The Darts Glossary
A quick reference to darts terminology for players of every level.
A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · K · L · M · N · O · P · R · S · T · V · W · Z
A
Arrangement
The specific pattern in which a player holds or stacks darts in their non-throwing hand between throws. Small habits here can affect rhythm and consistency.
Average
The most common performance metric in darts. A three-dart average represents the mean score across sets of three darts. Professional players typically average above 90. A consistent average above 80 reflects a solid club-level game.
B
Barrel
The main body of the dart, the section you grip. Barrels are typically machined from tungsten, brass, or nickel-silver, and vary significantly in weight, profile, length, and texture. The barrel is the most important component of any setup.
Balance Point
The point along a barrel at which it sits level when rested on a finger. A front-heavy barrel will feel pulled forward in flight; a rear-heavy barrel can encourage a different release angle. Understanding balance point helps players match barrels to their throw style.
Bed
Any scoring segment on the dartboard. The single, double, and triple sections are all referred to as beds. The term is most commonly used in phrases like "double bed" or "treble bed."
Bounce-Out
When a dart strikes the board but fails to penetrate and falls to the floor. Bounce-outs can result from a blunt point, a wire hit, or an angled approach. Sharp points and a consistent release reduce their frequency.
Break of Throw
Winning a leg when your opponent had the advantage of throwing first. In match play, the player who throws first in a leg holds a slight statistical advantage. Breaking that throw, winning the leg as the second thrower, is a significant shift in momentum.
Bristol Board
Another name for a standard dartboard, referring to the traditional bristle construction. Most commonly used in British league contexts.
Bristle Board
A dartboard made from sisal fibres, compressed tightly together. The standard board type for steel-tip play. Self-healing, darts pull out cleanly and the fibres close back around the hole.
Bull / Bullseye
The central target of the dartboard. Divided into two rings: the outer bull (25 points) and the inner bull, or bull's-eye (50 points). In double-out formats, the inner bull counts as a double and can be used to finish a leg.
Bull-Off / Bull-Up
The process of determining which player throws first. Each player throws one dart at the bull; the player landing closest to the centre throws first in the opening leg. In subsequent legs, the throw typically alternates.
Bust
In 01 games (301, 501, etc.), throwing a score that takes a player below zero, or to exactly one, is a bust. The turn is void and the player's score returns to where it was at the start of that visit. Accurate checkout knowledge prevents busts.
C
Checkout
The combination of darts that finishes a leg. All standard 01 games require finishing on a double (or bullseye). A checkout can be achieved in one, two, or three darts.
Checkout Chart / Checkout Table
A reference document listing the most common and efficient routes to finish from any score. Most experienced players memorise key checkouts from 170 down to 2. Knowing your checkout routes removes hesitation at critical moments.
Checkout Percentage
The proportion of checkout opportunities converted into finished legs. Calculated as: legs won ÷ visits at a finishing score × 100. A more revealing metric than average alone, it measures finishing efficiency directly.
Clock (Around the Clock)
A common practice game in which players must hit each number from 1 to 20 in sequence, finishing on the bullseye. A useful drill for improving accuracy across the full board.
Conversion Point
A replacement steel-tip point that threads into a soft-tip barrel, allowing a soft-tip dart to be used on a bristle board. Tiger Darts offers screw point conversion as a workshop service.
Tiger Darts service: Screw Point Conversion
Cricket
A popular game format, particularly in North America. Players must close numbers 15 to 20 and the bullseye by hitting each three times, while accumulating points on numbers their opponent has not yet closed. Requires different tactical thinking to 01 formats.
Cluster
A group of darts landing tightly together in the same bed. Landing clusters in the treble 20 is the aim of every serious player. Clustering also increases the risk of deflection on subsequent darts.
D
Dart
The complete throwing implement, comprising four components: point, barrel, shaft, and flight. Steel-tip darts typically weigh between 18g and 30g. Soft-tip darts are lighter, usually 14 to 20g. The combined length, weight distribution, and component choices determine how a dart behaves in flight.
Dead Ball
A dart that lands outside the scoring area, or falls from the board before the player has completed their turn. Scores zero.
