Any player regardless of their skills and experience faces the problem of bounce outs when playing darts. Darts bounce outs are absolutely normal, and they don’t mean you’re a bad player. Sometimes the dart bounces out of the board because it was thrown too hard. Other times, this happens because it is not sharp enough to stick in the board or it simply can’t make its way through the rest of the darts that are crammed in the same area on the dartboard. Unfortunately, if a dart bounces out, even if it hit the right spot, it won’t count as a point. So, here are a few tips to help you tackle bounce outs and enjoy your game to the full.
Bounce Outs Causes and Solutions
Typically, darts that are too blunt or too pointy don’t have what it takes to always stick in a bristle dartboard. As a result, they bounce out and fall to the floor. This problem, which is also the main reason for pesky bounce outs, is relatively easy to tackle.
All you need to do to make sure your darts tips have the right sharpness is sharpen them regularly to bring them back in shape. To do this, you can use a darts sharpener. This is quite an inexpensive tool you can find in any darts shop or online. Some darts sets, such as the IgnatGames brass darts sets of different weights even include a free sharpener.
This small and practical tool requires no training to be used. You just need to insert the tip of the dart inside the sharpener and rub it against its edges until you achieve the desired sharpness. The whole process only takes a few minutes. After a few rounds, test the dart’s tip by gently pressing it with the tip of your toe. Don’t sharpen the tips too much because this won’t make them stick to the board easier. In time, you will get the hang of what the right sharpness is based on how your darts interact with your dartboard.
Speaking of which, the quality of this item also matters a lot when it comes to bounce outs. Traditional bristle or sisal dartboards that have a thick and heavy wire system are more likely to cause bounce outs. This happens because of the dimensions of the wire behind the bristle fibers. The biggest this system is, the highest the chances to hit it with your dart and make it bounce out.
For this reason, it’s recommended to opt for a quality dartboard that has a thinner wire system that won’t cause as many bounce outs. Most products that have this quality will also feature it in their description, so you will know which dartboard is worthy of your money and time. Modern dartboards with thin and angled wire systems can accommodate any throwing style as the wires bend when they get hit by the dart and allow it to penetrate the board’s surface.
Another potential reason for bounce outs is the dart’s weight. This is a highly controversial topic in the world of darts as there is no ideal dart weight to play with. Each player needs to experiment with multiple weights to understand which one is better for their throwing style.
However, as a general rule of thumb, the lighter the dart is, the easier it bounces out of the dartboard due to its weight. Therefore, if you’re a beginner, you might want to start playing with heavier darts to avoid nasty bounce outs that can affect your enjoyment and confidence.
Extra Protective Measures to Safeguard Your Game Area
Dart bounce outs are not only annoying but also harmful to your environment. A dart that bounces out of the dartboard can cause ugly marks on the nearby walls or the floors. Moreover, it can also end up hitting someone who stands close to the board or damage other objects located nearby. To prevent all these, a good idea is to get a dartboard surround. This is another inexpensive item you can find in any darts store. You simply clamp it around your dartboard, and it increases the play area. If a dart doesn’t reach the board, it will more likely hit the soft surface of the surround and stick to it instead of falling out.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips and you’re eager to put them into practice. Don’t forget to check out our carefully crafted darts sets if you want to up your game with tools that are designed to minimize bounce outs.
*updated October 2022
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