Why Is 20 at the Top of a Dartboard?

Dartboard Number Order Explained for Beginners

If you are new to playing darts on a dart machine, there is one question almost everyone asks sooner or later: Why is the number 20 always at the top of the dartboard?

And why, when you miss it slightly, do you end up with a terrible score like 1 or 5 instead?

The answer is not random. In fact, the dartboard is one of the smartest pieces of sports design ever created. Behind its number order lie intentional punishment, mathematical logic, and over a century of history.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you will learn how the dartboard number layout works, why 20 is placed at the top, and how understanding this design can immediately improve your game.

The Dartboard Was Designed to Punish Inaccuracy

The modern dartboard number order is commonly credited to Brian Gamlin, a British carpenter, around 1896. While historians still debate the exact origin, the logic behind the layout is widely accepted among dart professionals.

Gamlin’s goal was simple: Darts should reward precision, not luck.

To achieve this, the highest-value numbers were deliberately placed next to the lowest-value numbers.

High Risk, High Reward: The 20 Zone

The number 20 is the highest single number on the board. If the dartboard were designed for convenience, 20 would be surrounded by other high numbers. Instead, it sits between 1 and 5.

What does this mean for players?

• Hit Triple 20: 60 points (Maximum score)

• Miss slightly left or right: 1 or 5 points

This dramatic score drop forces players to develop accuracy and consistency. Simply throwing harder or aiming generally “high” does not work. This same logic applies across the board, a mathematical arrangement known as maximum dispersion:

• 19 sits next to 3 and 7

• 18 sits next to 1 and 4

• 17 sits next to 2 and 3

Why Isn’t the Bullseye the Highest Score?

For beginners, this is another common question. The bullseye is located at the center of the dartboard, but it is not the highest-scoring area.

• Inner bull (red): 50 points

• Outer bull (green): 25 points

Why is Triple 20 (60 points) higher than the bullseye? Because darts is a game of risk management. The Triple 20 is harder to hit consistently, while the bullseye is safer but less rewarding. High-level players must constantly choose between consistency and maximum scoring.

Soft Tip vs. Steel Tip Rules

If you play on electronic dart machines (Soft Tip), rules may differ slightly from traditional Steel Tip:

• Steel Tip: Outer bull = 25, Inner bull = 50.

• Soft Tip: Machines often score the entire bullseye as 50 points. This difference comes from historical evolution and safety considerations, not skill level.

Dartboard Distance: Why 2.37 Meters?

The standard throwing distance (oche) is 2.37 meters (7 feet 9¼ inches). This oddly specific distance has practical origins:

• It likely matched the dimensions of early barrels or pub furniture.

• It created a perfect balance between skill and accessibility.

• It has been standardized for competitive fairness.

For beginners using dart machines, standing at the correct distance is essential for developing proper throwing mechanics.

Fun Dartboard Facts Most Beginners Don’t Know

1. Early Darts Were Made of Wood

Before modern tungsten darts existed, early darts were carved from solid wood or brass. Players even soaked them in water overnight to maintain their weight and prevent cracking.

2. Darts Was Once Banned in British Pubs

In the early 20th century, darts was briefly classified as a "game of chance" and banned in pubs. A famous pub owner defended the game in court by bringing a dartboard into the courtroom and hitting specific numbers on command. The court ruled darts a game of skill, making it legal again.

3. Why Traditional Boards Are Called “Bristle Boards”

Modern steel-tip dartboards are made from sisal fiber, not animal bristles. These fibers close naturally after darts are removed, giving the board its "self-healing" ability.

4. Modern Machines Keep the Same Logic

Electronic dart machines preserve the exact same number layout—20 at the top, low numbers next to high numbers. While the technology has changed (automatic scoring, online matches, visual effects), the fundamental punishment-reward design remains untouched.

What Beginners Should Learn From the Design

Understanding the dartboard layout teaches three key lessons:

1. Accuracy matters more than strength.

2. Small mistakes are intentionally punished.

3. Consistent aiming beats lucky throws.

When you miss a 20 and hit a 1, it is not bad luck—it is the dartboard doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Final Thoughts: Respect the 20

The next time you aim for Triple 20 and barely miss, remember this: The frustration is intentional. The design is fair. And hitting that perfect 60 is what makes darts addictive.

Once you understand the logic behind the dartboard, you stop fighting it—and start playing smarter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who invented the numbering sequence on the dartboard?

A: The design is widely credited to a British carpenter named Brian Gamlin in 1896. He reportedly created the layout to punish inaccuracy by placing low-value numbers (like 1 and 5) directly next to the high-value number 20, turning darts into a game of skill rather than luck.

Q: Why is the Bullseye (50 points) not the highest score?

A: Darts is a game of risk management. The Triple 20 (60 points) is mathematically harder to hit consistently than the Bullseye because the target area is smaller and spread out. The Bullseye is considered a "safer" target, so it awards fewer points than the high-risk Triple 20.

Q: Is there a difference in scoring between Steel Tip and Electronic Dart Machines?

A: Yes, specifically regarding the Bullseye. In traditional Steel Tip rules, the outer bull is 25 points and the inner bull is 50. However, on many Electronic (Soft Tip) Dart Machines, the entire Bullseye (both outer and inner rings) is often counted as 50 points to encourage faster, high-scoring gameplay.

Q: What is the official throwing distance for a dartboard?

A: The standard distance from the face of the board to the throw line (oche) is 2.37 meters (7 feet 9¼ inches). This distance is standardized for both steel tip and soft tip competitions globally.

Q: Why is it called a "Bristle" board if it's made of sisal?

A: The name is a holdover from the past. While early boards were made of wood or clay, modern "bristle" boards are made from compressed sisal fibers (a type of hemp). These fibers are used because they separate when a dart enters and close back up when it is removed, giving the board a "self-healing" quality.

Q: Does the number layout ever change on different boards?

A: No. Whether you are playing on a vintage wooden board, a professional bristle board, or a modern Willdarts electronic machine, the number sequence (20-1-18-4...) remains exactly the same. This ensures that skills learned on one board transfer perfectly to any other.