The Game of Darts

GLD ProductsS84 W19093 Enterprise Drive

Muskego, WI 53150 USA 262.679.8730 or 1.800.225.7593

Email: gld@gldmfg.com www.gldproducts.com

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GLD Products

GLD has been manufacturing and distributing well known family gaming products for over 30 years. GLD is proud to be America’s leading innovator of dart, billiard, table games and home casino products. For more information on all the great products that GLD has to offer visit our website:

www.gldproducts.com

The History of DartsThe development of darts began a long time ago. Historians believe archers in medieval England shortened arrows and threw them at the bottom of a wine barrel. The board changed over time from rings to clock-type segments and from wine barrels to tree slices to the sisal fiber dartboards used today.

The game was brought to America on the Mayflower. During the Victorian age, the British took it around the world as their empire grew. Today it is hard to find someone that is not familiar with the game of darts.

The creation of electronic dartboards became possible as technology improved. The games played are the same but scores and game conditions are stored and displayed on the dartboard. This has made playing darts easier than ever.

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There are two basic styles of dartboards.

• Dartboards for steel tip darts are typically made of sisal fibers. A wire spider is used to separate the segments. When a steel tip dart is thrown the fibers hold the dart and will self heal when the dart is removed.

• Dartboards made of hard plastic or nylon are for use with soft tipped darts. They are available with and without electronic scoring features. The segments are hard and have holes that the tip of the dart will slide into. Steel tip darts must not be used on these boards - they will damage the segments of the board.

Both types of dartboards are divided into 20 numbered segments and a bullseye. Each of those segments have 4 scoring segments: 2 singles, 1 triple and 1 double. The bullseye is made of 2 segments. The outer ring is the single bull and the center is the double bull.

The area needed to play darts is relatively small. The person throwing the dart is behind a toe line. This toe line is 93¼ inches away from the face of the board for steel tip darts, and 96 inches for soft tip darts. The center of the dart board is 68 inches above the floor.

DARTBOARDS

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Double: Scores 2 x face value.

Triple: Scores 3 x face value.

Outside ring is a miss - does not score.

Single: Scores face value.

Bullseye: Outer ring scores 25. Center ring scores 50.

Wall

Center of Bullseye

68 in(173cm)

Plumb Line from Face of Board to Floor

Throwing orToe Line

Steel Tip 93.25” (7’ 9.25” / 237 cm)

Soft Tip 96 in (8’ / 243 cm)

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There are many different games to be played. With a small amount of imagination you can even make up your own.

Some GLD Electronic Dartboards offer 57 different games with 307 options and you can keep scores for teams or 16 players!

You can find and play your favorite game but the most popular three games are: 301 Count Down, 501 Count Down, and Cricket.

In general:

1. Who goes first is usually determined by each player throwing one dart. The player closest to the bullseye goes first.

2. Each player throws 3 darts each turn.

3. In a player’s turn, all three darts are thrown and count. Any dart that falls, bounces out, or misses the board counts and receives no score. On rare occasions an electronic dartboard will record the score on a bounce out. In this instance the score stands.

4. The color of the segment does not determine the score. Only the tip of the dart and its location on the board determines the scoring segment.

The easiest game is to simply throw the darts and add up your score. The most popular games are described in more detail on the next pages.

GAMES

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• The starting score for each player is 301 or 501.

• The value of each scoring dart will be deducted. The first player who reaches exactly zero (0) wins. You must go out with the exact number. If you go over zero the turn does not count.

• For Single In or Single Out play, the game can be started or ended by throwing at any segment, regardless if single, double or triple.

• If you are playing Double In, you must hit a double segment or bullseye to start the game.

• If you play Double Out you must hit a double segment or bullseye to end the game.

• For Master Out, you must end with hitting a double or triple segment.

301 & 501 Countdown

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Quick Cricket

• In Quick Cricket only the numbers 15-20 and bullseye are used. The first player to hit each number 3 times is the winner.

• A single segment counts as one hit, a double segment counts as two hits and a triple segment counts as three hits.

• A good way to keep score is using two lines and a circle.

Hit Once Hit Twice Closed

• This scoreboard is used for Cricket. Scoreboards are available to be used with chalk or dry erase makers.

Warning: Darts is an adult sport. It is dangerous for children to play without supervision.

Proud Manufacturer of

GLD ProductsS84 W19093 Enterprise Drive

Muskego, WI 53150 USA 262.679.8730 or 1.800.225.7593

Email: gld@gldmfg.com www.gldproducts.com

b y G L D P R O D U C T S

b y G L D P R O D U C T S

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This game is the same as Quick Cricket, except there are more complicated scoring and winning procedures:

• When a number has been hit 3 times by a player that number is closed to the other players. Only that player can score points by hitting that number.

• Once a number has been hit 3 times by all the players, that number is then closed to all and can no longer be scored upon by any player.

• A player wins the game when he is the first to close all the numbers and has an equal or greater score than the other players. However, if players are tied on points, or have no points, the first player to close all numbers wins.