Deflection
When a dart is redirected by a dart already in the board, altering its landing position. Tight groupings increase deflection risk. Some barrel shapes are designed to minimise this.
Double
The narrow outer ring of the board. Hitting a double scores twice the segment value. All standard 01 games must be finished on a double or the bullseye.
Double In
A start condition in which a player must land a dart in a double before their score begins counting. Any darts thrown before the opening double are ignored. Used in some league and pub formats; less common in professional or online play.
Double Out
The standard finish condition in 01 games. A player must reduce their score to exactly zero by landing the final dart in a double or the inner bull. The most widely used format in professional, league, and online darts.
Double Top
Double 20. The most commonly targeted finishing double in the game, positioned at the top of the board.
E
Electronic Board / E-Board
A dartboard with a plastic scoring surface divided into small holes. Used in soft-tip darts. The board detects dart placement electronically and scores automatically. Common in bars, arcades, and casual play environments. E-boards also enable networked and online play through dedicated platforms.
Equaliser
Informal term for a moment where a player recovering from a deficit pulls level in sets or legs.
F
Feathering / Feather
Lightly brushing the wire of a scoring bed rather than landing cleanly inside it. Often results in a bounce-out or a reduced score.
First-Nine Average
The average score across the first nine darts of a 501 leg (three visits). Isolates pure scoring pace from checkout efficiency, giving a cleaner read of how well a player is performing on the board before the finish phase begins.
Flights
The fins at the rear of the dart. Flights stabilise the dart during flight and have a significant effect on trajectory and behaviour. Available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Flight Shape
The silhouette of the flight. Standard (large, teardrop shape) flights offer maximum drag and stability. Slim flights reduce drag and suit a faster, more direct throw. Kite and pear shapes fall between the two.
Follow-Through
The continuation of the throwing arm after the dart has been released. A clean, consistent follow-through, where the arm extends naturally toward the target, is a marker of controlled mechanics. Cutting the follow-through short often introduces inconsistency at the point of release.
Foot Fault
Throwing with any part of the body in front of the oche. Results in the throw being disallowed in formal competition.
G
Grip
The way a player holds the barrel. Grip style, whether pencil, claw, two-finger, or thumb-heavy, significantly affects release, angle, and consistency. Finding and refining a grip that feels natural is one of the most important steps in developing a reliable game.
Grouping
How tightly a player's three darts land together on the board. A tight grouping in the wrong place is more useful than a spread across the right area, it demonstrates consistent mechanics that can be redirected.
Groove (Barrel Groove)
The machined cut or channel along the barrel surface, designed to improve grip. Groove depth, width, and pattern all affect how much purchase a player's fingers get.
Tiger Darts service: Groove Painting
H
Handicap
A system used in some league and casual formats to level competition between players of different abilities. A stronger player may start from a higher score (e.g. 601 vs 501), or give the weaker player a head start in legs. Formats vary by organisation.
Hat Trick
Three bulls in a single visit (three darts, all in the bull). Rare and well regarded.
High Finish
Any checkout from 100 and above. Finishes of 161, 167, and 170 require a combination of treble, treble, and double bull. The highest possible finish is 170 (T20, T20, Bull).
Hold of Throw
Winning a leg when throwing first. In match formats where the throw alternates each leg, holding the throw means converting the slight opening advantage into a leg win. Consistently holding throw while looking for a break is the basis of structured match play.
I
In Off
A dart that ricochets off another dart or the wire and lands in an unintended scoring bed. The score stands where it lands.
Inner Bull (Bull's-Eye)
The smaller central circle of the dartboard, scoring 50 points. In double-out formats, the inner bull counts as a double and is a valid finishing target. Differentiated from the outer bull (25 points) in all scoring contexts.
K
Key Numbers
Scoring segments with particular strategic importance, typically in Cricket (15 to 20, bull) or when approaching common 01 finishes. Knowing which numbers to prioritise under pressure is a core tactical skill.
L
Leg
A single game within a match. A match is typically played to a set number of legs or sets. In a leg of 501, the first player to reach zero (on a double) wins the leg.
