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
Monday 15 March 2010
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Friday 12 March 2010
Wednesday 10 March 2010
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 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
The Dart Board Cabinet, A Thing Of Beauty?
To stop your wall looking like its been attacked by a miniature machine gun and to keep the darts room looking presentable, you need a dart board cabinet for your dart board. They look so good these days too, the choice is extensive, and you can surely find one that suits your taste from the many on sale. You could just go for a dart backboard instead, but nothing beats a good-looking cabinet, especially if you are stuck for space and use the dining room as a part time darts room.
The advantages of a dart board cabinet is that it tidies the dart board away making the place look neat and tidy and it is also a place to store away your darts equipment. They nearly all have a chalk board or dry wipe board to keep score on. When it comes to electronic dart boards, the cabinets have to be bigger as the electronic dart boards are bigger and the cabinets usually have some extra storage for all your darts stuff. The cabinet doors will protect your wall from those errant darts as well as having the scoreboard and out charts on the inside.
Cabinets are available in all sorts of colors, sizes and styles, manufactured in wood normally with quality finishes including inlays and door shapes, they look great on the wall with the board hidden away. The cabinet is a good looking adornment for the wall with or without a dart board inside. There is a metal cabinet from Harley Davidson would you believe, with diamond plate doors and a chrome trim, looks very cool if you like that sort of thing, but use heavy duty screws when mounting that one.
A great idea I've found on the net is to put carpet or dense foam on the inside of your cabinet enhancing both protection for the darts and the look of the cabinet as well as protecting the inside of the cabinet from looking like it has a severe case of woodworm, but test you have the necessary depth to the cabinet before you do it.
The advantages of the dart board cabinet is that it will protect your walls from the darts and tidy the board away when not in use with the added bonus of being a place to store your darts and darting bits as well.
By Steve Porter a keen darts enthusiast. Click the link to see some dart board cabinets
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
The advantages of a dart board cabinet is that it tidies the dart board away making the place look neat and tidy and it is also a place to store away your darts equipment. They nearly all have a chalk board or dry wipe board to keep score on. When it comes to electronic dart boards, the cabinets have to be bigger as the electronic dart boards are bigger and the cabinets usually have some extra storage for all your darts stuff. The cabinet doors will protect your wall from those errant darts as well as having the scoreboard and out charts on the inside.
Cabinets are available in all sorts of colors, sizes and styles, manufactured in wood normally with quality finishes including inlays and door shapes, they look great on the wall with the board hidden away. The cabinet is a good looking adornment for the wall with or without a dart board inside. There is a metal cabinet from Harley Davidson would you believe, with diamond plate doors and a chrome trim, looks very cool if you like that sort of thing, but use heavy duty screws when mounting that one.
A great idea I've found on the net is to put carpet or dense foam on the inside of your cabinet enhancing both protection for the darts and the look of the cabinet as well as protecting the inside of the cabinet from looking like it has a severe case of woodworm, but test you have the necessary depth to the cabinet before you do it.
The advantages of the dart board cabinet is that it will protect your walls from the darts and tidy the board away when not in use with the added bonus of being a place to store your darts and darting bits as well.
By Steve Porter a keen darts enthusiast. Click the link to see some dart board cabinets
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
The Milestones of the Dart Board
Who invented the dart board? I guess we will never know, it was probably some archer in the middle ages who converted the bottom of a barrel or tree slice into the first dart board and threw his arrows at it. Dart boards were made of wood for many years mostly from elm and had to be soaked in water overnight to stop the board from splitting. However we do know who invented the first Bristle board, that was Nodor in the 1930's, they were approached by an inventor who had an idea to make a dart board from rope! It must have sounded crazy at the time, but it worked. They took some rope strands all the same length and compressed them tightly together and hey presto the first "Bristle" board was born. This was a huge advance on the traditional wooden board. For a start no more soaking and the board was self healing and long lived. It was an instant success.
Nodor got a patent for the design and so were the only manufacturer for 25 years or so for the life of the patent. After the patent expired other manufacturers entered the arena most notably Winmau . And you thought Nodor was a funny name. Apparently the name Winmau was made up from the first three letters of the two names of the wife of the company director "Winifred Maud" hence Winmau.
Nodor and Winmau then slugged it out for dominance in the dart board market with one company trying to take over the other for many years. During this time Winmau came up with their famous Blade board with ultra thin wire separators and Nodor came up with the first staple free bulls eye dart board.
The bristle boards were used in all the big tournaments that started in the 70's and are still used today in the prestigious tournaments like the Las Vegas classic and the British Lakeside tournament.
Then came Electronics, the electronic dart board came on the scene and changed the game overnight. The odd thing about electronic boards is they are covered in hundreds of small holes for the special soft tip darts to enter. At first glance you think how can the dart get into those holes so exactly? The holes are centered at the base of a dimple like the dimples of a golf ball, guiding the soft tip darts to the holes in the board. And it works very well with nowhere near the amount of bounce outs you might expect. There are sensors beneath the holes which trigger the electronics to record the score and deducts or adds the score to the previous one automatically, depending on the game. This was a great boon to darters as they no longer had to keep score and the boards could be networked to collect all the scores from the boards on a computer, great for tournaments.
The difference with the electronic dart board are that you have to use soft tip darts, and the tips are made of plastic so as not to damage the board. (Never use normal steel tip darts on an electronic board) Also the maximum weight of dart allowed on most electronic dart boards is 20 grams.
You can now have the best of both the steel tip and soft tip game now with the introduction of the new BristleTech boards which have bristle type fibres that can take the steel tips as well as the soft tipped darts and still work with the electronics. This could very well be the technology that will dominate the dart world from now on.
So there you have it, we have come a long way from the elm wooden dart boards and I'm sure there will be even more developments to come, especially with the combination Bristle type boards and electronics. Electronic darts is very popular on both sides of the Atlantic now and maybe even the professional game will embrace it before long.
Written by Steve Porter who has visited many bars researching his chosen sport of darts. Visit his website to choose your Dart Board.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
Nodor got a patent for the design and so were the only manufacturer for 25 years or so for the life of the patent. After the patent expired other manufacturers entered the arena most notably Winmau . And you thought Nodor was a funny name. Apparently the name Winmau was made up from the first three letters of the two names of the wife of the company director "Winifred Maud" hence Winmau.
Nodor and Winmau then slugged it out for dominance in the dart board market with one company trying to take over the other for many years. During this time Winmau came up with their famous Blade board with ultra thin wire separators and Nodor came up with the first staple free bulls eye dart board.
The bristle boards were used in all the big tournaments that started in the 70's and are still used today in the prestigious tournaments like the Las Vegas classic and the British Lakeside tournament.
Then came Electronics, the electronic dart board came on the scene and changed the game overnight. The odd thing about electronic boards is they are covered in hundreds of small holes for the special soft tip darts to enter. At first glance you think how can the dart get into those holes so exactly? The holes are centered at the base of a dimple like the dimples of a golf ball, guiding the soft tip darts to the holes in the board. And it works very well with nowhere near the amount of bounce outs you might expect. There are sensors beneath the holes which trigger the electronics to record the score and deducts or adds the score to the previous one automatically, depending on the game. This was a great boon to darters as they no longer had to keep score and the boards could be networked to collect all the scores from the boards on a computer, great for tournaments.
The difference with the electronic dart board are that you have to use soft tip darts, and the tips are made of plastic so as not to damage the board. (Never use normal steel tip darts on an electronic board) Also the maximum weight of dart allowed on most electronic dart boards is 20 grams.
You can now have the best of both the steel tip and soft tip game now with the introduction of the new BristleTech boards which have bristle type fibres that can take the steel tips as well as the soft tipped darts and still work with the electronics. This could very well be the technology that will dominate the dart world from now on.
So there you have it, we have come a long way from the elm wooden dart boards and I'm sure there will be even more developments to come, especially with the combination Bristle type boards and electronics. Electronic darts is very popular on both sides of the Atlantic now and maybe even the professional game will embrace it before long.
Written by Steve Porter who has visited many bars researching his chosen sport of darts. Visit his website to choose your Dart Board.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
Online Darts Games
There are many sites that offer free dart games that can be played online. In addition to this, a click of the button allows dart game enthusiasts to download the game into the computer, and to have the pleasure of enjoying their favorite game at their leisure. The advantage of online dart games is that they let the player experience the joy of the game without having to go outdoors or to the local recreation center. Also, there is the added excitement of the whole game being a virtual one.
The virtual game rules are the same as those of a standard game of darts. There are numerous dart games that can be downloaded from various sites. Smile Games - Darts is a very realistic dart game that does not take long to load; in this game, there is no computer to play against, so it goes without saying that there should be somebody else to play with. Other interesting online dart games are "Darts 4 Cash" and "Let's Play Darts." The Net also offers free multiplayer online dart games such as "Click Darts," where it is possible to play games like 301, 501, and Cricket. Playing in groups is also allowed, with "Cutthroat Cricket" and "Freeze." The game "Click Darts" allows the player to just point and click the mouse; where the dart lands is determined automatically by the website. FreeWorldGroup.com, mostdartgames.com and crowsdarts.com are some of the popular websites that offer online dart games.
Tournaments are also held to enable darters all over the world to compete and win. At present, there are two tournaments starting every weekend. Since all the people that want to take part are not all online at the same time, tournaments can take a couple of weeks to complete. It is possible to monitor the progress of the existing tournaments and to look for any upcoming ones on these web sites. The World Professional Darts Championship, a tournament of great prestige, is held in the month of January, at the Lakeside Leisure Complex, UK.
Darts provides detailed information on Darts, Lawn Darts, Darts Rules, Online Darts Games and more. Darts is affiliated with Chess Sets [http://www.Chess-Web.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge
The virtual game rules are the same as those of a standard game of darts. There are numerous dart games that can be downloaded from various sites. Smile Games - Darts is a very realistic dart game that does not take long to load; in this game, there is no computer to play against, so it goes without saying that there should be somebody else to play with. Other interesting online dart games are "Darts 4 Cash" and "Let's Play Darts." The Net also offers free multiplayer online dart games such as "Click Darts," where it is possible to play games like 301, 501, and Cricket. Playing in groups is also allowed, with "Cutthroat Cricket" and "Freeze." The game "Click Darts" allows the player to just point and click the mouse; where the dart lands is determined automatically by the website. FreeWorldGroup.com, mostdartgames.com and crowsdarts.com are some of the popular websites that offer online dart games.
Tournaments are also held to enable darters all over the world to compete and win. At present, there are two tournaments starting every weekend. Since all the people that want to take part are not all online at the same time, tournaments can take a couple of weeks to complete. It is possible to monitor the progress of the existing tournaments and to look for any upcoming ones on these web sites. The World Professional Darts Championship, a tournament of great prestige, is held in the month of January, at the Lakeside Leisure Complex, UK.
