If you are new to the game of darts, or are setting up a new rig in your spare room, garage or recently built garden den, then you’ll want to read this blog for some top tips on completing your dart board set up. Here we share some great advice on how to hang a dartboard and where to position it, as well as explaining the importance of dartboard surrounds, mats and scorers to ensure you can experience the game exactly as it should be played.

Firstly you can start with just a board or purchase an inclusive centre.

Darts Centres

All the major brands provide dartboard centres. You can find out about them here. They range in price from £60 to around £85. Contents vary including the following set that even includes lighting...

How to hang a dartboard

It’s a common misconception that you can just hang a dartboard wherever it fits. The reality is that you need enough space in front of and at the sides of the dartboard, otherwise it could negatively impact your aim, throw and the distance the darts go. When choosing the perfect place for your dartboard make sure:

It is clear of pathways and entrances so you don’t get constantly disrupted or risk someone getting hurt when they walk past.
It is not placed near windows, breakables or expensive items - darts can bounce up to 8 feet off the board, so clear the surrounding area.
It has sufficient space between the oche and the board - for steel tip darts this should be 2.37 metres and for soft tip darts it should be 2.44 metres.
Mark the oche on the floor with masking tape and ensure there is also enough space behind it for the throwing area.

A new device is coming to the market that might help if you are tight for space. Click on the image to find out more;

How high should a dartboard be?

Darts regulations state that a dartboard should be 5 foot 8 inches (1.73m) from the centre of the bullseye to the floor. This is the same distance whether you are playing with soft tip or steel tip darts.

How to fix a dartboard to a wall

When hanging your dartboard you’ll need to ensure it fits flush to the wall, rather than hanging out at an angle like a picture. If you are having a darts cabinet, you’ll need to mount that on the wall first and then fix the dartboard inside.

This is a neat little piece of magic. This fantastic bracket makes it very easy to remove or rotate your dartboard to prolong its life.

Many cabinets and boards will be supplied with all the screws and anchors you’ll need to safely affix your board to the wall, if yours isn’t or you are moving your dartboard then there are hanging kits from us here;

Make sure the number 20 is at the top of the board when mounting, ready for a double top checkout!

Dartboard surround ideas

If you are not opting for a dartboard cabinet, then you’ll need protection for the wall area around your board. A dartboard surround is the perfect solution, as it fits seamlessly around the board, protecting your wall and preventing darts from bouncing back and causing damage. There are lots of dartboard surround ideas to choose from, including the traditional surrounds in black, red or white to match the colours on your board, to more colourful options to brighten up your playing area. Choose a surround for a striking overall look or as an aid as with this one that gives the outshot numbers;

Other dart board set up tips

Finally, before you get ready to practice your throw, make sure that you have:

A mat to protect the floor from rebounding darts

An area for spectators/other players to stand safely
A scoring board to keep score during your games. If you don’t have one built into your darts cabinet, mount a wall scoring board to the left or right of your dartboard for easy access, or use an electronic darts scorer

To find the perfect dartboard, surround, cabinet, mats and scorers please click here to view our full range of rigs from all the well known brands.