JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into darts

Darts has a dedicated, passionate community and almost no decent beginner guides. Here's the fix: what gear actually matters (bristle board, tungsten darts, a proper surround), what you'll be tempted to overspend on, and how to mount your board correctly from day one.

By Colin B. · Published May 24, 2026 · Last reviewed May 24, 2026
Man throwing dart at dartboard in room.

Photo by Bluestonex on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. CUESOUL 22g 90% Tungsten Steel Tip Darts — The 22g tungsten starter set that feels right in hand from day one — and will outlast three brass sets.
  2. Winmau Blade 6 Bristle Dartboard — Winmau Blade 6 is the gold-standard bristle board for beginners and experienced players alike.
  3. Winmau Dartboard Surround — Black — A proper surround ring is the one piece of wall protection every home setup needs from day one.
Budget total
$90
Typical total
$180
A bristle board, a decent tungsten set, and a surround ring gets you to a proper setup for around $90-180. The gear lasts years if you buy it right the first time.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
DartboardsWinmauWinmau Blade 6 Bristle Dartboard$$ See on Amazon →
DartsCuesoulCUESOUL 22g 90% Tungsten Steel Tip Darts$$ See on Amazon →
SurroundWinmauWinmau Dartboard Surround — Black$ See on Amazon →
Oche MatWinmauWinmau Compact Pro Oche Dart Mat$$ See on Amazon →
AccessoriesCasemasterCasemaster Deluxe Dart Case$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

The dartboard matters more than the darts. A $15 paper or coiled-wire board will shred within weeks, dull your points, and give you a warped read of where you're actually aiming. Buy a bristle board once and it'll last years.

Buy tungsten, not brass. Brass darts are thick, inconsistent, and crowd each other on the board — making tight groupings physically impossible. Tungsten darts in the 22-24g range are the universal beginner recommendation for good reason: they're thin, balanced, and what every serious player actually uses.

Mount your board correctly on day one. Standard UK/BDO/PDC regulation height is 5 feet 8 inches from floor to center of the bullseye. The toe line (oche) is 7 feet 9.25 inches from the face of the board. Use tape for the oche until you buy a mat. Getting this right from the start means your muscle memory trains on a legal setup.

The gear

What you actually need

black and brown dart board

Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash

Dartboards

Every serious darts player plays on a bristle board — sisal fibers that self-heal when a dart is removed, so the board lasts years instead of months. Anything with a wire coil surface or a paper face is a toy and will actively work against your development. Within bristle boards, the main differentiator is the wire divider between segments: thin, staple-free wires reduce bounce-outs dramatically. The Winmau Blade series has been the bristle-board benchmark for decades.

Best starter
Winmau

Winmau Blade 6 Bristle Dartboard

$$

The Blade 6 is the standard of the sport. Ultra-thin blade wires reduce bounce-outs, the sisal is dense and self-heals cleanly, and this is the board you'll see at pub leagues and BDO-sanctioned events. Buy this, mount it properly, and never think about dartboards again.

What we like

  • Ultra-thin blade wires cut bounce-outs dramatically
  • Dense sisal self-heals after every dart — lasts years
  • Regulation size used in BDO and PDC-sanctioned events

What to know

  • Heavier than cheap boards — wall mount needs a solid stud
  • 20-segment wears fastest; rotate the board to even it out
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Viper

Viper Shot King Bristle Dartboard

$

The cheapest bristle board we'd actually recommend. Sisal construction, removable bullseye for rotation, and staple-free wire on the bull area. Not as refined as the Winmau but a real bristle board — not the coiled-wire toy at the bottom of the category.

What we like

  • Under $40 and genuinely bristle — not a toy coiled-wire board
  • Removable bullseye lets you rotate for even wear

What to know

  • Thicker wires mean more bounce-outs than premium boards
  • Sisal density is lower — expect shorter lifespan than Winmau
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Unicorn

Unicorn Eclipse Pro 2 Dartboard

$$$

The Eclipse Pro 2 is Unicorn's tournament-grade board and the choice of the PDC — the organization that runs the World Championship. Extremely thin wiring, exceptional sisal density, and a staple-free bullseye. If you're playing regularly and want to eliminate bounce-outs as a variable, this is where you go.