Darts provides detailed information on Darts, Lawn Darts, Darts Rules, Online Darts Games and more. Darts is affiliated with Chess Sets [http://www.Chess-Web.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge
Darts History
When it comes to Darts origins, this is a very grey area. It is thought that the game possibly evolved from either archery, crossbow or javelin. What is not in doubt is the fact that more and more people started playing darts in pubs following the first world war. In 1927 the first News Of The World Darts Championship was held and by the swinging sixties Darts was on television.
The seventies saw the emergence of the British Darts Organisation (1973) and The first Embassy World Darts Championships was played at Heart of The Midlands Nightclub in Nottingham with Leighton Rees defeating John Lowe 11-7. John Lowe went on to become a darting legend, winning the world crown in three different decades. The eighties belonged to the Crafty Cockney, Eric Bristow. He dominated the game and went on to win five world titles. Little did he know that a player he had discovered and backed with his own money to play darts professionally would not only topple him, but go on to be the greatest darts player of all time! Phil Taylor was a factory worker from Stoke On Trent earning £74 a week. Eric discovered him playing in a local pub and turned him into a champion and the rest as they say his history. Phil The Power Taylor currently holds fourteen world titles and has taken the game of darts to a whole new level, setting match averages that the other professional players can only dream of.
Darts enjoyed a golden era in the eighties with the likes of Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Jockey Wilson playing in tournaments televised live on the BBC and ITV, but by the nineties it was beginning to unravel. In 1993 a group of leading players (including Phil Taylor) who had become disillusioned with the governing body and the direction the game, broke away from the BDO and formed their own circuit and organisation which later became known as the Professional Darts Corporation. This is still the case today with two world championships being held each year.
The is little doubt that darts has been revitalised under the PDC which is run by sports business supremo Barry Hearn. Backed up with exclusive contracts with Sky Sports and ITV the tour will offer a record breaking six million pounds in prize money in 2009. The Premier League screened on Sky consecutively for 16 weeks has taken darts to huge arenas across Britain with record crowds in attendance. Professional players (all with nicknames) walking on to loud music with glamour models by their side is all part of the show at a televised PDC event. It's a far cry from the working class pub game that was once played with wooden darts and a board made of plasticine.
For how long two governing bodies and two world championships can co-exist in one sport remains to be seen, but for now darts is riding the crest of a wave and Phil's getting richer.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
The seventies saw the emergence of the British Darts Organisation (1973) and The first Embassy World Darts Championships was played at Heart of The Midlands Nightclub in Nottingham with Leighton Rees defeating John Lowe 11-7. John Lowe went on to become a darting legend, winning the world crown in three different decades. The eighties belonged to the Crafty Cockney, Eric Bristow. He dominated the game and went on to win five world titles. Little did he know that a player he had discovered and backed with his own money to play darts professionally would not only topple him, but go on to be the greatest darts player of all time! Phil Taylor was a factory worker from Stoke On Trent earning £74 a week. Eric discovered him playing in a local pub and turned him into a champion and the rest as they say his history. Phil The Power Taylor currently holds fourteen world titles and has taken the game of darts to a whole new level, setting match averages that the other professional players can only dream of.
Darts enjoyed a golden era in the eighties with the likes of Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Jockey Wilson playing in tournaments televised live on the BBC and ITV, but by the nineties it was beginning to unravel. In 1993 a group of leading players (including Phil Taylor) who had become disillusioned with the governing body and the direction the game, broke away from the BDO and formed their own circuit and organisation which later became known as the Professional Darts Corporation. This is still the case today with two world championships being held each year.
The is little doubt that darts has been revitalised under the PDC which is run by sports business supremo Barry Hearn. Backed up with exclusive contracts with Sky Sports and ITV the tour will offer a record breaking six million pounds in prize money in 2009. The Premier League screened on Sky consecutively for 16 weeks has taken darts to huge arenas across Britain with record crowds in attendance. Professional players (all with nicknames) walking on to loud music with glamour models by their side is all part of the show at a televised PDC event. It's a far cry from the working class pub game that was once played with wooden darts and a board made of plasticine.
For how long two governing bodies and two world championships can co-exist in one sport remains to be seen, but for now darts is riding the crest of a wave and Phil's getting richer.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
The Darts World Championship
You may have noticed (especially if you watch Sky Sports) that around Christmas and New Year there is rather a lot of darts on television. This is due to the fact that TWO world championships are played. This is highly unusual in any sport (other than boxing) but how did we get to this?
Darts is a game which became popular among the working classes and was often played in pubs. In 1973 the British Darts Organization was formed (BDO) and this led to to the first world championships being held in 1978. Darts began to enjoy a golden age as tournaments were screened on the BBC and ITV and players such as Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Jocky Wilson became household names.
However one fateful day in 1980 a BBC comedy programme called 'Not the nine o'clock news' (starring Mel Smith and Gryth Rhys Jones) screened a sketch mocking darts players, as they famously downed pints at the oche. Although the popularity of the game did not diminish at that time, the damage this did to the image of the game was immense. A slow decline followed and by 1988 ITV had stopped showing darts altogether and the world championships was the only event left on television.
The initial boom in darts had led to an influx of players eager to ply their trade, but with the television coverage now dwindling along with the prize money as sponsors left the sport, these players become disenchanted with the BDO, who they felt could be doing more to promote the game. Even the move to ban players drinking alcohol on stage from 1989 did little to enhance the public image of darts and darts players. In 1992 a group of sixteen players formed the World Darts Council (WDC). The group included every active previous world champion such as Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and John Lowe. Leighton Rees who had already retired was the only previous world champion not to join. The first event the WDC staged was the Lada UK Masters in the same year.
In 1993 the WDC players competed in the BDO Championships as normal while sporting their new WDC badges on their sleeves. The BDO subsequently asked them to remove the badges. The players then decided if the BDO would not recognise their organisation they would go there own way and form a separate tour. The WDC signed a deal with Sky Television to screen three tournaments a year.This in turn led to another world championships with the first being held in 1994 (although it started on Boxing Day 1993) with Dennis Priestley winning it.
The WDC has since changed its name to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Relations between the two darts bodies remain uneasy following a costly three year court battle which ended in 1997. The PDC has the larger tour with more events and greater prize money while the BDO has retained BBC coverage and larger viewing audiences due to being on terrestrial television. The PDC has been busy developing tournaments in USA, Australia, Netherlands, South Africa and Germany among other places. The televised PDC events in thee UK are televised on Sky. One major development for darts in 2007 was the return of ITV who screened the Grand Slam of Darts. The event was unusual as it was ran by the PDC but was open to players who won or were runners up in major PDC and BDO events over the previous two years. The only player who declined to play was the then BDO champion Martin Adams.
So with the two professional bodies both still happy to loathe each other to the detriment of the sport it looks like we will have two world darts champions for years to come. This year it was John Part (PDC) and Mark Webster (BDO). On one hand there is more darts to watch, but surely there should be only one true champion of the world.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
Darts is a game which became popular among the working classes and was often played in pubs. In 1973 the British Darts Organization was formed (BDO) and this led to to the first world championships being held in 1978. Darts began to enjoy a golden age as tournaments were screened on the BBC and ITV and players such as Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Jocky Wilson became household names.
However one fateful day in 1980 a BBC comedy programme called 'Not the nine o'clock news' (starring Mel Smith and Gryth Rhys Jones) screened a sketch mocking darts players, as they famously downed pints at the oche. Although the popularity of the game did not diminish at that time, the damage this did to the image of the game was immense. A slow decline followed and by 1988 ITV had stopped showing darts altogether and the world championships was the only event left on television.
The initial boom in darts had led to an influx of players eager to ply their trade, but with the television coverage now dwindling along with the prize money as sponsors left the sport, these players become disenchanted with the BDO, who they felt could be doing more to promote the game. Even the move to ban players drinking alcohol on stage from 1989 did little to enhance the public image of darts and darts players. In 1992 a group of sixteen players formed the World Darts Council (WDC). The group included every active previous world champion such as Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and John Lowe. Leighton Rees who had already retired was the only previous world champion not to join. The first event the WDC staged was the Lada UK Masters in the same year.
In 1993 the WDC players competed in the BDO Championships as normal while sporting their new WDC badges on their sleeves. The BDO subsequently asked them to remove the badges. The players then decided if the BDO would not recognise their organisation they would go there own way and form a separate tour. The WDC signed a deal with Sky Television to screen three tournaments a year.This in turn led to another world championships with the first being held in 1994 (although it started on Boxing Day 1993) with Dennis Priestley winning it.
The WDC has since changed its name to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Relations between the two darts bodies remain uneasy following a costly three year court battle which ended in 1997. The PDC has the larger tour with more events and greater prize money while the BDO has retained BBC coverage and larger viewing audiences due to being on terrestrial television. The PDC has been busy developing tournaments in USA, Australia, Netherlands, South Africa and Germany among other places. The televised PDC events in thee UK are televised on Sky. One major development for darts in 2007 was the return of ITV who screened the Grand Slam of Darts. The event was unusual as it was ran by the PDC but was open to players who won or were runners up in major PDC and BDO events over the previous two years. The only player who declined to play was the then BDO champion Martin Adams.
So with the two professional bodies both still happy to loathe each other to the detriment of the sport it looks like we will have two world darts champions for years to come. This year it was John Part (PDC) and Mark Webster (BDO). On one hand there is more darts to watch, but surely there should be only one true champion of the world.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
Monday 8 March 2010
Darts Coaching
An expanding PDC tour, bigger venues and increased viewing figures all point to a sport enjoying a golden age. Then when you look further you discover an abundance of local leagues and a county circuit. Darts surely has to be one of the most played games in the world, but where is the coaching?
When sportsmen are interviewed they regularly talk about their relationships with their coaches. Sports such as snooker, tennis, golf and football all have high profile coaches. In all sports coaching is seen as the most recognised way to improve your game and is normally widely available. But anyone that plays darts is expected to improve through trial and error as they bang away hour after hour. I am not saying there has never been any coaching, but it is not something actively promoted within the game. Unlike most other professional sports bodies, the Professional Darts Organisation makes no mention of coaching on it's official site.
We are talking about a game played by millions, where the slightest movement at a pivotal time can be the difference between winning and losing. At the top level the difference in ability between the players is marginal and success and failure can be divided by the thickness of a wire. Mental training is also crucial if you want to hold yourself together when hitting a double under pressure.
As darts continues to expand I expect a greater demand for coaching with more players having a desire to improve. As darts is embraced as a thriving and true sport, darts coaching and darts coaches will become commonplace.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
When sportsmen are interviewed they regularly talk about their relationships with their coaches. Sports such as snooker, tennis, golf and football all have high profile coaches. In all sports coaching is seen as the most recognised way to improve your game and is normally widely available. But anyone that plays darts is expected to improve through trial and error as they bang away hour after hour. I am not saying there has never been any coaching, but it is not something actively promoted within the game. Unlike most other professional sports bodies, the Professional Darts Organisation makes no mention of coaching on it's official site.
