Darts is a hugely popular sport today and is also the most widely played pub game, but where did it all start and why has it been so successful? Let’s take a look through the ages as we outline a brief history of darts.
Where did it all begin?
Though there is no conclusive evidence, most historians agree that the principle of throwing something sharp at a target for sport began in the UK in the Middle Ages. It is most likely that the game originated from archery, with some suggesting that bored soldiers passed the time by hurling arrows at upturned wine barrels to see who could get closest to the centre. Archers also used wooden boards with concentric circles to practice their shot and improve accuracy and this is not really that far removed from the darts game we know and love today.
Early darts games
The first reference to a game of darts actually came from France, where the game flechettes (small arrows) originated in the 19th century. These darts were made of wood with a metal tip and bird feathers to help them fly.
In terms of their first reference in the UK, it is thought that darts started out as a fairground game. If you’re old enough to remember throwing three darts at your local fair to win a goldfish then this origin seems to make sense.
Darts as a pub game
We know for a fact that darts was being played as a pub game from the early 1900s as in 1908 publican Jim Garside was taken to court for allowing games of darts to be played in his pub at a time when gambling (or games of chance) were prohibited. He argued that it was in fact a game of skill rather than chance, proving it in the courtroom by throwing 3 darts with a score of twenty and challenging the magistrates to replicate. When they couldn’t, it was agreed that darts was in fact a game of skill, which led to an eventual change in the laws.
Darts during the war years
In the years running up to the start of the First World War, darts grew in popularity in pubs, with brewery leagues being established and after the war ended, with the growing need for rules and regularity, the National Darts Association (NDA) was formed.
By the 1930s, darts had become a popular recreational game, played by all classes and replacing previously popular pastimes such as quoits and skittles. Regional dartboard variations were developed, with the London or ‘clock’ ring, that we know and love today as the 3 ring dartboard, not being the instant hit you would imagine.
During the Second World War, soldiers were issued darts in their sports packs, giving them something to do during their downtime and by the time the war ended, the game of darts had spread far and wide across the continents, cementing itself as a popular pastime.
Rules and regulations
The rules and regulations of darts set out by the NDA in 1925 remained mostly unchanged through the years, despite the fact the organisation did not survive. Governing of the sport was taken over by the British Darts Organaisation (BDO) in the 1970’s and the game reached new audiences when in 1972 the News of the World Individual Darts Championship was broadcast by the Independent Television Authority to a receptive audience.
During the 1970s and 1980s as television audiences increasingly switched on to the game, darts players became household names. The World Darts Council - now the Professional Darts Council (PDC) was established in 1992 and with the introduction of satellite television, viewers had more access than ever to matchplay. Darts is broadcast throughout the world today and sponsorships run into the millions of pounds.
What does the future hold for darts?
The great thing about darts is it’s a game anyone can play, regardless of age, ability or income. It is something that you can dip your toe into once in a while or play regularly at an amateur or professional level if you’re good enough and it is for this reason that darts has a very exciting future. Some have even suggested it might one day become an olympic sport. From mediaeval boredom killer, to pub game to global sport - what’s not to love?! Thanks for reading our history of darts, compiled with a little help from the sources below.
Sources of info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darts
https://darthelp.com/articles/the-history-of-darts/
https://www.darts501.com/History.html
https://www.pdpa.co.uk/statistics/history/
https://www.britainexpress.com/History/pastimes/darts.htm
FAQs
So, who invented darts? Modern darts was invented by a carpenter from Lancashire named Brian Gamlin in 1896. However the history goes back much farther. Darts began as a military pastime originating in England during the medieval era in the first couple of decades of the fourteenth century.
What is the history of darts? ›
The first purpose-made darts were manufactured from solid wood, wrapped with a strip of lead for weight and fitted with flights made from split turkey feathers. These darts were mainly produced in France and became known as French darts. Metal barrels were patented in 1906, but wood continued to be used into the 1950s.
How did darts become popular in the Middle Ages? ›
In the Middle Ages, English archers used thrown missile weapons called "dartes" during close combat. When not fighting, such weighted hand-arrows, small spears, and cut-down arrows were thrown at archery targets or cross-sections of tree trunks for competitive recreation.
Why do darts start at 501? ›
Starting at an odd number like 501 ensures that players cannot win the game with an even number of throws without hitting a double. If the game began at 500, a player could theoretically finish the game with 25 throws, hitting 20 points (a single 20) in each throw, without ever needing to hit a double.
Why are darts players so big? ›
The most common reason for darts players being overweight is because darts is traditionally a pub game, particularly in the UK. It's very common for darts practice in a pub to be accompanied by drinking alcohol and these high-calorie drinks often lead to excess weight gain.
Were darts ever used as weapons? ›
The darts in use by the developers of the English language were used throughout Europe for much of its military history, though they were never a dominant weapons technology. They have also lent their name to quite a few weapons from other cultures.
Why is darts so popular? ›
Why is darts so popular as a professional sport? It's popular because it's easy to play(tough to get good at) and relatively cheap to buy equipment. If you think it's only poplar in the U.K. and the Netherlands you couldn't be more wrong. Very popular in Germany, Japan, US and many other International countries.
Did Romans play darts? ›
Darts originally came from the ancient Romans in around 2000 BC, who played with a small stick and a bird's feather. They used the stick to throw the feather at a target..
Why is throwing a dart a fine skill? ›
Fine skills involve precise movements using small muscle groups. These movements are performed with great detail and generally involve high levels of hand-eye coordination. A snooker shot or the hand movements when throwing a dart are examples of fine skills.
What is the end of a dart called? ›
Tip. The tip is the part that sticks in the dart board. It is made of plastic.
If the dart spins as it comes out of your grip it means that your thumb and fingers aren't releasing from the dart at the same time. Most likely the thumb releases first, and then the dart rolls off the fingers, giving spin. This spin reduces the accuracy of the throw by causing the dart to move sideways during flight.
What's smoking a dart mean? ›
A slang term for a cigarette..
What are people who play darts called? ›
"Dart player." Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/dart player.
Is darts a skill or luck? ›
A common aphorism in the darts world is that as a game it takes “luck as well as skill”, placing emphasis on the skill element of the game rather than the luck side.
Do heavier darts go straighter? ›
Finding the best weight darts for you can depend on how your dart flies through the air. For example, a heavy dart (26g and above) will be more suited for you if your dart flies straight. This is because the heavier weight will make sure the dart's trajectory remains as straight and stable as possible.
Are taller people better at darts? ›
It is true that tall guys with a lean might get a foot or so closer at their release point, but the dart still has to find its arc and trajectory in much the same manner. If the person has sufficient strength, height isn't really that much of a factor once the skill level gets high enough.
Who created dart? ›
Dart is a programming language designed by Lars Bak and Kasper Lund and developed by Google. It can be used to develop web and mobile apps as well as server and desktop applications.
Why are dartboard numbers in that order? ›
The intention is to penalise poor throwing by placing the higher numbers next to the lower numbers as far as possible, although there are arrangements of the numbers that do this more effectively than the existing arrangement.
When did darts come to America? ›
American darts originated in eastern Pennsylvania in the early 20th century; this style of darts was first played in both the Philadelphia area and the Coal Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. A "Widdy" American Dart Board, located in Manasquan Beach, NJ.
Did darts come from archery? ›
Some darts enthusiasts claim the game originated with archers throwing shortened arrows at the bottom of a barrel, or a disc cut from a tree trunk. The tree section, with its growth rings and splits, mimics the shape of the modern dartboard.