What we like

  • PDC official board — the same spec used at the World Championship
  • Staple-free bullseye and thinnest wires available reduce bounce-outs
  • Highest sisal density of any consumer board — exceptional lifespan

What to know

  • Premium price — overkill until you're playing 2+ times a week
  • Virtually no difference versus Blade 6 for the first 100 hours
See on Amazon →

Darts

Your darts are your instrument. Brass darts are wide and cheap — avoid them. Tungsten has a much higher density, which means the same weight in a much slimmer barrel, letting darts group close together on the board without crowding. Weight is personal: 22-24g is where most beginners land. Flights (the wing shape) and shafts (the stem connecting barrel to flight) affect stability in the air and are cheap to replace. Buy a decent tungsten set and experiment with flights before you decide you need a new barrel.

Darts — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

18g–20g (Lightweight)

Fast release, less arm effort. Popular with players who have a quick, snappy throw.

Weight
18–20g
Best for
Fast, snap-release throwing style

Best for Players with a quick, snappy throw or lighter arm action

Tradeoff Less stable in flight — punishes inconsistent releases more than heavier darts

22g–24g (Standard)

The universal beginner starting weight. 90% of new players should start here.

Weight
22–24g
Best for
Most beginners and intermediate players

Best for First-time buyers and most recreational players

Tradeoff Middle of the road — won't reveal preference for heavy or light until you've thrown both

↓ See our pick
25g–28g (Heavyweight)

Dampen wrist movement. Good if your throw is loose or inconsistent.

Weight
25–28g
Best for
Players with loose throw mechanics

Best for Players who struggle with a consistent release, or prefer deliberate throw mechanics

Tradeoff Arm tires faster in long sessions; too heavy for players with a wristy action

Best starter
Cuesoul

CUESOUL 22g 90% Tungsten Steel Tip Darts

$$

90% tungsten at a price that makes no sense for how good these are. Slim barrel, consistent machining, and they come with a case and spare flights. These are the darts we'd hand a friend on day one. Throw them for three months before deciding you need something different.

What we like

  • 90% tungsten — genuinely thin barrel that groups tight on the board
  • Includes case and spare flights for an out-of-the-box ready kit
  • Consistent machining across the set — no wobble between barrels

What to know

  • Stock flights are standard shape — swap to slim if you prefer
  • No knurling variation; grip texture is fixed — some prefer more bite
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Bottelsen

Bottelsen 80 Series 80% Tungsten Darts

$

Under $25 for real tungsten. Not as slim as higher-percentage alloys, but a legitimate step up from brass. Bottelsen has been making darts for decades and the quality control is sound for the price. A good way in if you're not sure darts will stick.

What we like

  • Genuine 80% tungsten for under $25 — a big step above brass
  • Bottelsen's decades-long reputation means consistent build quality

What to know

  • 80% tungsten means slightly thicker barrel than premium sets
  • Fewer grouping options once your game improves — you'll outgrow these
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Target

Target Phil Taylor Power 9-Five Gen 7 Darts

$$$

Phil Taylor is the greatest darts player of all time — 16 World Championship titles. The Power 9Five is what he helped design and what serious amateurs end up on. 95% tungsten, ultra-slim barrel, aggressive grip knurling, and exceptional balance. Buy once you've thrown for a few months and know whether you want more or less grip.

What we like

  • 95% tungsten — the slimmest barrels you can get for tight groupings
  • Designed with Phil Taylor — 16-time world champion's input built in
  • Aggressive knurling gives consistent grip under pressure

What to know

  • Aggressive grip is polarizing — not for players who prefer smooth barrels
  • Premium price; only meaningful once you've developed consistent form
See on Amazon →

Surround

If your board is mounted directly on drywall, a missed dart will punch a hole in the wall within a session. A surround (sometimes called a catchring) is the ring of foam or rubber that circles the board and catches errant darts. Absolutely essential. Cabinet setups enclose the board and add aesthetic appeal — but you don't need one to start. A basic surround ring works fine and takes five minutes to install.

Best starter
Winmau

Winmau Dartboard Surround — Black

$

Dense foam ring that mounts around any regulation board in minutes. Catches stray darts reliably, protects your wall, and doesn't look like an afterthought. Winmau's build quality is the standard — the foam holds its shape for years instead of compressing into uselessness after a month.

What we like

  • Dense foam catches stray darts without compression over time
  • Fits all standard 18-inch bristle boards — universal sizing
  • Winmau build quality that holds shape through years of use

What to know

  • No door or storage — just protection, no cabinet aesthetics
  • Black only in base version — colored options cost more
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Viper

Viper Metropolitan Dartboard Cabinet

$$$

A cabinet encloses your board, protects your wall fully, adds chalk scoreboards on the inner doors, and looks like intentional decor instead of a dartboard hanging on your wall. The Metropolitan fits a standard board, holds your darts, and makes the whole setup feel permanent and complete. Worth it once you know darts is sticking around.

