Is Darts a Sport or a Game?

Darts is popular in pubs and bars and is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. The professional organization for darts, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), refers to the activity as a “sport.” Darts tournaments are held worldwide, including the World Darts Championship, one of the most prestigious events in the sport.

Ultimately, whether darts is considered a sport or a game may depend on the context in which it is played and the level of competition involved.

Was Darts Originally a Sport?

The origins of darts can be traced back to the medieval period when archers used to pass the time by throwing short arrows at the bottom of wine barrels. This activity eventually evolved into the modern game of darts, played with small, pointed missiles called darts thrown at a circular target known as a dartboard.

Darts as a sport has a more recent history. It began to be played competitively in the 20th century, and the first professional darts organization, the National Darts Association of Great Britain, was formed in 1954.

Since then, darts has grown in popularity and is now played professionally in many countries worldwide. The professional organization for darts, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), was founded in 1992 and now hosts major tournaments and events, including the World Darts Championship.

Are Darts Players Athletes?

It is a fact that many professional dart players do not have the typical appearance of finely-tuned athletes. They may be overweight, have flabbily unfit bodies, and often have pasty complexions and big bellies supported by a large frame.

Darts players are often considered athletes because they train for a long time to get better and more consistent at throwing. This requires dedication, discipline, and physical practice, all of which are characteristics of an athlete. Dart players also need good hand-eye coordination, focus, and mental toughness to do well at a high level.

However, it is also true that playing darts does not require a high level of physical exertion like some other sports do. Some may argue that this makes darts players less deserving of the title “athlete.”

It is important to remember that different sports and activities have different physical demands, and it is possible for someone to be an athlete in one sport but not in another.

Why are Darts Players Overweight?

Darts is a popular game often played in bars and is typically associated with working and middle-class people.

Many players are overweight and often drink alcohol, which can contribute to weight gain. These players practice for many hours each day, which can be physically and mentally demanding but does not necessarily produce a lot of calorie burn. 

As a result, it seems unlikely that these players would have time or energy to also go to the gym to work out.

What Skills Do You Need to Be Good at Darts?

To be good at darts, you need to have a range of skills, including:

Accuracy: To hit your target on the dartboard, you need to be able to throw your darts accurately and consistently.

Mental toughness: Darts can be a mental game, and you need to stay focused and calm under pressure.

Hand-eye coordination: You need good hand-eye coordination to aim and throw your darts accurately.

Physical control: To do well, you must control how you throw and let go of the dart at the right time and angle.

Strategy: You need to understand the game well and make smart decisions about where to aim your darts and how to score points.

Fitness: playing darts doesn’t require a lot of physical work, but if you’re in good shape, staying focused and in control will be easier during a long game.

Why is Darts Not in The Olympics?

Here are a few reasons why darts is not currently an Olympic sport.

Inability to view in a large stadium:  Darts can’t be viewed in a large venue, and players stand a few steps from the board, which makes it unsuitable for watching live.

Strict criteria by the International Olympics Committee (IOC): the IOC has strict criteria for sports to be included in the Olympic Games. The sport must be widely practiced by men in at least 75 countries on four continents and women in at least 40 countries on three continents. Also, the sport must be run by a recognized international federation that is in charge of organizing and promoting it on an international level. Darts doesn’t meet these requirements.

Not enough physical work: The Olympic Games usually feature sports that require a lot of strength, speed, and endurance from the athletes. While playing darts requires skill, accuracy, and focus, it may not be seen as physically demanding as other Olympic sports.

Will Darts Ever Be an Olympic Sport?

Yes, there is a lot of support for adding darts to the Olympics, and the process is well underway. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), darts might become an Olympic sport in 2024.

How Many Types of Darts Are There?

