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🏛️Official — WDF
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Shake hands after the match
Players conventionally shake hands at the end of a match, and the loser typically congratulates the winner. This is a customary courtesy at every level, from pub leagues to televised events, and is not required by the official rules.
Stay quiet and still while an opponent throws
Opponents and spectators are expected to stay silent and stand still behind or beside the thrower, out of the thrower's line of sight, until the darts are thrown. Deliberately distracting a player is regarded as poor sportsmanship.
Rule 1.02 requires that all darts be thrown deliberately, one at a time, by and from the hand, with the needlepoint aimed toward the face of the dartboard. A dart not thrown in this manner is declared a "foul throw" and does not count for that leg, set, or match.
— Rule 1.01, Rule 1.02, Rule 1.03, Rule 4.01, Rule 4.02, Rule 5.01, Rule 5.02, Rule 5.03, Section 5
Why people argue about this
People often assume that as long as they hit the board with their darts, it's okay even if they throw them carelessly. But actually, the rule insists on deliberate throws from the hand to ensure fairness and consistency in scoring, no matter what part of the dartboard is hit.
Section 6 of the WDF Playing Rules, "Board Setup and Oche Dimensions," fixes the exact geometry of a legal darts setup. Rule 6.01 requires the dartboard to be fixed so that the vertical height from...
— Rule 6.01, Rule 6.02, Rule 6.03, Rule 6.04, Rule 6.05, Rule 6.07, Rule 6.08, Section 6
Why people argue about this
People often argue that they don't need to follow the exact WDF Playing Rules for darts setup, thinking it's just a formality or an unnecessary detail. In reality, misunderstanding the precise geometry specified in Rule 6.01 can lead them to set up their boards incorrectly, affecting accuracy and fairness of play.
Four match officials are formally defined: the Referee, the person appointed to take charge of match play at a matchboard or on stage (who may also act as Marker or Caller); the Caller, who announces scores as they are made during match play; the ...
— Rule 7.01, Rule 3.09, Rule 12.01, Rule 12.02, Rule 12.03, Rule 14.06, Rule 14.03, Section 12
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only one official is needed for each match, thinking it's just about who announces scores during play. But they misunderstand that Section 4 defines four distinct roles: Referee, Marker/Caller, Caller (score announcer), and possibly another role not explicitly named here, all of which are crucial to the game’s flow and integrity according to WDF rules.
Rule 1.04 provides that if a player, during a throw, touches any dart already in the dartboard, that throw is deemed completed. Rule 1.05 states that a dart bouncing off or falling out of the board shall not be re-thrown, and Rule 1.06 provides th...
— Rule 1.04, Rule 1.05, Rule 1.06, Rule 1.07, Rule 2.01, Rule 2.02, Rule 2.03, Rule 2.04, Rule 2.09, Rule 2.10, Rule 2.11, Rule 3.01, Section 2
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a dart touches the board during its flight, it must be thrown again, which is incorrect. Actually, Rule 1.04 clearly states that such a throw is completed, and Rules 1.05 and 1.06 clarify what happens when a dart bounces out or falls off; they don't get re-thrown under those circumstances.
Rule 3.02 provides that a dart only scores if its point remains in or touches the face of the dartboard, within the outer double wire, until after the throw has been completed and the score has been called and recorded on the scoreboard. Rule 3.03...
— Rule 3.02, Rule 3.03, Rule 2.05, Rule 2.06, Rule 2.07, Rule 2.08, Rule 3.04, Rule 3.05, Rule 3.06, Rule 3.07, Rule 3.08
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a dart only scores if it touches the exact center of the bullseye, which they mistakenly believe is within the outer double wire. However, the actual rule states that as long as the point remains in or on the face of the board until after scoring, it counts—meaning any part touching the board, not necessarily just the center circle, qualifies for points.
Dartboard abuse (Rule 1.08): A player who deliberately abuses the dartboard while retrieving darts is given a verbal warning by the match Referee. A second incident in the same match draws a further warning; a third incident causes the player to forfeit that leg, set, or match.
— Rule 1.08, Rule 6.06, Rule 6.04, Rule 8.06, Rule 8.09, Rule 8.10, Rule 15.01, Rule 16.01, Rule 16.06, Rule 17.05, Rule 18.01, Section 8
Why people argue about this
People often think that simply touching the dartboard is considered abuse, leading them to argue about whether a warning should be given for minor contact like picking up darts or adjusting their stance. However, the rule specifically states it's deliberate and abusive behavior towards the board itself that counts as abuse, not just any physical interaction with it.
Every dart used in WDF play carries a metallic needle-shaped point (Rule 1.01), and Rule 1.02 requires that darts be thrown deliberately, one at a time, with the needlepoint aimed at the face of the board — a throw made in any other manner is a fo...
— Rule 1.01, Rule 1.02, Rule 14.06, Rule 14.03, Rule 1.07, Rule 5.03, Rule 6.08, Section 5
Why people argue about this
People often assume that throwing darts with a dart gun is allowed in WDF play, which leads to arguments when they're told it's strictly prohibited due to safety concerns outlined in Rule 1.02. The rule specifically states throws must be deliberate and aimed at the board face, not using any other means like guns or automated devices.