Choosing dart gear as a beginner doesn't need to be complicated. This guide covers the three parts you'll actually make choices about: points, barrels and flights, plus whether you should buy your own darts yet. For full darts terminology, see our darts glossary; this one is just about picking gear.
What a dart looks like: four parts to know
A soft tip dart has four sections: the point, the plastic tip that sticks into the board; the barrel, the part you grip; the shaft, connecting the barrel to the flight; and the flight, which keeps it stable in the air. Gear choices mostly happen within these four parts.
Points: plastic tips, length is personal preference
AI DARTS runs soft tip electronic darts, so points are always plastic. They snap fairly often and are cheap to replace, expect to swap them the most. When yours run out, you can restock in the tips section of our online darts shop (the shop is in Chinese). Standard length works fine for beginners; adjust later once you know your own throw.
Barrels: start in the middle, not too light or too heavy
The barrel carries most of a dart's weight. Common materials are plastic, brass and tungsten. Tungsten is denser, so it can be made slimmer for the same weight and usually feels steadier in hand, but it also costs more. Beginners don't need tungsten right away. Aim for a middle of the road weight that feels stable and doesn't strain your wrist: too light can feel floaty, too heavy can feel like work. Exact numbers vary by brand and by what's in stock, so go by what staff recommend or what's listed where you buy. The real test is throwing a few before deciding.
Flights: shape changes how stable the flight is
Common flight shapes are standard, slim/pear, and kite. Bigger flights are more stable but catch more air resistance and fly a touch slower; smaller flights fly straighter and faster but forgive less if your release is off. Start with a mid size standard flight while you build your basic form, then adjust. Cricket players often stick with stable shapes, while some 01 players go smaller for speed. Flights wear out too; you can compare shapes in the shop's flights section.
Should you buy your own set now, and where
No rush. Your first time at AI DARTS, just use the darts already at the board and get a feel for grip and release. Once you know you enjoy it and want a consistent weight or grip, that's the time to buy your own. Owning a set means the same point, weight and flight every time you play; buying too early, before you know your preferences, often means buying the wrong combination.
When you're ready, ask staff on site, they see people picking darts every day and can point you in the right direction. You can also check the AI DARTS online shop for darts gear. Prices vary a lot by material and brand, so go by what's listed on site or in the shop rather than a number here. If you're an AI DARTS member, points from check ins, quests and achievements convert 1:1 into shop credit, so the points you rack up just by coming in can go straight toward gear.
FAQ
Q: Can I practise at AI DARTS without owning darts?
A: Yes, the boards come with darts ready to use, so you can practise first and decide about buying later.
Q: Should beginners pick a heavier or lighter barrel?
A: There's no single right answer. Start in the middle: whatever feels stable and doesn't strain your wrist, then adjust from there.
Q: How often do flights need replacing?
A: They wear out from darts clipping each other and general use. Swap them once flight looks visibly off or the flight itself is damaged.
Q: Can membership points really be used toward darts gear?
A: Yes, AI DARTS membership points convert 1:1 into shop credit you can apply to darts gear in the online shop.