• If a player has closed all numbers first, but is behind on points, scoring continues on open numbers. If that player has not accumulated the highest point total by the time another player closes all their numbers, the player with the most points will be the winner.

American Cricket

For additional games and rules visit our website:

www.gldproducts.com

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The barrel of the dart is what the person throwing the dart holds on to. The “feel” and weight of the dart is controlled by the barrel.

Brass barrels are typically used by beginners. They are inexpensive and normally included in purchased dartboard packages. Brass barrels are the largest making the close grouping of darts difficult. Brass barrels are good for beginning darters, looking to start their collection.

Nickel/silver barrels are slightly heavier than brass. They are also smaller in diameter but have similar balance and feel. The more narrow barrel allows for closer groupings of darts. As a player becomes more skilled the higher quality barrel will help them achieve higher scores.

Tungsten barrels are more expensive but are thin and can be matched in weight and balance. The small diameter allows multiple darts to more easily be grouped in a small area such as a triple or bullseye. A well-balanced dart with a thin tungsten barrel are superior to other types of darts.

TYPES OF BARRELS

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Try different designs and weights to create the style of dart that gives you the best performance.

Changing the barrel affects the weight of the dart. A dart that weighs more will move through the air with better performance. The player throwing the dart will be able to develop their throwing motion sooner.

The “look” and color of the barrel have more to do with aesthetics than performance. The grooves, contours and finish work together to create a comfortable fit for the player. A dart that fits your hand will help you improve your game.

Several styles are available as shown here.

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Shafts are offered in several lengths. Changing the length will change the distance of the flight to the barrel. The stability of the dart will be affected. Shafts are available in a wide range of materials (aluminum and nylon are the most popular) and styles to meet the taste of any darter.

Shafts may include special features that can improve performance. GLD’s Spinster Shaft features a rotating top, which allows the flight to move out of the way if a second dart makes contact. This means less deflection.

TYPES OF SHAFTS

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TYPES OF FLIGHTS

Lightweight darts will use a smaller, slimmer flight to stabilize the movement of the dart. A heavier dart should use a larger flight. A large flight on a lightweight dart will cause excessive resistance during the throw. Try several shapes and sizes of flights to determine which design best suits your style of throw and match your personality.

TYPES OF POINTSThere are several types of points available. The differences are small and do not have much of an effect on the flight of the dart. You may try several types and find one that you prefer. Converter points are available to convert soft tip darts into steel tip darts.

One rule to follow is to never use steel tip points on a soft tip dartboard.

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A good throw begins with a proper stance. The body should be aligned so the throwing arm is forward. The same side foot should be at the throwing line. The body should be rotated open from the line approximately 45° to 90°. Do not throw the dart across the body.

The grip on the dart must be consistent. When starting to play darts, a grip similar to holding a pencil is the easiest to use. There are several variations and you should develop the grip that is the most comfortable and consistent for you.

The dart must be stable with the point slightly upwards. Visualize the path of the dart as an arc. The more force you apply forward the flatter the arc. To maintain accuracy, do not make extreme changes in speed or grip.

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1. Place a mark on the wall that represents the center of the bullseye. If you are mounting a cabinet in which the dartboard will be mounted, the cabinet will have the center marked. Follow the cabinet manufacturers instructions for mounting the cabinet to the wall. Then proceed with the steps to mount the dartboard.

2. Review the parts that came with your dartboard. Your parts should include: the dartboard, a mounting bracket and screws, spacers, screws or nails to attach the spacers to the dartboard, and a single mounting screw that goes into the center of the dartboard to hang the dartboard on the mounting bracket.

3. If your dartboard is mounting directly to a wall, mount to a stud for secure installation. If it is not possible to mount to a stud, use the appropriate wall anchors to secure the mounting bracket to the wall. The bottom of the slot on the mounting bracket should line up with your mark for the bullseye (step 1). The slot on the mounting bracket should open upward.

Mounting your Dartboard

Mounting Bracket Side ViewDartboardwithMounting Screw

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Taking Care of your Dartboard

4. The back of the dartboard will have a mark or small hole in the center of the dartboard. Turn the mounting screw into the mark. Tighten but leave a small gap between the screw head and the board. The gap will allow the screw head to slip inside the slot of the mounting bracket. You may need to adjust the tightness of the screw to create a snug fit.

5. The spacers in your packet will keep your dartboard parallel to the wall. Position the spacers evenly around the outside edge of the board. Keep the spacers near the edge and secure with nails or screws provided.

6. Hang the dartboard in the mounting bracket with the number 20 at the top center and enjoy!

1. Keep away from water.

2. Remove and rotate your number ring to prolong the life of your sisal fibers.

3. If staples along the spider protrude, gently tap the staples back in place with a hammer.

4. If the sisal fibers bubble, place a small board over the bubble and gently tap back in with a mallet/hammer.

Mount SpacersHere

Center

Back of Dartboard