We are talking about a game played by millions, where the slightest movement at a pivotal time can be the difference between winning and losing. At the top level the difference in ability between the players is marginal and success and failure can be divided by the thickness of a wire. Mental training is also crucial if you want to hold yourself together when hitting a double under pressure.
As darts continues to expand I expect a greater demand for coaching with more players having a desire to improve. As darts is embraced as a thriving and true sport, darts coaching and darts coaches will become commonplace.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
Dart Your Way To An Exciting Evening
Be it at the bars, pubs, clubs or your own living room, darts are an excellent way of spending time with friends and family. Spending time at home will never be boring as long as you have a dartboard hanging in your room.
The history of the game of darts goes back a long time. Legend has it that soldiers during the Middle Ages used to throw spears at barrel bases or cut-up tree trunks to get over their boredom. This gradually gave shape to what we now know as dart games. The system of scoring, followed across the world, came into being during the early 18th century.
Dart games have become popular over the years as it is inexpensive to play, can be played indoors during bad weather, no dress codes are required, and can be played by anyone - male or female, young or old.
The basic requirements are a dartboard and darts. With the advancement of technology dartboards have also evolved through the times. The most common dartboard is the bristle board - either cork or sisal. Cork dartboards deteriorate quickly with continued used, as the darts leave holes in the boards and the cork crumbles. The fibrous nature of sisal, however, is able to overcome this drawback and has therefore gained popularity. Sisal does not crumble even after constant use. Electronic dartboards are also available, and are equipped with sensors allowing for automated scoring.
There are various types of darts. The main parts of a dart are the tip, barrel, shaft and flight. Tips are either steel or soft. Soft tips are preferred on electronic dartboards and cork dartboards and are also recommended for new players. Steel tips are for the more experienced dart players. Shafts also come in various types. Synthetic flights are the most common nowadays and can be combined with the shafts. The use of feathers as flights has decreased considerably nowadays.
Many dart accessories are available nowadays. Instead of simply hanging the dartboard on walls, dart cabinets can be used to add style and elegance to your dart game. Many players also attach add-a-grams to get the required weights on the darts. The perfect weight improves accuracy in shooting. Dart mats are useful for new players, as the bounce-off from the boards may cause considerable damage to the floor. It is also important to have a rulebook as there are many methods of keeping scores and the game can be played under different rules. Scoreboard is also a must if you are not using electronic dartboards.
For more on darts, visit Susan's sites at Darts [http://www.dart-city.info/sitemap.php] and Darts Supplies [http://www.dart-supplies.info/sitemap.html], and also at Shopping and Society [http://www.shopping-and-society-hub.info].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Jan
The history of the game of darts goes back a long time. Legend has it that soldiers during the Middle Ages used to throw spears at barrel bases or cut-up tree trunks to get over their boredom. This gradually gave shape to what we now know as dart games. The system of scoring, followed across the world, came into being during the early 18th century.
Dart games have become popular over the years as it is inexpensive to play, can be played indoors during bad weather, no dress codes are required, and can be played by anyone - male or female, young or old.
The basic requirements are a dartboard and darts. With the advancement of technology dartboards have also evolved through the times. The most common dartboard is the bristle board - either cork or sisal. Cork dartboards deteriorate quickly with continued used, as the darts leave holes in the boards and the cork crumbles. The fibrous nature of sisal, however, is able to overcome this drawback and has therefore gained popularity. Sisal does not crumble even after constant use. Electronic dartboards are also available, and are equipped with sensors allowing for automated scoring.
There are various types of darts. The main parts of a dart are the tip, barrel, shaft and flight. Tips are either steel or soft. Soft tips are preferred on electronic dartboards and cork dartboards and are also recommended for new players. Steel tips are for the more experienced dart players. Shafts also come in various types. Synthetic flights are the most common nowadays and can be combined with the shafts. The use of feathers as flights has decreased considerably nowadays.
Many dart accessories are available nowadays. Instead of simply hanging the dartboard on walls, dart cabinets can be used to add style and elegance to your dart game. Many players also attach add-a-grams to get the required weights on the darts. The perfect weight improves accuracy in shooting. Dart mats are useful for new players, as the bounce-off from the boards may cause considerable damage to the floor. It is also important to have a rulebook as there are many methods of keeping scores and the game can be played under different rules. Scoreboard is also a must if you are not using electronic dartboards.
For more on darts, visit Susan's sites at Darts [http://www.dart-city.info/sitemap.php] and Darts Supplies [http://www.dart-supplies.info/sitemap.html], and also at Shopping and Society [http://www.shopping-and-society-hub.info].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Jan
Learn How Darts is Played
Darts is a wonderfully social game whether you play at home with friends and family, or you play just to meet new people at your local bar. Darts is a fairly simple game to play, but requires a lot of practice and skill to become good. There are many different games you can play, but nearly every one of them involves each player alternating turns to throw three darts at the board, then recording that score. Darts does not require a lot of equipment. All you need to play it is a dartboard, a set of three darts, and an opponent.
Nearly all dart games require some basic math skills as you are throwing the darts at number targets. The dartboard itself is divided into twenty sectors separated by a wire. These sectors are labeled from one to twenty. They are easily differentiated by alternating black and yellow areas on the board, and are also called singles as they are worth the same number of points as the value of that sector.
Regardless of whether you use a bristle dartboard or electronic dartboard, you will also notice that there are two rings that go around a dartboard that use alternating red and green colors. The outside ring is called the double ring. This corresponds to the numbers around the dartboard but are worth double the points.
The smaller inside ring is the triple ring. This corresponds to the point value of its sector, but is worth three times as much.
The center circle on the dartboard is known as the Bull. The green ring known as the outer bull or single bull and is worth 25 points. The inner red circle is known as the inner bull, double bull or bullseye and is worth 50 points.
Finally, there is also an out of play area on a dartboard. This is the area from the edge of the dartboard to the the outside wire of the double ring where the numbers are displayed. If a dart land here, it is worth nothing.
The highest score possible on a dartboard with three darts is one hundred and eighty points. This is done by throwing all three darts into the triple twenty.
To decide who gets to throw their darts first, both players throw one dart at the board and whoever is closet to the bull goes first. This process of determining who throws first is known as "diddle for the middle."
The most common way to play darts is the game known as '01. The game starts with each player on a set number like 301, 501, or 701. 501 is the game you will see professionals playing on TV. The players then take turns to see who can be the first to reach zero by subtracting the points they scored after each turn. However, zero can only be reached with your last dart landing into a double or the bullseye. You can never have less than two points as double one is the lowest double. If you score more than the required number to finish, you are said to have bust, and your score remains the same. Finishing a game of '01 is called checking out. The highest checkout possible in a game of '01 is 170 points, achieved by throwing two triple twenties and a bullseye. A game of 501 can be won in just nine darts. This requires the player to throw 180 (three triple twenties) on their first two turns, which leaves a score of 141. This can then be finished in a number of ways, the most common being triple twenty, triple nineteen, and double twelve. Another way to play '01 is to start with a double-in so no player can start scoring until they hit a double first. This is just one example of how to score a game of darts but their are many other different games you can play.
If it is your first time throwing darts, you might be surprised to find how easy it is to miss the dartboard. While there is no right or wrong way to throwing darts, there are a few pointers you can follow to make sure you hit the board. You need to concentrate on the target you are trying to hit, and throw the darts from eye level in a effort to make the dart fly along the imaginary line from your eyes to the board. Don't flick the dart with your wrist when you throw.
Instead, when you release the dart, let your arm follow through in a smooth fluid motion. Darts fly through the air quite easily, and will easily stick into the board. You do not have to throw them with all your strength. Make sure both feet are touching the ground, and do not lean too far forward or you'll lose your balance.
Terrance Blakeley is a feature contributor to an number of consumer focused websites including Dartboard Reviews which offers information about dartboards, dartboard cabinets, dartboard packages and much more at http://dartboardreviews.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terrance_Blakeley
Nearly all dart games require some basic math skills as you are throwing the darts at number targets. The dartboard itself is divided into twenty sectors separated by a wire. These sectors are labeled from one to twenty. They are easily differentiated by alternating black and yellow areas on the board, and are also called singles as they are worth the same number of points as the value of that sector.
Regardless of whether you use a bristle dartboard or electronic dartboard, you will also notice that there are two rings that go around a dartboard that use alternating red and green colors. The outside ring is called the double ring. This corresponds to the numbers around the dartboard but are worth double the points.
The smaller inside ring is the triple ring. This corresponds to the point value of its sector, but is worth three times as much.
The center circle on the dartboard is known as the Bull. The green ring known as the outer bull or single bull and is worth 25 points. The inner red circle is known as the inner bull, double bull or bullseye and is worth 50 points.
Finally, there is also an out of play area on a dartboard. This is the area from the edge of the dartboard to the the outside wire of the double ring where the numbers are displayed. If a dart land here, it is worth nothing.
The highest score possible on a dartboard with three darts is one hundred and eighty points. This is done by throwing all three darts into the triple twenty.
To decide who gets to throw their darts first, both players throw one dart at the board and whoever is closet to the bull goes first. This process of determining who throws first is known as "diddle for the middle."
The most common way to play darts is the game known as '01. The game starts with each player on a set number like 301, 501, or 701. 501 is the game you will see professionals playing on TV. The players then take turns to see who can be the first to reach zero by subtracting the points they scored after each turn. However, zero can only be reached with your last dart landing into a double or the bullseye. You can never have less than two points as double one is the lowest double. If you score more than the required number to finish, you are said to have bust, and your score remains the same. Finishing a game of '01 is called checking out. The highest checkout possible in a game of '01 is 170 points, achieved by throwing two triple twenties and a bullseye. A game of 501 can be won in just nine darts. This requires the player to throw 180 (three triple twenties) on their first two turns, which leaves a score of 141. This can then be finished in a number of ways, the most common being triple twenty, triple nineteen, and double twelve. Another way to play '01 is to start with a double-in so no player can start scoring until they hit a double first. This is just one example of how to score a game of darts but their are many other different games you can play.
If it is your first time throwing darts, you might be surprised to find how easy it is to miss the dartboard. While there is no right or wrong way to throwing darts, there are a few pointers you can follow to make sure you hit the board. You need to concentrate on the target you are trying to hit, and throw the darts from eye level in a effort to make the dart fly along the imaginary line from your eyes to the board. Don't flick the dart with your wrist when you throw.
Instead, when you release the dart, let your arm follow through in a smooth fluid motion. Darts fly through the air quite easily, and will easily stick into the board. You do not have to throw them with all your strength. Make sure both feet are touching the ground, and do not lean too far forward or you'll lose your balance.
Terrance Blakeley is a feature contributor to an number of consumer focused websites including Dartboard Reviews which offers information about dartboards, dartboard cabinets, dartboard packages and much more at http://dartboardreviews.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terrance_Blakeley
Dart Boards - Tips For Adding A Dart Board To Your Games Room
Dart boards are traditional accessories in games rooms, with the many games that can be played with darts providing fun for all your friends and family. All sorts of both bristle and electronic dart boards are available these days, and if you've got the space a dart board can make a great addition to your home. Here are some things to consider if you're thinking of hanging a dart board on your wall.
