How to get bullseyes in darts

So, you’ve thrown your share of darts and mostly hit the board (and maybe a wall or two…). But now you’re done with looking like a chucker and ready to chase that elusive, satisfying ‘thwack’ of a bullseye hit right. Want better aim? Here’s how to improve your darts game fast, and you don’t even need a dramatic darts montage or pub league membership to do so. Simply try our cutting-edge AR Darts game, and follow our darts aiming tips to sharpen your skills and start hitting your target more often.

Safety first!

We’re going to hop into a better darts throwing technique in just a second, but first, a PSA: never, ever aim the pointy end of a dart in the direction of anything other than its natural home, the dart board. Aiming it at your mates or random passers-by (as a joke or even accidentally) is not a good vibe – nobody expects to end their night out as a human kebab. Just don’t.

1. Find your footing

Let’s start from the ground up with some essential darts stance tips. The positioning of your feet and distance away from the throwing line (known as the ‘oche’) will depend on your height and arm length when fully extended. Shuffle around a bit to find a distance that’s comfortable (but doesn’t make it too easy to hit the board!) Now, settle with your feet shoulder width apart, planting your dominant foot forward, and angle your body toward the board. Your back foot? Just a support act: keep it steady and grounded. Balance is key here: imagine you’re a majestic flamingo, if flamingos played darts and had excellent posture. (They do.)

Lean forward slightly – don’t overdo it, keep your feet behind the oche – and line your throwing shoulder with the board. This reduces body movement and keeps your throw smooth.

TL; DR? Stand strong, aim straight, and don’t wobble.

2. Grip it right (not tight)

A proper darts grip technique is all about control, not brute force. Hold the dart with three fingers (thumb, forefinger, and middle finger), kind of like you’d hold a pen. Think firm handshake, not “I’m crushing a soda can”. Too tight, and you’ll tense up; too loose, and that dart’s zooming off on its own random journey. The balance point of the dart (aka its centre of gravity) should sit comfortably between your fingers. Try a few positions until it feels stable, but not stuck.

3. Eyes on the prize

Want to know how to aim darts like a pro? Focus is everything. Align your dart tip with your target – yep, the bullseye if you’re feeling bold. Keep both eyes open and let your dominant eye guide you. (Tip: if you’re not sure which eye is dominant, try the classic ‘triangle hands’ trick*.) Don’t rush. Steady your breathing. Picture the flight path. Then channel your inner Hawkeye and lock in. Great darts aiming tips also include using consistent reference points, like where you hold your hand before release or how you line up your knuckles.

*Extend both hands in front of you with your thumbs and index fingers forming a small triangle. Focus on a distant object through the triangle, and close one eye at a time – your dominant eye is the one where the object remains centred.

4. Smooth, not savage

Your actual darts throwing technique, or releasing the dart, is super important. Raise your dart to eye level to aim, keeping your elbow bent and wrist relaxed. No wild wind-ups! Keep your upper arm still and flick your forearm forward in a smooth motion. Your wrist should follow through naturally. The real trick? Consistency. Try to repeat the exact motion each time you throw, and don’t worry about overcorrecting after every throw. Use a few rounds to build rhythm, then tweak small things, like grip pressure or release timing, as you go.

5. Practise makes precision

A game of darts is supposed to be fun, so don’t stress if every throw isn’t a bullseye right away. Tiny improvements over time equal major results: focus on the throws that went well, and try to replicate your stance, grip, aim and release when successful.

Ready to aim high and let it fly? How about making a game of AR Darts at Zone Bowling a regular ritual! Challenge your mates, set mini goals (three 20s in a row, or hitting all scoring zones), and celebrate every win. You’re already way ahead of the curve!