The Rise of Electronic Darts
Electronic darts — played with soft plastic-tipped darts on sensor-equipped boards — have surged in popularity. Automatic scoring, built-in game modes, app connectivity, and a safer playing environment make them an increasingly attractive option for homes, offices, and social venues.
How Electronic Boards Work
An electronic dartboard is a moulded plastic surface divided into segments, each sitting on a pressure-sensitive sensor or trigger mechanism. When a soft-tip dart hits a segment, the impact pushes the segment down just enough to trigger the sensor. The board's processor identifies the segment, calculates the score, and displays it on an LED or LCD screen.
Key Components
- Segment surface — Moulded plastic with tiny holes where the soft tips embed
- Sensors — Beneath each segment, registering hits
- Processor — Calculates scores, manages game logic
- Display — Shows scores, game state, and sometimes player names
- Speaker — Voice callouts ("Treble twenty!", "Game shot!") and sound effects
- Power source — Mains adapter or batteries (some use both)
Advantages Over Bristle Boards
Safety
Soft plastic tips won't puncture skin or damage walls. This makes electronic boards viable in:
- Children's bedrooms and playrooms
- Flats and apartments (no wall damage from stray darts)
- Offices and breakrooms
- Any space where sharp steel points are unwelcome
Automatic Scoring
No mental arithmetic required. The board handles all scoring, including:
- Running totals
- Checkout suggestions (some premium boards)
- Statistics tracking (averages, high scores)
- Turn management (whose throw it is)
This makes the game immediately accessible to absolute beginners. No need to learn checkout paths or calculate remaining scores.
Game Variety
Most electronic boards include 20-50+ built-in games:
- Standard: 301, 501, 701, Cricket
- Practice: Count Up, Shoot Out, Round the Clock
- Party games: Baseball, Golf, Bowling, Shanghai
- Novelty: Random target, Elimination, various proprietary games
Connectivity
Modern premium boards offer:
- Bluetooth to phone/tablet — Enhanced displays, deeper statistics, share results
- Online play — Play against opponents worldwide
- Software updates — New games and features via app
- League integration — Some platforms host online soft-tip leagues
Disadvantages
Bounce-Outs
Soft tips are more prone to bounce-outs than steel tips in sisal. Modern boards have improved significantly, but it remains the main frustration.
Noise
The impact of a plastic-tipped dart on a plastic board produces a sharp "click" that's louder than the soft "thud" of steel on sisal. With voice callouts and sound effects added, electronic boards are noisier overall.
Durability
Plastic segments eventually crack or wear, especially around high-traffic areas (treble 20). Budget boards may need replacing after 6-12 months of regular play. Premium boards last much longer.
The Feel
Purists argue that the feel of electronic darts doesn't match the satisfying embed of steel in sisal. It's a fair point — they're different experiences. But for many players, especially those who grew up with electronic boards, the difference is irrelevant.
Choosing an Electronic Board
Budget (Under 50)
Entry-level boards with basic features. Typically:
- Smaller, less visible displays
- Fewer game modes (15-20)
- Thinner plastic segments that wear faster
- Battery-powered (more expensive long-term)
Best for: Occasional play, children, testing the waters.
Mid-Range (50-120)
Solid boards with good features:
- Clear LED displays
- 30-40+ game modes
- Better segment durability
- Mains-powered with battery backup
- Some connectivity options
Best for: Regular home play, family use, casual competitions.
Premium (120-300+)
Tournament-quality boards:
- Ultra-thin segment holes for reduced bounce-outs
- Large, bright displays with player names
- 50+ game modes with online play
- App integration with statistics
- Professional build quality and durability
Best for: Serious soft-tip players, entertainment venues, those who want the best experience.
Soft-Tip Darts for Electronic Boards
Electronic boards require soft-tip darts (never use steel-tip — it destroys the sensors).
Weight
Soft-tip darts are typically lighter: 14-20g (compared to 20-26g for steel-tip). Heavier darts can damage electronic boards.
Tips
Replacement soft tips are essential — they bend and break. Buy a bag of 50-100 spare tips (they're cheap). Tips come in various lengths:
- Short tips — Standard, most common
- Long tips — Better embedding in some boards, but can stick out further if the board surface is thin
Barrels
The same barrel materials apply (tungsten, nickel-silver, brass) though soft-tip barrels tend to be lighter overall.
Electronic Darts Culture
Soft-tip electronic darts have a distinct culture, particularly in Asia:
- Japan — Arguably the world capital of electronic darts. Dartslive and Phoenix boards dominate. Electronic darts bars are on every high street in Tokyo. Sophisticated online leagues and ranking systems
- Southeast Asia — Growing rapidly, especially Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines
- North America — Popular in bars and home setups, especially the Arachnid brand
- UK — Traditionally steel-tip territory, but electronic boards are gaining ground, especially in family and casual settings
Setting Up an Electronic Board
Key considerations:
- Power supply — Position near a socket or plan cable routing. Battery boards eat through batteries fast
- Height — Same as steel-tip: bullseye at 5 feet 8 inches
- Distance — Check your specific board's recommended oche distance (often 8 feet for soft-tip, but varies)
- Sound — Consider neighbours and housemates when positioning
- Lighting — Electronic boards are sometimes backlit, but supplemental lighting improves the experience
The Future of Electronic Darts
The technology is advancing rapidly:
- Smart boards with cameras that track steel-tip darts on sisal — bridging the gap between traditional and electronic
- AR (augmented reality) overlay boards that project graphics onto a traditional board
- AI coaching built into apps that analyse your throwing pattern and suggest improvements
- Global online leagues that connect players across continents in real-time
Electronic darts isn't replacing traditional darts — it's expanding the game to new audiences and environments. The future likely holds both, side by side.
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