What Are Steel Tip Darts and How Do You Get Started Playing Them?

Steel tip darts are darts with a solid metal point, thrown at a bristle (sisal fiber) board rather than an electronic soft-tip board. If you want to start playing, the practical path is: get a board and a set of darts, learn the standard setup and a couple of core games, then join a local league or club — for example, the Topeka Dart Association (TDA) in the Topeka, Kansas area, which describes itself as an organization dedicated to playing steel tipped darts and accepts new members and teams through its officers.

Steel tip vs. soft tip: the core difference

The metal point is what gives the format its name, and it's also why the board must be a bristle board — the point needs to grip and hold in compressed sisal fibers. Soft tip darts are designed for electronic boards that register hits automatically.

Standard board setup

Before you throw, set the board up correctly so practice and league play match:

• Board height: the center of the bullseye is mounted at the standard height (commonly 5 ft 8 in / 173 cm from the floor to the center).
• Throw line (oche): the toe line is set at the standard distance from the face of the board (commonly 7 ft 9¼ in / 2.37 m measured along the floor to the board face).
• Surround: a backboard or surround protects the wall from stray darts.
• Lighting: light the board from above and slightly in front so the segments are readable without glare.

Check your league's rules for the exact measurements it uses, since local organizations set their own playing conditions.

Common games and how they score

501

Both players (or teams) start at 501 points and subtract each turn's score. You must finish exactly on zero, and the last dart must land in a double (or the bullseye, depending on house rules). This is the standard league and tournament format.

Cricket

Players aim at the numbers 15 through 20 plus the bullseye. You need three marks in a number to "own" it; after that, each additional hit scores that number's value — but only if your opponent hasn't closed it. The first player to close all numbers and have the higher (or equal) score wins.

Around the clock

A simple practice game: hit 1 through 20 in order, then the bullseye. Useful for warming up and for learning the board's geometry.

Choosing your first equipment

• Weight: steel tip darts commonly range from about 18 g to 26 g or more. Lighter darts suit players who throw softly; heavier darts can feel more stable for beginners. There's no single correct weight — try a few.
• Barrels: brass is cheaper and bulkier; tungsten is denser, so a tungsten barrel of the same weight is slimmer and allows tighter grouping.
• Shafts and flights: shafts come in different lengths, and flights in different shapes. Longer shafts and larger flights tend to slow and stabilize the dart; shorter setups fly faster. Experiment to find what suits your throw.
• A starter setup: a bristle board, a surround, a set of darts, and a spare set of shafts and flights covers most of what a new player needs.

Joining a local league or club

Community dart organizations are the usual entry point. Using the Topeka Dart Association as an example of how this works:

1. Find the organization. The TDA's site lists sections for meetings, league schedules, stats, rules and by-laws, local events, and tournaments.
2. Contact an officer. The site states that anyone interested in forming or joining a team for league play should contact a TDA Officer for league information.
3. Use the new members / new teams route. The site also points to a "New Members / New Teams" link for people forming or joining a team.
4. Understand the division structure. The TDA currently operates one division, and states that with more teams it will run several non-handicap divisions (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) based on team members' skill level, so players are matched against others of similar ability.

The general pattern applies to most local associations: check the league schedule and rules first, then ask an officer how teams are formed and when the next season starts.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Darts bouncing out: usually a sign the point isn't gripping — check for a worn or blunted point, and make sure the board is a bristle board in reasonable condition.
• Inconsistent grouping: often a grip or release issue rather than equipment. Keep your stance and throw consistent before changing darts.
• Board wear: rotate the board periodically so the 20 segment doesn't wear out first; replace it when the fibers no longer hold darts.
• Scoring disputes: agree on the finish rule (double-out, straight-out, or bull-out) before the game starts, and follow your league's by-laws.

If you're in the Topeka area, the TDA is the direct route into organized steel tip play; elsewhere, look for a local association or bar league and ask about their next season.