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Hi, and welcome to my darts chat blog. This is a place where you can chat about anything darts related whether youre just a fan, player or both. hopefully you will all get something good out of this page. Cheers

Monday 15 March 2010

Why is Darts Such a Popular Sport?

If you live in the UK or the Netherlands, for example, you will know just how big a sport darts has become in recent years. However it's also becoming hugely popular in lots of other countries all around the world, and is enjoying huge growth both as a spectator sport and a sport that people can take part in. So why is darts now so popular?

Well I think one of the main reasons is because of the growth of the PDC organization. Thanks to Barry Hearn there are now lots of televised tournaments being shown in many different countries, and as a result people are realizing that darts is actually a very exciting game.

There are now huge tournaments being held throughout the year with huge prize money on offer, and as a result of this the standard of play just gets better and better. There used to be a time when it was very rare for players to hit a 100 three-dart average, but these are now commonplace amongst many of the top players.

This makes darts a great spectator sport, but it's also a great sport to play as well. It's open to everyone because all you need is a dartboard and a set of darts. There are no age restrictions. You don't need to be super fit or a certain height, for example. You just need to be able to throw a dart at a dartboard.

One of the best things about darts is that it's a very social game. Many pubs, at least in the UK, have their own dartboard so you can play darts with your friends and colleagues if you so wish. You can also join your local pub team if you start to get quite good at the game and take part in local leagues and competitions so the game becomes quite competitive and even more enjoyable.

If pubs are not your thing, then you can simply play darts from the comfort of your own home. You should find that if you practice enough, you will start to get better and better and over time you may well want to join your local pub team to play against other players because this will develop your game even further. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol. Indeed I recommend you stay away from alcohol if you are serious about winning.

Anyway the point I want to make is that darts is a great game to play, and nowadays it's just as exciting to watch as well. Anyone can play the game and it's a very cheap and accessible sport compared to many other sports.

James Woolley runs a website which discusses where you can buy darts online and what you should look for when choosing a set of darts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Woolley

Why Choose Tungsten Darts

Tungsten is very dense and heavy metal. It is mixed with nickel or brass and you will see on the package written like 80-20 which means 80% tungsten and 20% nickel/bras. No matter it is harder to work but it lasts longer than Nickel/silver darts and brass darts.

You can choose your favorite dart from the world of tungsten darts. These darts are designed and developed for the developing player. It gives the players of dart a positivity in playing at an affordable prices. The series of tungsten darts is available in a variety of vibrant colors, different weights and black steal finish. The shafts are made of anodized aluminum material. The tip is steel made and available weights are 20 grams to 28 grams.

Brass and nickel-silver are lighter metals in comparison to tungsten which is a very heavy and dense metal. Tungsten is not used alone in making darts but is mixed with nickel in the ratio of 80:20. That means 80% tungsten and 20% nickel.

It is seen that most of the good throwers use tungsten,but if you are a starter then you would not be throwing tight groupings whatever dart you are using. On an average the size of a 20 gram tungsten dart is half the size of a brass dart which allows for tighter groupings on the board.

As tungsten is a metal heavier than lead this property becomes the reason why the tungsten,resists wear and the grip lasts longer. On the contrary side the soft metal darts may wear down quickly from skin acid and friction.

Generally we categorize Tungsten darts like this:

95% to 98% Tungsten

90% Tungsten

80% Tungsten

50% to 70% Tungsten

Howard runs the site http://www.dartstip.com wich provide great tips and guides about dart

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_Persson

What You Need to Know About Dart Boards

Do you want to spend more time with your family and friends? Do you have a special room that you want to turn into a family room or a play room? The dart board would be a great addition to your family room or play room. When you have a dart board in your family room, you will spend hours just having fun with your family. Dart boards are very diverting, regardless of whether you are playing for fun or money. They have been available for home and pub use for a long time, and people enjoy them just as much today as they did in years past.

Dart boards range from the very expensive top of the line sort that the professionals use to quite inexpensive. The choice is yours. Almost all of the dart boards that are made today are made of natural rope fiber, also known as sisal. These rope fibers are very tightly compressed by a pressure machine. Then they are held together with a sealed steel band. The steel board is then put on the front of the backboard. This backboard has been previously treated with non warping stain. This stain makes the dart board strong enough to withstand any conditions.

The base of the dart board is created first. Then the surface is sanded with fine sand paper. Then the colors and images are printed on the board. Placement and stapling of the wires into sections on the board is the final step.

You can buy a dart board at a variety of stores worldwide. For example, most department stores, hobby stores, and toy stores carry a variety of dart boards. Darts originated in England. That's why a lot of dartboards are made in England and sent all over the world. New Zealand makes a very popular dart board called Puma.

