Darts words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 30 words · Step 2 of 2

Equipment and setup

Dartboard dimensions

The Bull is 12.7 mm inside diameter and the 25 ring 31.8 mm. The outside edge of the Double wire is 170.0 mm from the centre and the Treble wire 107.4 mm, so the Doubles measure 340.0 mm across between the outer wires and the whole board 451.0 mm. The wires are at most 1.85 mm and at least 1.27 mm thick, and the board is of sisal bristle.

Board height

The vertical height from the floor at the oche to a horizontal line through the centre of the Bull is 1.73 m.

Lighting (darts)

A floor board must be lit by a light fitting of at least 1600 lumens (100 watts), and stage final boards by at least two. All fittings have screens that keep light away from the player's eyes at the oche.

Rules of throwing

Bounce-out

A dart that bounces off or falls out of the board is not thrown again and does not score. Touching a dart in the board during a throw completes that throw. Players and scorekeepers may not push or hold darts in the board to stop them falling, or those darts do not count.

Retrieving darts

The thrower retrieves the darts after the Marker has recorded the score, with assistance only where a disability or injury requires it. Deliberately abusing the board when retrieving brings a verbal warning, a second warning, and on a third incident in the match the loss of the leg, set or match.

Practice darts

Each player may throw six practice darts at the assigned board before a match. No others may be thrown during a match without the Referee's permission. In exceptional circumstances an official may allow nine.

See also: Throw

Match format terms

Best of legs

A match or set played as best of three, five, seven and so on. The first player to win a majority of the legs wins, and the remaining legs are not played.

Whitewash

Winning a match or set without the opponent winning a leg. The rules do not use the name.

Board change

A player or team official may ask for the board to be changed or turned, if the opponent agrees. It can only happen before a match or between legs, and only a Tournament Official may do it.

Order of throw (pairs and teams)

In pairs and team events the players throw in rotation, and the order is displayed on the scoreboard before the match. Singles may be men's or women's, pairs men's, women's or mixed, teams of three or more, and youth events are for players under a stated age.

See also: Throw

Match officials

Caller, Marker and Scorer

The Caller announces the scores as they are made. The Marker marks scores made and scores remaining on the scoreboard, and may act as Caller except in staged matches. The Scorer records scores and results on the scorecards. The score required must be shown clearly at eye level, and no one may indicate the double needed.

Score protests (darts)

A protest about a score cannot be made after the Marker has recorded it and the darts have been retrieved, and if the wrong score gave a leg win it stands. Errors in arithmetic stand unless corrected before the player's next throw. A player at the oche may ask the Referee about the score at any time during a throw, and a protest about a decision or misconduct stops the match for a ruling.

Tournament rules

Playing area (darts)

Only the Referee, Caller, Marker, Scorer, electronic indicator operators and the assigned players may be in the playing area. Only Referees, Markers and electronic indicator operators may stand in front of a player, and a player's opponent must stand at least 60 cm behind the player at the oche.

Time limits (darts)

A player has five minutes from the call to reach the Control Desk or assigned board and a player not present when called forfeits the match; three minutes to attend the assigned board. A player whose equipment is damaged or lost during a throw has up to three minutes to repair or replace it, and the Referee may allow up to five minutes away for an urgent reason.

See also: Throw

Draw (darts)

There is one draw for opponents, held before the tournament. In a knock-out format the organisers arrange preliminary matches so that there are no byes in the first round proper, and no substitutes are allowed in an individual event.

Conduct and disqualification (darts)

Players must show respect, and must not annoy opponents, use offensive language or gestures, deliberately lose a leg or match, delay play or interfere with another player's throw. A breach brings disqualification from the tournament, subject to immediate appeal. If a disqualified player was in a match, the opponent is awarded it.

See also: Throw

Playing attire (darts)

Jeans, and denim or corduroy clothing in a jeans style, and track suits are not permitted, and no training shoes without written medical reasons. Sweatbands on the wrists are allowed. No headgear or headphones are allowed except on religious or medical grounds, and attire is subject to the organiser's approval; a player who refuses may forfeit the match.

Adapted darts for disabled players

Member darts bodies may change the board height and oche length for special events for disabled people.

WDF Ranked and Sanctioned tournaments

Ranked events are those that count toward the WDF world ranking systems for men, women and youth. Sanctioned events are those approved by the WDF. The word Masters is kept for individual events and Cup for team events.

World Darts Federation

The governing body for the sport of darts, whose Playing and Tournament Rules apply to international tournaments under its exclusive jurisdiction. Its Bye-Laws set out membership, meetings and tournament eligibility.

Also called: WDF

Scoring and strategy terms

Ton

A throw scoring 100 or more. The rules do not use the name.

See also: Throw

Ton eighty

Another name for a score of 180. The rules do not use the name.

Shanghai

Hitting a single, a double and a treble of the same number in one throw. The rules do not use the name; it is a format used in some practice games.

See also: Throw

Out shot

The combination a player plans to hit to finish the remaining score on a double. The rules say officials must give only the score, such as 32, never the double needed.

Setup throw

A throw aimed at leaving a better remaining score for the next throw rather than at scoring the most. The rules do not use the name.

See also: Throw

Checkout percentage

A statistic of how often a player finishes when trying to. The rules do not define it.

Technique terms

Grip

How a player holds the dart. It varies between throwers and the rules do not regulate it, except that the dart must be thrown by and from the hand.

Release point

The moment a player lets go of the dart. The rules require only that darts are thrown deliberately, one at a time.

Follow through

Keeping the arm in position briefly after release. The rules do not define it.

Oche distance

The minimum throwing distance: 2.37 m measured horizontally from the back of the raised oche to a plumb line at the face of the board. The diagonal from the centre of the Bull to the back of the oche at floor level is 2.93 m, and the centre of the Bull is 1.73 m above the floor.