When Should I Rotate My Dartboard?
Key Takeaways:
- You should rotate your dartboard at least once a week if played on regularly, casual players can rotate it less often
- Rotating your dartboard is crucial for increasing its lifespan and improving game quality. Neglecting dartboard rotation can result in uneven wear and tear on the board.
- To rotate your dartboard, remove the wire number ring and rotate the board clockwise or counterclockwise. Remember to follow specific rules when rotating the board and customize the rotation frequency for your playing habits.
- Dartboard maintenance can also help extend the life of your board.
Why Do You Need To Rotate A Dartboard?
The main reason to rotate your board is to increase its lifespan, especially under heavy, continuous use. Making it a routine to rotate it, distributes the wear across the whole board better, therefore helping to make it last longer overall.
Most players tend to stick to the same area of the board during a game of darts.
- Typically, the treble 20 sees the most action and will show the damage to your board
- Without regularly turning the board, it will start to wear unevenly, and those heavily played parts of the board will become unplayable sooner rather than later.
How Often Should You Rotate Your Dartboard?
How often should you rotate your dartboard, mainly, comes down to how often you play.
The general feeling, among experienced players, is pretty much the same.
Rotate the board at least once a week if you are a regular thrower, who plays every day. Casual players, tend to play much less frequently, and therefore can go longer between rotations.
Consistency is Crucial
Consistency in your maintenance routine, so if you change it weekly, make sure to stick to it so that the wear is even.
Keep a schedule that works best for you, the amount of time you spend at the board, and also be mindful of any changes in gameplay or the board’s condition.
How to Determine the Frequency of Rotating a Dartboard?
If you are concerned that you may not be rotating it enough, there are ways to determine the frequency of a dartboard’s rotation:
- Consider the intensity of use: How often do you play? The more frequently you use your dartboard, the more often it needs to be rotated.
- Examine wear patterns: Check for signs of wear or damage, like holes or divots in specific areas. Focus on rotating those sections more frequently.
- Observe bounce-outs: Are there certain areas where darts tend to bounce out, causing undue damage? Rotate those parts more frequently.
- Evaluate environment: Is your dartboard exposed to direct sunlight or moisture? These factors can lead to warping or fading, which may require more frequent rotation.
- Customize based on personal preference: Some players enjoy rotating their boards before every match, while others opt for a weekly or monthly schedule.
What Direction Should You Rotate a Dartboard?
When rotating your dartboard, always continue in the direction you went the first time.
- If you started off by turning it clockwise, make sure every time you rotate it, you do so clockwise again.
- If you went counterclockwise, continue in the counterclockwise direction.
If you don’t continue in the same direction, you will end up rotating the board back on itself, which will be defeating the purpose.
How Do You Rotate a Dartboard?
Remove the wire number ring
- First, locate any staples or tacks that are holding the spider in place and gently remove them with pliers.
- Take a screwdriver and unscrew all the screws that are located around the edge of the spider.
- Gently unclip the wire ring until it comes loose from the board.
- Remove any remaining staples or tacks from the board where the spider was previously attached.
- When finished, you should be left with just the bare dartboard surface.
If you have a board with painted on numbers, you won’t be able to rotate it, along with cork and electronic boards. Usually, only sisal fiber dartboards have removable rings which allow it to be rotated.
Check out the video below on caring for your dartboard and rotating the wired ring.
Rotate your dartboard
For maximum longevity and optimal play, always turn the board 2 or 6 places along.
- It will always take 10 rotations, and is the longest route, before the 20 section is back where it started.
- It doesn’t matter clockwise or counterclockwise, as long as you turn the same direction and same number of places each time.
Reattach the metal numbered ring
Next you need to reattach the wire ring by screwing the screws back into the board along with attaching any staples or tacks.
Hang the dartboard
Once you have the numbers back on, you can hang it back in place on the wall and get throwing.
Other Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Dartboard?
While rotating your dartboard will help its longevity, there are other measures you can take too, and keeping it cleaned and maintained is top of the list.
Keeping the dartboard in good condition:
- Regular Maintenance: Regular dusting is crucial. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off accumulated dust and dirt on the surface. You can also use a brush to remove the stubborn debris. A handheld vacuum is great for collecting loose dust and other dirt from the playing surface.
- Avoid Water: Dartboards are not waterproof, and moisture can cause swelling or cracks in the material. Thus, never use water or any liquid to wipe down a dartboard. There are some specialized cleaning solution for dartboards that are readily available.
- Invest in a Cover: A cover would protect the board from environmental factors if it is going to be exposed to sunlight or humidity. Covering up your dartboard when you’re not using it will keep it clean and safe from accidental scratches.
- Sharpen Points on Your Darts Regularly: Blunt darts will bounce out of the board more often than sharpened steel tip darts does, however it also helps to increase the life of your board.
FAQs about When Should I Rotate My Dartboard?
When Should I Rotate My Dartboard?
You should rotate your dartboard at least once per week if it sees regular play. How often you rotate your dartboard is directly related to how often you play. So if you play darts often, rotating the board more frequently is recommended.
How Does Rotating a Dartboard Even Out Damage?
Rotating your dartboard moves the damaged segments to an area of the board that receives less play, allowing the wear and tear to be evenly distributed around the dartboard. This ensures that your board will not wear out quicker at high traffic scoring segments such as the triple 20 and will prolong its lifespan.
Can All Types of Dartboards Be Rotated?
No, some dartboards cannot be rotated due to design or build. It is mainly bristle boards that can be rotated. If the numbers around the outside are painted onto the actual board, it can not be rotated. These dartboards have to be replaced once they exceed their life expectancy.
