Darts began as a weapon of war used by the Macedonians and has since evolved into a popular contest of skill enjoyed in bars and recreation centers worldwide. Even the common dartboard finds its origins in the standard archery target, with soldiers once aiming at the segmented playing surface to hone their aim. Now, it's a great source of entertainment that can be enjoyed by all ages. Buying a dartboard is actually pretty simple as long as you understand how classic and electronic types work and what each can offer you in terms of gameplay. To help you out, we've covered the basics for bristle dartboards and electronic dartboards that you need to know.
Bristle Dartboards
Dart players who are a little more serious about their game might want to go with a bristle board that uses real darts and emulates tournament play. Bristle dartboards are made of tiny sisal fibers which are self-healing after the dart penetrates their surface. For the most part, bristle boards are relatively inexpensive and suitable for all skill levels. These options are usually the tournament regulation size of 15.5 inches.
Darts
Bristle boards often include a set of stock darts, but they aren't always the best quality. As your playing skills evolve you may find yourself purchasing a separate set. For bristle boards, you want steel-tip darts as they’re designed to penetrate the sisal fibers and stay embedded in the playing surface.
Also, carefully consider the type of barrel you want to use. Brass or tungsten are the most common choices, with each one offering playing advantages in overall thickness and accuracy.
You’ll also find a wide variety of weights and grip styles available to make the choice even more specific to your skill level and personal preferences. Be advised that errant darts will damage walls and doors so choose a safe place where the board will be mounted.
Wire spider
This is a wire overlay that segments the dartboard for scoring purposes. Available in a variety of widths and shapes, a wire spider will be super thin with either a rounded or angled shape. Angled is preferable as it reduces the amount of bounce-outs sustained on a throw. If a dart hits the wire, the angled edge will help guide it into the board whereas round wire is significantly less reliable.
Blade strip dividers
These are embedded within the fibers of the board to help minimize bounce-outs. Stapled-on dividers are the cheap way to go while pricier models feature staple-free construction or even blade strips inside the playing surface.
Electronic Dartboards
Electronic dartboards are designed with the same divided segment organization of a bristle board and are available in a range of sizes, including the regulation 15.5-inch diameter board. These high-tech options feature a playing surface perforated with hundreds of tiny holes so when you a dart is thrown, the tip sticks in the playing surface. In addition to automatically keeping score, these models come with a large number of pre-programmed games.
Darts
Until recently, soft-tip darts were the only choice on an electronic board but that’s changed. You can now find electronic versions which accommodate steel-tip darts to provide players with a more accurate feel for the game. However, the soft tips on plastic darts won't harm the surroundings, unlike steel-tipped options.
Pre-programmed games
Some electronic dartboards are pre-programmed with over 100 different games to play, such as the ever-popular cricket. Some games can accommodate multiple players at once while others allow you to take the machine on in head-to-head competition.
Electronic displays
These high-tech boards feature electronic scoreboards with LED lights and a library of sounds to make gameplay even more engaging and exciting. Be warned, the more bells and whistles an electronic dartboard has, the more expensive it will end up being.
Dartboard Cabinets
You'll find bristle and electronic boards which include their own stylish gaming cabinet. These cabinets provide a sophisticated visual aesthetic to your home or office while protecting the board and darts when they’re not in use.
Prices vary greatly and are often affected by the materials used in the manufacture of the cabinet. For example, cabinets made of metal or particleboard are going to be far less expensive than those made of fine woods such as oak, elm, teak, and mahogany.