Shipping is FREE on ALL orders
until midnight 3/31/10
|
|
Testimonial
I just wanted to say that I had a very good experience talking to one of your customer service reps. I left a message asking for advice on a set of darts and Fred spent quite a long time with me patiently going over all the qualities of the different darts. He did not steer me to the most expensive set but gave me good solid advice based on what I said I was looking for. Thank you!
Linda Fitzgerald
|
|
ALL DARTS ARE SOLD IN SETS OF 3, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
FLIGHTS & SHAFTS ARE SOLD IN SETS OF 3, IN 5 PACKS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
|
|
|
 |
Darts Information |
 |
Discover: How to play darts, darts history, darts rules, dartboard height and distance, about different types of dart boards and much more.
DARTS
INFORMATION
Darts is a variety of related games, in which darts are thrown at a circular target (dartboard) hung on a wall. Though various different boards and games have been used in the past, the term 'darts' usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules.
As well as being a professional competitive activity, darts is a traditional pub game, commonly played in the United Kingdom (the first country to officially recognize darts as a sport), across the Commonwealth, the Netherlands, Ireland, the Scandinavian countries, the United States and elsewhere.
Dartboards are usually made of sisal fibers or boar bristles, low quality boards are sometimes made of coiled paper. A regulation board is 18 inches (45.72cm) in diameter, and is divided into 20 sections. Each section is lined with thin metal wire. The numbers indicating the various scoring sections of the board are normally made of wire, especially on tournament-quality boards, but may be printed directly on the board instead.
Soft-tip darts are thrown at a board consisting of a perforated plastic face. These boards can be electronic or non-electronic. Each hole in the board is sized to fit the dart point and has beveled edges to facilitate entry of the soft plastic point of the dart.
HEIGHT AND DISTANCE
In the standard game, the dartboard is hung so that the bullseye is 5 ft 8 in (1.73m) from the floor, eye-level for a six foot person. The oche, the line behind which the throwing player must stand, is 7 ft 9 1/4 in (2.37m) from the face of the board, though a few British pubs set it at 8 ft (2.44m) or 8 ft 6 in (2.59m). For casual play, it is not uncommon to find the oche somewhat further or closer than the tournament standard, either due to rounding of the specified distance (to 7 1/2 or 8 feet), or just due to measurement error (such as measuring from the wall, rather than using a plumb line to measure from the board face).
The History of Darts
By: James Hunt
The sport of darts actually began as training for people who were interested in martial arts (archery). Darts itself began in Medieval England, and is still popular today. It has been said that darts were used in archery training because it helped with accuracy. They shortened the darts and had people throw them at the bottom of an empty wine barrel. It has been noted by historians that the use of the barrel lead to the development of the game of darts that we know today.
It was thought that darts developed into a sport in itself when soldiers being trained in archery took their shortened darts to local pubs and bars so they could refine their skills as well as exhibit their talents to the locals. When the bottom of the barrel proved to be inconvenient, someone created a cross-section of a moderate sized tree.
The new dart board, provided rings, and when it was dried out, the cracks provided even further segmentation. This cracked and dried board began to evolve into what we think of as the current dart board that we have today.
The game of darts itself soon spread and it was being played by old and young all over England. The rich and elite of the country were no different. They soon put their own stamp on the game. Darts can be traced back to the Pilgrims. It has been said that the game of darts was very popular on the Mayflower as it made its ocean crossing.
The rules of darts settled into what we know today at around 1900. The size of the board, throwing distance and even the size of the darts became standard. Many people enjoy the sport around the world. Today there are organized tournaments and organizations and leagues that specialize in the sport of darts. It is very popular and people make their living playing this sport all over the world. Article Source: http://add-articles.com
James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at www.best-in-darts.info
ADDITIONAL HISTORY
Various designs of dartboards have been used and regional variations remain in parts of Staffordshire, Manchester (log-end board) and Yorkshire. In particular, the Yorkshire and Perrigo Manchester board differs from the standard board in that it has no treble ring and has a single, inner bull. The dartboard itself may have it's origins in the cross section of a tree, although some historical records suggest that the first standard dartboards were the bottoms of wine casks, hence the game's original name of "butts".
