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🏛️Official — PDC
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Stay still and quiet while an opponent is throwing
Players and spectators keep movement and noise to a minimum while someone is at the oche. Talking, moving in the opponent's sightline, or distracting them is considered poor sportsmanship.
Wait for the shooter's dart to land before stepping up
The incoming player stands back from the oche and does not approach the board or the throwing line until the opponent has finished the visit. Crowding or shadowing someone mid-throw is considered rude and can be seen as gamesmanship.
Darts (Rule 6.1.1): Players must supply their own darts. Each dart must not exceed an overall maximum length of 200mm and must not weigh more than 40 grams.
— Rule 6.1.1, Rule 6.1.2, Rule 6.1.3, Rule 6.5.11, Rule 6.5.13, Rule 6.17
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the official darts provided by the venue are okay to use, forgetting they must supply their own darts as per Rule 6.1.1. The confusion arises because some players mistakenly believe the length and weight restrictions apply only to the dart shafts, not the entire dart including the point.
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).
— Rule 6.7, Rule 6.7.1, Rule 6.7.2, Rule 6.7.3, Rule 6.7.6, Rule 6.5.9, Rule 6.6
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the height of the Oche doesn't matter as long as it's in place, which leads to misunderstandings about how close they can stand from the board when throwing. The confusion arises because the rule specifies a precise distance and depth for the Oche, implying that players must be within 2.37 meters from its back edge to adhere correctly, not just anywhere near it.
Second Referee (Rule 6.7.7): where appointed, a Second Referee's powers are as wide-ranging as the Referee's, but in practice they specifically supervise scoring corrections, the Exclusion Zone, and general player behaviour out of the primary Refe...
— Rule 6.4.10, Rule 6.3.12, Rule 6.7.7, Rule 6.4.3, Rule 6.5.11, Rule 6.1.7, Rule 6.17.1, Rule 6.8.3, Rule 6.12.1, Rule 9, Rule 10
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a Second Referee's role is limited strictly to scoring corrections and player behavior in the Exclusion Zone, but actually, their responsibilities are broader, encompassing all aspects of game management as wide-ranging as those of the primary Referee. This oversight leads to misunderstandings about what they're truly accountable for.
The Throw (Rule 6.2): a player must throw darts from a standing position, except where a physical disability or injury requires a non-standing position, such as from a wheelchair (Rule 6.2.1). All darts must be deliberately thrown in an overarm fa...
— Rule 6.2, Rule 6.2.1, Rule 6.2.2, Rule 6.2.3, Rule 6.2.4, Rule 6.2.5, Rule 6.2.6, Rule 6.2.7, Rule 6.2.8, Rule 6.3, Rule 6.3.1, Rule 6.3.2, Rule 6.3.3, Rule 6.3.11, Rule 6.13, Rule 6.13.1, Rule 6.14
Why people argue about this
People often assume that throwing from a non-standing position is only allowed for physical disabilities or injuries, which leads them to argue about situations where players might be sitting down or using other unconventional throws they perceive as cheating. However, the rule clearly states it's acceptable if there’s a legitimate medical necessity, not just because of disability.
Scoring a dart (Rule 6.4): a dart only scores if its point remains in, or touching, the face of the dartboard within the outer double wire and, having been "called," is subsequently retrieved from the board by the throwing player (Rule 6.4.1). A s...
— Rule 6.5.4, Rule 6.4, Rule 6.4.1, Rule 6.4.2, Rule 6.4.3, Rule 6.4.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that as long as they can see a dart in the board after throwing it, it counts for their score. But actually, the official rule states that for a dart to count, its point must remain within the outer double wire and be successfully retrieved by the player before being officially recorded.
In-Play Sanctions (Rule 6.9): during Match play, the Referee or Tournament Director may issue sanctions for persistent gamesmanship, aggressive, abusive or disruptive behaviour, physical contact, visible or verbal obscenity, encouraging the Refere...
— Rule 6.9, Rule 6.9.1, Rule 6.9.2, Rule 6.9.3, Rule 6.18.1, Rule 8.3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only verbal obscenity is considered disruptive behavior in darts matches, forgetting that physical contact and encouraging unsportsmanlike conduct are also covered under "visible or verbal obscenity" in this rule. They overlook how rules like these can be applied to a wide range of inappropriate actions during play.
Physical separation at the Oche (Rule 6.7.6): the Exclusion Zone provisions — a minimum 300mm clearance on either side of the Oche and 900mm to the rear, or a minimum 60cm separation for the non-throwing player where no marked zone exists — exist ...
— Rule 3.15, Rule 6.7.6, Rule 6.2.1, Rule 6.4.3, Rule 6.9.3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the 300mm clearance is only for safety and don't realize it also serves as a strategic buffer zone where they can position their non-throwing hand without worrying about hitting the Oche, leading to arguments over optimal positioning.