G’day, darters! So, you’re keen to get a proper dartboard setup for the garage, the man cave, or even the lounge (brave move!). But staring at the options online or down at the warehouse can be a real head-scratcher. You don’t want to waste your hard-earned cash on a piece of rubbish that’ll be knackered in a month, but you also don’t need to mortgage the house for a championship-level board you’ll only use once in a blue moon.
Getting a good deal isn’t just about the cheapest price tag. It’s about getting true value for money—a board that’ll give you years of enjoyment and improve your game. As a long-time player and league organiser here in Aotearoa, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the utterly useless. Let’s break down how you can nail your purchase and get a truly mean deal on a quality dart board.
It All Starts with the Bristle: Choosing Your Board Type
Forget those old-school coiled wire boards or, heaven forbid, the magnetic ones you had as a kid. For a serious recreational player, there’s only one real choice: a bristle dartboard.
Why Bristle is Best
Modern bristle boards are made from sisal fibres – the same stuff they make really tough rope out of. This material is a genius bit of kit because it’s self-healing. The fibres close up behind a well-thrown dart, meaning the board lasts for absolute yonks. They’re designed for steel-tip darts, which is what you’ll find in every pub and club across New Zealand.
Key Features to Look For (Your Buying Checklist)
Not all sisal boards are created equal. When you’re comparing, run through this quick checklist to ensure you’re getting a quality bit of gear.
- A Thin, Knife-Blade Wiring System: This is arguably the most important feature. Look for boards that have the thinnest possible wire dividing the segments. Why? Less bounce-outs! Thick, bulky wires are a nightmare – your dart hits the wire and pings right back at your feet. Thin, blade-style wires allow darts to slide into the bed, even on a tight angle. More scoring, less frustration.
- Staple-Free Bullseye: On cheaper boards, the bullseye ring is often held on with staples. These are bounce-out magnets. A quality board will have a bullseye that’s held in place by the pressure of the sisal or an integrated wire system – no nasty metal to ruin your 50.
- Rotation Life-Saver: A good board will have numbers on the ring that are easy to remove. This is crucial because you should be rotating your board regularly to distribute wear evenly. If the 20 segment is looking a bit battered, just spin it so a fresher number is on top. This simple habit doubles the life of your board.
How to Snag a True Mean Deal
A “deal” means getting top quality without paying top dollar. Here’s how us Kiwis do it.
- Shop Local (Online): Support Kiwi businesses that specialise in darts! They often have better advice and more competitive pricing on quality brands than generic sporting goods stores. A specialist site like Darts Online NZ is a bloody good place to start, as they bundle deals on boards, darts, and surrounds all the time.
- Look for Package Deals: Often, the best value isn’t just the board alone. Look for starter packs that include a quality board, a decent surround to protect your walls, a tungsten set of darts, and a decent set of flights and stems. Buying it all separately usually costs a lot more.
- Wait for the Sales: Keep an eye out for holiday sales, end-of-financial-year sales, or Black Friday. This is the perfect time to invest in a premium board like a Winmau or Unicorn at a seriously discounted price.
- Read the Reviews: Don’t just look at the stars. Read what other Kiwi players are saying. Do they mention how long it’s lasted? How often they get bounce-outs? This real-world experience is worth its weight in gold.
Setting Up for Success
You’ve got your new board! Now, let’s not ruin it by putting it up wrong.
- Height: The centre of the bullseye must be 1.73 metres from the floor.
- Distance: The oche (throw line) is 2.37 metres measured horizontally from the face of the board.
- Location: Hang it on a solid wall, preferably in a spot where stray darts won’t take out a window or the telly. A dartboard surround is a brilliant investment for wall protection.
For more detailed tips, check out our guide on [how to set up your dartboard like a pro].
Your Dartboard Buying FAQs
A: With regular rotation and casual use at home, a quality sisal board from a brand like Winmau or Nodor can easily last 2-3 years. If you’re practising for hours every day, you’ll obviously need to replace it more frequently.
A: They’re fantastic for a different kind of fun! They keep score automatically and are great for parties and families with kids. However, if you want to practise for league or pub play, a traditional bristle board and steel-tip darts are the way to go. You can read our comparison of [steel tip vs soft tip darts] to help you decide.
A: Not at all! New, high-density sisal boards are very tight. It takes a few weeks of play for the fibres to loosen up and properly grip your darts. This is actually a sign of a high-quality, long-lasting board. Just be patient – it’ll get better.
A: While you can find them in some warehouse stores, for the best advice, range, and genuine deals, specialised Kiwi retailers are your best bet. They live and breathe darts and can point you toward the perfect board for your needs and budget.
Conclusion: Invest in Your Enjoyment
Don’t sell your game short by buying a subpar dartboard. The frustration of constant bounce-outs and a board that wears out in months will kill your passion for the game. By investing in a quality bristle board with the right features, you’re not just buying a piece of sporting equipment; you’re buying years of enjoyment, improved accuracy, and the centrepiece for countless great nights with your mates.