How to Get Better at Darts: Expert Tips

To become a truly good darts player, it’s all about practising. As cliché as it may sound, practice really does make perfect. You’ll need to really take your darts training seriously and maintain consistency in order to see any sort of improvement. 

A lot of players and content creators set up a camera to film their throw and watch it back to study it in slow motion. It’s not a bad idea, and that way, you can compare all of your throws and visualise areas of improvement. As well as our dart throwing tips to improve your game, we also recommend: 

• Warming up before you start - Warming up is incredibly important for precision sports. Using a consistent warm-up routine will build your confidence and make you feel more relaxed. Focus on getting your arm loose and mastering your stance. Do this for 10 minutes, and then start picking different high numbers and triples to hit. 
• Practising high scores - A consistent high-scoring player is more likely to win a game. That’s why it’s crucial to practice treble 20s, 19s, and 18s. Keep practising and aiming, particularly for the ultimate 180! If you’re playing a match and can score 20 or more than your opponent, you’ll have a great advantage. 
• Practising doubles - It’s horrible when you lead with a large gap in a 501 game but end up losing because of missed doubles. Incorporate practising doubles regularly into your warm-up routine for better accuracy and aim. 
• Practising checkouts - It’s also important to practice with some form of pressure. In a game, stakes are high, so it’s good to be prepared and start throwing under pressure from the get-go. We’d also recommend practising aiming for double numbers that can be divided by 2. 
• Practising your throwing technique - Developing the right throw isn’t just about throwing harder or getting lucky. When you land on the correct technique, you’re letting your dart move forward with precision and power, upping your chances of it landing where you want it to. 

Here's an analysis of Cathy Leung's throw to see how one of the world's top players throws her darts with consistency and accuracy.

Technique is important, but so is the equipment you use. In a sport that’s decided by literally millimetres, your equipment is the tool to a consistent, accurate throw. While yes, a pro player could still throw a decent leg with cheap gear, tailoring your equipment to your specific style is one of the greatest ways to up your performance. 

Cheap dartboards use thick round wires held down by staples. If your dart hits a staple, it can bounce out, costing you points and shattering your mental rhythm. Here at Double Top, you can find elite dartboards that are premium quality and ensure that your good throws actually count

Darts that are low in quality can feel too bulky, and if you try to pack three of them into the treble 20, they will physically block the pocket and deflect off one another. High-quality and high-density darts, like we stock here at Double Top, can help to boost your performance and unlock the ability to hit consistent 180s. 

The smooth silver points that come standard on many darts can easily slip out of a well-worn dartboard, leading to frustrating drop outs after the dart has landed. When you buy darts that have a specialised grip point, like the Harrows Supergrip Darts, you’re ensuring that even lightly thrown darts or darts that enter at an awkward angle stay securely in the board. 

Traditional darts setups usually involve pushing a plastic or paper flight into a nylon stem. After a few tight groupings, the flight might get damaged or warp out of its 90-degree shape, or worse, pop off entirely! Therefore, investing in high quality dart flights and dart shafts matter. You can even get integrated systems that combine the flight and shaft into a single piece of material, ensuring they never pop off and stay at a 90-degree angle permanently. 

Find more equipment inspiration by reading our blog, How to Create the Ultimate Darts Setup from Home.

And there you have it… Some expert advice on how to get better at darts. Hopefully, you’re now feeling a bit more confident when it comes to playing your next game. The best thing to do is to keep practising with our recommended tips above, stay patient with your progress, and watch those scores get better with each game. 

Remember, even the best technique won’t save you if your equipment isn’t right for your throw. With over 10,000 products stocked on our website, you can find everything you need right here at Double Top Darts.

Level up your set-up today! Get in touch with our team for more expert advice & information.