Think carefully about the best place to hang your dart board. Firstly, you'll need to select a position on a flat wall with enough clear space around it to play darts without any distractions. For instance, try to make sure there aren't any doorways in the way, as having people walk through your game isn't ideal. You'll also need to clear the area of any items that could be damaged by stray darts, such as photos or paintings, vases or ornaments.
Another important factor to consider is your floor. Concrete flooring isn't really compatible with darts, as its hard surface can cause damage to dart shafts. Wooden floors are OK, but are likely to be damaged by dart tips over time. Carpeting is another option, although it will be susceptible to wear and tear. A good solution is to buy an inexpensive dart mat to protect your flooring and clearly mark out the position of the throw line.
When mounting your dart board on the wall, it's important to make sure it's at the correct height of 5ft 8in from the centre of the bulls eye to the floor. To protect your wall from scratches and dents, fix your board on a backboard or hang it in a specially-designed dart board cabinet. If you don't have a dart mat, you'll also need to measure out the distance from the board to the throw line, which should be 7ft 9.25in. You'll need to mark the throw line so players know where it is.
Once these necessities have been taken care of, you can add conveniently positioned seating for players and spectators, and fix a scoreboard to the wall for recording the scores. Your room should then be ready for your first game of darts!
Caroline Smith is a darts enthusiast and a contributor to DartBoards180.com - an online darts and dart boards resource, including a selection of electronic dart boards, steel and soft tip darts and dart supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Smith
Think carefully about the best place to hang your dart board. Firstly, you'll need to select a position on a flat wall with enough clear space around it to play darts without any distractions. For instance, try to make sure there aren't any doorways in the way, as having people walk through your game isn't ideal. You'll also need to clear the area of any items that could be damaged by stray darts, such as photos or paintings, vases or ornaments.
Another important factor to consider is your floor. Concrete flooring isn't really compatible with darts, as its hard surface can cause damage to dart shafts. Wooden floors are OK, but are likely to be damaged by dart tips over time. Carpeting is another option, although it will be susceptible to wear and tear. A good solution is to buy an inexpensive dart mat to protect your flooring and clearly mark out the position of the throw line.
When mounting your dart board on the wall, it's important to make sure it's at the correct height of 5ft 8in from the centre of the bulls eye to the floor. To protect your wall from scratches and dents, fix your board on a backboard or hang it in a specially-designed dart board cabinet. If you don't have a dart mat, you'll also need to measure out the distance from the board to the throw line, which should be 7ft 9.25in. You'll need to mark the throw line so players know where it is.
Once these necessities have been taken care of, you can add conveniently positioned seating for players and spectators, and fix a scoreboard to the wall for recording the scores. Your room should then be ready for your first game of darts!
Caroline Smith is a darts enthusiast and a contributor to DartBoards180.com - an online darts and dart boards resource, including a selection of electronic dart boards, steel and soft tip darts and dart supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Smith
Saturday 6 March 2010
James Wade Darts - Read This Before Possibly Wasting Your Money
The above statement is a common problem with dart players and darts fans. So many players rush out to buy their favourite players signature darts. Most of these buyers seem to think that if they use the same darts as their favourite player, then they might just be able to play as good as them. This often makes me laugh. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with using a Pro players signature darts, my very best friend and world championship quarter finalist, Paul 'The Asset' Nicholson uses a set of the very darts we are talking about but he had the added luxury of borrowing a set before deciding to buy some. Now he gets them free from Unicorn Darts, but that's a different story.
Another thing to remember is that most players signature darts are just modified versions of the darts they were using before getting signed up by a manufacturing sponsor. James Wade was using Phil Taylor Darts previously but in most cases the darts are normally a certain set of Harrows darts or Red Dragon Darts that are not player branded.
As James Wade started to win majors, Unicorn moved him higher up their players pecking order. He is now branded a Unicorn Maestro which means his signature darts are available in 3 different categories. The three different versions are all the same length and shape. Apart from the weight, the only differences are the materials they are made from. They are tungsten, latinum tungsten and finally titanium tungsten.
Whats the difference your asking yourself and which set is best suited for me? Well obviously I don't have all the answers but I have personally tested all three sets over a certain period of time but your decision will depend on your preferred type of grip and most importantly, your budget.
So, before you spend your hard earned cash, it is probably wise to head on over to the entire James Wade Darts range for a full review on each set, including overall product rating.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristopher_Walker
Another thing to remember is that most players signature darts are just modified versions of the darts they were using before getting signed up by a manufacturing sponsor. James Wade was using Phil Taylor Darts previously but in most cases the darts are normally a certain set of Harrows darts or Red Dragon Darts that are not player branded.
As James Wade started to win majors, Unicorn moved him higher up their players pecking order. He is now branded a Unicorn Maestro which means his signature darts are available in 3 different categories. The three different versions are all the same length and shape. Apart from the weight, the only differences are the materials they are made from. They are tungsten, latinum tungsten and finally titanium tungsten.
Whats the difference your asking yourself and which set is best suited for me? Well obviously I don't have all the answers but I have personally tested all three sets over a certain period of time but your decision will depend on your preferred type of grip and most importantly, your budget.
So, before you spend your hard earned cash, it is probably wise to head on over to the entire James Wade Darts range for a full review on each set, including overall product rating.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristopher_Walker
History of the Lakeside World Darts Championship in England
World dart championship games are held in England every year and are commonly referred to as the Lakeside Tournament or the Embassy World Tournament. The Lakeside Tournament sponsors both men and women's tournaments each year. The 2008 World Professional champions are Anastasia Dobromyslova (age 23, from Russia) and Mark Webster (age 24, from North Wales).
The Lakeside World Darts Championship was first held in 1978 in England at the Heart of the Midlands nightclub in Nottingham, England. In 1979 the event was moved to Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke, England and there it remained until 1985. Finally, in 1985 the tournament permanently moved to the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey, England, which is considered the spiritual home of darts.
The Lakeside Tournament has been organized by the BDO (British Darts Organization, founded in 1973 with 69 affiliate countries) for the last 35 years. It used to be referred to as the Embassy World Championship when it was sponsored by Imperial Tobacco. These days it is known simply as the Lakeside Tournament.
In 1978 the first winner of the Lakeside Tournament was a Welshman by the name of Leighton Rees. He was followed in 1979 by an English dart player named John Lowe who went on to win the world champion title for 30 years. Two other Welshman have followed in Rees' footsteps - Ritchie Burnett in 1995 and most recently, Mark Webster in 2008.
Phil Taylor is also a successful world champion from England, winning his 13th title in 2006. Eric Bristow has won five world titles, and Raymond van Barneveld is the only other player to rival that record.
In 1983 an unseeded Keith Deller became the youngest ever world champion and caused one of the great dart upsets by beating the seemingly invincible Eric Bristow. It wasn't until 2006, when Jelle Klaasen shocked van Barneveld, that somebody so young would win it again.
When Leighton Rees won the first world championship dart player title in 1978 he won only U.S. $5,700. In 1988 Bob Anderson won U.S. $30,600 and in 1998 van Barneveld's winner's check was for U.S. $76,500. Thirty years later, Mark Webster won a whopping U.S. $162,500 by beating finalist Simon Whitlock, who earned himself a U.S. $57,400 payout.
In 1990 American player Paul Lim hit the tournament's only perfect 9-dart finish in the second round against Irishman Jack McKenna to win a bonus of U.S. $95,500 -- which was more than the eventual champion won that year.
Many league dart players pay homage to the world champion dart players by playing with the same darts that the champions used during tournament play, which are thought to be lucky and can be purchased at specialized dart stores.
Bjorn Nelisse is the owner of an online sports equipment store and an avid dart and soccer player.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bjorn_Nelisse
The Lakeside World Darts Championship was first held in 1978 in England at the Heart of the Midlands nightclub in Nottingham, England. In 1979 the event was moved to Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke, England and there it remained until 1985. Finally, in 1985 the tournament permanently moved to the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey, England, which is considered the spiritual home of darts.
The Lakeside Tournament has been organized by the BDO (British Darts Organization, founded in 1973 with 69 affiliate countries) for the last 35 years. It used to be referred to as the Embassy World Championship when it was sponsored by Imperial Tobacco. These days it is known simply as the Lakeside Tournament.
In 1978 the first winner of the Lakeside Tournament was a Welshman by the name of Leighton Rees. He was followed in 1979 by an English dart player named John Lowe who went on to win the world champion title for 30 years. Two other Welshman have followed in Rees' footsteps - Ritchie Burnett in 1995 and most recently, Mark Webster in 2008.
Phil Taylor is also a successful world champion from England, winning his 13th title in 2006. Eric Bristow has won five world titles, and Raymond van Barneveld is the only other player to rival that record.
In 1983 an unseeded Keith Deller became the youngest ever world champion and caused one of the great dart upsets by beating the seemingly invincible Eric Bristow. It wasn't until 2006, when Jelle Klaasen shocked van Barneveld, that somebody so young would win it again.
When Leighton Rees won the first world championship dart player title in 1978 he won only U.S. $5,700. In 1988 Bob Anderson won U.S. $30,600 and in 1998 van Barneveld's winner's check was for U.S. $76,500. Thirty years later, Mark Webster won a whopping U.S. $162,500 by beating finalist Simon Whitlock, who earned himself a U.S. $57,400 payout.
In 1990 American player Paul Lim hit the tournament's only perfect 9-dart finish in the second round against Irishman Jack McKenna to win a bonus of U.S. $95,500 -- which was more than the eventual champion won that year.
Many league dart players pay homage to the world champion dart players by playing with the same darts that the champions used during tournament play, which are thought to be lucky and can be purchased at specialized dart stores.
Bjorn Nelisse is the owner of an online sports equipment store and an avid dart and soccer player.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bjorn_Nelisse
Friday 5 March 2010
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. This flat-tipped dart will simply bounce right off the dartboard, whether it strikes the wires or the board fibers. 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 darts. 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. Spin the dart slowly in place just until that tip has dulled a bit. 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 protector of all that is natural.
If you would like to learn about
- Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them
- Tests for Sharpness, Sharpening Stones and more
- Sharpening Other Edges (i.e. Chain Saws, Lawn Mower Blades, Gardening Tools, Axes) Find it here at http://www.MakeKnivesSharp.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Len_Q.
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. This flat-tipped dart will simply bounce right off the dartboard, whether it strikes the wires or the board fibers. 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 darts. 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. Spin the dart slowly in place just until that tip has dulled a bit. 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 protector of all that is natural.
