takes the most abuse. The surface of the dartboard could also be built from plastic materials as well as wood sometimes.
Inks
A bristle on a standard dartboard causes food-grade inks to dig deeply into the board. When looking for a decent dartboard, look for a dartboard with highly visible markings and easily distinguishable sections.
Spider Wire
The ‘spider’ refers to the wiring that connects the point segments on the board. This little piece of metal with a weird name may have a significant impact on your board’s efficiency.
This wire divides the sections on the lower end, and is usually tubular or blunt. It is incredibly thin and firmly embedded further into the bristle itself. The aim of angled or embedded wiring is to avoid bounce-outs. These bounce-outs occur whenever a dart collides with a wire on the board.
When looking for a dartboard to buy, make sure to purchase one with a thin spider wire that is specifically manufactured to reduce bounce outs.
Numbers Ring
The numbers ring is the metal ring that surrounds the edge of the dartboard and has all of the numbers on it. These numbers correspond to their specific section of the dartboard, and should be large enough to be visible at a throwing distance, but also easy enough to rotate so you don’t ruin your board faster than you should.
The 6 Types of Dartboard
Bristle Dartboard
This is one of the most common forms of dartboards, thanks to its high quality and low maintenance requirements. This type of dartboard is considered the official kind used for major and minor darts tournaments. This is mainly used for casual gaming, but it is also suitable for professional players.
Sisal Fibers
A Bristle Dartboard is mostly built out of sisal fibers. A tiny bristle is packed into cylindrical forms in this board, then removed from the board and smoothed out with sanders. When darts are pulled out of the fibers, they ‘repair’ themselves by moving back over each other to fill in the hole.
Some varieties of dartboards, such as wooden dartboards, frequently leave holes in the surface. Bristle boards are made of tiny bristles that naturally cover their holes. As a result, this long lasting board can stay on your wall for years.
The consistency of bristle boards varies, making it impossible to select. We recommend ordering from a reputable website or a reputable brand and manufacturer. Another disadvantage is that, unlike an automated dartboard, it does not have an automatic scoring system.
Electronic Board
As technology has advanced, so have dartboards, especially when it comes to interactivity and keeping track of scores and gameplay. This is a form of dartboard that a broader range of competitors can use, both highly skilled players and brand new beginners.
These dartboards, for example, can be used by children and are suitable for a family-friendly event. It was first manufactured and sold in the United States of America in 1977. It is made up of thousands of tiny holes that cover the entire surface of the dartboard. It automatically registers the points a player receives when he or she scores. Professional dart players even use electronic dartboards sometimes when practicing.
Magnetic Dartboards
Magnetic dartboards are more unique boards that are mainly used for recreational and casual gaming. These boards should not be used for serious sports. For casual or group games, though, it is one of the best dartboards available.
The tip of the dart is a flat piece of magnetized metal, allowing the dart to adhere securely to the magnetic board when tossed. These boards should not pierce the surface of the frame.
This is an excellent board for children. If you want to give your child a dartboard but are nervous about the sharpness of the darts, take a look at this type.
When compared to bristle dartboards, these boards are less costly, and there is almost no maintenance needed. However, over time the magnetic strength of these dartboards diminishes, so you might have to purchase a new one sooner than other types of dartboards.
Cork Dartboard
These resemble bristle boards, but they are not the same. These boards are made up of cork and work more like paper dartboards. But they are a little better in terms of consistency and longevity than paper dartboards. These boards are suitable for both beginners and children. When playing with soft tip darts, these boards can last a long time, though they don’t last nearly as long if you use steel tip darts.
In contrast to bristle and paper boards, cork dartboards are less common and more challenging to come by. These boards are suitable for recreational usage but not for professional use.
Coiled Paper Dartboards
A paper dartboard that is mainly used for recreational games. It is made primarily of plastic with a wound paper face. The dart makes a hole in the board as it sticks to it, and the hole is permanent. But, often the coiled paper slides out of the way, so thrown darts don’t always leave a mark. They are not as expensive as bristle dartboards. For the price of a single bristle, you can purchase many of these boards, so for a first dartboard or a child’s board it would make a good, cheap investment.
These boards are also disposable and inexpensive. The only disadvantage is that these boards lack automated scoring, making them less suitable for technical use.
Wooden Dartboard
These boards are typically made of elm; they may also be made of other wood types, although these would be less common. Before the invention of bristle and electronic dartboards, these dartboards were extremely common, and were the first ever dartboards to be made.
However, people nowadays more often choose electronic and sisal fiber dartboards. Wood boards can crack and become dry, so to maintain them properly requires constant moisturizing. In comparison to other boards, the upkeep is challenging and more expensive.
Since these boards are made of wood, when darts land on them, they leave tiny gaps. These dartboards also can have a strong odor. The maker makes an effort to eliminate the odor, but it persists. The wooden darts were commonly used on these dartboards.
As a result, playing with a wooden board is a different experience than playing with other darts, and they’re more expensive than the other kinds because they’re more of a showpiece. But if you take good care of it, a wooden dartboard will last a long time.
Unique Dartboards
Yorkshire Board or Kent Doubles
The Yorkshire dartboard is thought to be a predecessor the the London Fives board. An outer bullseye and a treble area are not seen on a Yorkshire board. It does, however, have a traditional numbering scheme. The bullseye is also a lot smaller than on a traditional board.
Irish Black Dartboard
The only contrast between an Irish black dartboard and a Yorkshire black dartboard is that the Irish board is almost completely black. It isn’t painted in the traditional red and green on most dartboards, every number section is black. White lines separate each section so you can see their borders. The rules for darts on an Irish black dartboard remain the same.
Ipswich Board or London Fives
The London Fives dartboard is made up of 12 lines, with an inner and outer bullseye, and a double and treble area like a traditional board has. The numbering system is only made up of the numbers 5, 10, 15, and 20, each repeated three times around the board.
These dartboards are also known as the Ipswich board, east end fives, narrow fives, or big fives. Instead of the regular 501, the key game will be a 505. This is the traditional dartboard found in London’s East End. Also, the Ipswich board and the London fives have the same configuration.
Lincoln Dartboard
This board is essentially an Irish black dartboard with a larger radius. Like the Irish board, the 25-point outer bullseye is not usually seen on a Lincoln dartboard. There are no trebles on these as well, and all of the sections are black. Its built-in Lincoln model allows variations from a traditional dartboard layout. You can easily buy these dartboards at a bargain.
Manchester Log-end Dartboard
Again, this board is very similar to the Irish black dartboard and to the Lincoln dartboard. It is all black, and does not have a treble section. However, it does have an inner and outer bullseye, which is different from the previous two.
The majority of Manchester log-end dartboards are usually handcrafted from elm from the United Kingdom. This board is known as the most complex board to play in the history of dart-throwing due to its limited playing space.
Conclusion
Whatever dartboard you select, it’s vital to remember that darts can be played in various ways. Many beginners tend to neglect the importance of dartboards. Don’t do it. Choose a high-quality dartboard and dart set for a fun and challenging playing experience.
That’s pretty much all there is to it. Choosing the correct dartboard can be challenging, but we’re sure that everyone can do it with this guide. If you have any queries regarding the dartboard, let us know in the comments below!
