Decoding the Dartboard: A Guide to Darting Terminology

“Madhouse” refers to the double 1 segment on the dartboard. It’s often considered a difficult and nerve-wracking shot because if you miss, the dart can land outside the scoring area, and if you hit a single 1, you still need to hit double 1 to finish. The name “madhouse” reflects the frustration and tension players often feel when they’re left with this checkout.

A “Shanghai” occurs when a player hits a single, triple, and double of the same number in a single turn to win the leg. For example, scoring a single 20, a triple 20, and a double 20 all in one visit to the oche. Achieving a Shanghai is a notable feat and can quickly change the dynamics of a match.

The “oche” is the line behind which a player must stand when throwing their darts. Pronounced “ockey,” this term’s origin is somewhat unclear, but it’s an essential part of the game’s rules. The standard distance from the oche to the dartboard is 7 feet 9.25 inches (237cm)

The “bull” refers to the center of the dartboard, which is divided into two sections: the outer bull (worth 25 points) and the inner bull or bullseye (worth 50 points). Hitting the bullseye is often crucial in closing out a leg, especially in high-pressure situations.

“Tops” is the term used for the double 20 segment, the highest value double on the board, scoring 40 points. Many players aim for tops when finishing a leg because it’s centrally located at the top of the board and offers a straightforward, high-value checkout.

“Double double” refers to a checkout where a player hits two double segments to finish. This strategy is less common but can be used to avoid difficult single dart segments or to navigate around blocked segments on the board.

“3 in a bed” occurs when all three darts in a single turn land in the same triple or double segment. This display of precision and skill is celebrated, especially when all three darts land in the triple 20, scoring 180 points, the highest possible score in one turn.

“Use the marker” is advice often given to players to use a previously thrown dart as a guide for their next throw. For example, if the first dart is just below the triple 20, a player might aim slightly higher to “use the marker” and land in the desired segment.

A “blocker dart” is when a thrown dart obstructs the path to the desired segment, making it harder to hit the intended target. Skilled players often adjust their aim or strategy to navigate around a blocker dart, sometimes switching targets altogether.

To “switch” means to change the target area on the dartboard, often due to a blocker dart or to avoid a difficult segment. For instance, if the triple 20 is blocked, a player might switch to the triple 19 to maximize their score.

A “bogey finish” is a score that cannot be checked out with three darts. For example, scores like 169, 168, or 166 are considered bogey finishes because there is no combination of three darts that can bring the score to zero. Players aim to avoid leaving themselves on a bogey finish to maintain optimal chances of winning the leg.

“On up one in” is a strategy advice, suggesting the player aims above a double conservatively, to gauge a feel for it, and then the second throw uses the first as a guide. This is typically used for shots at double 1, to help avoid the possibility of busting.

“Board management” refers to the strategic planning of scoring and checkouts, ensuring the player leaves themselves on favorable numbers. This involves knowing the best routes and combinations to avoid bogey finishes and tricky doubles.

“Don’t go inside” is advice given to players aiming for a double. It means not to hit the single segment inside the double ring, as this would leave the player with a score that still needs to be finished on a double.

“Big fish” refers to a 170 checkout, the highest possible with three darts, achieved by hitting two triple 20s and a bullseye. It’s a celebrated and impressive finish in darts.

“Medium fish” is a 130 checkout, usually achieved with a triple 20, single 20, and bullseye. It’s a significant finish and often seen as a confidence booster.

A “champagne shot” is a stylish and high-scoring finish, typically involving a bullseye. It’s a term used to describe a flashy and impressive checkout.

“The Deller” refers to a 138 checkout, named after Keith Deller who famously finished with this score to win the 1983 World Championship. It involves hitting a triple 20, triple 18, and double 12, but modern players may favour other routes, such as triple 19, triple, 19, double 12.

A “Robin Hood” occurs when a dart sticks into the back of another dart already in the board, resembling the legend of Robin Hood splitting an arrow with another.

“The lipstick” is a colloquial term for the triple 20 segment, the most commonly targeted area on the dartboard for scoring high points.

A “9 darter” is the perfect leg of darts, completing a 501 game in just nine darts. One way to complete a 9-dart finish is by scoring 180, 180, then 141.

“Pop pop finish” refers to hitting a reasonably simple finish to win a leg in two darts without having the pressure of needing the third dart by missing with one of the first two. An example of a pop pop finish could be 86 by hitting triple 18 and then double 16 in 2 darts.

“Don’t miss the big number” is advice given to ensure players hit the larger, simpler segment they are aiming for to leave a favourable double, rather than risking the smaller, more difficult triple segment.

“Wrong bed” refers to hitting a different double segment than intended, often adjacent to the target segment. For example, aiming for double 8 but hitting double 16 instead.

A “set up shot” is a throw designed to leave the player on an easy double or a favourable finish for their next turn. It’s a strategic move to ensure a high probability of winning the leg in subsequent turn(s).

To “bust” means to score more points than needed to finish, thus invalidating that turn’s score and returning the player’s total to what it was before the turn started. For example, needing 40 points to win but hitting a score higher than that results in a bust.

“Bent the wire” is a term used when a dart lands just outside the intended segment, hitting the metal wire separating segments but not scoring the intended points. It’s often a sign of narrowly missing a critical shot.