How much has modern dart boards improved the game?

[Getagrip]

I know the standard of play has improved immensely over the last 15 years or so, how much of that improvement do you think is down to the better boards?

The thin Blade wires have increased the scoring area and improved the chances of a dart deflecting into the board rather than bouncing off it, surely this has helped increase averages?

What do you think?

[Philia]

In terms of technology I see three main developments for darts that have risen the standards of play:

1. Tungsten in the late 70s. Before it was really an event to bring three of the fat brass beasts into the trebles.
2. Dartbords: The thin wires surely brought some percents with less bouncers and bigger scoring areas.
3. Media appereance/Internet: Forums like this one bringing much more discussion about finishing ways, darts equipment, checkout charts, videos of pros to look at their stance, grip etc., sharing practise routines; newly Webcam based leagues, bringing young people into competition with out leaving their homes and so on. Much easier nowadays to get access to the whole knowledge and experiences in darts!

The commercial success of darts in the media brought out a new type of young guns in darts: not primarily interested in the social aspects of darts (pub, drinking ...), but very competitive, darts as sport and a source of income.

So, there are surely some technical reasons for the improved standards of play. But the main thing is a different approach in the last years: For many people, attracted by the top players, darts came out of the "pub-leisure corner". Its a sport, you practise seriously and you are highly connected in networks and forums, and there is a constantly rising flow of informations and experiences between the players.

Just my 2 cents.

[*Saber*]

In terms of technology I see three main developments for darts that have risen the standards of play:

1. Tungsten in the late 70s. Before it was really an event to bring three of the fat brass beasts into the trebles.
2. Dartbords: The thin wires surely brought some percents with less bouncers and bigger scoring areas.
3. Media appereance/Internet: Forums like this one bringing much more discussion about finishing ways, darts equipment, checkout charts, videos of pros to look at their stance, grip etc., sharing practise routines; newly Webcam based leagues, bringing young people into competition with out leaving their homes and so on. Much easier nowadays to get access to the whole knowledge and experiences in darts!

The commercial success of darts in the media brought out a new type of young guns in darts: not primarily interested in the social aspects of darts (pub, drinking ...), but very competitive, darts as sport and a source of income.

So, there are surely some technical reasons for the improved standards of play. But the main thing is a different approach in the last years: For many people, attracted by the top players, darts came out of the "pub-leisure corner". Its a sport, you practise seriously and you are hihgly connected in networks and forums, and there is a constantly rising flow of informations and experiences between the players.

Just my 2 cents.

That is a very informative opinion and you get a thumbs up from me.

[Getagrip]

nice post Phil, so your in agreement that the boards have helped, another thing is the prize money and the success of Taylor which has incentivised other players to improve too.

I still think if the boards of today were used in the early 80's that the averages would have been better then, but of course there is a lot of other things that has helped the standard improve too.

[Philia]

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[mc1958]

The thickness of the old brass darts isn't that far off the size of the Phase 5's - I reckon even the Stokie would have far lower averages on the old stapled boards. The advent of tungsten definitely helped the game progress, but for me the biggest improvement in the game is the staple free boards.

[brenthahn]

The commercial success of darts in the media brought out a new type of young guns in darts: not primarily interested in the social aspects of darts (pub, drinking ...), but very competitive, darts as sport and a source of income.

Don't know about elsewhere, but where I live the only public places to play are bars. Not exactly a formula for growth of the sport.

[Philia]

Its growing elsewhere...

Check this place: https://www.webcamdarts.com/

[brenthahn]

Its growing elsewhere...

Check this place: https://www.webcamdarts.com/

Interesting. Sort of "Darts meets XBOX Live."

[gumbo2176]

I've gotta agree with what I've read so far. The first boards I played on had thicker wires and tons of staples holding the wires in. I currently have 2 Alien boards set up in my practice area and the wires are very thin, come to a beveled point and not rounded like the older boards and have no staples for cleaner scoring areas.

Like brenthahn mentioned, I also don't know of any commercial places besides bars that offer darts as a game that young players can get involved in. My guess would be a liability issue because kids will be kids and before long someone will take a dart to the eye or something similar. Many of the league players I know don't even have a board set up at their home to play on.

When I have gatherings at my house, the dart boards get a real workout from the younger members of our family and they seem to really like it once I explain how the games are played, but most of them don't have room in their home for a set-up.

[rabsmith2]

If yer good yer good!!!

[Getagrip]

here is a 1978 Winmau board:

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1978 Winmau Dartboard by dazdart, on Flickr


The trebles are staple free as the staples are on the outside, but the wires are still thicker

[rabsmith2]

That treble stable, (in your picture on the tens) used to annoy the hell out of me.

[uncle poop]

Is it the boards per say? Yes with thinner wire and no staples it does make it easier to score. Or is it the practice and dedication of the players themselves? Maybe changes with dart tech?

I would like to see a top player of today play on an older stapled board and see how well they do. Will there be more bounce outs? Will they shoot the same?

I think with a lot of sports especially early in their "pro" statuses the players are not as dedicated as say players today. Just look at sports like baseball. Players in baseball used to play baseball and work regular jobs, there was not much in the way of practicing and most partied and drank. Now you have guys who work out 4 hours a day and practice another 8 hours. Not sure how it is in the pro darts (only getting into the sport) but I would say the same is true. Do we need to work out and be muscled bound, no but I am sure throwing everyday goes a long way towards being a better player.

[gumbo2176]

You bring up some valid points uncle poop. In the early days of darts there was a lot partying going on, drinking before, during and after matches, etc.

With darts becoming thinner due to the alloys used and different type points that tend to grip the boards better, it's not unreasonable to believe players scores jumped up dramatically with the advances in technology concerning the game. Then there's more prize money and sponsorships offered that puts pressure on the players and governing bodies to clean up the game and take it past the "Pub" atmosphere.

Let's face it, if you were playing in a tournament that could generate $50,000 U.S. or more ;to the winner, wouldn't you practice a hell of a lot more to try to grab that brass ring. My arm would be just shy of falling off-------if I even possessed the talent to make it past the first round.

But, the new board designs sure don't hurt.