A Yorkshire dartboard is a regional variation of the traditional dartboard commonly found in the United Kingdom. The most significant difference to a traditional dartboard is its unique layout.
The Yorkshire Dartboard has the same Red, Green, Black, and Natural colors as a standard dartboard. However, the layout is significantly different, as the Yorkshire dartboard doesn’t have a treble scoring ring or an outer bullseye.
The board still has the double and bullseye scoring zone, which is still worth 50 points, although it’s much smaller than the bullseye on a standard dartboard.
A Brief History Of The Yorkshire Dartboard
Between 1910 and 1920, a passionate dominoes and darts enthusiast named Thomas William Buckle emerged in Dewsbury, England. Buckle played a significant role in developing the Yorkshire dartboard, crafting and selling them to local pubs across the county. His boards featured an outer ring for doubles but did not include the treble ring or an outer bull.
One of Buckle’s most notable contributions to the dartboard was creating the numbering pattern we are familiar with today. This pattern was designed explicitly for the Yorkshire dartboard but later adopted and replicated on the London boards, incorporating the trebles and outer bull.
Yorkshire dartboards enjoyed a period of prosperity until the 1970s when they gradually lost popularity. This decline in popularity coincided with the British Darts Organisation (BDO) using the London board as the dartboard of choice for all major darts competitions. Consequently, the Yorkshire dart boards receded from the forefront, making way for the dominance of the London boards in the darting world.
The Indoor League
During the 1970s, the Yorkshire dartboard gained significant exposure when it was featured in the inaugural series of the television program ‘Indoor League‘ in 1972 during the Men’s Darts Championship with Colin Minton beating Charles Ellis 2–0 in the final.
The Irish Black and Lincoln Dartboard
It’s impossible to talk about the Yorkshire dartboard without also mentioning both the Irish Black and Lincoln dartboards.
The Irish Black Dartboard shares similarities with the Yorkshire Dartboard, yet distinctive features set them apart. While the Yorkshire Dartboard typically showcases the standard Black, Red, Green, and Natural playing surface, the Irish Black Dartboard stands out with its entirely black playing surface. This visually striking difference adds a unique aesthetic to the Irish Black Dartboard.
However, it’s worth noting that despite the variation in appearance, the rules of play remain the same for both dartboards.
The Differences In Dimensions
Another dartboard variation to explore is the Lincolnshire Dartboard. At first glance, it may resemble the Irish Black Dartboard due to its similar appearance, featuring an entirely black playing surface.
However, the Lincolnshire Dartboard sets itself apart with its wider diameter, measuring 15 inches. In contrast, the Yorkshire and Irish Black Dartboards have a diameter of 13 ¼ inches. Notably, the Lincolnshire Dartboard also includes a double outer rim, enhancing the challenge and strategy of the game.
