The Complete Handbook of Darts
A practical reference for professionals, businesses, and serious enthusiasts covering selection, installation, maintenance, and the business of darts
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
From barrel specs to board mounting to running a dart business—one practical reference on darts, no fluff.
About this book
Darts is a precision sport with a set of exact, measurable standards that govern everything from the distance between the oche and the board to the weight and grip of the barrel. Without a working understanding of these specifications, buying and setting up equipment is guesswork. This handbook compiles the numbers, the routines, and the business models into one operating manual, built for professionals and serious hobbyists who want a reliable result rather than a sales pitch.
The first half covers the fundamentals: how a dart behaves in flight (and why barrel design matters), the official dimensions for competition play, how to choose a dart set for a specific player's grip and throwing style, and a step-by-step installation guide for walls, doorways, and dedicated game rooms. The second half is devoted to maintenance, troubleshooting, and the commercial side of darts. You will learn how to rotate a sisal board to extend its life, how to diagnose breakage patterns in points and shafts, and how to build a business around darts—whether that means stocking retail inventory, offering board repair services, or organizing tournaments.
The book also covers where the industry is heading: newer board technologies, the shift toward soft-tip in certain markets, and where to find authoritative technical resources and standards bodies. Each chapter is written to be used as a reference on the job or on the practice floor, with a consistent structure that helps you find answers fast.
Reader Reviews
Kevin Hall
★★★★★I've been running a pub league for six years and I kept a folder of torn-out spec sheets and forum screenshots. This book replaces all of it. The chapter on board height and throw distance alone is worth the price, and the maintenance section finally got me on a proper board rotation schedule. The business chapter gave me a concrete plan to start a small resale sideline. It's dry reading in the best way—no fluff, just numbers and procedures.
Ryan Hall
★★★★★It's thorough, and I do appreciate the detailed specs and the installation section. I set up a new board in my garage using the exact measurements, which was a big help over the last time I did it by eye. My main gripe is that the business chapters feel a little optimistic about how easy it is to make money reselling darts, given how much the existing brands dominate. Also, I wished the troubleshooting chapter covered more on soft-tip board sensor issues. But as a straight reference on the physical gear, it's accurate and well-organized.
Kenneth White
★★★★★As a tournament director, I need to certify that our equipment meets standards, and this handbook spells out every dimension and tolerance in plain English. The physics section on why barrel weight and taper affect grouping helped me explain to players why their expensive tungsten set throws differently than a brass set. The chapter on future trends is also well-reasoned. This is the reference I'll be handing to our venue's maintenance team. It's exactly what a serious book on this sport should be.