Leg-Play Format
A match format decided purely by legs won, with no set structure. Common in local league and casual competition. The player who wins the required number of legs first wins the match.
Lie
Informal term for the position in which darts are sitting in the board at any point during a visit.
Lip
The raised wire edge bordering each segment. Darts hitting the lip tend to deflect or bounce out.
M
Madhouse
Double 1. A notoriously difficult finish bed, as a missed double (hitting single 1) still leaves a double 1, while hitting a single 2 takes the player to double 1 from a double 2. Managing the madhouse requires patience and a clear head.
Master In
A start condition in which a player must land a dart in either a double or a treble before their score begins counting. Less common than straight in or double in, but used in some formats. The treble option gives more starting targets than double in.
Master Out
A finish condition in which a player can win a leg by landing the final dart in either a double or a treble (as well as the inner bull). Offers more checkout options than double out but remains more demanding than straight out. Used in some league formats and increasingly on electronic boards.
Match
A competitive encounter between two players (or teams), played over an agreed number of legs or sets. The match format (legs only, sets, best of, first to) is agreed before play begins and varies significantly between competitions and venues.
Match Dart
The dart a player needs to win the match. A single dart, often thrown under maximum pressure.
Maximum (180)
The highest possible score from a single visit: three darts in the treble 20, scoring 60 each. Also referred to as a "maximum," "one-eighty," or "ton-80." Widely celebrated in live and broadcast darts.
Mechanics
The collective term for the technical elements of a player's throw: stance, grip, arm position, elbow height, release point, and follow-through. Consistent mechanics produce consistent results.
N
Neck
The section of the dart between the barrel and the flight shaft, where the shaft is attached. Some barrels have an integrated neck; others accept interchangeable shafts.
Nine-Darter
A perfect leg of 501 completed in exactly nine darts: typically two visits of 180 and a checkout of 141 (or other valid nine-dart combination). The rarest and most celebrated achievement in the sport. Has been recorded on television a handful of times at professional level.
O
Oche (pronounced "ocky")
The throwing line. In professional play, the oche is positioned 7 feet 9.25 inches from the face of the board. Players must stand behind this line when throwing.
01 Games
The family of formats where players start from a set score (301, 501, 701, 1001) and race to reach exactly zero, finishing on a double. 501 is the standard format in most professional and league competition.
Online Darts
Competitive darts played remotely, with each player at their own board and connected via a dedicated platform. Scoring is either entered manually or captured automatically (on e-boards). Platforms such as Lidarts, DartConnect, and Nakka allow players to compete live against opponents worldwide. Format, rules, and handicaps vary by platform and room settings.
Outer Bull
The ring surrounding the inner bull, scoring 25 points. Also called the "bull's outer" or "single bull." Does not count as a double in double-out formats, and cannot be used to finish a standard leg: only the inner bull (50) qualifies.
P
Perfect Leg
A 501 leg completed in exactly nine darts (three visits of three darts, all scoring maximums, finishing on a checkout). Exceptionally rare and widely celebrated.
Point
The sharp metal tip at the front of the dart. Points come in fixed (permanent) and interchangeable styles. Point condition significantly affects board entry consistency.
Tiger Darts service: Screw Point Conversion
Point Angle
The angle at which the point penetrates the board surface. A shallower angle can cause bounce-outs on worn boards; a steeper entry tends to grip more reliably.
R
Ranking Points
Points accumulated by professional players through tournament performances, used to determine world rankings and tour card standing.
Release
The moment the dart leaves the player's hand. A clean, consistent release is one of the most important technical elements of an accurate throw. Small inconsistencies at the point of release have a large effect on accuracy at distance.
Robin Hood
When a dart embeds itself directly into the shaft or flight of a dart already in the board, rather than landing in the scoring surface. Scores zero. Named for the famous archery feat.
S
Scoring Visit
A turn at the oche in which all three darts score. Maximising scoring visits and minimising wasted darts is the basis of strong 01 play.
Set
In set-play formats (common in televised competition), a set is a series of legs. Players win a set by winning the majority of its legs, then win the match by winning the majority of sets.