If you would like to learn about
- Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them
- Tests for Sharpness, Sharpening Stones and more
- Sharpening Other Edges (i.e. Chain Saws, Lawn Mower Blades, Gardening Tools, Axes) Find it here at http://www.MakeKnivesSharp.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Len_Q.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Darts Scorer - Keep the Game in Full Flow
Darts is a game, or sport as it is now classified as, is played by all types of people all around the world. It is a fun game to play because of the speed of the game and the social aspects. I have been to England several times where darts is extremely popular and can be played in clubs and pubs all over the country. I am Swedish and here in Sweden many of us play darts but it is usually played in the home during the winter months. Our winters can be rather severe and with lack of daylight hours we are a kind of hibernating race during the winter months. So we stay at home most of the time and have friends over to visit or go and visit friends in their home if we want to be sociable. A good way of socialising is to play darts.
Now the thing I find with darts is it's a great game to play except for the scoring aspect of it. For those of us who are not so mathematically quick it slows the game down. As well as slowing the game down, mistakes can be made with the scoring which results in disagreements or having to start the game all over again. This spoils the fun, so it's a good idea to have a darts scorer. There a good adequate electronic scoreboards that can be bought and set up next to the dartboard. Apart form turning them on, all you have to do is touch the place on the darts scorer where the dart has landed on the board. The scorer then calculates your score for you and gives you a running total. They are ideal to keep the flow of the game running and no thinking is required. On the downside though the darts scorer prevents any cheating, so if your are playing for small amounts of money or drinks there is no way you can dupe your opponent. Still friends don't even try to do that to each other do they!?
My name is Paul Garnett and I live and work in Sweden. I have a love for the outdoors and most outdoor activities. My home bound hobbies include making web sites. If you are on the search for a darts scorer then check out Darts Scorer. Something else that might interest you is the Invicta Lupah Watch.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Garnett
Now the thing I find with darts is it's a great game to play except for the scoring aspect of it. For those of us who are not so mathematically quick it slows the game down. As well as slowing the game down, mistakes can be made with the scoring which results in disagreements or having to start the game all over again. This spoils the fun, so it's a good idea to have a darts scorer. There a good adequate electronic scoreboards that can be bought and set up next to the dartboard. Apart form turning them on, all you have to do is touch the place on the darts scorer where the dart has landed on the board. The scorer then calculates your score for you and gives you a running total. They are ideal to keep the flow of the game running and no thinking is required. On the downside though the darts scorer prevents any cheating, so if your are playing for small amounts of money or drinks there is no way you can dupe your opponent. Still friends don't even try to do that to each other do they!?
My name is Paul Garnett and I live and work in Sweden. I have a love for the outdoors and most outdoor activities. My home bound hobbies include making web sites. If you are on the search for a darts scorer then check out Darts Scorer. Something else that might interest you is the Invicta Lupah Watch.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Garnett
Darts Measurements
If you practice regularly on a board which is too high or low, or the throwing line (known as the oche) is too near or to far, it will be self-defeating. The purpose of practising is to increase your accuracy and consistency. If you are practising on a board not set up properly, when you do come to play a match in a club you will be hitting to high or low in the 20 segment. You will become frustrated and all your hard work will have gone to waste. You have got to make sure your board is set up correctly.
The dartboard must be hung with the centre of the bullseye 1.73m (5ft 8in) above a point on the floor that MUST be level with the area on which the you stand while playing. In other words the floor needs to be level.
When marking out your throwing line, you MUST take your measurement from the face of the dartboard and not the wall or cabinet behind it. The face of the board should be 2.37m (7ft 9.25in), thats seven feet nine and a quarter inches from the back of the oche (throwing line). The oche itself should be 2ft (610mm) wide and ideally 1.5in 38mm high if using a raised oche. All darts tournaments adopt a raised oche as this makes throwing illegally from a nearer point impossible and will ensure you will always throw from the same distance. You are not restricted to always throwing directly behind the oche. There may be times when you need to stand wide because your view of a double or treble bed may be blocked. At these times you should always be careful to not throw from to near, try to imagine a line running parallel with the end of the oche and stay behind it.
You are now all set to play some darts. Enjoy!
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
The dartboard must be hung with the centre of the bullseye 1.73m (5ft 8in) above a point on the floor that MUST be level with the area on which the you stand while playing. In other words the floor needs to be level.
When marking out your throwing line, you MUST take your measurement from the face of the dartboard and not the wall or cabinet behind it. The face of the board should be 2.37m (7ft 9.25in), thats seven feet nine and a quarter inches from the back of the oche (throwing line). The oche itself should be 2ft (610mm) wide and ideally 1.5in 38mm high if using a raised oche. All darts tournaments adopt a raised oche as this makes throwing illegally from a nearer point impossible and will ensure you will always throw from the same distance. You are not restricted to always throwing directly behind the oche. There may be times when you need to stand wide because your view of a double or treble bed may be blocked. At these times you should always be careful to not throw from to near, try to imagine a line running parallel with the end of the oche and stay behind it.
You are now all set to play some darts. Enjoy!
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
Throwing Darts Made Simple
When throwing a dart, the main priority should be to strive to keep your elbow in pretty much the same position through your throw. Your elbow should act as a hinge if you like, and the throw should "happen" around the position of the elbow.
When you draw the dart back towards your face to get ready for the forward release, you should always keep your eyes focused on the board and try not to look at your dart. I see too many players trying to check the position and angle of the dart during the drawback but this just ruins concentration on what you are trying to achieve. A good example of what I'm trying to say is when you are hammering a nail into a piece of wood, you never take your eye of the intended target, in this case the back of the nail so don't make throwing darts any different.
The forward movement of the throw should be a single and very fluent or at least as fluent as possible action. For most players, the optimum release point will be when the hand has almost reached the end of the forward motion. If a player were to hold onto the dart to long then the elbow is pulled upwards and the body moves downwards towards the board resulting in a pulled or snatched throw. A pulled or snatched throw usually makes the dart miss low and left of its intended target (for a right handed player) Always try and keep your arm vertical to the target when aiming and keep your elbow tucked in.
Another good tip is to stand up close to the dartboard and make a mental note of your eye level. My eye level is just above the bullseye. When i first start to warm up i aim just above the bullseye as this is my eye level and its much easier to hit a target that is at your own eye level. I hope that helps.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristopher_Walker
When you draw the dart back towards your face to get ready for the forward release, you should always keep your eyes focused on the board and try not to look at your dart. I see too many players trying to check the position and angle of the dart during the drawback but this just ruins concentration on what you are trying to achieve. A good example of what I'm trying to say is when you are hammering a nail into a piece of wood, you never take your eye of the intended target, in this case the back of the nail so don't make throwing darts any different.
The forward movement of the throw should be a single and very fluent or at least as fluent as possible action. For most players, the optimum release point will be when the hand has almost reached the end of the forward motion. If a player were to hold onto the dart to long then the elbow is pulled upwards and the body moves downwards towards the board resulting in a pulled or snatched throw. A pulled or snatched throw usually makes the dart miss low and left of its intended target (for a right handed player) Always try and keep your arm vertical to the target when aiming and keep your elbow tucked in.
Another good tip is to stand up close to the dartboard and make a mental note of your eye level. My eye level is just above the bullseye. When i first start to warm up i aim just above the bullseye as this is my eye level and its much easier to hit a target that is at your own eye level. I hope that helps.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristopher_Walker
Saturday 27 February 2010
Phil Taylor Darts - Which Design Best Suits You
Phil Taylor Darts continue to be mass produced in China by the UK based darts manufacturing giant Unicorn Products. Over the years Unicorn have released different versions of Phil Taylor Darts. Darts fans and players rush like mad to get the new design, but should they?
The first Phil Taylor Darts that Unicorn released are still available today. They are very long and thin, with very good grip. Apart from the standard tungsten version of these darts, unicorn then released the golden version and then the latinum version. Both are supposed to give even better grip. How many people have bought all 3 designs hoping that his new darts might enable them to hit the magical 180's etc? But Unicorn did not stop there. Apart from the darts already mentioned, they have released another 5 available designs which are all very similar to the first Phil Taylor Darts but have slight different grip contours or are made from a different tungsten alloy etc.
Up until 2008 Phil Taylor always used one of the above mentioned designs. However in early 2008 he emerged using the new Unicorn Pro Sigma Darts. He was not particularly successful with this design, nor did he use them for very long. They were chunky meaning it was harder to hit the high scores, also they were quite expensive but that did not stop the masses from buying them. He then moved onto the design which he still currently uses. Again they are quite a chunky dart and much shorter than his original darts. Again they are expensive but still a top seller, made an even better seller after Phil Taylor won his 14th world title.
But which design, if any, from the Phil Taylor Darts range should you pick? The long or the short design? The fat or the skinny design? The normal tungsten or the fancy gold design. The cheapest or the most expensive? The oldest design or the darts Phil Taylor currently uses?
Before you spend, and possibly waste your hard earned money, visit the entire Phil Taylor Darts range for more detail on each available design and genuine product reviews which may help you decide on which set is, or is not for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristopher_Walker
The first Phil Taylor Darts that Unicorn released are still available today. They are very long and thin, with very good grip. Apart from the standard tungsten version of these darts, unicorn then released the golden version and then the latinum version. Both are supposed to give even better grip. How many people have bought all 3 designs hoping that his new darts might enable them to hit the magical 180's etc? But Unicorn did not stop there. Apart from the darts already mentioned, they have released another 5 available designs which are all very similar to the first Phil Taylor Darts but have slight different grip contours or are made from a different tungsten alloy etc.
Up until 2008 Phil Taylor always used one of the above mentioned designs. However in early 2008 he emerged using the new Unicorn Pro Sigma Darts. He was not particularly successful with this design, nor did he use them for very long. They were chunky meaning it was harder to hit the high scores, also they were quite expensive but that did not stop the masses from buying them. He then moved onto the design which he still currently uses. Again they are quite a chunky dart and much shorter than his original darts. Again they are expensive but still a top seller, made an even better seller after Phil Taylor won his 14th world title.
But which design, if any, from the Phil Taylor Darts range should you pick? The long or the short design? The fat or the skinny design? The normal tungsten or the fancy gold design. The cheapest or the most expensive? The oldest design or the darts Phil Taylor currently uses?
Before you spend, and possibly waste your hard earned money, visit the entire Phil Taylor Darts range for more detail on each available design and genuine product reviews which may help you decide on which set is, or is not for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristopher_Walker
Wednesday 24 February 2010
The Future of Darts
Mark Webster is the current BDO champion and is undoubtedly a superb player. Then there is Gary Anderson who played so well at the Grand Slam Of Darts (taking Taylor to the limit in the semi-final). These two great players should be gracing the Premier League but while we continue to have two tours, governing bodies and world championships, darts can never reach it's full potential
Following an acrimonious split in 1992 we now have the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). They both run separate tours and world championships with players having the option of which tour to play on. This means there can never be a definitive world champion. I would like to think there is a way we can unify the sport for the good of all concerned while it is booming as there is now enough money around to keep everyone happy.