There is speculation that the game originated among soldiers throwing short arrows at the bottom of the cask or at the bottom of trunks of trees. As the wood dried, cracks would develop, creating"sections". Soon, regional standards emerged and many woodworkers supplemented bar tabs by fabricating dart boards for the local pub.
The numbering plan known by many today has a 20 on top; however, a great many other configurations have been used throughout the years and in different geographical locations. By most accounts, the numbering layout was devised by Brian Gamlin in 1896 to penalize inaccuracy. Although this applies to most of the board, the left-hand side (near the 14 section) is preferred by beginners, for its concentration of larger numbers. Mathematically, removing the rotational symmetry by placing the "20" at the top, there are 19!, or 121,645,100,408,832,000 possible dartboards. There are many different layouts that would penalize a player more than the current setup; however, the current setup actually does the job rather efficiently.
DARTS RULES
Basically, dart games are played between two players or two teams. The teams can be made up of two or more people each. Variations that allow for more than two sides have been devised, but these have not achieved any popularity.
Nine throws are generally allowed for each person as a warm-up before a game begins. Then, to determine which team or person is to take his turn first one dart is thrown by a person from each team. The team with the dart closest to the bull's eye takes the first turn.
Each player throws three darts in his turn. Then the darts are retrieved. If a foot crosses over the line or a person happens to trip over the oche and releases his dart, the throw counts for no points and may not be re-thrown.
Darts must stay on the board for at least five seconds after a player's final throw to count. A throw does not score if it sticks into another dart or if it falls off the board.
Darts making it on the board score in the following manner:
In the wedge: the amount posted on the outer ring. The double ring (the outer, narrow ring): twice the number hit. The triple ring (the inner, narrow ring): three times the number hit. Bulls eye (outer bull): twenty-five points. Double bulls eye (inner bull): fifty points.
CAUTION: Darts are not toys. Children should be supervised by an adult during use.
|
|
|
|
|
|
How do you score in a game of darts?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please study the dart scoring diagram above.
Each player throws 3 darts. After you count the first player's score, that player removes the darts and the next player throws 3 darts.
If you throw a dart into the outside ring, where the numbers are, that dart doesn't get any score.
Let's think of the dartboard as a wagon wheel and each of the spokes is "V" shaped. Each of these "V" shaped spokes has a point value from 1 to 20, which is shown on the outside edge of the dartboard. Also, different areas of each "V" spoke are worth different points, depending on how close to the middle of the dartboard you get.
The white sections of the "V" spoke count for whatever the number is on the outside edge (single area). The smallest section of the "V" spoke, closest to the number ring, counts as double the number (double ring). So if you hit the 6 spoke in that small area, you get 12 points. If you were to put all three of your darts in that same space, you would have 36 points.
The small section of the "V" spoke closest to the bull's eye is called the (triple ring). So each dart counts as triple the number on the spoke. Therefore, in the above example, you would score 18 points for one dart and 54 points for 3 darts, in this section.
As you look at the bull's eye, it has a green outer ring (single bull - worth 25 points) and a red inner dot (double bull - worth 50 points). If you threw 3 darts into the double bull, you would score 150 points. Now, if you threw 3 darts into the triple ring on the 20 "V" spoke, you would score the highest possible - - 180 points.
As you can see, the bull's eye is not the main object.
|
|
|
|
|
|
How To Throw Darts
Playing the game of darts can be a good recreational activity, as well as a good sport provided an individual knows the technique of throwing darts.
To learn the technique of throwing darts, one should understand that the dart travels through a curve, and the speed with which the dart is thrown should continue the movement until it reaches and strikes the dartboard.
The throwing of darts is completed through five stages -- aiming, backward move, and acceleration, release and a follow through. While taking aim, the dart, the eye and the target have to be in a same line. Backward movement of the dart has to be done slowly and by controlling the aim, which normally comes with practice. Acceleration, although not essential, has to be done very smoothly, allowing it to go along with the follow through. If the throwing technique is right, the proper release comes naturally. Follow through is keeping the same position for a while, even after release, that is to aim at the target.