What we like

  • Full wall protection and dart storage in one clean package
  • Built-in chalkboard on inner doors for scoring without a separate board
  • Transforms a hanging dartboard into proper room decor

What to know

  • Heavy — needs a wall stud, not just a drywall anchor
  • 30-60 minute assembly; cabinet doors need alignment adjustment
See on Amazon →

Oche Mat

The oche (pronounced 'ockey') is the toe line behind which you throw. Most beginners tape a line on the floor and call it done — and that works fine at first. An oche mat rolls out to regulate distance (7 feet 9.25 inches from the board face), protects your floor, reduces thrower fatigue with a cushioned surface, and usually includes a raised toe-line so you always know exactly where your front foot belongs. Not essential on week one, but a nice upgrade once you're throwing regularly.

Best starter
Winmau

Winmau Compact Pro Oche Dart Mat

$$

Rolls out to the exact regulation throwing distance, has a raised oche lip at the toe line, and the anti-slip backing stays put on any surface. The cushioned surface reduces fatigue if you're standing at the line for an extended session. This is the mat the serious home player ends up with — buy it once.

What we like

  • Rolls to exact regulation distance — no measuring tape required
  • Raised oche lip gives your front foot a tactile reference point
  • Anti-slip backing holds on hardwood, tile, or carpet

What to know

  • Takes up ~3 feet of floor space behind the board
  • Needs to be rolled for storage in small spaces
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Viper

Viper Padded Dart Mat with Toe Line

$$

Viper's padded floor mat cushions long sessions at the oche and includes a printed toe line so you always know where your front foot belongs. Rolls up for storage and the anti-slip backing stays put on hardwood or tile. A simple upgrade over a taped floor line once you're throwing regularly.

What we like

  • Padded surface reduces leg and back fatigue in long sessions
  • Printed toe line eliminates guesswork on your oche position
  • Anti-slip backing holds on hardwood, tile, or carpet

What to know

  • Does not extend to regulation throwing distance — measure separately
  • Rolls up for storage but takes a few days to lay flat when new
See on Amazon →

Accessories

Three accessories are genuinely useful from day one: a dart case (to take your darts to a friend's or a pub without bending the flights), spare flights (they tear faster than you think), and a scoreboard for cricket and 501. Dart sharpeners exist but bristle boards keep points fine on their own — skip it. An electronic scorer on your phone (the Darts Scoreboard app is free) is faster than chalk for most home games.

Best starter
Casemaster

Casemaster Deluxe Dart Case

$

Holds two full sets, has individual flight slots to keep them from crumpling, and has a belt loop and zip-around closure that keeps everything secure in transit. If you ever take your darts anywhere — a pub, a friend's place, a league night — this is essential. The $15 you'll spend here saves your flights every single trip.

What we like

  • Individual flight slots prevent crumpling in transit
  • Holds two full sets — bring your backup darts every time
  • Belt-loop attachment keeps it accessible on league nights

What to know

  • No room for a dart sharpener or extra shafts
  • Nylon exterior — not water-resistant in heavy rain
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Winmau

Winmau Mega Standard Dart Flights (3-Set Pack)

$

Flights are consumables — they tear, crumple, and degrade after weeks of use and dramatically affect dart stability in the air. This assortment covers standard, slim, and kite shapes so you can experiment to find what makes your dart fly truest. A pack of 30 sets costs less than one premium dart and is the cheapest performance tuning available.

What we like

  • Multiple shapes let you tune dart stability without buying new barrels
  • 30-set pack covers months of replacements for one-time cost
  • Winmau's flight material holds shape longer than generic brands

What to know

  • Some shapes won't fit your shafts — check compatibility first
  • Tuning by flight alone only gets you so far; shaft length matters too
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month of darts