The PDC under the leadership of Barry Hearn has developed an exiting professional tour which runs all year round and provides generous prize money which is increasing year on year. The tour is also global with events being developed in such countries as Australia, South Africa, Germany, Holland and the United States among others. The PDC has taken professional darts to a new level and the game is getting stronger and stronger. The annual exodus of players from the BDO ranks each January is testimony to the strength of the PDC tour. In contrast the BDO which was formed in 1973 (ran by Olly Croft) can not offer a professional darter the same opportunity to make a full time living plying his trade. With the exception of the Lakeside World Championships where prize money continues to rise, the tour is stagnating. Without the BBC contract, I doubt whether the BDO could survive in the professional game.
Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking the BDO. This years final between Webster and Whitlock produced a wonderful final and the BDO continues to churn out great players. The fact players such as Barneveld and Part left the BDO and then won the PDC world championship within a few years is testament to the the quality of the BDO. This is in part to the excellent work they put in at the grass roots level and the county circuit which provides the opportunity for emerging players to hone their skills and gain valuable experience. It is time both organisations recognized their strengths and started to work in tandem for the good of darts. In theory it would not be that simple to integrate the two bodies but I believe there is a way it could work for the good of the game.
The BDO would have to step a side and allow the PDC to run the professional tour. The PDC tour is expanding rapidly so this would make sense. The BDO would need to be paid compensation and their players given the equivalent PDC ranking points their current positions merit. One stumbling block may be the current BBC contract and Lakeside venue which would lose out. The BBC could be offered a brand new event which could be played at the Lakeside. The Lakeside could also be used as a venue for the Premier League. Now that ITV has committed to screening the PDC run Grand Slam of Darts for a further three years, I think it will only be a matter of time before the BBC begins to look at PDC events, and this could eventually lead to them calling time on the BDO contract.
With the PDC running the professional game, this would free the BDO to concentrate on the county and junior game. This will in turn lead to a stronger professional game. The BDO could also devote more time on the woman's circuit, maybe expanding the world championship.
With this arrangement the PDC could pass down an agreed share of the profits they make to the BDO to help them continue to develop the game. I believe the advent of unification would lead to more interest, sponsorship and revenue for players and the governing bodies with the public being the real winners.
If you look at all the great games Barney and Taylor have played in the last two years including that incredible 2007 final. Just think how many great games we were denied in the previous years with the two greatest darters playing in different tours.
However I feel that with the current state of the relationship between the BDO and PDC, we are a million miles from unification. If only they could find a way to work together, what a sport we would have.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
Following an acrimonious split in 1992 we now have the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). They both run separate tours and world championships with players having the option of which tour to play on. This means there can never be a definitive world champion. I would like to think there is a way we can unify the sport for the good of all concerned while it is booming as there is now enough money around to keep everyone happy.
The PDC under the leadership of Barry Hearn has developed an exiting professional tour which runs all year round and provides generous prize money which is increasing year on year. The tour is also global with events being developed in such countries as Australia, South Africa, Germany, Holland and the United States among others. The PDC has taken professional darts to a new level and the game is getting stronger and stronger. The annual exodus of players from the BDO ranks each January is testimony to the strength of the PDC tour. In contrast the BDO which was formed in 1973 (ran by Olly Croft) can not offer a professional darter the same opportunity to make a full time living plying his trade. With the exception of the Lakeside World Championships where prize money continues to rise, the tour is stagnating. Without the BBC contract, I doubt whether the BDO could survive in the professional game.
Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking the BDO. This years final between Webster and Whitlock produced a wonderful final and the BDO continues to churn out great players. The fact players such as Barneveld and Part left the BDO and then won the PDC world championship within a few years is testament to the the quality of the BDO. This is in part to the excellent work they put in at the grass roots level and the county circuit which provides the opportunity for emerging players to hone their skills and gain valuable experience. It is time both organisations recognized their strengths and started to work in tandem for the good of darts. In theory it would not be that simple to integrate the two bodies but I believe there is a way it could work for the good of the game.
The BDO would have to step a side and allow the PDC to run the professional tour. The PDC tour is expanding rapidly so this would make sense. The BDO would need to be paid compensation and their players given the equivalent PDC ranking points their current positions merit. One stumbling block may be the current BBC contract and Lakeside venue which would lose out. The BBC could be offered a brand new event which could be played at the Lakeside. The Lakeside could also be used as a venue for the Premier League. Now that ITV has committed to screening the PDC run Grand Slam of Darts for a further three years, I think it will only be a matter of time before the BBC begins to look at PDC events, and this could eventually lead to them calling time on the BDO contract.
With the PDC running the professional game, this would free the BDO to concentrate on the county and junior game. This will in turn lead to a stronger professional game. The BDO could also devote more time on the woman's circuit, maybe expanding the world championship.
With this arrangement the PDC could pass down an agreed share of the profits they make to the BDO to help them continue to develop the game. I believe the advent of unification would lead to more interest, sponsorship and revenue for players and the governing bodies with the public being the real winners.
If you look at all the great games Barney and Taylor have played in the last two years including that incredible 2007 final. Just think how many great games we were denied in the previous years with the two greatest darters playing in different tours.
However I feel that with the current state of the relationship between the BDO and PDC, we are a million miles from unification. If only they could find a way to work together, what a sport we would have.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
Darts Coaching
An expanding PDC tour, bigger venues and increased viewing figures all point to a sport enjoying a golden age. Then when you look further you discover an abundance of local leagues and a county circuit. Darts surely has to be one of the most played games in the world, but where is the coaching?
When sportsmen are interviewed they regularly talk about their relationships with their coaches. Sports such as snooker, tennis, golf and football all have high profile coaches. In all sports coaching is seen as the most recognised way to improve your game and is normally widely available. But anyone that plays darts is expected to improve through trial and error as they bang away hour after hour. I am not saying there has never been any coaching, but it is not something actively promoted within the game. Unlike most other professional sports bodies, the Professional Darts Organisation makes no mention of coaching on it's official site.
We are talking about a game played by millions, where the slightest movement at a pivotal time can be the difference between winning and losing. At the top level the difference in ability between the players is marginal and success and failure can be divided by the thickness of a wire. Mental training is also crucial if you want to hold yourself together when hitting a double under pressure.
As darts continues to expand I expect a greater demand for coaching with more players having a desire to improve. As darts is embraced as a thriving and true sport, darts coaching and darts coaches will become commonplace.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
When sportsmen are interviewed they regularly talk about their relationships with their coaches. Sports such as snooker, tennis, golf and football all have high profile coaches. In all sports coaching is seen as the most recognised way to improve your game and is normally widely available. But anyone that plays darts is expected to improve through trial and error as they bang away hour after hour. I am not saying there has never been any coaching, but it is not something actively promoted within the game. Unlike most other professional sports bodies, the Professional Darts Organisation makes no mention of coaching on it's official site.
We are talking about a game played by millions, where the slightest movement at a pivotal time can be the difference between winning and losing. At the top level the difference in ability between the players is marginal and success and failure can be divided by the thickness of a wire. Mental training is also crucial if you want to hold yourself together when hitting a double under pressure.
As darts continues to expand I expect a greater demand for coaching with more players having a desire to improve. As darts is embraced as a thriving and true sport, darts coaching and darts coaches will become commonplace.
Chris Waddington is the publisher of the Dart Masters Coaching Course Ebook. This course is not just about how to play darts, it contains serious methods of learning designed to improve your game beyond your optimum level in around six weeks. For more details on the course and the opportunity to receive free snippets from the course visit playgreatdarts.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Waddington
Dart Supplies
When it comes to dart supplies, there is plenty to choose from. Apart from the obvious items like spare flights and shafts there are lots of other things you can have as well. One of the must haves is a darts case to put all those spare items in. Get a hard case preferably, as it keeps the shape of your flights whilst stored away so you don't have to spend time forming the shape of the flight. Some of the soft cases have a hard insert to achieve the same effect.
One of the cool things to have if you are a steel tip darter is the battery operated tip sharpener., which grinds your tip for you at just the right angle in just seconds. Sure beats the traditional method of rubbing the tip on grinding paper.
The add a gram is an interesting idea. It consists of 6 brass screw in units that are screwed into the shaft hole of the dart barrel so increasing the weight of the dart by a gram, hence the name. (The shaft then screws into the brass weight) Then try the extra weight to see if your game gets any better. The add a grams are often part of a dart tuning kit that not only includes the add a grams but extra flights of varying shapes and shafts. You can then try out various combinations of weight, flights and shafts to improve your accuracy. Worth a try I suppose.
If you are a soft tip darter you are going to need replacement tips for when those tips get bent or broken. Halex have come out with notched soft tips to help stop the darts falling out of the board, never tried them myself, but they might be worth a go or just settle for the standard straight soft tip replacements.
One item every darter must have is the dart tool. The tool is handy for soft and steel tip darters. It not only helps you replace soft tips, but you can use it to straighten metal shafts and prize apart the metal tangs that hold your flight to make the flights fit better.
You must also have a set of flight protectors as not only do they protect the flight from being hit by a dart, they maintain the right shape of the flight when installed. These are a must have item for all darters.
Another way to protect your flights is to use the "spinner" shafts. These shafts rotate out of the way if the flight is hit by another dart whilst it is in the board, protecting the flight and minimising the deflection of the incoming dart.
Soft tip darts can have screw in steel tips to change them into steel tipped darts so you can use them on bristle boards. You can even have a screw in hammerhead type steel tip if the screw thread on you barrel is deep enough. These retractable steel tips can retract slightly into the barrel so that if your tip hits a wire on the board the tip can retract slightly absorbing the impact whilst allowing the forward momentum of the dart to force the dart into the board. They greatly reduce the number of bounce outs you get with a standard tip.
We have covered only a small selection of the dart supplies available, there are lots more,. so if you are stuck for a gift for your darting friend there is plenty to choose from.
Written by a keen darter Steve Porter, click the link for more info on Dart Supplies
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
One of the cool things to have if you are a steel tip darter is the battery operated tip sharpener., which grinds your tip for you at just the right angle in just seconds. Sure beats the traditional method of rubbing the tip on grinding paper.
The add a gram is an interesting idea. It consists of 6 brass screw in units that are screwed into the shaft hole of the dart barrel so increasing the weight of the dart by a gram, hence the name. (The shaft then screws into the brass weight) Then try the extra weight to see if your game gets any better. The add a grams are often part of a dart tuning kit that not only includes the add a grams but extra flights of varying shapes and shafts. You can then try out various combinations of weight, flights and shafts to improve your accuracy. Worth a try I suppose.
If you are a soft tip darter you are going to need replacement tips for when those tips get bent or broken. Halex have come out with notched soft tips to help stop the darts falling out of the board, never tried them myself, but they might be worth a go or just settle for the standard straight soft tip replacements.
One item every darter must have is the dart tool. The tool is handy for soft and steel tip darters. It not only helps you replace soft tips, but you can use it to straighten metal shafts and prize apart the metal tangs that hold your flight to make the flights fit better.
You must also have a set of flight protectors as not only do they protect the flight from being hit by a dart, they maintain the right shape of the flight when installed. These are a must have item for all darters.
