Darts Term

What does it mean?

Annie’s Attic

Refers to the double one.

Archer

A name for a player who throws very quick and smooth darts, like an archer’s arrow.

Arrows

Darts slang for the actual darts you throw with. Can also be used as a compliment when someone hits a good score. For example, “(good) arrows.”

Baby Ton

A darts term that refers to scoring 95 points in one visit. A ton is a score of exactly 100 points, but a baby ton is still a very good score.

Bag of Nails

When you throw three single ones with all three of your darts in a single visit. Also known as nails or bucket of nails.

Bail Out

Refers to a player hitting a big treble with their last dart after two low scoring darts. For example, single one, single five and then treble 20. Also known as a ‘Good Find’ or a ‘Good Save’.

Barrel

The main part of the dart which is where most players will hold when throwing. Made of tungsten, nickel-silver or brass.

Bed

Refers to each specific segment on the dartboard. For example, the treble 20 bed.

Bed and Breakfast

When you score 26 points in one visit, usually with a single one, single five and single 20. Named after this because a bed and breakfast used to cost 26p.

Big Fish

A 170 checkout (treble 20, treble 20, bullseye). The biggest finish possible with three darts.

Blind Bull

When you throw at the bullseye without looking at the dartboard.

Bogey

When you leave a score that cannot be checked out in three darts or less (Eg. 159, 162, 163, 165, 166, 168 and 169).

Bombs/Bombers

A very large or heavy set of darts.

Bounce Out

The term used to describe a dart falling out of the dartboard.

Break of Throw

When you win a leg that your opponent threw the first three darts in.

Bristle Board

The type of dartboard used in steel tip darts and seen on television in professional tournaments. Made of Sisal.

Bull Out

When you win a game by hitting the bullseye.

Bull Up

Often used to decide who will throw first in a match. Each player will throw a dart at the bullseye and the player who gets the closest starts the match.

Bullseye

The red centre circle on a dartboard (worth 50 points).

Bust

Refers to hitting more points than what you required at the start of your turn.

Call the Score

When you announce the total number of points scored in one visit.

Chalking

The act of keeping score of a game of darts, traditionally by using chalk and a blackboard, or a pen and a whiteboard, but often now with an electronic scoreboard.

Champagne Breakfast

When you hit a treble 20, treble five and treble one in one visit to the board.

Champagne Finish

When you hit outer bullseye, treble 19 and bullseye for a 132 checkout. Also known as the Champagne Shot.

Checkout

A checkout is a score you have left that can be finished on a double in one visit to win the game.

Chucker

Refers to a player who just ‘chucks’ their darts at the board without any care.

Circle It

Refers to a player scoring fewer than 10 points in one turn. The person chalking may put a circle around their score on the scoreboard.

Combination Finish

A checkout that requires a player to hit two or three darts in an exact segment to finish. For example, 60 by hitting single 20 and then double 20.

Cover Shot

When you throw at a different treble, usually 19, after a previously thrown dart has blocked the treble 20 segment.

Darts 180

A score of 180 points (three treble 20s) in one visit.

Double In

When you start a game of darts by hitting one of the double segments.

Double Out

Refers to hitting one of the double segments to win a game of darts.

Double Top

A popular name for the double 20 segment.

Downstairs

The lower portion of the dartboard. Often refers to players throwing for the 19 segment after starting on the 20 segment.

Easy In

A game of darts that does not require you to hit a double segment to start scoring.

Embroiled

When a player is involved in a difficult game of darts with their opponent.

Fall Out

When a dart falls out of the dartboard. Also known as a bounce out.

Fat (Number)

Refers to hitting the large single segment of a number. For example, fat 20.

Feathers

Refers to the number 33. Originates from the Cockney saying: “Thirty-three thousand feathers on a thrushes throat.”

Flight

The part of the dart that attaches to the end of the stem/shaft and helps the dart to fly through the air.

Game On

A term said by the referee at the start of a game to indicate play is about to begin.

Game Shot

Another call by a referee to indicate the game has finished.

Good Grouping

A term used to highlight three darts being very close together in the dartboard.

Hat-Trick

When you hit the bullseye with all three darts in one turn.

High Finish

Refers to a significant checkout (usually 100 or above).

High Ton

Refers to a score of 150 or above.

Hold of Throw

The term used when a player wins a leg that they threw the first three darts in.

Island

The entire scoring area on a dartboard. When a player throws a dart outside of this area it is sometimes referred to as “off the island”.

Leg

Refers to a single game of 501 played within a match of darts.

Lipstick

Another term for the treble 20 segment.

Madhouse

When you finish a game on double one.

Marker

A dart that lands very close to the intended target, but can be used as a guide with the next dart.

Maximum

A score of 180 (three treble 20s).

Matchplay

A shorter name for the World Matchplay - a popular darts tournament held in Blackpool every summer.

Mugs Away

Refers to the loser of a game then throwing first in the next game.

Nine Darter

A perfect leg of darts in 501 using nine darts to get from 501 to zero. Usually achieved by hitting two 180s followed by a 141 checkout.

Oche

The line players should stand behind each time when they throw their darts.

Order of Merit

The world rankings of the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation). Comprised of prize money won over a two-year period in PDC ranking events.

PPD / Points per Dart

The average score a player hits with each dart. The three-dart average is more commonly used to track what a player scores per visit.

Pro Tour

Consists of Players Championship and European Tour events played on the PDC circuit.

Redeemer

When a player hits a big score with their third dart after two low-scoring darts. Also see Bail Out.

Robin Hood

A rare occurrence when the point of one dart lands inside another dart which is already in the board.

Scorer

The person who is keeping track of the scores in a darts match.

Set

Some matches are played in a set format, so the first player to win three legs wins a set. The World Championship uses the set format.

Shanghai

Refers to a player hitting the treble, double and single of the same segment in one turn. The 120 (treble 20, single 20 and double 20) is known as the ‘Shanghai’ checkout.

Spider Web

Another name that refers to the wiring of the dartboard.

Split Score

When a player halves their score left. For example, when you have 40 left and hit a single 20 to leave 20.

Surround

Fits around your dartboard to protect your walls from being damaged by any stray darts that go off target. Usually comes in a rubber ring shape.

Switch

When a player switches to a different target after their first or second dart in a visit.

Three in a Bed

Refers to a visit where all three darts land in the same segment of the board.

Ton

A shorter name for when you score 100 points (one treble 20 and two single 20s) in one visit.

Ton 40

A shorter name for when you score 140 points (two treble 20s and a single 20) in one visit.

Ton 80

A shorter name for when you score 180 points (three treble 20s) in one visit.

Tops

Refers to the double 20.

Triple 20 / T20

Refers to the treble 20.

Upstairs

The upper portion of a dartboard.

Visit

Another phrase for each turn (when you throw three darts).

Walk-On

Refers to a player’s entrance to the stage, usually accompanied with their chosen choice of music.

Wiring

Used to separate the different segments on the dartboard. Modern day boards are made of ultra-thin wiring and with no staples to help reduce any possible bounce outs.