Darts Basics
THE BOARD: A dart board is divided into twenty wedges or pie slices plus the Bulls Eye. Each wedge has the point value of the number on the outer ring next to it, from 1 to 20. € The center of the board is the bulls eye or cork. The green part is the single bull (25 points) and the red part is the double bull (50 points). € The outer most narrow ring is the double ring and has twice the point value of that wedge. € The inner narrow ring is the triple ring and has three times the value of that wedge. € The wedges are separated by a wire and are alternately colored. The coloring is a visual aid: the wedge is determined by the wire, not the color of the bristles.
WHO GOES FIRST: Often when beginning play, each player/team will throw a single dart at the cork (Bulls Eye) to determine who throws first. The closest dart has the choice of choosing the game and going first or second. € Distance from the Bulls Eye can be measured with a ruler, another dart or gauged by eye. € In the case of a tie, each player/team throws again. Note: All single bulls are considered tied with all other single bulls and all double bulls are considered tied with all other double bulls. € Any shot that does not land within the triple ring is re-thrown. € This procedure has many names, such as: "Diddle for the Middle", "Shoot for bull", "Show me a cork", "Cork it up", "Give me a cork", etc.
MUGS AWAY: is called by the winning team/player to indicate that the loser(s) go first in the next game. Mugs away is pretty universal, but you should call it anyway. Usually when playing "best of" series, the first game is "corked" and later games are "mugs away" with any last game/tie-breaker being "corked" also.
€ Do not play more than one game when there are waiting players. If some one shows up during a series, the winner of the current game has control of the board and plays the new guy. You should not expect to play a rubber if people are waiting.
€ Write your initials under the word "bull" on the scoreboard to sign up to play. You may sign up on both boards, but you should not try and play two games at once.
€ Pull your darts after you mark your score.
€ Do not "step over the line" it doesn't really help and is considered bad sportsmanship. The line is the edge of the metal strip closest to the board.
€ Stand where the player throwing cannot see you and where you are not crowding them.
€ Do not rattle your darts or make other annoying noises while someone is throwing. Even if you are in A-division.
€ Do not get upset when some one is pointing you badly. It's just a game.
€ Be mindful of the players at the other board: they notice you too.
€ Darts (a deposit is required) and chalk are available from the bartender.
€ Darts is basically a drinking game: remember to tip your bartenders.