The game of darts had its origins in England and may have first been made from the cross section of a tree or even the bottoms of wine casks which was why it was sometimes named butts.

Though the game of darts can be played in many different ways, the circular game board is always a necessary component of play. It is a game which is played competitively, as well as in pubs and private homes. The board is usually made of sisal, a strong, durable fiber, with each section lined with wire. The standard dart board is hung so that the bulls eye is five feet, eight inches from the floor, and the throwing line is seven feet, nine and a quarter inches from the board. For casual play these rules do not have to be set in stone as people are playing just for fun and social interaction.

The rules for playing darts are not complicated. There are usually two teams, each made up of two or more players. Each person is allowed nine throws as a pre-game warm-up. To determine which team or player will go first a dart is thrown by a person from each team. The closest throw to the bulls eye is the team that will go first. When his turn comes, each player will throw three darts. Then the other side will also throw three darts. If someone accidentally crosses over or steps on the dart throwing line or oche in the course of play; the throw is disqualified and that person must wait for his turn come around again to resume playing.

Darts must remain on the dartboard for five seconds to be counted and if sticks into another dart or causes it to fall of the board it does not count. Darts are scored in the following way: in the wedge, the amount posted on the outer ring; in the double ring (the outer, narrow ring) twice the number hit; in the triple ring (the inner, narrow ring) three time the number hit. Bulls eye (outer bull) is twenty five points; the double bulls eye (the inner bulls eye) is fifty points.

Many people enjoy darts and even have their own special sets of darts, imbued with almost supernatural powers, that they will not play without. Dart players are a fun-loving bunch of people who enjoy the company of others in a fun yet mildly competitive way.