• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
The reason why the numbers on a dartboard are arranged in that particular order

Home> Darts

Published 13:51 21 Mar 2024 GMT

The reason why the numbers on a dartboard are arranged in that particular order

The real reason for the dartboard number sequence has emerged.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Some fans have often wondered why dartboards have all 20 numbers positioned in an unusual pattern - but why are the numbers arranged in such a way?

On a standard dartboard, the single number 20, treble and double will all feature in the centre-most part of the board, with the bullseye and outer bull area sitting slightly below it.

If you miss the treble 20, you're likely to slip into the five or the one, while missing the treble 19 below it runs the risk of dropping into the three or seven.

Advert

If you take a second to look at the board as a whole, the order of the numbers - put simply - doesn't really make any logical sense. Odd and even numbers aren't different colours and there isn't any sequence involved.

The real reason behind the allocation of numbers is complex - but certainly an interesting one.

The person responsible for the current numbering is widely credited to be Brian Gamlin, a carpenter who lived in Lancashire, in 1896 - although it has previously been disputed as to who actually designed it.

Advert

According to DartHelp.com, there was a fierce argument at the time surrounding whether darts was a game based on chance, or a game based on skill. Given the gambling laws of the time, darts needed to cement itself on one side of the divide.

DartHelp add that there are an astonishing 2.43 quintillion ways to arrange all 20 numbers on a dartboard, with Gamlin's design aiming to essentially even out the probability of any one number being singled out, or hit.

The idea, therefore, was to make darts the ultimate test of skill - and anyone who has picked up a dart knows how much practice it takes to precisely navigate your way across the board.

You will also have spotted how high numbers are often between much smaller numbers, i.e.: the treble 18 being between a one and four.

Advert

It is claimed that this was another design aim from Gamlin in order to increase the margin of error for competitors when it comes to aiming for a big number.


Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Darts

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • The real reason why numbers on a dartboard are arranged in specific order
  • Phil Taylor reveals 'heartbreaking' reason why he's no longer playing darts
  • Cameron Menzies explains heartbreaking reason for on-stage breakdown in World Darts Championship defeat
  • Bizarre reason why Stephen Bunting stands to the right of the Oche during World Darts Championship

Choose your content:

a day ago
4 days ago
5 days ago
  • GettyGetty
    a day ago

    Adrian Lewis makes darts comeback after 29-month absence as fans react to footage

    Lewis last played in the PDC in March 2023.

    Darts
  • GettyGetty
    a day ago

    Luke Littler rushed for emergency mouth surgery ahead of Flanders Darts Trophy

    The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner was due to play on Saturday.

    Darts
  • Getty ImagesGetty Images
    4 days ago

    Gerwyn Price issues worrying update after withdrawing from Players Championship event

    Price was forced to withdraw from this week's Players Championship 24 in Milton Keynes.

    Darts
  • PDCPDC
    5 days ago

    Darts fans say the same thing as Beau Greaves vs Luke Littler goes to thrilling last-leg decider

    Greaves averaged 101 in a memorable Players Championship clash in Milton Keynes.

    Darts