How do you throw left-handed darts? Exactly like a right-hander, just mirrored. Almost every tutorial online is filmed with a right hand, so lefties get stuck on the simple stuff: which foot goes forward, where to stand on the line. This guide walks through stance, position, grip and gear from the left-hand side, then looks at the most famous lefty in the pro game, James Wade.
Left-handed darts stance: left foot forward, mirror the rest
Right-handers lead with the right foot, so lefties lead with the left foot: left foot close to the throw line with the toes roughly toward the board, right foot behind to hold your balance. Shoulder, elbow and dart line up with the target, and you do not twist your body to make room for the arm. Only your feet have to stay behind the line; your upper body can lean forward.
How far apart your feet go and how much the front foot turns is personal. Once a position feels right, stand there every time; consistency matters more than looking textbook. The full basics are in how to throw darts.
Where to stand on the line: line up your left arm
What should line up with the target is your throwing arm, not the middle of your body. A lefty's arm sits on the left side, so if you stand dead centre on the line, your arm is actually left of centre. That is why many lefties shift a little to the right, so the left hand, eye and target form one straight line.
There is no single right answer; pros stand centre and pros stand way off to one side. Try three spots with Count-Up: centre, a bit right, a bit more right, and keep whichever gives the steadiest scores. Also note that moving sideways makes the board slightly further away, so your darts may land a touch lower.
Grip: the same as a right-hander, other hand
Grips are not left- or right-handed. Most beginners use a three-finger grip: thumb under the barrel, index and middle finger on top. If that feels loose, add the ring finger for a four-finger grip. Stay relaxed; the dart goes where your release timing sends it, not where you squeeze it. Keep the elbow still like a hinge and let the wrist finish the throw.
The machines and rules do not care which hand you use either: Phoenix machines, Count-Up and Cricket all work the same. See Cricket and 501 explained.
Do left-handers need special darts?
No. Most barrels, shafts and flights are built symmetrically around the centre, so they work in either hand. Choose them the same way a right-hander would: a mid-weight barrel to start and a larger standard flight for stability. More in the beginner darts gear guide and darts gear setup. When you want your own set, browse the AI DARTS online darts shop.
Left-handed pros: James Wade
Lefties are a minority at the top. An article by US darts retailer A-Z Darts counted only 8 left-handers among the 128 PDC Tour Card holders in 2021. The best known is England's James Wade, "The Machine", often called the most successful left-hander the sport has had. He won the World Matchplay in 2007, the Premier League in 2009, and the UK Open three times, in 2008, 2011 and 2021.
When you watch him, pay attention to where he stands and how he releases. If you throw left-handed, copying a lefty saves you the mental mirroring.
FAQ
Are left-handers at a disadvantage in darts?
Same rules, same machines, same board, same practice. There are fewer lefties in the pro ranks, but James Wade shows a left hand can reach the very top.
Can I learn from right-handed videos?
Yes. Picture the screen flipped: feet, hands and position all switch sides, everything else stays.
Can I practise at AI DARTS?
Yes. The machines are self-service 24 hours a day, and the house darts work in either hand. Not sure how to stand? Ask the staff. Join as a member and your practice also earns points.
Lefties do not need a separate set of lessons, just a mirror. To find somewhere to test those three positions, here is how our self-service bar works.