It's as much a part of darts as the ball is of football. The darts oche is essential when it comes to leveling the playing field . What do we mean by that?
The dart oche ensures that players throw darts from the same distance . Many people are familiar with this problem from home.
There's no room for a dart oche, so I stick a strip on the floor to serve as a marker. However, since you're constantly standing millimeters or even centimeters closer or further away from the board, it makes it difficult to maintain a consistent throwing motion and achieve the desired automaticity.
Dart Oche: what is it actually?
Darts requires darts and a dartboard . A statement that can be left at that for now – almost. Because darts requires another important piece of equipment, without which it would actually be impossible to play darts under normal rules.
We're talking about the darts oche. The dart oche's primary function is to ensure the distance to the dartboard is the same for every player .
Anyone with a dartboard at home knows that the distance to the dartboard must always be exactly 2.37 meters . But even for many amateur players who are aware of this, sometimes only a strip sticks to the floor.
This is often overstepped. It's also possible to position yourself a centimeter further back if there's no fixed marking on the floor. A decent dart oche is therefore essential for competition .
The advantages of a dart oche are obvious. It creates a level playing field for everyone . The oche ensures that every player always throws darts from the same distance.
The dart oche also serves another purpose: It serves as a dartboard protector . With steel tip darts, it's not uncommon for so-called "bouncers" (rebounded darts) to land on the ground.
In the long run, this not only results in a floor with flaws , but also in a situation where the peace in the house is at odds.
Basic information – Darts distance, variations and dart floor protection
The dart distance is therefore consistently 2.37 meters . There are various ways to design the dart oche.
So, what would serve as the perfect dart oche for you? The answer always depends on the player's circumstances . Not everyone has the means to purchase a bulky oche. But there are alternatives and solutions for this, too.
The different variants – darts carpet, dart laser oche, dart oche or dart mat?
Here, we'll list the different options and explain their respective advantages and disadvantages. We'll generally distinguish between a darts carpet or a darts mat (rubber), a darts laser as an oche , and the classic darts oche you see on TV.
The latter is essentially a darts platform that you can also lean against. But let's move on to the first option.
Option 1: Darts carpet or dart mat
For many amateur players, the darts carpet oche is a cost-effective and effective alternative to the bulky dart oche. The darts carpet has the advantage of being easily rolled up and stored . It's also lightweight and portable and made of a rubber material .
A rubber dart mat has the added advantage of protecting the floor . However, it can occasionally happen that darts used with steel tip darts pierce the mat and become stuck in the floor.
You should also keep in mind that the dart mat with oche, if not fixed, is likely to slip and will need to be adjusted accordingly.
A major advantage: Typically, such a dart mat with an oche has a fixed raised edge as a marker. This prevents over-tapping and allows you to comfortably lean your foot against this edge of the dart mat.
Option 2: Darts Laser Oche
A dart laser oche, however, serves a different purpose. Here, the dartboard uses a laser to project the target marker onto the floor from beneath the dartboard.
Infobox: A major disadvantage of this is that it is still possible to step over it and there is no adequate protection for the floor.
The advantage, however, is that nothing is visible on the floor when not playing. So there's no need to remove the carpet or remove the adhesive strip.
Simply switch it on and get started . The ease of use is an added bonus, as no complicated setup is required.
Option 3: Dart Oche as a podium
The dart oche is arguably the most professional alternative . Just like a PDC dart oche, for example, many amateur players build their own little dart palace at home – provided they have the space.
In contrast to the darts mat, a solid oche made of wood or similar materials offers the great advantage that the floor is completely protected .
Although a bulky oche is also associated with high costs , there is also the option of building one yourself – but more on that in a moment.
The advantages definitely outweigh the cost. A solid dart oche has the following advantages:
- No slipping
- Raised drop marker required
- Provides the necessary soil protection
Build your own Dart Oche – the temporary solution
If you decide to build your own oche, we'll help you here. It's often not as difficult or costly as it seems at first glance. All you need is a DIY dart oche guide and the following materials:
- OSB boards
- Metz slats
- Needle felt
- Tool
How to build your own Dart Oche Instructions:
- The OSB boards are simply cut to the correct size , and the battens are then screwed underneath them to stabilize them. Pay close attention to the dimensions of your dart oche to ensure it fits perfectly.
- Double-sided tape is then applied to the edges and the needle felt is glued on . It's important that the felt fits snugly against the board and doesn't crease. Don't forget to also glue the needle felt to the edges of the underside. It can be attached easily and without problems using a stapler .
- The oche is finished.
Tip: If all of this sounds too complicated for you, or you're worried about doing something wrong, there's a simple solution: Through our new partner , anyhelpnow.com , you can easily order a suitable craftsman to your home. This way, you can have your dart oche professionally built by real experts – completely stress-free and with the peace of mind that everything will fit perfectly in the end.
To save space, you should equip the oche with hinges in the middle. This way, if necessary, the oche can at least be folded up and safely stored.
As you can see, making your own dart throwing line is not rocket science and even inexperienced craftsmen can build the oche quickly and easily .
What you should consider when buying a dart oche
In the last section, we'll go over what you should consider before purchasing a dart oche or alternatives. Before you buy, answer the following questions:
- Does the dart oche protect the floor?
- Is the dart oche slipping?
- Is the drop point raised so I can't step over it?
- How is it handled?
- What costs will I incur?
Each question can be answered differently. Ultimately, as already mentioned, the most sensible solution often depends on the local circumstances .
Conclusion
A dart oche is important. Not only so you always have the right distance from the board, but also to protect the floor . If you ever move out of your rental apartment, it can result in immense costs if the floor has been damaged by darts.
Of course, you can buy a dart oche , no question. But building your own dart throwing line is both fun and unique. And it's so easy to build your own dart oche. Instructions are plentiful, and it's inexpensive, too!
Ready to upgrade your darts game? Discover everything you need to know about the best dart equipment and how it can boost your accuracy:
- Drop, torpedo, and cylinder: Dart barrel shapes explained in detail. Perfect your throw with the ideal dart barrel shape! Click here to learn more.
- Changing and sharpening dart tips : Learn what's important and what you absolutely need to pay attention to here. Click here now!
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