Darts has become a sporting phenomena with the likes of Luke Littler hitting the world darts stage and inspiring kids to get into the sport. So we thought we would take a look at some fun games you can play to not only mix it up, but also can help make you a better player!
We have partnered up with the awesome Swindon Darts Hub in Gorse Hill, Odin Dart & Sweets Galore in the Brunel Shopping Centre to bring you ‘The Darts Coach’, a new series of darts related articles.
We have put together five darts games to help you become a better darts player. Instead of mindlessly throwing darts at the board, try these games that are great for beginners to help learn their way around the board, improve accuracy, and most importantly, have fun.
Around The Clock:
Around the Clock is a game where you a start by throwing at the number one then move on to two after a successful hit, then three and so on until you reach 20, then the bull. You can take this game further, by adding the triples and doubles.
Once you have gone round 1 to 20, go round again hitting the triples, starting with triple 1, then once you’ve hit triple 20, go round again, going for the doubles, starting with double 1.
Why Around the Clock Darts is Good For Beginners?
Around the clock darts is the ultimate game for beginners because it uses every space on the board. It is a great way to help you learn your way around the dart board and work on your accuracy.
501 Darts:
501 is the most popular dart game being played throughout the world. Each team or player starts with a fixed score of 501 points and the darts they throw determine how main points are removed from that score. The first to zero wins. Of course, there are a few other rules that come in to play that make things more interesting.
Why 501 Darts is Good For Beginners?
501 is good for beginners because it is the most popular dart game played. Becoming familiar with the rules of 501 will ensure you can pick up a set of darts and start playing with anyone, anywhere.
There is also a focus on high scoring areas, as well as doubles. A concentration on these targets will improve aim and help to develop knowledge of the mathematics of the board.
Baseball Darts:
Baseball darts can be played on a regular board. It is an around the board type variant that has you aiming at different numbers each round or in this case, ‘inning’.
Why Baseball Darts is Good For Beginners?
Baseball darts focuses on the numbers 1 to 9. These are numbers that are not usually a desired target in most games. Not only does baseball allow you to focus on these often ignored numbers; but for a beginner, it helps them learn where these numbers are on the board.
Baseball also focuses on a specific number each round with extra point for hitting a double or triple, so while your focus can be on the triple, you are still rewarded for a miss into the single.
It is also easy to handicap, so if you are playing with several people, you can set things ups, so the odds are even or favour the newbie
Hare And Hounds Darts:
Each play starts near the top of the board but not on the same number (usually 5 and 20). Each player then takes turns throwing at their target number, and if they hit, they can move on to the next number to the right. The hare is the person in the lead (farthest right). It is their job to keep ahead of the hound (farthest left).
Why Hare And Hounds Darts is Good For Beginners?
This is another one of those games that can help learn where everything is on the board because it uses every spot except the bullseye and no score is needed to be kept.
It is like Around the Clock darts with a cat-and-mouse style chase, which adds an interesting element of suspense. It can be great fun when played with multiple hares.
Killer Darts:
Each player is assigned a number on the board then the other players take turns trying to eliminate them by hitting their number. In standard play, you have to hit the double multiple times to out the player, but the rules can be changed according to skill level.
Why Killer Darts is Good For Beginners?
While aiming for the doubles can help increase precision, this one made the list mostly for the fun factor. If you have several people, Killer darts is the most fun you will have playing darts, and I believe that making darts fun for beginners will help to increase interest in the sport.
As you can see, there is a pattern here with some of the games; most are “around the board” style variants. When you’re beginning to play, you want something that is going to help you learn your way around the board, get better at those key high-scoring areas, and have fun while you’re at it.
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