Have you ever thought about joining a dart league but didn’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Playing in a dart league is a great way to improve your skills, meet new people, and compete for cash and prizes. Leagues come in all skill levels, so whether you’re a pro or just learned how to throw a dart last week, there’s a spot for you.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to join a dart league. We’ll cover how to find leagues in your area, what equipment you’ll need, how matches work, and tips for your first night of play.
By the end of this, you’ll be ready to throw like a pro and will have the confidence to sign up for a league near you. So grab your darts, chalk up your tip, and let’s get started. The bullseye awaits!
Types of Dart Leagues to Join
When it comes to joining a dart league, you’ve got options. The most common types are:
- Men’s Leagues: Just for the guys. Doubles leagues have two men per team, team leagues have four.
- Women’s Leagues: Doubles leagues have two women per team, team leagues have four.
- Mixed Leagues: The best of both worlds. Doubles have one man and one woman, team leagues have two of each.
- Open Leagues: Anyone can join, regardless of gender. Doubles leagues have two players, team leagues have four.
- Cricket Leagues: Every game you play will be Cricket, a popular dart game with numbers and bullseyes.
- Combo Leagues: A mix of games like 301, 501 and Cricket.
The goals of most leagues are good sportsmanship, enjoying some friendly competition, and making sure league funds are distributed fairly for prizes and awards. Locations that host league play usually provide seating for teams but can’t give away free drinks.
As a team captain, it’s your job to know the rules inside and out, get contact info for your players, and settle any disagreements. You’ll also need to stay on top of the schedule in case anything changes.
Leagues typically give trophies and awards to at least the top 25% of teams and players who participate in most matches. They may also have an MVP award for the player with the highest points per dart or points per round.
The most important rules to know are throwing from behind the foul line, only throwing when it’s your turn, and not exceeding the time limits between games and turns. Darts must weigh 18 grams or less and be no longer than 8 inches. As long as other players or equipment in the location don’t distract you, they’re usually allowed.
If there are any issues with the equipment or schedule, work it out with the other captain. You can call the league director as a last resort. The match must be played or forfeited, so try to avoid canceling or rescheduling if at all possible.
How Dart League Matches Work
So you’ve joined a dart league—now what? Here’s how the matches typically work:
Locations and Equipment
Your matches will take place at sponsoring bar locations that provide the necessary equipment like electronic dartboards, extra darts, and seating areas for teams. Locations often have food and drink specials during league nights.
Match Format
Most leagues follow a standard match format. In doubles leagues, you’ll team up with a partner to play against another duo. Team leagues have squads of 4 players facing off. Mixed leagues incorporate men and women on the same team.
Matches usually consist of multiple games of either 301, Cricket, or a combo of both. The specific games and their order are determined by your league’s rules. In each game, you’ll throw from behind the foul line 8 feet from the board. Most allow up to 3 darts per throw, but you can pass or throw fewer.
Team Responsibilities
Team captains are in charge of scheduling matches, communicating changes, and ensuring good sportsmanship. All players must show up for matches on time and finish the full lineup of games. No substitutions are permitted once a match begins.
If there are any issues with equipment, locations, or scheduling, team captains should contact the league director right away. Matches can only be rescheduled within 2 weeks of the original date, and the full match must be replayed from the start.
Awards
At the end of the season, the top teams and players will receive trophies, plaques or other awards. To be eligible, you must participate in at least 80% of your league’s matches. An MVP award also goes to the player with the highest marks per round (MPR) or points per dart (PPD) rating.
Joining a dart league is a great way to get out, meet fellow players, and enjoy some friendly competition. Follow your league’s rules, show good sportsmanship, and you’ll be hitting the bullseye in no time!
Responsibilities as a Dart League Player
As a dart league player, you’ll have certain responsibilities to your team and league. After all, dart leagues only work when everyone does their part.
Paying Dues
Each week, you’ll need to pay your league dues, which typically range from $5 to $10 per player. Your captain will collect dues to add to your team’s setup at the beginning of the match. Dartboards can accept $1’s and $5’s. Matches cannot be played without paying league dues.
If a substitute player is used, it is the captain’s responsibility to pay the substitute player’s fees the night of the match. League dues must be paid every week, if you forfeit or receive a forfeit, you still must pay your dues.
Prize money is based on total number of teams and total number of weeks scheduled. This is the only way all players are guaranteed to pay the same amount in each league.
