Welcome to the exciting world of darts! Whether you’re setting up a dartboard in your garage, a spare room, or a dedicated “man cave,” getting the setup right from the start is crucial. A properly installed dartboard isn’t just about aesthetics; it profoundly impacts your game’s fairness, enjoyment, and even how quickly you improve your skills. Think of it as laying the perfect foundation for countless hours of fun and competitive play.
This beginner’s guide will walk you through the essential measurements for dartboard height, the exact throwing distance (known as the oche), and how to achieve optimal lighting. By following these simple, professional standards, you’ll ensure a consistent and enjoyable experience, just like the pros!
The Crucial Dartboard Height: Getting it Right
Setting your dartboard at the correct height is the first and most fundamental step. It’s a universal standard that ensures fairness and consistency, no matter where you play.
The Official Measurement
The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters). This measurement is taken from the floor directly to the exact center of the bullseye.
It’s important to note that this height is consistent for both steel-tip and soft-tip dartboards. There’s no difference in the vertical placement, making it easy to remember.
Why This Height?
You might wonder why such a precise measurement exists. This standard height dates back to the game’s origins and serves several vital purposes:
Historical Consistency: It maintains tradition and ensures that the game is played under similar conditions globally.
Fair Play: Everyone plays with the same vertical challenge, ensuring that skill, not a varied setup, determines the winner.
Skill Development: Practicing on a correctly set-up board trains your muscle memory for official game conditions.
How to Measure Accurately
Getting this measurement right is straightforward. Here’s how:
1. Tools Needed: A reliable tape measure and a pencil or marker.
2. Hang the Board First: It’s often easiest to hang your dartboard securely on the wall first, making sure it’s level.
3. Measure to the Bullseye: Place the end of your tape measure on the floor directly beneath the dartboard. Extend it upwards and mark precisely 5 feet 8 inches. This mark should align exactly with the center of your bullseye. Adjust your board’s hanging mechanism if needed.
4. Double-Check: Always measure twice to ensure accuracy. A small deviation can feel significant during play.
Finding Your Throwing Line (The Oche): Distance Defined
Once your dartboard is at the correct height, the next critical step is establishing the throwing line, officially known as the “oche” (pronounced “ockey”). This is where you’ll stand to throw your darts.
Steel-Tip Dartboard Throwing Distance
For traditional steel-tip dartboards, the standard throwing distance is 7 feet 9 ¼ inches (2.37 meters).
Crucial Clarification: This measurement is taken from the front surface of the dartboard, not the wall behind it. If your dartboard is mounted on a thick surround or cabinet, remember to measure from the very front of the playing surface.
Soft-Tip Dartboard Throwing Distance
If you’re using a soft-tip electronic dartboard, the throwing distance is slightly different: 8 feet (2.44 meters) from the face of the dartboard.
This slight increase in distance for soft-tip boards is common in professional soft-tip leagues and tournaments. Always double-check your league or board manufacturer’s specific recommendations if you plan to compete.
Why the Oche is Important
The oche is more than just a line on the floor; it’s a fundamental rule of darts:
Standardized Challenge: Like dartboard height, the oche ensures everyone faces the same throwing challenge, promoting fair competition.
Prevents Cheating: It prevents players from accidentally (or intentionally) leaning or stepping forward, giving them an unfair advantage.
Marking Your Oche
There are several ways to mark your oche, from temporary solutions to more permanent setups:
Simple Tape: For a quick setup, a strip of masking tape or electrical tape on the floor works perfectly.
Dart Mat: Many dart mats come with the oche line pre-marked. They also offer the added benefit of protecting your floor and dropped darts.
Raised Oche: For a more professional setup, you can build or purchase a raised wooden oche, providing a tactile barrier that you can feel with your foot without looking down.
Illuminating Your Game: Optimal Dartboard Lighting
Good lighting is often overlooked but is just as important as correct height and distance. Proper illumination transforms your dart-playing experience.