There are many different types of dart games, each with a unique set of darts rules and objectives. Some of the most popular types of dart games include:

1. 501: Players start with a score of 501 and take turns throwing darts to try and reduce their score to zero. The game can only be won by hitting a double to reach zero points.
2. Cricket Darts: In this game, players take turns throwing darts at the board and trying to hit specific segments to score points. The objective is to score points in the numbers 20 through 15 and the bullseye before your opponent does.
3. Around the Clock: In this game, players try to hit each board segment in numerical order, starting with 1 and ending with 20. The first player to hit all segments in order wins the game.
4. Killer: In this game, each player is assigned three numbers on the board and must hit each number five times to become a “killer.” Once a player becomes a killer, they can aim to hit their opponent’s assigned numbers to “kill” them. The last player standing wins the game.
5. Halve-It: In this game, players take turns throwing darts and scoring points, but if they fail to score a certain amount on any turn, their score is cut in half. The game continues until a player reaches a predetermined final score.
6. Shanghai: In this game, players take turns trying to hit specific segments on the board, starting with 1 and ending with 20. The objective is to score the highest possible score on each segment, and the player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

What are the Darts Rules?

Darts is a game that is typically played by two players, although teams can also play it. Players score points by throwing darts at a circular target, a dartboard.

Here are the basic rules of darts:

• The dartboard is hung so that the bullseye (the small center circle) is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) from the floor.
• The throwing line, known as the oche, is 7 feet 9 1/4 inches from the face of the board.
• Each player starts with a score of 501 (or 301, 701, etc., depending on the agreed-upon game). The first player to reduce their score to exactly zero wins the game.
• Players take turns throwing three darts each. The score for each turn is calculated by adding up the total number of points scored by the three darts.
• Darts that fall off or bounce off the board are not counted.
• The outer ring of the dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, each corresponding to a different score.
• The inner ring is divided into 20 sections, but these sections have a higher point value.
• The bullseye in the center of the board is worth 50 points, while the outer ring of the bullseye is worth 25 points.
• There are various game modes that you can play. The most popular one is 501, where the players have to reach precisely zero points to win the game. Players have to hit a double to finish the game. This means that the last dart thrown must land in one of the double segments on the board.
• If a player goes over the required score, their turn ends, and they score nothing for that turn.

Is Darts a Sport or a Game || FAQs

Do taller people have an advantage in darts?

Tall, lean people may have an advantage when throwing darts because they can stand closer to the board at the release point. However, strength becomes more important than height once the skill level is high enough. The path and trajectory of the dart are similar for people of different heights.

Does dart weight matter?

Yes, dart weight matters, and if you want to throw darts with more power, you should choose a lighter weight. On the other hand, if you have a more relaxed throwing style, a heavier weight may be better. If your darts fly higher than you intended, use a heavier weight.

Wrap Up

Darts is a shooting sport that involves throwing small, pointed missiles called darts at a circular target called a dartboard. It can be played professionally and at a high level of competition, which requires skill, accuracy, and being in good shape. However, it can also be played recreationally and for fun, making it a game.

Darts has a long history, with roots dating back to medieval times when archers passed the time by throwing short arrows at the bottoms of wine barrels. In the 20th century, people started playing it competitively, and in 1992, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) was created to host major tournaments and events, such as the World Darts Championship.

Some people think that people who play darts are athletes because they train to get better and more consistent. Still, others argue that the physical demands of the sport are lower than those of other activities. Many professional darts players are overweight, which may be due to the working and middle-class associations of the game and the fact that players often practice for long hours without burning many calories.

Players need a range of skills to be good at darts, including accuracy, mental toughness, hand-eye coordination, physical control, and strategy.

Darts is being considered for inclusion in the 2024 Olympics, so fans worldwide should keep their fingers crossed.

Daniel Ladet

Daniel has a passion for staying active and participating in various athletic activities. He also loves writing and sharing his thoughts and experiences through this blog. Daniel writes about his personal experiences playing sports, his insights on various teams or players, and his opinion on current sporting events. He also enjoys reading and interacting with other sports bloggers and sports enthusiasts.