The Yorkshire dartboard is a typical English regional dartboard that is significantly different from the modern dartboard and the London dartboard. The most essential feature of it is the lack of the treble ring. It includes the well-known 1 to 20 numbers, double ring, and centre bull; however, it also has a special design for the scoring area, which is based on the double scores.
It has been traditionally used by the residents of Yorkshire; therefore, it is an important element of the British pub darts game and is still available nowadays.
Players who play in the modern dartboard may find playing on the Yorkshire board quite strange since there is no familiar treble 20, treble 19, and other trebles. Instead, the player should use his accuracy in hitting singles, doubles, and the bull. The traditional Yorkshire board also has different board and oche sizes than those of the internationally accepted standards.
What Is a Yorkshire Dartboard?
The Yorkshire Dartboard is the name given to a doubles type of dartboard in the county of Yorkshire, in England. The Yorkshire Dartboard has been termed the older version of a dartboard due to the fact that it has a clock-face numbering of 1-20 numbers and no treble ring. Also, it features only one bull’s-eye score in place of two that are common on the London board.
The play on the board is carried out similarly to that of other countdown darts games where players start from a set score of 301, 501, or 701 and subtract their scores accordingly. Doubles become more important because it is mandatory for finishing the leg of the game.
The Yorkshire dartboard should not be mistaken for the normal dartboard that may happen to be used in Yorkshire.
Yorkshire Dartboard Dimensions and Specifications
Specs for a Yorkshire bristle board:
- Board type: Bristle (sisal) with flat spider wires
- Numbers layout: Traditional 1–20 clock face
- Sectors layout: Singles, doubles, and one bull (50); no trebles, no outer 25
- Bull area: Smaller than that on the standard board (depends on the producer)
- Diameter: Normally about 450 mm (same as on the standard board)
- Thickness: Approximately 38–40 mm (also depends on the producer)
- Height from the floor (centre of the bull): 5 ft 6 in (1.676 m)
- Throwing distance (from oche to board): 7 ft 2 in (2.184 m)
- Diagonal check (distance from the bull to the oche on the floor): 9 ft 0 in (2.743 m)
These dimensions are somewhat different from the modern “London” standards (height – 5 ft 8 in, throw distance – 7 ft 9¼ in). It is crucial to follow the Yorkshire specifications if you want to play in this style.
Yorkshire Dartboard vs Standard Dartboard
The biggest difference is immediately visible: a standard dartboard has a treble ring, while the Yorkshire board does not.
| Feature | Yorkshire Dartboard | Standard/London Dartboard |
|---|---|---|
| Numbered sections | 1–20 | 1–20 |
| Treble ring | No | Yes |
| Double ring | Yes | Yes |
| Centre bull | Yes | Yes |
| Outer bull | Traditionally no | Yes |
| Main maximum number per dart | Double 20 = 40 | Triple 20 = 60 |
| Traditional board height | 5 ft 6 in | 5 ft 8 in |
| Traditional throw distance | 7 ft 2 in | 7 ft 9¼ in |
| Playing style | Singles, doubles and bull | Singles, trebles, doubles and bull |
On a conventional board, three treble 20s will yield a score of 180, which is well known to be the maximum possible score. This cannot be achieved on a Yorkshire board because the treble ring is not present. Thus, the maximum score obtainable through one dart is 40, which is the double 20 score.
The small diameter and absence of treble in Yorkshire darts reduce reliance on treble scoring.
Yorkshire Dartboard vs English Dartboard
English dartboard may be misleading in its sense, as sometimes it is casually referred to as a standard London/clock board. But if the term English dartboard refers to the modern standard dartboard, then there are no doubts about the distinctiveness of the Yorkshire dartboard from it.
The modern standard board consists of both the double and treble rings and has the outer bull for 25 points along with the inner bull for 50 points. The Yorkshire dartboard, in turn, retains the same number arrangement but lacks the treble ring and the outer bull.
Both dartboards have been developed as part of British darts development history; nevertheless, the treble board became the winner in the end, while Yorkshire, Manchester and Kent boards survived regionally.
What Makes a Yorkshire Dartboard Different?
Some distinctive traits distinguish the Yorkshire Dart Board from others.
No Treble Ring
This is the key trait of the board in question. Each ring of the board has a single-scoring ring and a double-scoring ring, but no triple-scoring ring.
Small Target
The traditional Yorkshire dart board has a target zone that is about 13.25 inches in diameter, while the target zone of a traditional board is 17.75 inches.
Single Bull
Unlike the traditional dartboard, the traditional Yorkshire board has only one center bull worth 50 points.
Different Design
The traditional Yorkshire design has the bull at a different point and the oche closer to the board than in the modern standard steel-tip setup.
Focusing on Doubles
Due to the lack of treble rings, doubles become especially significant in the countdown game. An experienced player who can get doubles will do very well.
