8 Expert Tips on How to Hang a Dartboard (with Pictures)
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Darts are a fun pastime that can be found everywhere, from bars to basements. People have been playing darts for over 120 years, and it continues to be a very popular game around the world. The popularity of darts eventually leads many people to consider putting a dartboard in their own homes. Or perhaps you own a business and think that a dartboard is just what you need to give the place a little bit of extra fun. Before you run out and buy a board and hang it anywhere, there are some things that you need to consider. Dartboards have exact measurements they must adhere to in order to make them official regulation boards. True dart players will instantly know if you do not hang your dartboard properly.
Here are eight tips on how to hang a dartboard in your home.
The 8 Expert Tips on How to Hang a Dartboard
1. Use Regulation Height
The most important part of hanging any dart board is to hang it at regulation height. The height of a dartboard is a universal constant that binds all dart throwers together. If you want to hang a legitimate dartboard, you need to use the proper height. The official height of a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the center of the bullseye. The height is not from the floor to the bottom of the board or from the floor to the top of the board.
You can be flexible about the distance from the throwing line to the dartboard in some circumstances, but you cannot be flexible about the height in any situation.
2. Be Extremely Precise
When it comes to the height of the dartboard, it is critical to be precise. There is a big difference between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 8 inches. Heaven forbid you to hang the dartboard at 5 feet 7 inches or 5 feet 10 inches. It takes a little bit of work to be precise, but it is worth the effort.
Measure the distance from the floor up the wall where you want to hang your dartboard. Mark the spot at 5 feet 8 inches. The trick to getting the board just right is about the board itself. Once you have your mark, you need to insert a nail or screw on the backside of your dartboard that is lined up perfectly with the center of the bullseye. Some dartboards have a mark already on the back, and some come with the screw already in place.
If you have your screw in the right place on the back of your dartboard and your mark on the wall at exactly 5 feet 8 inches, then hanging the board precisely should be easy.
3. Measure Distance to Throw Line
Next, you want to measure the distance from the wall to your throwing line. There are two regulation throwing lines for darts. There is a regulation distance for soft tip darts and a regulation distance for steel tip darts. The distance for soft tip darts should be exactly 8 feet from the base of the wall to the throwing line. The distance for steel tip darts should be exactly 7 feet 9 ¼ inches from the base of the wall. Do not forget about that quarter inch.
After you measure out your distances, be sure to mark your throwing line. Some people like to use dart mats between the throwing line and the dartboard to protect the floor from wayward darts, but that choice will be up to you.
4. Measure the Diagonal to Throw Line
The other way to measure the distance to your throw line is by using the diagonal. There is an official measurement for regulation darts that marks the diagonal from the bullseye to the throwing line.
The official diagonal measurement for soft tip darts should be 9 feet 9 ½ inches from the bullseye to the floor. The official diagonal measurement for steel tip darts should be exactly 9 feet 7 ⅜ inches from the center of the bullseye to the floor. In order to measure the diagonal, you need two people. One person holds a tape measure against the bullseye while the other pulls down to the floor until the tape matches the regulation measurements.
5. Use a Dartboard Bracket
The best way to hang a dartboard is by using a dartboard bracket. Sometimes these brackets are referred to as U-brackets. These brackets are screwed into the wall and have a space for the screw in the back of the dartboard to rest. The dartboard bracket also allows you to measure the height of the bullseye accurately.
Check your dartboard to ensure that the hanging screw on the back is perfectly aligned with the bullseye on the front. Then be sure to measure the spot on the wall from the bottom of the U-bracket indentation, not the bottom of the bracket itself, for the most precise measurement possible. That way, when you hang the dartboard, it is easy and accurate.
The dartboard bracket is also easy to uninstall and makes taking the dartboard down a snap in case you need to do any repairs.
6. Consider a Protective Backboard
Darts can be messy, and if you are not a great player, your poor wall could be in for a beating. In order to avoid peppering your walls with dozens of tiny and unsightly holes, you can install a backboard. There are a variety of different types of backboards, from small and basic boards to large and elaborate cabinets. If you install a backboard behind your dartboard, be sure to keep that height intact.
The choice of what kind of backboard to install, if you install one at all, will be up to you. Some people do not like the distraction or look of a backboard, while others cannot stand the idea of putting holes in their drywall and their paint.
7. Be Sure the Area Is Free of Furniture and Obstacles
When you hang your dartboard, make sure that the area is free of furniture and obstacles. Ideally, you want a long clear space between the throwing line and the board. You do not want to be throwing over lamps or avoiding a nearby recliner when playing. Darts are ideally installed in a dedicated game room or in a basement where furniture is not a complicating factor.
Darts can be dangerous to bystanders and to furniture if you are not careful. You want to avoid having any tripping hazards in the area and no valuables that could be punctured by a wayward dart. The last thing you want is to put a dart through a prized photo or painting accidentally.
8. Remember That Height Is the Most Important Thing
For serious dart players, the height of the dartboard is important. You can adjust the throwing line easily and make accommodations for people based on their skills. It is harder to adjust the height of the dartboard. The most important thing is to make sure that your dartboard is hanging at the regulation height and that the measurements are precise.
Conclusion
If you follow these expert tips, you will have no trouble hanging a regulation dartboard. If you nail the height of the dartboard, everything else will fall into place. Be sure to use the dartboard brackets and consider what extras you might want to install alongside your dartboard. In the end, you will have a fun game ready to go that meets all regulations for the hardcore dart players among you.
Featured Image Credit: Marc A, Unsplash
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