Hanging a dartboard takes about half an hour and a tape measure. Get two numbers right, the height and the throw distance, and every game at home will feel like the one at the pub.
1. Pick the spot
You need a wall at least 3 feet wide for the board and surround, and about 11 to 12 feet of clear floor in front of it for the thrower, the throw line and a little room to step back. Keep the board out of doorways and walkways. Nobody should walk between the thrower and the board.
2. Set the height
Measure 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the center of the bullseye, not the top of the board. Most bristle boards hang from a center bracket, so the screw sits a fixed distance from the bull. Follow your board's instructions to mount the bracket, hang the board, then re-measure to the bull.
Turn the board so the 20 segment is at the top and centered.
3. Mark the throw line
For steel-tip darts, the throw line (the oche, said "ockey") is 7 feet 9.25 inches from the face of the board, measured flat along the floor. Use a plumb line or a level to find the spot on the floor directly below the board face, and measure from there.
For soft-tip darts, many leagues and electronic board makers use 8 feet. Go with what your league or board manual says.
Double-check with the diagonal. Measure from the center of the bullseye down to the back edge of the throw line. For steel-tip it should be about 9 feet 7-3/8 inches. For an 8-foot soft-tip line it's about 9 feet 9-5/8 inches. If the diagonal is off, your height or your line is off.
4. Protect the wall and floor
A dartboard surround or a cabinet catches the darts that miss. An oche mat marks the line and protects the floor from dropped steel points.
5. Light it
Overhead room lights cast dart shadows across the board. A lighting ring around the board, or two lights aimed from the sides, gets rid of most of them.
Now you need a game. Our 501 and Cricket rules guide covers the two you'll play most.
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