While throwing a dart one should not move the whole body, but the movement should be restricted to the arm alone. The elbow should be in a fixed position while moving backward and should be alleviated during acceleration. Using the wrist to throw a dart does not really help, but many people believe that by using their wrist, they can gain the required speed. To get best results while throwing darts and to avoid the dart from wobbling, one should use standard form flights and middle length shafts. Moreover to get the best throw, the darts should not point too much upward or downward.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darts: Sharpening Vs. Rounding
You could really be good at throwing darts. You could have fantastic scores. It really wouldn't matter though if your darts keep bouncing off the dartboard, if they won't stick. After all, if they won't stick, what's the use, right?
Sharpening or rounding darts for sport or for competition is a good skill to develop, especially if you're a player. The dart points aren't actually meant to be sharp, even though they may be when you first buy them. Who woulda' thought? Sharp dart points ruin a dartboard by nicking the wires, permanently damaging them. Interestingly, they will cause the darts to bounce quite regularly off the dartboard. Not a good thing at all. And the sharp points won't stay sharp very long. The points will often bend or roll over upon impact.
Many times a burr will form on a sharp pointed dart after sticking. This very small, very thin wire coming off the tip will cause dartboard fibers to be wrenched free when you're pulling them off the board. Burrs are the enemy of dartboards. To check for a burr, hold the dart with the tip up. Run a fingernail up the side of the point. If there is a burr, your fingernail will catch on it. Should this happen, a dart sharpener, or sandpaper, can easily be used to remove the burr. Remember that it is a fingernail and not a finger tip to use. A burr is a hell of a splinter to have to remove.
So if you don't want it sharp, then what? Straight up, the point of a dart should be rounded. Just like a ballpoint pen. Rounded tips do not damage a dartboard. They will slide past the wires instead of cutting them. There is no cleaving and, thus no burr will form. Interestingly, rounded-tip darts will stick to a dartboard much more than will sharp-tip darts. How about that? Don't fight it. That's just how it goes. And when you loosen the dart, dartboard fibers will not be pulled free. Even better.
Some dart players believe that a dart point should not be sharp or round. They truly think that darts need no maintenance whatever. Just play on! This is not good. Oh, no. An unmaintained dart tip will not stay round, it will become flat. Once your dart tip has become flattened, it'll bounce right off the dartboard no matter where it lands. And because flat tips compress dartboard fibers upon impact, repeated use will ruin the dartboard, making it very difficult for darts to stick at all.
When the point of a dart begins to flatten, we only want to sharpen the tip enough to round it for use. There are hollow, cylindrical dart sharpening stones that may be used to sharpen the dart tip. These concave stones are fantastic sharpeners for dars. Small, flat rectangular sharpening stones for darts are also available. If all else is unavailable, use very coarse sandpaper. Simply wrap the sandpaper around the tip, pinch it firmly and rotate the tip until the dart becomes sharp.
Now that the tip is sharp, you'll want to round it. Place the tip down on a sharpening stone or sand paper as though it were standing on end. Slowly spin the dart in place until the tip dulls just a little. Now tip the dart downward ever so slightly and spin it again just a handful of times. And now you're done. If you don't trust yourself to hold the dart still while spinning it, put the stone and dart or your hand holding the dart flush against a wall, or immobile solid structure, and then round the dart.
If your darts are dirty, clean them with water and a soft soap. Thoroughly dry them. Now they can be stored without worry of rust. But, if they do become rusty, sandpaper will easily do the trick. Lubricate the points with oil, wipe them as dry as possible and then store them. If cared for consistently, your darts, and not the flights, could last a lifetime.
Remember to keep your darts rounded. Definitely not sharp and surely not flat. It'll only take a couple of minutes of your time to keep them in their best condition. It may improve your scoring and will surely lengthen the life of your dartboard. Good luck!
Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer who strives to protect the natural world. If you would like to learn about
·
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/darts-sharpening-vs-rounding-508826.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
What Darts And Dart Boards Are Best?
What Darts should I buy? What Dart Boards are best? Are tungsten Darts better than brass Darts?
These are questions that we are constantly being asked so to assist all the new Darts Players, I have compiled this information. It is meant to provide you with some basic knowledge and advice and we hope that it serves this purpose.