Yorkshire Dartboard Rules
It should be noted that there are different sets of Yorkshire board rules depending on the tournament or competition; therefore, players should adhere to the rules provided by the organizer. The Yorkshire Darts Organisation has its current rules; in particular, according to the Yorkshire Darts Organisation’s rules in 2025, bristle boards with numbers from 1 to 20 with doubles and trebles, are used. It should be mentioned that the competition rules set by the Yorkshire Darts Organisation cannot be considered as the rules describing all the history and variants of the Yorkshire board game.
As for traditional Yorkshire-board games, the common rules are:
- Players usually throw up to three darts per round.
- Bouncing out or hitting the wiring without a dart staying in the scoring area is not counted.
- A dart cannot be re-thrown.
- The game can be 301, 501, 701, etc.
- The starting total is reduced by each throw.
- A double is needed to finish the game.
- There is only one center bull on the traditional Yorkshire board, and it is worth 50.
- Exceeding the remaining score in the throw counts as busting according to the common countdown rules.
- League rules are preferred where there are any differences.
How to Set Up a Yorkshire Dartboard
This is crucial since the slightest discrepancy in height or in throwing distance affects the game.
For the conventional Yorkshire set-up:
- Fix the dartboard securely on a wall or backing board.
- The bull center should be at a height of 5 ft 6 in (1.676 m) from the floor level.
- The horizontal distance of the board face from the throw line is measured at 7 ft 2 in (2.184 m).
- The diagonal measurement from the center of the bull to the floor-level throw line is around 9 ft (2.743 m).
- Mark out the oche well.
- Ensure that number 20 is placed on top.
- Provide enough light without casting distracting shadows.
- Ensure that there is enough safe space for the player.
Avoid taking measurements from the wall if the face of the board lies away from the wall. The measurement must be taken from the proper face of the board. This is one of the most common causes of mistakes in installation.
It would also be useful to check the rules of the league in question prior to installation. For example, the current rules of the Yorkshire Darts Organisation call for a different oche measurement compared to the standard Yorkshire-board measurements.
Yorkshire Dartboard Throwing Distance
The traditional throwing distance for the Yorkshire dartboard is 7 feet 2 inches (2.184 meters) from the face of the dartboard to the throwing line. The traditional diagonal measure from the center of the bull to the floor at the oche is 9 feet (2.743 meters).
This is less than the well-known modern steel-tip distance of 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters).
| Setup | Yorkshire Traditional | Standard Steel-Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Bull height | 5 ft 6 in / 1.676 m | 5 ft 8 in / 1.727 m |
| Oche distance | 7 ft 2 in / 2.184 m | 7 ft 9¼ in / 2.37 m |
| Diagonal | 9 ft / 2.743 m | About 9 ft 7⅜ in / 2.93 m |
The distinction matters if you are creating a home setup specifically for Yorkshire-board practice.
What Darts Are Used with a Yorkshire Dartboard?
This is not particularly true since there is no specific dart necessary just because the dartboard is a Yorkshire dartboard. Regular steel-tip darts can be used so long as they meet the criteria of the competition.
Darts can be selected for casual games depending on grip, weight, barrel design, and throwing technique. Tungsten darts are common because they offer relatively thin barrels, whereas brass darts are usually cheaper.
When playing in a competition, it is important to first understand the requirements of the competition before selecting a particular dart. For instance, the rules of the Yorkshire Darts Organization stipulate that darts cannot be more than 12 inches in length or weigh 50 grams.
Yorkshire Dartboard Scoring System
This method of scoring is simple, as there are no treble rings.
A dart hitting the regular numbered area will give you the score according to its number. A dart hitting the double ring will give you double the score of that number.
For instance:
- Single 20 = 20
- Double 20 = 40
- Single 18 = 18
- Double 18 = 36
- Single 10 = 10
- Double 10 = 20
- Bull = 50
There are no trebles in the regular Yorkshire board. Therefore, the maximum possible score with a single numbered dart is double 20, worth 40 points.
Example of a Yorkshire Score
Suppose a player throws:
- Double 20 = 40
- Single 20 = 20
- Double 16 = 32
The total for the visit is:
40 + 20 + 32 = 92
If the player began a 501 leg, the remaining score would be:
501 − 92 = 409
This simple arithmetic makes the game easy to follow, but successful finishing still requires careful planning.
How to Play on a Yorkshire Dartboard
A simple Yorkshire countdown game can be played quite similarly to a 301 or 501 game on different boards.
Step 1: Select the Starting Score
Decide on 301, 501, or 701. 301 or 501 games are usually played by singles, but in longer versions, 701 scores can be used.
Step 2: Determine Who Throws First
Players may toss a coin or bull up to find out the first thrower. In traditional rules, players may throw at the bull and start from there.
Step 3: Lower the Score
Each player throws a maximum of three darts and lowers their remaining score by the score of the darts thrown.
Step 4: Choose the Strategy
As soon as the remaining score gets smaller, players may choose strategies that end with a good double.