Another way to protect your flights is to use the "spinner" shafts. These shafts rotate out of the way if the flight is hit by another dart whilst it is in the board, protecting the flight and minimising the deflection of the incoming dart.
Soft tip darts can have screw in steel tips to change them into steel tipped darts so you can use them on bristle boards. You can even have a screw in hammerhead type steel tip if the screw thread on you barrel is deep enough. These retractable steel tips can retract slightly into the barrel so that if your tip hits a wire on the board the tip can retract slightly absorbing the impact whilst allowing the forward momentum of the dart to force the dart into the board. They greatly reduce the number of bounce outs you get with a standard tip.
We have covered only a small selection of the dart supplies available, there are lots more,. so if you are stuck for a gift for your darting friend there is plenty to choose from.
Written by a keen darter Steve Porter, click the link for more info on Dart Supplies
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
Improve Your Darts - A Guide To Darts Practice
If there is one thing for sure it's that everyone who plays darts, without exception, would like to play better! It is also true that if you ask any darts player how to get better the answer will be practice, practice and then practice some more.
Now at this point the topic gets a little tricky because, although we all agree that practice is essential, there are as many approaches to practice as there are dart players.
But, over the years I have chatted with many players about this, and some common themes arise; consistency, variety, focus and fun are the key elements of successful practice.
Consistency
The exact methods of practice you choose are less important than the fact that you do practice regularly. As with many sports, a short practice session every day is much better than a marathon session once a week.
Variety
Nothing is guaranteed to turn you off practicing than doing exactly the same thing day after day. You must introduce some variety to your practice if it is not to become stale.
The easiest way to achieve this is to have a large repertoire of practice techniques to draw on.
Focus
When you do practice you need to concentrate on what you are trying to achieve; casually lobbing darts at the board whilst watching TV will not improve your dart playing as effectively as a session with clear objectives and no distraction.
Fun
If you are not enjoying your practice you are unlikely to keep it up. Practice does not have to be boring, try to introduce some challenging exercises to keep you on your toes.
Ok - so how do you actually go about practicing? There are, as I mentioned earlier, many forms of practice but it is important that each practice session contains the three elements of match preparation; warm-up, accuracy training and game training.
I'll cover them each in turn and give a few examples of each.
Warm-Up
At the start of any practice session you really need to loosen up and establish your line - often called 'getting your eye in'. What you are trying to do here is to re-establish the natural rhythm that any long term dart player will be familiar with.
By the time you have warmed up you will not need to think about your grip on the darts or the pace at which you throw. you will also be able to confidently and reasonably accurately throw at any region of the board.
Your warm up should take no more than 10 - 15 minutes. An approach that I have found useful is to throw 30 darts (10 throws) at the 20 region; followed by 30 darts at random doubles and bullseyes, then go round the board in singles throwing one dart at each number. You are not really concerned too much with your accuracy here you are simply re-gaining your 'eye' and your rhythm.
Another approach is to throw 12 darts at 20, then the same at 19's, 18's and so on down to 15's
Accuracy Training
During this phase of training your objective is to increase your focus and concentration to enable you to consistently hit the targets you are aiming for.
There are many methods of achieving this and you should be looking for improvement over time:
a) Go round the board in doubles ensuring that you treat each throw as if it was an out shot in a match. Introduce variety into this by throwing 1 dart at each double and recording the number you hit, throwing at each double until you hit it and recording how many darts it takes you to complete the circuit. as you get better you may wish to throw until you hit 3 of each - again record the number of darts it takes.
b) Do the same thing but with trebles
c) If you are really good you might want to try hitting a combination of singles, doubles and trebles.
d) Another variation is to have a friend call out singles, doubles or trebles and hit them on demand recording your hit rate.
Game Practice
Here you are trying to improve the skills you need to win a game. It is not enough to simply throw high scores (although it certainly helps!); you must always know what you have left, what you need to hit to leave a finish and how to close out a game. The key skills here are mental arithmetic and accurate finishing.
a)Start from 51 and attempt to finish on a double within 3 darts. Once you hit it move on to 52, 53 and so on - do this for a fixed time - how long depends on the total amount of time you are spending on practicing. When you get better start off on a higher number.
b)Play as many games of 101 straight in and double out as you can in a fixed time. If you are really good you might want to make this 201.
Other factors
As anyone who has played competitive darts (whatever the level) can tell you; it is one thing to throw well in practice and an entirely different matter when you are playing in a match.
Your hands may shake and all of a sudden the trebles and doubles seem to shrink to a third of their normal size.
One way of addressing this is to ensure that your practice is not too relaxed. During your accuracy training and game practice it is a great idea to add some pressure by competing against an imaginary opponent. The easiest way of doing this (without risking a visit from the men in white coats) is to set targets;
for example if you are throwing around the clock in doubles assume that you are playing someone just a little better than you are and, if you know you can go around the board in 60 darts
set a target of 58 - if you take more than this your imaginary opponent has won.
Gerald Peters
http://www.thedartsshop.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Peters
Now at this point the topic gets a little tricky because, although we all agree that practice is essential, there are as many approaches to practice as there are dart players.
But, over the years I have chatted with many players about this, and some common themes arise; consistency, variety, focus and fun are the key elements of successful practice.
Consistency
The exact methods of practice you choose are less important than the fact that you do practice regularly. As with many sports, a short practice session every day is much better than a marathon session once a week.
Variety
Nothing is guaranteed to turn you off practicing than doing exactly the same thing day after day. You must introduce some variety to your practice if it is not to become stale.
The easiest way to achieve this is to have a large repertoire of practice techniques to draw on.
Focus
When you do practice you need to concentrate on what you are trying to achieve; casually lobbing darts at the board whilst watching TV will not improve your dart playing as effectively as a session with clear objectives and no distraction.
Fun
If you are not enjoying your practice you are unlikely to keep it up. Practice does not have to be boring, try to introduce some challenging exercises to keep you on your toes.
Ok - so how do you actually go about practicing? There are, as I mentioned earlier, many forms of practice but it is important that each practice session contains the three elements of match preparation; warm-up, accuracy training and game training.
I'll cover them each in turn and give a few examples of each.
Warm-Up
At the start of any practice session you really need to loosen up and establish your line - often called 'getting your eye in'. What you are trying to do here is to re-establish the natural rhythm that any long term dart player will be familiar with.
By the time you have warmed up you will not need to think about your grip on the darts or the pace at which you throw. you will also be able to confidently and reasonably accurately throw at any region of the board.
Your warm up should take no more than 10 - 15 minutes. An approach that I have found useful is to throw 30 darts (10 throws) at the 20 region; followed by 30 darts at random doubles and bullseyes, then go round the board in singles throwing one dart at each number. You are not really concerned too much with your accuracy here you are simply re-gaining your 'eye' and your rhythm.
Another approach is to throw 12 darts at 20, then the same at 19's, 18's and so on down to 15's
Accuracy Training
During this phase of training your objective is to increase your focus and concentration to enable you to consistently hit the targets you are aiming for.
There are many methods of achieving this and you should be looking for improvement over time:
a) Go round the board in doubles ensuring that you treat each throw as if it was an out shot in a match. Introduce variety into this by throwing 1 dart at each double and recording the number you hit, throwing at each double until you hit it and recording how many darts it takes you to complete the circuit. as you get better you may wish to throw until you hit 3 of each - again record the number of darts it takes.
b) Do the same thing but with trebles
c) If you are really good you might want to try hitting a combination of singles, doubles and trebles.
d) Another variation is to have a friend call out singles, doubles or trebles and hit them on demand recording your hit rate.
Game Practice
Here you are trying to improve the skills you need to win a game. It is not enough to simply throw high scores (although it certainly helps!); you must always know what you have left, what you need to hit to leave a finish and how to close out a game. The key skills here are mental arithmetic and accurate finishing.
a)Start from 51 and attempt to finish on a double within 3 darts. Once you hit it move on to 52, 53 and so on - do this for a fixed time - how long depends on the total amount of time you are spending on practicing. When you get better start off on a higher number.
b)Play as many games of 101 straight in and double out as you can in a fixed time. If you are really good you might want to make this 201.
Other factors
As anyone who has played competitive darts (whatever the level) can tell you; it is one thing to throw well in practice and an entirely different matter when you are playing in a match.
Your hands may shake and all of a sudden the trebles and doubles seem to shrink to a third of their normal size.
One way of addressing this is to ensure that your practice is not too relaxed. During your accuracy training and game practice it is a great idea to add some pressure by competing against an imaginary opponent. The easiest way of doing this (without risking a visit from the men in white coats) is to set targets;
for example if you are throwing around the clock in doubles assume that you are playing someone just a little better than you are and, if you know you can go around the board in 60 darts
set a target of 58 - if you take more than this your imaginary opponent has won.
Gerald Peters
http://www.thedartsshop.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Peters
Online Darts Games
There are many sites that offer free dart games that can be played online. In addition to this, a click of the button allows dart game enthusiasts to download the game into the computer, and to have the pleasure of enjoying their favorite game at their leisure. The advantage of online dart games is that they let the player experience the joy of the game without having to go outdoors or to the local recreation center. Also, there is the added excitement of the whole game being a virtual one.
The virtual game rules are the same as those of a standard game of darts. There are numerous dart games that can be downloaded from various sites. Smile Games - Darts is a very realistic dart game that does not take long to load; in this game, there is no computer to play against, so it goes without saying that there should be somebody else to play with. Other interesting online dart games are "Darts 4 Cash" and "Let's Play Darts." The Net also offers free multiplayer online dart games such as "Click Darts," where it is possible to play games like 301, 501, and Cricket. Playing in groups is also allowed, with "Cutthroat Cricket" and "Freeze." The game "Click Darts" allows the player to just point and click the mouse; where the dart lands is determined automatically by the website. FreeWorldGroup.com, mostdartgames.com and crowsdarts.com are some of the popular websites that offer online dart games.
Tournaments are also held to enable darters all over the world to compete and win. At present, there are two tournaments starting every weekend. Since all the people that want to take part are not all online at the same time, tournaments can take a couple of weeks to complete. It is possible to monitor the progress of the existing tournaments and to look for any upcoming ones on these web sites. The World Professional Darts Championship, a tournament of great prestige, is held in the month of January, at the Lakeside Leisure Complex, UK.
Darts provides detailed information on Darts, Lawn Darts, Darts Rules, Online Darts Games and more. Darts is affiliated with Chess Sets [http://www.Chess-Web.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge
The virtual game rules are the same as those of a standard game of darts. There are numerous dart games that can be downloaded from various sites. Smile Games - Darts is a very realistic dart game that does not take long to load; in this game, there is no computer to play against, so it goes without saying that there should be somebody else to play with. Other interesting online dart games are "Darts 4 Cash" and "Let's Play Darts." The Net also offers free multiplayer online dart games such as "Click Darts," where it is possible to play games like 301, 501, and Cricket. Playing in groups is also allowed, with "Cutthroat Cricket" and "Freeze." The game "Click Darts" allows the player to just point and click the mouse; where the dart lands is determined automatically by the website. FreeWorldGroup.com, mostdartgames.com and crowsdarts.com are some of the popular websites that offer online dart games.
