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The choice of where to put a dart board needs careful consideration, the last thing you want is people having to avoid flying missiles coming at them.

Keep the board as far away from the toilets as you can as this area is frequently used, especially in a pub.

Make sure you have allocated a space with a minimum of 12' from the board and 4'-5' either side, or on the one side if there is a wall the other side.

To prevent damage to your wall it is recommended to attach a backboard, this could be chipboard, wood or even plastic, remember that not all players actually hit the dart board, so do allow a good safety area all around the board, the bigger the better.

An alternative to a backboard is to install your dart board in a cabinet, ideal ones have doors that open in the centre of the board and can be held back against the wall, which I might add, does need to be flat.

Cabinets are a good idea because they allow you to shut the board up when not in use and then the space around can be used for other things. It can also be used to store darts in.

Next to the dart board you will need to install a scoring board, some cabinets have the scoring board inside the door. A white board or blackboard will suffice, so long as it can be written on clearly with the scores and then easily wiped clean for the next game.

Rubber dart mats can be bought with the correct distance or toe line already on them or you can mark the floor yourself, the line needs to be 7'9 " from the wall, directly in front of the dart board, chalk or tape provides a good marker.

The dart board needs to be 5'8" high on the wall, measured from the floor to the centre of the board of bulls eye.

Then check:

The board is securely fixed to the wall, with screws not blue tac or sellotape.

The floor doesn't slope too much, we don't want people running down to the dart board before they let go of the dart.

There is no right of way between the board and the marked toe line, darts do not pass through people.

Tables and chairs are not in the line of fire.

The floor is protected with rubber matting or carpet, wood floors will soon become full of holes.

Learn more about this author, Christine Bennett.
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