Keeping Stats
As a league player, you’ll need to keep track of your stats each week, like marks per round (MPR) in Cricket leagues or points per dart (PPD) in 301/501 leagues.
Your stats will determine if you’re eligible for certain awards and also help ensure fair matchups. The league office keeps track of league dues paid by each team, not by each player on a team.
If one or more players are short league dues, it is up to the captain to keep track of dues paid by individual players. Dues tracking sheets are provided in each team’s packet.
Subbing Responsibly
If you need to use a substitute player, make sure their skill level falls within the allowed range for your league. In Cricket leagues, the substitute player’s MPR cannot be more than three-tenths of a point (0.03) higher than the player he or she is replacing. Check with your league director if you have any questions about substitute eligibility.
By paying dues, tracking your stats, and using legal substitutes when needed, you’ll fulfill your responsibilities as a dart league player. Doing your part will help ensure your league runs smoothly and everyone has an enjoyable season.
Dart League Rules and Etiquette
Joining a dart league means following the rules and etiquette that govern competitive play. As a new player, it’s important to understand how the league operates and what’s expected of you.
Location Responsibilities
The location hosting your matches can’t charge you a cover fee to enter and play darts. However, they may charge non-players a fee if they stay after league play ends.
Locations also have to provide seating for both teams. Don’t expect any free drinks from the location, though, since that would violate liquor laws.
General Rules of Play
There are a few key rules you’ll need to know:
- Throw lines are 8 feet from the face of the dartboard. You have to throw from behind the line, though you can step over it as long as your dart hits the board first.
- You get 3 darts per turn, though you don’t have to use all of them. A thrown dart counts whether or not it registers on the machine or even hits the board.
- If a dart gets stuck in a segment, the other captain has to pull it out. Any marks or points scored before it got stuck still count.
- There’s a 2-minute time limit between games and 1 minute between turns. You’ll get one warning from the other captain before penalty.
- Darts can’t weigh more than 18 grams or be longer than 8 inches. Magnetic darts aren’t allowed.
- Other boards or equipment in use at the same time are allowed unless they become distracting. The team captains will determine if they need to be turned off.
Sportsmanship and courtesy are key. Shake hands, compliment good throws, and avoid unsportsmanlike behavior. Any fighting, violence or intentional damage can lead to expulsion from the league.
Make sure you follow the rules and respect the location, opponents, and league organizers. If you do, you’ll have an enjoyable experience in your dart league!
Awards and Prizes for Dart Leagues
Joining a dart league is a great way to compete and connect with other players in your area. Many leagues offer attractive awards and prizes to keep things exciting. Here are some of the awards and prizes you can expect in a dart league.
Trophies and Plaques
The top teams, and sometimes top individuals, are recognized with trophies or plaques at the end of the season. Usually, the top 3 teams in each division receive awards. Some leagues also give MVP, high average or high out awards to standout players.
Cash Prizes
Many leagues award cash prizes, especially to the top finishing teams. The prize amounts vary but can be several hundred dollars for first place. The cash is often split evenly among team members. Some leagues also offer small weekly payouts or ‘spot prizes’ for things like the highest out, hat trick or ton-80 of the night.
Pins and Patches
League pins or patches are common and make a great souvenir from the season. Players who participate in a certain percentage of matches, often around 75-80%, earn a pin or patch. Some leagues give special pins for division winners or other accomplishments.
End-of-Season Parties
An awards banquet, picnic or other get-together is the perfect way to wrap up the season. Awards and prizes are distributed, memories are shared, and new friendships are celebrated. Food, drinks and dart games are usually all part of the fun.
Participating in a dart league gives you the chance to compete, improve your skills and be part of a community of players – with the opportunity to earn some great prizes and awards along the way! Check with your local bars to find leagues in your area and get signed up. The rewards of joining a league go far beyond any trophies or cash.
FAQs
Joining a dart league is a great way to meet new people, improve your skills, and compete, all while having fun. However, you probably have some questions before signing up. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about joining a dart league:
Conclusion
So there you have it, everything you need to know to get started in a dart league. The basics are pretty simple – find a league, fill out an application, get the necessary equipment, and show up to matches with a competitive spirit and a desire to improve. While it may seem intimidating at first, you’ll find that most dart leagues are extremely welcoming to players of all skill levels.
The community aspect is really what keeps people coming back each season. Before you know it, you’ll be throwing 180s and hitting the bullseye regularly. The only thing left to do is sign up and start launching darts. You’ve got this! Now go unleash your inner professional darts player.
