Stand to the rear or behind your opponent so that you remain out of their line of sight. Give your opponent some private space and do not stand closer than 2 feet (or about 61 cm) to them.ĭo not stand directly to the right or the left of your opponent. The last thing you want is to have someone distracting you while you aim and throw, so make sure you do not do the same to your opponent, both consciously and unconsciously. Do Not Distract Your OpponentĪfter the game starts, make sure not to distract your opponent. And a good handshake can cause your opponent to feel less relaxed. (We all know how important a handshake can be in a business environment.)Īfter all, darts is just about as psychological as it is about mechanical consistency in throws and aim. A strong handshake can affect the confidence of your opponent on a subconscious level. A good and firm handshake can be a great way to establish dominance early on. It is a very tough role and oftentimes not given the recognition it deserves.Ĭonversely, a good handshake goes further than that. A good chalker can make all the difference, and I am sure you know how hard it is to be a good chalker. Shake hands with the chalker when the game starts and ends as well. However, do not forget about the chalker. When the game ends, regardless of what the scoreboard says, win or lose, again give your opponent a proper handshake and a warm and sincere thank you for the game played. It does not matter whether you like them as a person or not, as this is not the time for personal liking but the time to set the right tone.Įvery game of darts should start with a proper firm handshake. These are the most common darts etiquette rules: Each Game of Darts Starts and Finishes With a HandshakeĪ firm and cordial handshake is nothing less than showing good sportsmanship and respect to your opponent. Knowing and following the proper darts etiquette is also about honoring and respecting your opponent, other darts players, the chalker, and all the people around you.
Following these etiquette rules makes darts a lot more fluid, satisfying, and avoids any awkward (and dangerous!) moments.īesides, just because it started as a bar or a pub game does not mean it should be chaotic.
In fact, for a bar game, you may end up being very surprised by how many different etiquette rules there are. There are some darts etiquette rules that beginners may not know. Some of these etiquette rules may be unwritten and unspoken, while others may be already deeply set into stone.