Set-Play Format
A match structure in which legs are grouped into sets. A player must win both the majority of legs within a set and the majority of sets within the match. Common in major televised tournaments. Adds a layer of tactical and psychological structure compared to straight leg play.
Setup
The complete combination of barrel, shaft, and flight a player uses. Small changes to any component can alter feel, trajectory, and behaviour significantly. Finding and refining the right setup is an ongoing process.
Shaft (Stem)
The component connecting the barrel to the flight. Shafts are available in a range of materials (aluminium, nylon, carbon fibre) and lengths. Shaft length affects the angle at which the dart sits in the board, which in turn affects clustering.
Shanghai
Hitting the single, double, and treble of the same number in a single visit. Also a practice game in which players work through numbers 1 to 7, scoring only on the relevant number each round, with Shanghai winning outright.
Slop
Informal term for a score that lands in a different segment than intended but still counts. A slop score in Cricket can be tactically useful; in 01 it may set up an awkward leave.
Soft Tip
Darts with a plastic (soft) point, designed for use on electronic boards. Soft-tip darts are lighter than steel-tip, typically 14 to 18g. The soft point flexes on impact to avoid damaging the plastic board surface. Soft-tip darts can be converted for use on bristle boards with a screw-in steel conversion point.
Stance
The position of the player's body at the oche before and during the throw. Stance affects balance, shoulder alignment, and the arc of the throwing arm. Common stances range from square-on (body facing the board) to angled (side-on). No single stance is universally correct, consistency and repeatability matter more than the specific position.
Steel Tip
The standard format of darts. Steel-tip darts use a fixed metal point and are thrown at a bristle board. The professional game is played exclusively in steel tip.
Straight In (Open In)
A start condition in which a player's score counts from their very first dart, with no opening double or treble required. The most common format in casual, pub, and online play. Removes the potentially drawn-out opening phase of double-in games.
Straight Out (Open Out)
A finish condition in which a player can win a leg by reducing their score to exactly zero with any dart: single, double, or treble. Removes the double-out requirement, making legs shorter and checkouts more accessible. Used in some casual and online formats, particularly for new players.
T
The Throw
In match play, the player who throws first in a leg has "the throw." This is typically decided by bull-off at the start of the match, with the throw alternating each leg thereafter, or (in some formats) awarded to the winner of the previous leg.
Three-in-a-Bed
Three darts landing in the same scoring segment during a single visit. Three in the treble 20 is a maximum; three in any other bed is notable for its consistency. A marker of tight grouping and controlled mechanics.
Ton-80 (180)
See Maximum. Three treble 20s in a single visit, scoring 180. The highest possible score from three darts.
Tonne (100)
A visit in which a player scores exactly 100 with three darts.
Tonne-Plus (100+)
Any visit scoring over 100 but below 140.
Tonne-40 (140)
Three treble 20s in a single visit. A significant scoring visit, second only to the maximum.
Treble
The narrow inner ring of the board. Hitting a treble scores three times the segment value. The treble 20 (commonly referred to as "the treble") scores 60 and is the highest-value single segment.
Treble Hit Rate
The proportion of darts thrown at a treble that actually land in it. A useful practice metric for assessing scoring consistency, separate from average.
Tungsten
The most common material for professional-grade dart barrels. Tungsten's high density allows manufacturers to produce slimmer barrels at higher weights, enabling tighter groupings. Higher tungsten content (90 to 97%) generally indicates a premium barrel.
V
Virtual Oche
The throwing position in online darts, the player's physical oche at home, used to compete remotely. Some online platforms and connected camera systems verify distance and throwing position to ensure fair play. The virtual oche has enabled a significant growth in competitive darts outside of venues and clubs.
Visit
A player's turn at the oche. Each visit consists of three darts (unless fewer are required to finish the leg).
W
Wire
The thin metal dividers that separate scoring segments on the board. Hitting the wire often results in a bounce-out. Blade wire (thinner profile) boards reduce the impact of wire hits compared to round-wire boards.
Z
Zero (scoring zero)
A visit where no darts score, due to bounce-outs, bust darts, or dead balls. Colloquially: a "bag of nails."