When you have a dart board in your home, you will learn how to play darts in nothing flat. You can play a couple of different ways. If you are a stickler, you can play the regulation way. If you are just killing time, you can play just for fun to see who can get the highest score. Darts are played in pubs and homes around the world. This ancient game is both relaxing and challenging for a wide variety of players.

Need to bring some fun and physical activity into life, try a dart board!

Dan Legal runs the website Bar Furniture CA where you can find information on everything from cocktail shakers to swivel bar stools. If you've got a home bar, then you should check out his website before you start planning your home bar.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Legal

Dart Games - Play Something Other than 301 or Cricket for a Change!

If you play darts regularly, or even if you have played darts only a few times, you likely already know the games of 301 (and its variations) and variations of Cricket. But perhaps it is about time that you learned how to play a new game, learn some new skills.

Here are a few dart games that you may or may not have already played, but are definitely worth playing. Why not switch up your game a bit with a few of these different dart games?

All Five

This game is most definitely for more advanced players. In every round, each player must score a total that is divisible by 5. An additional point can be added for however many times the number 5 divides into their total score. For instance, if a player got a 4, 3, and 8 for a total of 15, he will get 3 points (5 goes into 15 three times). First to 51 wins.

The player will receive no points at all if at the end of the round (three darts), his score total is not divisible by five. Also, there will be no trickery in this game - if the first 2 darts create a score that is divisible by 5 and then the third dart misses, the player cannot get any points.

Nine Dart Century

You know how on the Price Is Right, contestants want to guess the price of something as close as possible without going over? Well, nine dart century is similar - in a way. Each player gets 9 darts (three turns worth) to score 100, or to get as close to 100 without going over (hence the Price Is Right reference). If you go over 100, you are out of the game.

To make sure that there are no purposeful misses, any dart that lands outside of the scoring area not only must be thrown again, but also brings the player's score back down to zero so that he must start again. (One that bounces out is not penalized and no points are counted for it).

Shanghai

For this game, every player needs to go around the board from 1 to 20, ending with the bullseye. For each number, the player can throw three darts. The highest score wins. If this game is not already difficult enough, you can make it more difficult by playing with the double and triple.

These three dart games are only a few of the many other dart games out there. Why not switch it up? Why not add a little sugar to your coffee or play a different dart game besides 301 or Cricket?

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, recreation, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on fur boots and fashion please visit Dart Cases.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

How to Choose a Dart Grip When Throwing Darts

Dart grip #1: Four fingers and thumb.

Typically the smallest finger rests on the top or bottom of the dart tip for maximum guidance in acceleration. This option provides maximum touch on the dart which can help with accuracy and placement. However, it does require a lot fingers on the dart barrel which can cause your throw to get away from you. Using all four of your fingers on the dart can cause your throw to "stick" to your fingers or can cause you to over-power, or push your throw.

Dart grip #2: Three fingers and thumb.

This is a basic option that gives you a lot of control over the dart during the acceleration of your throw. You can also have more control over the placement of the dart using this option. However, the third finger on the dart barrel does increase your chances of a misfire, similar to the four finger grip.

Dart grip #3: Two fingers and thumb.

This option allows for fewer fingers to get in the way of a great throw while sacrificing some control of the placement of your dart. If your dart flutters or snaps awkwardly in the middle of your throw try moving your thumb slightly behind the center weight of the dart for more control. The majority of competitive dart throwers use this style of grip in their game.

Dart grip #4: One finger and thumb.

This position is similar to how you would hold a writing pen. Many dart players who use this style also let the dart rest on tip of the second finger for support. This option minimizes your touch points on the dart barrel at the expense of control over the dart. It can be very effective for achieving consistent dart throwing. However, because it minimizes your control it can take some time to get used to before you are successful with this grip.

Article written by Joe Pecheck, an amateur dart thrower and darts enthusiast. Visit http://www.nicedarts.com for more dart articles and advanced dart techniques.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Pecheck

Darts Equipment Explained

Darts have come a long way since the wooden darts that were used originally. They had a torpedo shaped wooden barrel with a steel tip and turkey feathers as flights. These days the darts are mostly made from tungsten with the 80% tungsten alloy being the most common. Since the advent of tungsten darts the scores of the pros have increased due to their slimmer design. You can make much slimmer darts due to the greater density of tungsten compared to brass (approximately twice as much as brass, so that you can make tungsten darts half the thickness of brass for a given weight.)

Made from the ore wolframite tungsten has the highest melting point of any element on earth at 3000 degrees C and is incredibly hard. The reason you don't get 100% tungsten darts is because pure tungsten is a very brittle metal and is commonly mixed with nickel to make the dart less brittle and easier to manufacture. 95% tungsten is the highest alloy level so far sold by Bottelsen and are a tad pricey. The 80% darts should be good enough for anyone, even the pros.