Tournaments are also held to enable darters all over the world to compete and win. At present, there are two tournaments starting every weekend. Since all the people that want to take part are not all online at the same time, tournaments can take a couple of weeks to complete. It is possible to monitor the progress of the existing tournaments and to look for any upcoming ones on these web sites. The World Professional Darts Championship, a tournament of great prestige, is held in the month of January, at the Lakeside Leisure Complex, UK.
Darts provides detailed information on Darts, Lawn Darts, Darts Rules, Online Darts Games and more. Darts is affiliated with Chess Sets [http://www.Chess-Web.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge
Online Darts Games
There are many sites that offer free dart games that can be played online. In addition to this, a click of the button allows dart game enthusiasts to download the game into the computer, and to have the pleasure of enjoying their favorite game at their leisure. The advantage of online dart games is that they let the player experience the joy of the game without having to go outdoors or to the local recreation center. Also, there is the added excitement of the whole game being a virtual one.
The virtual game rules are the same as those of a standard game of darts. There are numerous dart games that can be downloaded from various sites. Smile Games - Darts is a very realistic dart game that does not take long to load; in this game, there is no computer to play against, so it goes without saying that there should be somebody else to play with. Other interesting online dart games are "Darts 4 Cash" and "Let's Play Darts." The Net also offers free multiplayer online dart games such as "Click Darts," where it is possible to play games like 301, 501, and Cricket. Playing in groups is also allowed, with "Cutthroat Cricket" and "Freeze." The game "Click Darts" allows the player to just point and click the mouse; where the dart lands is determined automatically by the website. FreeWorldGroup.com, mostdartgames.com and crowsdarts.com are some of the popular websites that offer online dart games.
Tournaments are also held to enable darters all over the world to compete and win. At present, there are two tournaments starting every weekend. Since all the people that want to take part are not all online at the same time, tournaments can take a couple of weeks to complete. It is possible to monitor the progress of the existing tournaments and to look for any upcoming ones on these web sites. The World Professional Darts Championship, a tournament of great prestige, is held in the month of January, at the Lakeside Leisure Complex, UK.
Darts provides detailed information on Darts, Lawn Darts, Darts Rules, Online Darts Games and more. Darts is affiliated with Chess Sets [http://www.Chess-Web.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge
The virtual game rules are the same as those of a standard game of darts. There are numerous dart games that can be downloaded from various sites. Smile Games - Darts is a very realistic dart game that does not take long to load; in this game, there is no computer to play against, so it goes without saying that there should be somebody else to play with. Other interesting online dart games are "Darts 4 Cash" and "Let's Play Darts." The Net also offers free multiplayer online dart games such as "Click Darts," where it is possible to play games like 301, 501, and Cricket. Playing in groups is also allowed, with "Cutthroat Cricket" and "Freeze." The game "Click Darts" allows the player to just point and click the mouse; where the dart lands is determined automatically by the website. FreeWorldGroup.com, mostdartgames.com and crowsdarts.com are some of the popular websites that offer online dart games.
Tournaments are also held to enable darters all over the world to compete and win. At present, there are two tournaments starting every weekend. Since all the people that want to take part are not all online at the same time, tournaments can take a couple of weeks to complete. It is possible to monitor the progress of the existing tournaments and to look for any upcoming ones on these web sites. The World Professional Darts Championship, a tournament of great prestige, is held in the month of January, at the Lakeside Leisure Complex, UK.
Darts provides detailed information on Darts, Lawn Darts, Darts Rules, Online Darts Games and more. Darts is affiliated with Chess Sets [http://www.Chess-Web.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge
Tuesday 23 February 2010
The Soft Tip Darts Game
The electronic dart board is definitely a hit, especially for home users as they are safer than the old style darts thanks to the soft tip darts used in the game. The soft tips are made from plastic so as not to damage the dartboard, and consequently won't damage your walls so much either. Also the maximum weight allowed is set at 20grams, which is one of the reasons the old style darters are against the new electronic game, as they prefer the heavier steel tip darts that can be used on the bristle boards. However being made of plastic has its disadvantages too, as the tips can bend or break when in use so you will need plenty of spares for them as well. Fortunately they are very cheap and easily replaced as they screw into the barrel so can be unscrewed and replaced in seconds using a dart tool.
All the major manufacturers now produce soft tip darts, with the famous black widow darts set from Laserdarts and the devastators from Bottelsen, just to name a couple and there are a lot of convertible darts sets around which give you a set of screw in steel tips as well as soft tips, like the skinnys from Bottelsen, so you can use the same darts for both the soft tip and the steel tip games, which is neat. The skinnys also have the famous hammerhead action steel tip inserts that reduce those infamous bounce outs on the wires of the bristle boards. Also the shafts and flights for the soft tip darts are just the same as for steel tip darts.
The black widow soft tips have the spider grip aluminium shafts which are supposed to grip the flights better; 4 wires made of steel are embedded into the aluminum and covered in rubber so that the wires grip hold of the flights tightly and you can choose from 16, 18 and 20 gram weights; so if you are in to arachnids, these are for you. They even have a set with a gold colored finish that look really cool called Gold Widow darts, (guess what color the black widow darts are?). Bottelsen have got some great soft tip darts as well, their devastators are very popular as well as the Nemesis set, which have the Bottelsen spinning shafts.
The Piranha is one of the most popular darts in the soft tip world and comes in any weight you want from 12 up to 20 grams and has the new feature from Piranha, the Razor Grip which is an aggressive grip that helps stop any slippage when you throw. They also come with "Top Spin" spinning shafts that can rotate so if hit by a dart whilst in the board it spins the flight out of the way so reducing the deflection of the dart coming in.
The darts that come with the dart board sets are err..... how can I put it, not very good, so even the cheaper Soft tip Darts at $20-$30 or so would be a great improvement on those, so if you get one of the all in dartboard sets it is definitely worth investing in a decent set of darts as well.
Written by a keen darter Steve Porter. Find out more by clicking the link for soft tip darts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
All the major manufacturers now produce soft tip darts, with the famous black widow darts set from Laserdarts and the devastators from Bottelsen, just to name a couple and there are a lot of convertible darts sets around which give you a set of screw in steel tips as well as soft tips, like the skinnys from Bottelsen, so you can use the same darts for both the soft tip and the steel tip games, which is neat. The skinnys also have the famous hammerhead action steel tip inserts that reduce those infamous bounce outs on the wires of the bristle boards. Also the shafts and flights for the soft tip darts are just the same as for steel tip darts.
The black widow soft tips have the spider grip aluminium shafts which are supposed to grip the flights better; 4 wires made of steel are embedded into the aluminum and covered in rubber so that the wires grip hold of the flights tightly and you can choose from 16, 18 and 20 gram weights; so if you are in to arachnids, these are for you. They even have a set with a gold colored finish that look really cool called Gold Widow darts, (guess what color the black widow darts are?). Bottelsen have got some great soft tip darts as well, their devastators are very popular as well as the Nemesis set, which have the Bottelsen spinning shafts.
The Piranha is one of the most popular darts in the soft tip world and comes in any weight you want from 12 up to 20 grams and has the new feature from Piranha, the Razor Grip which is an aggressive grip that helps stop any slippage when you throw. They also come with "Top Spin" spinning shafts that can rotate so if hit by a dart whilst in the board it spins the flight out of the way so reducing the deflection of the dart coming in.
The darts that come with the dart board sets are err..... how can I put it, not very good, so even the cheaper Soft tip Darts at $20-$30 or so would be a great improvement on those, so if you get one of the all in dartboard sets it is definitely worth investing in a decent set of darts as well.
Written by a keen darter Steve Porter. Find out more by clicking the link for soft tip darts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Porter
Which Dart Board? Bristle vs Electronic Dart Boards
A dart board is a great accessory for any games room or home bar, but how do you decide between the myriad bristle and electronic dart boards on sale? Do you go for a traditional bristle dart board, or opt for a modern electronic board? This article outlines the qualities of different types of dart boards, to help you make that decision. Whatever you decide, your new dart board is sure to provide your friends and family with hours of entertainment over many years. Being able to play darts in your own home is a huge amount of fun!
Quality bristle dart boards are made from African sisal fibers, which have the unique ability to self-heal, or close up, each time darts are removed from the surface, so there won't be any visible holes from dart tips. A well made board will be regulation size of 18 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches thick. Good features to look for include rotating wire numbers, which help prolong the life of a board, and staple free bulls eye wire to help eliminate bounce-outs. To play on a bristle dartboard you'll need to use steel tip darts. Dartboards can be mounted onto a backboard or displayed in a specially designed cabinet to protect the surrounding walls from being hit by mis-thrown darts.
Electronic dart boards are increasingly popular, using the latest technology to enable automatic scoring, score displays for multiple players, sound effects and a huge choice of different games. Most have playing surfaces that require players to use soft tip darts, which have the advantage of being softer and safer for younger members of the family. Some modern versions have a specially adapted surface that is suitable for both types of darts, depending on your personal preferences and throwing techniques. Most electronic boards enable a single player to play against the computer, which is great for practicing your skills.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, and other factors such as the look of your dart board and how it will match your décor, need to be considered too. But whether you opt for a traditional bristle board for that authentic appearance, or go for the useful additional features of an electronic board, you're sure to have hours of fun playing darts!
Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to DartBoards180.com - an online resource all about the game of darts and dart boards, including electronic dart boards and other dart supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Smith
Quality bristle dart boards are made from African sisal fibers, which have the unique ability to self-heal, or close up, each time darts are removed from the surface, so there won't be any visible holes from dart tips. A well made board will be regulation size of 18 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches thick. Good features to look for include rotating wire numbers, which help prolong the life of a board, and staple free bulls eye wire to help eliminate bounce-outs. To play on a bristle dartboard you'll need to use steel tip darts. Dartboards can be mounted onto a backboard or displayed in a specially designed cabinet to protect the surrounding walls from being hit by mis-thrown darts.
Electronic dart boards are increasingly popular, using the latest technology to enable automatic scoring, score displays for multiple players, sound effects and a huge choice of different games. Most have playing surfaces that require players to use soft tip darts, which have the advantage of being softer and safer for younger members of the family. Some modern versions have a specially adapted surface that is suitable for both types of darts, depending on your personal preferences and throwing techniques. Most electronic boards enable a single player to play against the computer, which is great for practicing your skills.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, and other factors such as the look of your dart board and how it will match your décor, need to be considered too. But whether you opt for a traditional bristle board for that authentic appearance, or go for the useful additional features of an electronic board, you're sure to have hours of fun playing darts!
Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to DartBoards180.com - an online resource all about the game of darts and dart boards, including electronic dart boards and other dart supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Smith
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