Step 5: End the Game with a Double
Under traditional rules, the last scoring dart should be a double dart. The exact finishing rule should be decided before the game starts, as local versions may vary.
For example, if a player has a remaining score of 40, he can easily finish with a double 20. If his remaining score is 32, he may finish with a double 16.
Yorkshire Dartboard for Home Use
The Yorkshire board is ideal for use in a home dart room, especially if one is looking for something that is different from the board normally used in most contemporary tournaments.
The small playing surface and absence of trebles make the practice session quite different because players have to rely on accurate shots into the singles and doubles.
Before deciding on a particular board to buy for use at home, some factors to consider include:
- Available wall space
- If the board is a genuine Yorkshire or regional board
- Diameter of the board’s playing surface
- Sisal or any other board material
- Wire board or blade type of board
- Effort needed to rotate the board
- Quality of the number ring
- Availability of replacement parts
- Need to recreate the traditional Yorkshire board setup
Having two sets of boards or different settings for people who play both standard and Yorkshire darts within a family is essential.
Best Yorkshire Dartboards to Consider
The demand for Yorkshire boards is not as high as compared to the demand for normal tournament boards, although real Yorkshire boards can be found.
An example of the Yorkshire boards is Winmau Yorkshire Dartboard. This is a regional board made in a no-treble configuration. It is described by Red Dragon/Winmau as a Yorkshire regional board, and that such regional dartboards are still available for those who prefer to play with such traditional boards.
When looking at a Yorkshire dartboard, one should pay attention not to its brand name, but rather to its authenticity.
| Buying factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Design | No treble ring |
| Numbering | Traditional 1–20 arrangement |
| Bull | Traditional Yorkshire-style centre bull |
| Surface | Durable sisal or appropriate traditional material |
| Wires | Secure, low-profile construction |
| Number ring | Clear and preferably rotatable |
| Mounting | Stable wall fixing |
| Availability | Replacement accessories if required |
A standard tournament dartboard should not be substituted simply because its manufacturer calls it a “Yorkshire-style” product. Check the actual board layout and specifications.
How Much Does a Yorkshire Dartboard Cost?
The cost of a Yorkshire dartboard ranges greatly depending upon the brand, build quality, availability, and whether it is a new replica or an exclusive Yorkshire dartboard.
As Yorkshire dartboards are niche products, the cost may also differ more than that of normal dartboards. The basic models will be reasonably priced, whereas special or exclusive models might come at a high cost.
| Type | Typical price expectation |
|---|---|
| Basic regional/reproduction board | Lower-cost option |
| Bristle Yorkshire board | Mid-range |
| Premium branded Yorkshire board | Higher-priced |
| Vintage or collectible board | Highly variable |
Rather than relying on one fixed price, compare the current seller’s price, shipping cost and board specifications before purchasing.
Where to Buy a Yorkshire Dartboard
The Yorkshire Dartboard is much rarer than the ordinary London board; thus, specialty darts suppliers should be your best choice instead of general sports goods shops.
To find a regional dartboard, you may use existing dart retailers or manufacturers, such as Winmau that has a Yorkshire regional board available at the moment.
If searching on the Internet, you should specifically use keywords such as “Yorkshire Dartboard,” “Yorkshire Doubles Dartboard,” and “Yorkshire regional dartboard.”
It is important to note that you should carefully examine the pictures because an ordinary board advertised as a Yorkshire one is not actually one.
If you need a second-hand board, check out its sisal or playing area, wires, the mounting system, and number ring.
Conclusion
The Yorkshire Darts Board represents an interesting part of the history of British darts, and it provides a game which is very different from the contemporary treble board. It has the familiar numbering of the 1–20 sections with a double ring, a center bull, but more importantly – without a treble ring. This makes the game strategy and pace very different from the one with the treble ring. As for the traditional setup of the board, the bullseye should be placed at 5 ft 6 in and the oche at 7 ft 2 in, unlike the standard setup of a steel tip board. Because of the variation in rules in different regions and different competition regulations, it is better to consult them before placing the board.
FAQ’s
Is a Yorkshire Dartboard smaller than a standard dartboard?
Yes. Traditional Yorkshire boards are commonly described as having a 13¼-inch playing surface, while a modern standard dartboard has an overall playing diameter of about 17¾ inches.
Does a Yorkshire Dartboard have trebles?
No. The traditional Yorkshire board does not have a treble ring.
Does a Yorkshire Dartboard have an outer bull?
Traditionally, no. The Yorkshire board has a single centre bull worth 50.
What is the Yorkshire Dartboard throwing distance?
The traditional distance is 7 ft 2 in (2.184 m) from the board face to the oche.
How high should a Yorkshire Dartboard be mounted?
The traditional setup places the centre of the bull 5 ft 6 in (1.676 m) above the floor.
What is the maximum score with one dart?
The maximum numbered score is 40, achieved by hitting double 20. The bull is worth 50, so the bull is the highest single scoring target.
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