Darts Sport Introduction‌

Darts has a long history, originating in 15th-century England. According to records, soldiers of the ancient Roman legions were sent by the Roman emperor to the distant British Isles. The rainy British weather made it inconvenient for them to spend long periods outdoors. So, they gathered in sheds and threw arrows at targets made from cross-sections of oak trees, which gradually evolved into the modern sport of darts. Many dartboards today still have a "target ring" on the back, with patterns that resemble the "growth rings" of a tree cross-section, which might serve as evidence for this theory.

Another theory suggests that darts evolved from a 10-inch-long throwing weapon used by English archers in close combat.

A third theory involves a specific historical figure. King Henry VII of England, who was physically weak, decided hunting was too dangerous and strenuous. Instead, he created a short-handled dart to throw at oak tree cross-sections for exercise. Soon, court officials also grew fond of this activity, and it gradually spread.

The modern version of darts emerged in the late 19th century, with Brian Gamlin credited for inventing the current scoring system. In the early 1970s, darts "flew" out of England and quickly spread across Europe. Many countries established their own darts associations and formed the World Darts Federation. Since then, annual world championships and numerous professional or amateur international tournaments have been held, often sponsored by beer companies, with substantial prize money for players. One of the most common forms is bar darts competitions. For example, in Germany, bars often invite skilled darts players for matches, performances, and coaching, paying them around 1,000 Deutsche Marks per week. This draws crowds who enjoy drinks while watching the games.

Darts appeared in Russia in 1989 when a British company donated 100 sets of darts equipment to Russian sports organizations. Around the same time, television broadcasts of the World Darts Championship in Chicago captivated thousands of viewers. Soon after, the Russian Darts Federation was established, and the sport rapidly grew in popularity there.

The widespread appeal of darts lies in its simple and affordable equipment, making it easy to introduce as a home activity. For instance, a decent bristle dartboard (commonly used in bars) costs only around 300-400 yuan, and a good set of darts (three darts per set) can be bought for about 100 yuan—relatively low compared to other sports investments.

The rules of darts are straightforward and easy to grasp, taking just a few minutes to understand the basics, which is another reason why the sport is so accessible.

Darts doesn’t require much space, making it ideal for home use. Simply hang the dartboard on the wall at the proper distance (official competition distance is 2.37 meters), and anyone—regardless of age or gender—can play a quick game anytime, regardless of the weather. It’s a fun way to stay active and encourages interaction and bonding among family members, fostering a happy and harmonious home atmosphere. Why not give it a try?