Section 3: Playing Area
The Oche (Rule 6.7): A raised Oche, a minimum of 40mm high, 20mm deep and 500mm wide, must be placed at the minimum throwing distance. That distance is measured from the back of the raised Oche, along the floor, to a plumb line at the face of the dartboard, and must equal 2.37m (Rule 6.7.1). Where the Oche sits on a raised playing area, that platform must be centrally placed relative to the dartboard, with a minimum width at the Oche of 1200mm and a minimum standing depth to the rear of the Oche of 1200mm (Rule 6.7.2). During match play, no player may tread on the raised Oche while throwing, nor deliver a dart with the front foot anywhere other than grounded on the floor behind the toe edge of the raised Oche — a breach means the thrown dart's score does not count (Rule 6.7.3–6.7.4).
Exclusion Zone (Rule 6.7.6): Where an Exclusion Zone is in place, it must be clearly marked, extending at least 300mm on either side of the Oche and at least 900mm behind it. The throwing player must turn right and exit the zone promptly after retrieving darts; the non-throwing player must not enter the zone until the throwing player has released the final dart of the visit, and should not begin their own throw until the opponent has exited the zone following retrieval. Where no Exclusion Zone is in place, the non-throwing player must stand at least 60cm to the rear of the player at the Oche while their opponent's throw is in progress.
Dartboard placement (Rule 6.5.9–6.5.10): the dartboard must be fixed so that the perpendicular height from the floor (at the same level as the Oche) to the centre of the Bull measures 1.73m, and so that the "20" segment is coloured black and positioned at the top of the board.
Lighting (Rule 6.6): Floor dartboards must be adequately lit by a suitably positioned light fitting of at least 11-13 watt LED intensity (or equivalent) at each board; boards used in Stage Finals require two such fittings. All light fittings must carry screens that divert light away from the players' eyes at the Oche, and any supplementary floods or spotlights used in Stage Finals must not, in the Promoter's, Tournament Director's or Referee's opinion, cast shadows onto the dartboard during play.