Darts looks simple until you throw your first arrow. Here's what actually happens in your first month — the stance, the grip, the games that teach you fastest, and when it starts clicking.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Electronic dartboard — Soft-tip darts and plastic-point boards are for bar games and family rec rooms. Serious players use steel-tip darts on bristle boards. Don't start on electronic if you intend to improve.
  • A dart sharpener — Bristle boards naturally maintain point sharpness — sisal fibers don't dull steel. A sharpener is for players on concrete or wood, not your home board.
  • Premium dart case with built-in sharpener — Upsell bundles at the board game store. A basic nylon case does the same job at a third the price.
  • Dartboard lighting rig — Good overhead room lighting is all you need to start. Dedicated dart lighting is a nice quality-of-life upgrade around month three, not month one.
  • Multiple dart sets — Buy one good tungsten set and throw it for three months before trying a different weight or grip style. Most beginners rotate sets before learning anything about themselves.
  • An auto-scorer display — Your phone runs Darts Scoreboard or the Cricket app for free. A dedicated display is a luxury, not a learning tool.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Order your bristle board so it arrives before the weekend. · Buy
  2. Order your tungsten dart set and surround ring at the same time. · Buy
  3. Mount the board at regulation height: bullseye center 5 feet 8 inches from the floor. Tape your oche line 7 feet 9.25 inches from the board face. · Action
  4. Learn 501 first. Each player starts at 501 and counts down to zero — you must finish on a double. It's the standard game and the format that teaches you every section of the board. · Learn
  5. Throw at the 20 for your first two sessions. Don't play a full game yet — just throw three darts at the 20, pick them up, repeat. You're building muscle memory, not a scorecard. · Action
  6. Install a free darts scorer on your phone for cricket and 501 scoring. · Learn
  7. Find your local darts league. Most UK pubs and many US bars run casual leagues with beginner divisions — playing with other people accelerates improvement faster than solo practice. · Action
  8. Watch one YouTube coaching video on throwing technique — specifically grip and stance. Mark Webster's beginner tutorial is the most watched for a reason. · Learn
FAQ

Common questions

Steel tip or soft tip — which should I start with?

Steel tip on a bristle board. Soft-tip darts on electronic boards are for casual bar games and family rec rooms. If you're serious about improving, start on bristle — it's the standard for every league and competition.

What weight dart should I start with?

22-24g is the universal beginner recommendation and where most players settle long-term. Don't agonize over it — buy a 22g set, throw it for three months, then experiment with lighter or heavier if something feels off.

Do I need 90% tungsten or is 80% fine?

80% tungsten is genuinely fine to start. The practical difference is barrel diameter — 90% is slimmer, which helps tight groupings slightly. A 90% set at a reasonable price (like the Cuesoul ARES) is the better buy if the cost is similar, but 80% from a reputable brand won't hold you back.

Can I mount the board on drywall without a stud?

Yes, but use a proper drywall anchor rated for the weight (boards run 10-12 lbs). A stud is always preferred. If you're in an apartment, lean the board against a cabinet or build a freestanding stand rather than leaving holes.

How long does it take to get decent at darts?

Consistency in your throw and hitting your target segments regularly takes 2-3 months of practice a few times a week. Finishing 501 games reliably (ending on a double) takes 6-12 months. The good news: even at a low level you can play competitive cricket and have fun immediately.

Is there a cheaper alternative to buying new darts to try different weights?

Yes — many local pub leagues and darts clubs have loaner darts at different weights. Throw a few different sets before buying your own. The other cheap option is adjusting flights and shafts on your current darts; they affect in-flight stability significantly without changing the barrel.

What's the difference between cricket and 501?

501 is a countdown race to zero (finishing on a double). Cricket is a strategic territorial game where you 'close' numbers 15-20 and the bullseye by hitting each three times, then score points on open numbers. Both are worth learning — 501 teaches board geography, cricket teaches strategy.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) — The sport's top governing body. Watch PDC matches on YouTube free — the World Championship is genuinely compelling viewing even for beginners.
  • American Darts Organization (ADO) — US equivalent — find local affiliates, leagues, and tournaments. The ADO runs the US Open and is the entry point for competitive play in America.
  • Darts1.de — The most comprehensive darts information site on the internet. Equipment reviews, throwing technique guides, rule explanations. German-based but fully in English.
  • r/Darts — Active, knowledgeable community. The wiki has an excellent equipment guide. Gear recommendation threads are higher-signal than most hobby subreddits.
  • Dartoid's World (YouTube) — Long-running darts journalism and commentary. Good for tournament coverage and player profiles once you know the basics.
  • Target Darts Academy (YouTube) — Coaching tutorials from pros sponsored by Target. Technique-focused videos in plain language — a good first stop for throwing mechanics.
  • PDC World Championship (YouTube) — Free match replays and highlights. Watching Phil Taylor or Michael van Gerwen at the oche for 10 minutes teaches you more about stance and release than most written guides.
person picking dart pins on board

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

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