Dart Etiquette

Darts is a friendly game, and in the true spirit of sportsmanship, competitive matches usually begin and end with a handshake. As you're on your way to becoming a "Passionate Darter" it is important to be considerate of your fellow darters and to follow the guidelines of dart etiquette.

• Begin and end matches with a handshake and words to the effect of "Good Play".
  
• Do not shout out or speak to a dart thrower who is at the line.
  
• Do not tell your opponents their out-numbers or suggested strategy while they are at the line.
  
• Do not swear or raise your voice (no outbursts, yelling or screaming).
  
• Do not throw your darts or hit the dartboard in frustration.
  
• Do not complain about the opponent you are throwing against.
  
• Any unethical conduct, abusive language or poor sportsmanship may be grounds for forfeiture of a match, and possibly expulsion from the league or tournament play. Local league and tournament managers may rule on this at their discretion. The Passionate Darter abides by these decisions in the spirit of sportsmanship.
  
• When playing in a blind-draw, bring your own darts or use house darts - do NOT assume you will use your partner's darts.
  
• Do not assume you will diddle or go first, instead discuss and agree on this with your partner before the match is to begin.
  
• Be aware of the toe line and do your best not to cross the line while throwing.
  
• Stand behind the line when your opponent is throwing, and if off to the side, remain behind the area of the line and out of the thrower's peripheral vision.
  
• When playing steel-tip darts, be sure to chalk your fair share for your fellow darters.
  
• When playing steel-tip darts, be sure to announce your score to the chalker before pulling your darts.
  
• When playing electronic darts, it is the darter's responsibility to make sure the electronic board is ready for you to shoot your turn. With the newest electronic boards, the sensors are very good and it is rare that you'll actually have to push the button. With older machines, you may have to press the "Enter" or "Player Change" button to manually move to the next player. In a worst case scenario, the darter may throw a dart and when the score doesn't register, realize that the board wasn't set to the next player. Many darters blame the previous darter for not making sure the "button" was pressed and fist fights have broken out over this. It's unfortunate when a dart is thrown and doesn't register because the game didn't move to the next player. This dart, of course, does not count and time and time again this is often a pretty good dart. Yes, this is unfortunate, but ultimately it is YOUR responsibility, when YOU are standing at the line, to make sure the electronic board is ready for you to take your turn.
• Be on time for matches.
  
• Do be enthusiastic toward any dart player you are paired up with in a blind draw.
  
• Do be a team player and help coach others on the strategy of the game when asked.
  
• When there is a game in progress at your local pub, which is not part of a tournament or league play, whoever is playing on that board owns the board. The etiquette-wise passionate darter may challenge whomever owns the board to a match. The winner(s) of that match then owns the board.
  
• Do act with grace during and after a match, whether you have won or lost.