What is a Bullseye in Darts?
Beginners

What is a Bullseye in Darts

In this post we’ll be answering the quest what is a bullseye in darts. Darts is a popular pastime both in the pub and in the basement. One of the most important things you need to know if you’re going to play darts is what the bullseye is. You’ll also need to know how many points it’s worth, and some strategies you can implement to make sure that you hit the mark as often as you can.

In its simplest terms, the bullseye is the center most point on the dart board.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll know all there is to know about the bullseye and how to increase your chances of throwing one.

Why is it Called a Bullseye?

There are several different theories about why a bullseye is named such. And each one is correct or acceptable depending on who you ask. One theory is that a skull of a bull was originally used as a target and that the eye socket was the most difficult target to hit. Another theory is that the word “bullseye” was simply a long-standing term for a small circular point, one as small as the eye of a bull.

The Bullseye and Scoring

On a standard dartboard, the center of the board is referred to as the bullseye. It is divided into two parts, the outer bullseye and the inner bullseye. The outer bullseye is green, and the inner bullseye is red. And while it’s commonly referred to as a singular unit, the different parts of a bullseye are worth a different amount of points: The green outer bullseye is worth 25 points, and the red inner bullseye is worth 50 points.

Depending on the game being played, the bullseye may be worth more points depending on how many darts in a turn hit the bullseye.

Strategies for Hitting the Bullseye

In order to increase your chances of hitting the bullseye, there are certain steps that you can take:

  • Grip the dart properly – The lighter your grip is, the better. Resting your pointer finger and thumb on the back of the dart and your middle finger on the dart’s point will allow you the amount of control you need.
  • Follow through – In order to have a strong follow through, keep your arm straight, have a good acceleration, and release the dart about two-thirds of the way through the motion.
     
  • Choose the right board and darts – Having the right darts in terms of weight, comfort level, and brand will likely minimize bounce outs.

A Final Word

When you play darts, one of the most important aspects of the game itself is knowing the importance of the bullseye. The history of the bullseye as an object is interesting, but even more beneficial to know is the bullseye scoring methodology and the proper techniques you need in order to hit it.