Why Do Darts Bounce Out of the Board?
Imagine this: You’re standing at the line with just one dart left. You need to hit a double 20 to win. You take a deep breath, aim carefully, throw your dart and… TING! It hits the board and bounces right off, falling to the floor. 😞
Don’t worry — this has happened to almost everyone who plays darts! But here’s the thing: if the dart doesn’t stay in the board, it doesn’t count.
So, what causes darts to bounce out, and how can you stop it from happening?
There are three main reasons:
The Dart – Sometimes the dart itself is the problem. Maybe the tip is too blunt, or the dart is too light.
The Board – If the dartboard is old or low quality, it might not hold the darts well.
The Player (Yes, That’s You!) – Your throwing style matters. If you throw too softly or at the wrong angle, the dart might not stick.
Don’t worry! We’ll talk about each of these and give you simple tips to help your darts stay in the board — especially when you need it most.
The Dartboard
One big reason darts fall out of the board is because they hit the wire. When this happens you’ll hear a “clink” sound as the dart hits the metal and bounces off. If your darts are sharp and this keeps happening the problem might be with the dartboard not your darts.
If you’re using an old or low quality dartboard it’s time to get a new one. Dartboards are made of sisal fiber and over time they wear out. Older or cheaper boards might not be strong enough to hold your darts in place. They have thicker wires and metal staples that make it harder for darts to stick. The more the board is used the more the wires get hit and flattened which makes things worse.
New dartboards are much better. Most modern boards don’t use staples anymore. In the past staples were used to hold the wires but they made it easier for darts to bounce out—especially if they landed in the double or triple score areas.
New boards are designed to help your darts stick better and make the game more fun.
Keep Your Floor Safe with a Dart Mat
When you play darts, sometimes the dart bounces off the board and falls to the floor. This can damage your floor or your dart. A dart mat is a great way to protect your floor from these bounce-outs.
Newer dartboards are built better than old ones. They have thinner wires that are angled and bend easily. This helps the dart slide into the board instead of bouncing off. If you’re thinking of buying a dartboard, remember that cheaper boards might not have these features.
If you get a dartboard with no staples and thin wires, there’s another good thing: the scoring area is bigger! That means you have a better chance of hitting the right spot. For example, the Winmau Blade 5 board gives you 9mm² more space in the doubles and 6mm² more in the triples. That’s why it’s my favorite board right now. (Check out our Dartboard Recommendations here.)
If you’re pretty good at darts, you’ll notice that the parts of the board you hit a lot can wear out. To fix this, you should rotate your board often. This spreads the wear around so your board lasts longer. (You can’t rotate the bullseye, though!)
If you play for a few hours every day or two, rotating the board once a week is a good idea. Some people who play a lot even rotate it every day. Use your best judgment.
The Dart
If your darts bounce out sometimes, try sharpening the tips with a sharpening stone. When the tip is sharp but not too pointy or too blunt it will hit the wire on the board and go into the board. A tip that’s too sharp or too dull will bounce off. Sharpening your darts will also make your dartboard last longer.
There are special dart tips called “no bounce” tips. These tips have a spring inside that lets them move a little when they hit the wire. This helps the dart go in and stick to the board instead of bouncing out.
If your darts go into the board and then fall out, they might be too light. Light darts don’t go in as deep and can fall out more easily. Try a heavier dart and see if that helps. You don’t need to buy new ones right away — just ask a friend if you can try theirs.
Some darts have little ridges on the tips to help them stay in the board. But be careful, these ridges can damage the dartboard faster. So, use them only if you want to.
If your dart tips are smooth, you can make them a little rough by rubbing them with sandpaper. This rough surface will help the dart grip the board better so it won’t fall out as easily. Many players do this.
The Player: Playing Darts
If you throw the dart too softly, it might fall out of the board. Also, if the dart hits one of the wires on the board, it can stop and fall off. Try throwing the dart a little harder if it keeps falling out.
The way you throw the dart matters too. If the dart hits the board at a strange angle or hits the wire from the side, it might bounce off. Try to stand and throw so the dart hits the board straight on. This will help the dart stick better.
What you do If your dart still bounces out
If your dart still bounces out, even after trying your best to stop it, here’s what you should do: Ignore it. Sometimes darts will bounce off, and that’s okay. Don’t get upset, don’t pick up the dart, and don’t even look at it. Keep your eyes on the board, stay focused, and get ready to throw your next dart. You’re in the zone—stay there and keep playing!