What Dart Board Should I buy?
This is probably the most frequently asked question and certainly one of the easiest to answer. There are basically three types of Dart Boards. The kids dart board that we have all played on at some stage, the sisal bristle Dart Board and the electronic Dart Board.
The kids dart boards are generally made of compressed paper, banded with wire and serve the purpose of entertaining kids for a short while. They have a very short life span and within weeks, look tattered or fall apart.
The Sisal Bristle Dart Boards are more expensive but essential for anybody that intends to play often. The board is manufactured from the leaves of the Sisal Cactus, they are tightly bound and will retain their shape, appearance and functionality for a very long term. The major manufacturer is Nodor and we highly recommend their Nodor Supawire and Nodor Supabull II. Advanced players may consider a Nodor Champions Choice, designed with half size doubles, trebles and a mini bull.
The electronic Dart Boards are very popular in America and England but not as popular in Australia. Many of the boards are virtually kids toys, however there are some good, high quality electronic Boards available. These boards require the use of Soft Tip Darts.
Are Tungsten Darts better than Brass Darts?
There are a number of materials that Darts are manufactured from., the main 3 being Brass, Tungsten and Nickel Silver.
Brass Darts are probably the most common and are relatively inexpensive. Prices vary from a few dollars to around $35 and are the best option when you buy your first set of Darts, or are learning to play Darts. They are an inexpensive way of trying different weights and styles, without investing too much money.
Nickel Silver Darts are basically the same as brass Darts, they around the same price range and are generally marginally higher in quality. Like brass Darts, they are suited for use at home or by the occasional Dart Player.
Tungsten Darts are used by the serious Darts Players. These darts are generally high quality and come in a large variety of weights and styles. The tungsten component is generally describes as being 80%, 85% etc. with the higher tungsten value, being the most expensive. Prices start from as little as $15 and go to upwards of $200, depending upon your needs.
What weight Dart is best?
The weight of your Darts is a personal preference. As a general rule, most people would generally throw a weight of 19-24gms. There are of course people that particularly like a heavy weight, such as the Titan Heavies and others prefer a light weight such as Featherlites.
New Darters should try a few different weights, focusing on 19-24gms for their first set.
|
|
|
|
|
|
How to play darts by Phil Croucher
The most popular darts game played is known as 01 ('Oh One'). This classic game is played world wide and gets its name from the points that it is played from which always end in 01 such as 301, 501, 801, 1001 etc.
The winner is the first player to reduce their score to 0. Both players will start with the same score such as 501 and take turns throwing 3 darts into the board. The player will subtract the score of the three darts from his score and remove his darts from the board before the other player takes his turn.
If a dart bounces off or misses the board then that dart does not score and cannot be thrown again in that turn.
To win a game a player must bring his score to 0 by hitting a double, for example if your score is 2 you must hit a double 1 this is known as going out. Doubles are scored in the outside scoring ring or by hitting the bullseye which scores 50 points (double 25).
Games starting with 501, 801, 1001 points etc are all played in the same way. When starting with 301 which can result in very short games you can add difficulty by starting with a double so that a player must hit any double before starting to reduce his score.
About the Author
Phil Croucher is the web master of darts shop RokSport Darts which stock darts, dart boards and more
|
|
|
|
|
|
AN EXPLANATION OFSHAFT LENGTHS
MC (Micro) 3/4 inch, (1.9 cm)
X-Short (XS) 1 1/4 inch, (3.2 cm)
Short (SH) 1 1/2 inch, (3.8 cm)
In-Between (INB) 1 3/4 inch (4.4 cm)
Medium (MD) 2 inch (5.1 cm)
|
|
|
|
 Daylight Savings begins Sunday March 14th.
Turn your clocks ahead one hour and change the batteries in all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
|
|
"100% Secure Shopping" We do not sell or give away any of our customer's information.
|
|
Note: All prices in US Dollars
|
|
Just wow. Easy to browse website, everything I needed is there. And prices are a life saver! My order showed up way before I expected. Two thumbs way up. If awesome and wonderful had a baby, you guys would be it. Thanks again. My allegiance is forever with you in the dart world. Bradley F., Clinton, TN
|
|
|
