You need 3 things to join GO Darts:

1. You need to have the DartCounter app for scoring. There are many good apps, but this is the one we have chosen to use. We will request a screenshot of your current average on DartCounter.

2. You will need to join our Discord server so that you be included in the division chat groups. You can find us here.

3. You need a camera setup at the height of the bull and close to the board to play all matches on camera, using either DartCounter or Discord.

To request to join a competition simply fill out the application form on the webpage. Alternatively, message me using the options on the homepage.

GO Darts is owned, run and developed by me, Michael Schafer. I live in Durban, South Africa. I'm a very average darter who loves spreadsheets and statistics in ways that are a little obsessive. You are welcome to contact me with comments, questions or suggestions, using the contact button on the website.

When it began in 2020, GO Darts was originally called "Darts Obsession" because of my obsession with the game and the statistics it provides. Ten Facebook friends from around the world started the first league and kept track of results using a general sporting app. But that wasn't good enough! Soon spreadsheets began to be used, and later a website was set up to display fixtures, results, standings and statistics. In 2023, Darts Obsession matured into GO Darts (or Global Online Darts Leagues).

The original logo.

• If you have never played before, your first season in the league is FREE!

• After your free season, you can join the Members' League. This costs £10 per season. Running GO Darts requires time and expertise to manage. I provide a platform to players that makes playing darts more enjoyable. I do the work for you: gathering honest players, grouping players for competitions, setting up chat groups, sorting out problem people, entering scores of all matches, keeping statistics of all league matches and organising different events all year round.

• The payment of money by players also usually makes them more committed to playing all their games.

• Payment also makes it possible to pay prizemoney to players and to generate a little income for myself.

Those who are eligible for prizes will have their winnings paid into their bank or PayPal account. Prize money can also be exchanged for entry fees into future competitions.

According to the DartCounter website, there is a:

FREE VERSION

• Up to 3 online plays per week

• Unlimited access to games (x01, Bob's 27, Cricket, Singles Training, Doubles)

• Play against dartbot

• Scores called by Mastercaller

• All-time, best and worst of 501-average

• Stats of your last 5 matches/training

All fixtures are published on this website. Players should acquaint themselves with the designated time slots for fixtures based on the specific competition being played. In league matches, the time of the game can be moved outside the allotted time frame, by mutual agreement.

All players are placed in a Discord chat group relevant to the competition they are playing in. From there, opponents can organise the day and time of their match, preferably in a private chat.

The player to start the game is determined by each player throwing 3 darts at the bull. The player to score the most points on the inner and outer bull starts the match. Players keep throwing, until there is a clear winner. If players are using DartCounter where this is not possible, the person to throw first is the one with the lower average or ranking.

Each competition uses DartCounter for scoring.

Each competition uses a different format. However, the league format is always 501, best of 8 / 10 / 12, which allows for draws.

Using a phone, tablet or webcam, all games are to be played on video using Discord or DartCounter. Cameras should be mounted at the same height as the bull and close enough so that the board fills the screen. Each player should confirm that their opponent's board is clearly visible. Autofocus should be turned off. Audio is preferable but not a requirement.

Your camera should produce a video picture like this.

Playing on the Discord camera has distinct advantages over the DartCounter camera:

• it is more stable and reliable than DartCounter

• the video call runs continually, allowing you to throw for bull before you start the match on DartCounter and allows for conversation after the match.

To set Discord up for video calls, follow these easy steps:

1. Set up a device that has Discord on it, that you will use as the camera facing the board.

2. Open Discord on that device.

3. Scroll down the GO Darts Discord page until you see the channels called: PUBLIC DART ROOMS.

4. Click on any of the 20 Dart Rooms.

5. Click on the button that turns the camera on.

6. Click on the button that turns the audio on.

7. Tell your opponent what Dart Room you are in.

8. When they follow the same steps above, they will appear in the room with you and you will be able to see each other's boards and hear each other speaking.

9. Other people may do the same and watch the match as spectators. Spectators should make sure that their own cameras and audio are off so that they do not disturb the players.

10. Set up a different device which you will only use for scoring on DartCounter.

After a match, one of the players should upload a screenshot of the result to the chat group of that competition. Each player will also submit their scores using the link provided in Discord. Scores are uploaded to the website immediately.

If a player can show that his opponent was unavailable during the allotted time, he will be recorded as the winner. If both players are available, but not at the same time, a draw will be recorded. However, it is preferred that the game is organised for another time, rather than that points are awarded for not playing.

• If a player falls out during a league competition all their matches will be zeroed.

• If a player falls our during a knockout competition, a bye will be given to his opponents.

• There are no refunds for players who fall out of any competition.

The highest ranked player is first determined by points awarded, followed by greatest leg difference, followed by most legs won, followed by highest average.

Cheating, and being accused of cheating, is an unfortunate possibility in online darts. Measures need to be put in place by each player to avoid this:

1. Make sure your own camera produces a good, clear image, from the height of the bull, so that no one will be unsure about your scoring.

2. Make sure that you are happy with your opponent's camera placement and image quality, before starting to play. If it is so poor that you would not be able to see what was scored, offer to help improve it, or ask your opponent for a postponement until it is up to standard. If you accept someone's video, you cannot later complain about someone's scoring, while also saying that their video quality was poor.

3. Where possible, play with audio on, which allows for scores to be called out and for discussions about disputes.

4. Set your DartCounter timer for the maximum amount of time, 80 seconds, to allow time for discussion about scoring.

5. Call your score out before removing your darts. When high scores are scored, or when darts are tightly grouped, or when a leg is finished, take your time when removing the darts. Give your opponent time to see what you have scored.

6. If there is a dispute about scoring, continue to play, finish the game and then report the incident to admin.

Once an incident has been reported, and without factual video evidence which would reveal what actually happened, both the accuser and the accused will be placed on The Watchlist. If someone is seen to be reporting opponents repeatedly, or is repeatedly accused, necessary remedial action will be taken, that could result in them being banned from all competitions.