dartboard

A dartboard is a circular target used in the sport of darts. The surface is divided into 20 wedge-shaped segments arranged around a central bullseye. The outer ring doubles the score of the segment, while the inner treble ring triples it. The outer bull (25 points) and inner bullseye (50 points) provide additional scoring options. Boards are mounted so the bullseye sits at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) and the throwing line, or oche, at 7 feet 9 1/4 inches (2.37 meters) from the board.

The segments are numbered in a fixed order around the edge; this arrangement balances high and low values to discourage consistent misses. A standard board comprises 20 equal slices with wire dividers, plus a double ring on the outer edge and a treble ring just inside it.

Construction and types: Traditional boards are bristle boards made of compressed sisal fibers that self-heal after impact. Metal wires separate the segments. Electronic boards use plastic segments and sensors to score automatically and often accept soft-tipped darts. Steel-tip darts require bristle boards, while soft-tip variants use electronic boards.

Common games: The most played format is 501 (or 301), in which players subtract the score of their three darts each round and finish by hitting a double. Cricket is another widely played game, focusing on numbers 15 through 20 and the bull area, with the aim to close each number before the opponent.

History and governance: The modern dartboard form developed in Britain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Standard dimensions and scoring were formalized in the 20th century. International competitions are organized by the World Darts Federation (WDF), with professional circuits operated by bodies such as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).