When it comes to the grip on the barrel of the dart there are many types to choose from diamond pattern knurled barrel to plain and now the new edge grip. Just get a design you are comfortable with, try out your mates darts to see what suits you.

Dart tips come in two styles, a fixed steel tip for use on Bristle dartboards or replaceable soft tips for use on electronic dart boards. It is now common for darts to be convertible, with 2BA threads on either end of the barrel, which means you have the best of both worlds, both soft and steel tip options. One point to note here is that usually the maximum weight of dart allowed on electronic dart boards is 20 gram, so if you want your darts to be used on all type of boards, do not go over 20 gms for your dart barrel.

Next comes the shaft to hold the flights, it should be light to keep the weight of the dart forward and are made from plastic, aluminium, steel wire or even titanium! The only thing to worry about with the shafts is that they are straight and undamaged so the flights are held in place properly. The latest innovation is spinning shafts, which are designed to rotate out of the way to minimise the deflection of the dart when it hits a flight. This seems a great idea to me, it helps to protect the flight as well.

That just leaves the flights, which come in loads of amazing designs and materials. The shapes include the classic "kite" design, which are relatively large to the pear drop and all stages in between. Ensure you use the same style of flight on all 3 darts and keep them spread so that there is a 90 degree angle between the four flight pieces to aid in consistency of your throw. Also use flight protectors, not only do they protect your flight; they will keep the flight at the optimum shape as a bonus.

So to sum up, get yourself some tungsten darts, the average weight is 18 - 20 grams. If you want to go heavier, remember the heaviest weight allowed on most electronic dart boards is 20 grams. (You can have up to 50-gram darts on Bristle boards) Nylon shafts are ok to use, spinner shafts are a good idea as well and use the kite style flight if a beginner and always use flight protectors. If you have steel tip darts keep the point sharp for easy entry into the dart board. A simple strip of grinding paper will do. For soft tip darts take along plenty of spares and your dart tool.

Written by a keen darter, Steve Porter, who in spite of many hours of practice in many bars, never quite made it to professional darter status. Click link to get your Darts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter

Finding The Right Darts For You

For the competitive darts player finding the right darts is critical if you want to win, whatever level you play at; pub, superleague, county or beyond.

There are several elements to consider when choosing your darts; the darts themselves (or barrels as they are sometimes called), the stems (also known as shafts) and last but not least the flights. I shall consider each in turn:

Darts

For many years now Tungsten darts have been the darts of choice for the serious dart player, replacing the more traditional, bulkier brass darts. The main reason for this is that tungsten is a denser metal, meaning that for any given weight a tungsten dart will be much smaller and thinner than a comparable brass dart.

There is a simple reason for the rise in popularity of the tungsten dart. All other things being equal (skill and accuracy for example), it is easier to fit three tungsten darts in the treble 20 ,and hit the elusive maximum 180, than it is to squeeze in three brass darts of the same weight.

Over the last 20 years improvements in technology and a reduction in the cost of Tungsten have seen the percentage of tungsten in the darts increase. In the mid seventies tungsten darts contained about 80% tungsten with the balance being made up of nickel or copper. Today it is possible to get darts with a 97% tungsten content.

The size, weight and shape of the darts is the next thing to consider. This is largely a matter of personal preference but, if you are just starting out, you would be wise to consider the thinnest darts you feel comfortable holding. As I said before; this gives you the greatest chance of hitting the magical 180.

Grip is also and important factor. Many players get nervous when playing matches and there is nothing worse than having your dart slip out of your fingers when aiming for that crucial double to win the game.

Avoid completely smooth darts and go for barrels with some markings on them to improve your grip; knurled barrels are probably best for this.

Shafts

The main factors to consider when buying dart shafts, also known as dart stems, are length and weight. The important thing here is balance. You need to take care that your stems are not too long or too heavy relative to the length and weight of your dart barrels.

The material the stems are made from is also worth considering. Plastic stems are the usual choice due to their relative cheapness and light weight. But it is worth trying aluminium shafts as these are lightweight but have the added advantage of extra rigidity; so they won't flex when you throw with them. One disadvantage is that they often work themselves loose. To overcome this simply add a rubber O-ring to the threaded section of the shaft; these are available at very low cost.

Experiment with a few different weights, materials and lengths until you find the ones you are most comfortable with.

Flights

The main things to consider when looking for dart flights is shape and weight and rigidity. Flights come in many different shapes and materials and, once again, the key is to pick the flights that balance your barrel and stems. If the flights are too heavy your darts will be unbalanced. Plastic flights are a lightweight, rigid low cost option and so are firm favourites with the top players.

Having selected the right darts for you all that remains is to get out there and play darts. Have fun!

Gerald Peters

http://www.thedartsshop.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Peters