Dart Facts & Trivia

Did you know that the game of darts has been around for about 700 years in various forms, but, wasn’t officially recognised as a sport in the UK until 2005?

There are many so called points of origin, some claim its origins were in England others say France.

It is believed that the game originated in medieval times as a past-time for soldiers to maintain their throwing accuracy.

Did you know the dartboard layout is accredited to Mr Brian Gamlin a carpenter from Lancashire in 1896? The layout of numbers is deliberate and was designed to eliminate the possibility of ‘lucky shots’. Reinforcing the fact that it’s a game of skill and not a game of chance. Oh and Mr Gamlin never patented his invention.

Did you know in 1908 a decision was made by the Magistrates in Leeds, England that made the game of Darts illegal in Public houses (Pubs) because it was considered a game of chance (a form of gambling).

The ruling was tested in court where William ‘Bigfoot’ Annakin (a renowned Player at the Adelphi Public House) proved that darts was a game of skill by throwing three darts into the 20 and invited any magistrate to do the same.

If the story is true, Court officials accepted the challenge but couldn’t replicate Annakin’s shot proving once and for all Darts was a game of skill! And so began the increase in popularity of darts as a sport.