Naturally, different types of dart boards exist, and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. As a fan of darts, either an enthusiast or a pro player, knowing these different types of dart boards will not only add to your knowledge of the game of darts but will also enable you to determine when a particular kind of dartboard will be the most applicable. Let’s have a look at the various types of dart boards available and how each kind contributes to the world of darts. This list was prepared by the tem atPeak Pickerwho are experts in the dart boards area.
For The Amateurs – Coiled Paper Dart Boards
These are ideal for kids, or for recreational purposes; nothing too serious. They are very affordable and at that price, they get damaged quickly.
Coiled paper dart boards are stuffed with layers of paper. The dart pierces and goes through the layers of paper when you throw it. The paper should heal when the dart is removed, but this rarely happens considering that paper is not very plastic. This is the reason this kind of dartboard damages quickly. To prevent more damage, you should twist the dart while you remove it from the board. Furthermore, you should also ensure that your darts are always sharp if you intend to extend the life of the board.
For Children – Magnetic Dart Boards
These are essentially toys because these are dart boards that work with darts fitted with flat magnetic tips on them. Any serious dart player can see how childish these are, but if you want things done the easy way, these will work for you. The dart boards themselves have a ferrous surface that facilitates the attachment of the magnetic darts to them. If you are a kid or playing jester is your thing, this is the perfect board for you.
Wooden Dart Boards
Initially, it was a norm for dart boards to be made of wood, mostly poplar or elm. The disadvantage of wood as a material was that it often dried out and cracked. To prevent this, it had to be soaked overnight. It’s believed that the contemporary layout of dart boards was inspired by the natural growth rings and radical cracks from old wooden dartboards. In 1970, the Dutch elm disease eliminated nearly all elm trees making it a challenge to keep producing dart boards from that material. Ever since the production of wooden dartboards went down and today it’s a challenge coming across them. An alternative material is being used to make most of the wooden dartboards you are likely to come across today; pieces of end grain basswood. Most wooden dartboards you are likely to come across today will be made from this material. They are normally printed on both sides so they can be turned over after they’ve undergone much damage. Wooden dart boards are ideal for serious players as well as amateurs.
Electronic Dart Boards
With a playing surface consisting of thousands of tiny holes, electronic dart boards are common today in most bars. They use special darts called electronic darts or soft-tip darts. They are electronic dart boards because the score is automatically recorded when an electronic dart penetrates any of the holes in the board. You will come across different models of electronic dart boards today, both for home and professional use. Darts is a diverse game, as there are different kinds of games you can play. As such, electronic dart boards enable you to play various kinds of dart games as well as variations where applicable. If you have a favorite dart game, when acquiring an electronic dart board, ensure that it’ll have support for the game you like. One more thing you may want to pay attention to is the ability of the dartboard to record the scores of various players. If you are four people playing, the board should be smart enough to distinguish who’s playing and record their scores accordingly. Some boards can comfortably handle two players, some three, and some four. Ensure that the board you are interested in is able to keep scores of all the players involved. Electronic dart boards are a favorite for most people, particularly many beginners because of the ease of scoring that the boards provide. They are good for both novices as well as professionals.
For the Pros – Bristle Dart Boards
Most of the dart boards you are likely to come across, particularly those used by most pros, will be of this type. Bristle dartboards consist of compressed sisal fibers stuck to a backing board, and the edges bound by metal banding. This kind of structure makes it possible for the hole made by the penetration of a dart to close when the dart is removed. You can consider it as self-healing. This is the main advantage that bristle dart boards have over other kinds of dart boards, and also the reason they last the longest.
The bristle dart boards that will serve you for the longest period are those that meet competition standards. Sisal is considered the best fiber for bristle boards. Furthermore, the wiring on the board is part of the most important things about the board. Good wiring will prevent bounce-outs while bad wiring will encourage it. Bristle boards of poor quality will have round wires and staples for keeping the wiring in place. Conversely, bristle boards of good quality will have staple free wiring and bullseye, and super thin wires with triangular edges that prevent bounce-outs by directing the dart in the scoring bed.
