Darts is a pretty casual game, but there are still a few things you shouldn't do, not because of stuffy rules, but for basic safety and respect. Here's a rundown of common no-gos at a darts bar, so first-timers know what to avoid before they walk in.
At the oche
- Stepping on or over the throw line: counts as cheating, especially awkward mid-match
- Walking through the throwing lane between the thrower and the board: genuinely dangerous, dart tips are sharp
- Standing in someone's sightline or moving around while they throw: breaks their focus
- Setting up your own aim before your opponent has crossed the line: makes them tense for no reason
- Correcting someone's form without being asked: throws off their rhythm, good intentions, bad timing
Handling and handing off darts
- Pointing the tip at someone: including waving a dart around while talking or faking a throw, real risk of injury
- Handing a dart over tip-first: hand it over by the barrel instead, an accidental jab hurts
Around the machine
- The "baseball throw": a big swinging arm motion like pitching a ball can damage the board face, and the dart is more likely to bounce off wildly
- Yanking darts out of the board roughly: wears the machine down over time
- Slapping or slamming the machine when frustrated: can actually break it
- Throwing your darts on the ground or smashing something out of frustration: bad look, disrespects the gear
Room etiquette
- Being loud or taking up too much space: affects everyone else's experience
- Smoking while throwing: risk of burning someone with the cigarette, and nobody enjoys it either way
- Throwing while visibly drunk or unsteady: not fair to an opponent taking the game seriously
For the full first-visit walkthrough (walking in, paying, picking a game, leaving), see your first time at a darts bar.
None of this is meant to scare off beginners, most bars, AI DARTS included, are happy to have first-timers. If you're not sure about something, just ask staff on the spot. For proper stance, grip, and release technique, see this post; the boards run 24-hour self-service, see here for how to get started. Menu's here.