How to play darts? A comprehensive guide on how to throw darts, pick the right setup and get better at rising sport
FAQ
You've watched darts either as a Christmas pastime or due to the rise of Luke Littler and are now wondering how to play the sport, which has seen a huge uptick since the 18-year-old became World Champion. But where to start?
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Our comprehensive guide has you covered with how to pick the right setup for you as well as how to throw the darts and find the right throw for you.
While on the surface, the sport may look easy and have some wondering if it is even a sport, it is about skill and precision. It isn't as easy as picking it up and playing, but with practice, it can be rewarding, and with the £1 million first prize for the PDC World Darts Championship in the future, there is no better time to get involved.
Here is what the article contains.
- How to throw darts?
- How to get better at darts?
- How to aim darts?
- How to release a dart?
- How to pick the right equipment for darts?
- Technical setup to practice darts
1. How to throw darts
It is important in this case to use the four parts of the dart, the point, barrel, shaft and flight. The barrel is where players grip the dart when they are playing. Albeit they may use partially the shaft or point to throw the dart.
For instance Dimitri van den Bergh as can be seen below uses the end of the barrel to grip the dart but rests part of his fingers on the end of the barrel at the base of the point to throw it.
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Most players will grip the darts with three fingers using the thumb, forefinger and middle finger. Some will grip it with two fingers using the thumb and forefinger. Some will use four with every finger barring the pinkie used.
But this is all personal preference. Often those starting darts will attempt to throw the dart in the manner of their heroes, such as Phil Taylor, for instance, but it is often what suits a player naturally (see Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen, who throw the dart based on natural rhythm).
This also lends itself to more bizarre throws, such as Dennis Smith and even Mensur Suljovic. Both are done through either dartitis in the case of Suljovic, meaning he needed to adapt his throw, but also what suits the player in getting the dart to the target most effectively.
2. How to get better at darts
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Getting better at darts is down to practice. The goal is to achieve a throw which can be replicated time and again. It is a continuous action from start to finish.
All of the elements from start to finish should be in unison and be able to be repeated and be natural.
Especially when you reach the level of playing tournaments and even to the extreme of playing on TV at Ally Pally for instance where the pressure ramps up and it needs to be replicated consistently.
3. How to aim darts
The first thing you have to do when throwing is how to aim the darts. Take your dart in your throwing hand and raise it to eye level. If you're right handed use the eye most dominant to your side so your right and left vice versa.
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Position the dart to the side of your eye and point your elbow towards the dartboard. Shoulder, elbow and hand should all be aligned, and you should be throwing at a 90-degree angle. Point the dart towards the target and aim towards the target rather than looking at the dart.
This can manifest itself in multiple ways. Gary Anderson, for instance, uses his eye in order to aim and brings his dart back; others, such as Michael Smith, Adrian Lewis, etc., are more natural, so while they bring it back, it is more of a quicker follow-through.
4. How to release a dart
Now that the aim is there, it is time to release. Bring it back towards you and with a forward motion release the dart. You should release as you near the end of extending your arm forward.
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Try to use your arm over your wrist, but snap the wrist as you let go so that your arm finishes fully extended from elbow to hand. When throwing, it is important to maintain a relaxed composure and also to use the oche provided in order to throw from.
This, while also using the prior tips provided and not using the throws of the greats to shape your own. Everyone is different, but no matter what, unless you are Richie Burnett or Mensur Suljovic, your body should remain as still as possible in order to maximise your follow-through on release.
5. How to pick the right equipment for darts?
Similar to playing darts, picking the right equipment is highly beneficial for darts.
Using darts just for player name aren't exactly the best play with the rise of equipment due to the Luke Littler effect meaning many plump for his darts instead of doing research.
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Often darts shops will do tailor-made sessions in their shops to find the best dart for the customer, or you can go along and test darts to see how they throw instead of getting something that does not fly as well due to being picked solely to support your favourite player.
6. Technical setup to practice darts
Before mastering your throw, you have to make sure that your playing environment meets official PDC and WDF standards. Whether you are practising in a spare room or preparing for a local tournament, precision in your setup is the first step towards consistency. A fraction of an inch in the wrong direction can drastically alter your muscle memory and accuracy.
Use the following table as your definitive checklist for a professional-grade setup:
| Feature | Imperial Measurement | Metric Measurement |
| Dartboard Height (Floor to Center of Bullseye) | 5 ft 8 in | 1.73 m |
| Throwing Distance (Front of Board to Oche) | 7 ft 9 ¼ in | 2.37 m |
| Diagonal Distance (Bullseye to Oche) | 9 ft 7 ½ in | 2.93 m |
| Oche Width (Minimum) | 2 ft | 0.61 m |
| Clearance Space (Behind the Player) | 4 ft | 1.22 m |
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Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026
- Fair play to Fallon. But...shows the mockery when a professional players wins what was meant to be an amateur v Pro event, Littlers performance was poor, and what about the players who didn't get a game? Would have been better if the pot was split amoungst all the winners and they all got a leg.BandB31-10-2026