The Importance of Good Lighting
Eliminate Shadows: Poor lighting can cast shadows on the board, especially from your arm or the darts already embedded, obscuring numbers or segments.
Improve Visibility: Clear, bright light ensures you can easily see the numbers, targets, and where your darts are landing.
Reduce Eye Strain: Adequate lighting prevents your eyes from working harder in dim conditions, allowing for longer, more comfortable play sessions.
Types of Dartboard Lighting
1. Dedicated Dartboard Lights/Surrounds: These are specifically designed to illuminate the dartboard evenly from all angles, eliminating shadows. They often form a halo around the board. This is generally the best option for serious players.
2. Overhead Lighting: While standard room lighting can be used, it often creates shadows from darts. If using overhead lighting, try to ensure it’s positioned directly above the board or slightly in front to minimize shadows.
3. Side Lighting: Generally, lights positioned directly to the sides of the dartboard are not recommended, as they tend to create pronounced and distracting shadows.
Tips for Optimal Illumination
Shadow-Free Zone: Position your lights so that neither your throwing arm nor any darts currently in the board cast shadows on the playing surface.
Bright, Neutral Bulbs: Use bulbs that provide bright, clear light. “Daylight” or “cool white” LED bulbs are often preferred as they offer excellent visibility without yellowing the board’s colors.
Consider Dimmers: If your dart area doubles as a social space, a dimmer switch can allow you to adjust the lighting for atmosphere while still providing full brightness for serious play.
Essential Extra Setup Tips for a Perfect Dart Space
Beyond the core measurements and lighting, a few additional considerations can make your dart setup safer and more enjoyable.
Wall Protection (Backboard)
Even the most experienced players miss the board sometimes!
Why it’s Necessary: A backboard or surround prevents unsightly (and costly) damage to your walls from stray darts.
Options: You can use DIY solutions like corkboard, plywood, or dense foam cut to size, or opt for commercially available dartboard surrounds that fit snugly around your board.
Floor Protection
Dart Mats: As mentioned for the oche, a dart mat protects your floor from dropped darts and can also provide a comfortable standing surface.
Safety Considerations
Clear Space: Ensure there’s ample clear space around your dartboard, especially in the direction of the throw. You don’t want anyone walking into the throwing path.
Pets and Children: Always keep pets and small children well away from the dart playing area during games.
Never Throw When Someone is in Front: This might seem obvious, but it’s the golden rule of darts safety. Always ensure the area in front of the board is clear before you throw.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions beginners have when setting up their dartboard:
Q: What is the official dartboard height?
Ans: The official height from the floor to the center of the bullseye is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
Q: How far do you stand from a dartboard?
Ans: For steel-tip dartboards, it’s 7 feet 9 ¼ inches (2.37 meters) from the face of the board. For soft-tip dartboards, it’s 8 feet (2.44 meters) from the face of the board.
Q: Is the dartboard height the same for steel-tip and soft-tip darts?
A: Yes, the dartboard height of 5 feet 8 inches to the bullseye is the same for both steel-tip and soft-tip dartboards.
Q: Do you measure the oche from the wall or the dartboard?
A: You measure the oche (throwing line) from the face (front surface) of the dartboard, not the wall behind it.
Q: What kind of lighting is best for a dartboard?
A: Dedicated dartboard lights or surrounds that illuminate the board evenly from all sides are best to eliminate shadows. Bright, neutral-colored LED bulbs are recommended.
Q: Why do I need a backboard behind my dartboard?
A: A backboard protects your wall from damage caused by darts that miss the board. It’s an essential safety and maintenance item for your dart area.
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Perfectly Set-Up Dartboard!
Setting up your dartboard correctly with the proper height, throwing distance, and optimal lighting is fundamental to enjoying the game and improving your skills. By following these established standards, you’re not just hanging a board; you’re creating a fair, professional, and fun environment for every throw.
Now that your dartboard is perfectly set up, grab your darts, invite some friends, and start practicing! The consistent setup will help you build muscle memory and truly master your game.
What’s your favorite part of your dart setup? Share your thoughts in the comments below!