# Layout of darts board

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/layout-of-darts-board/226309>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 27, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/layout-of-darts-board/226309 "2004-01-27T19:00:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sick-boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@sick-boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sick-boy)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/layout-of-darts-board/226309/1 "2004-01-27T19:00:08Z")

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Hi!  
I have a darts board here at home, and I’ve been wondering dor a while now that how come the numbers have been laid out in that order.

If the idea is to get a number as far as possible from the previous number, why are 7, 8 and 9 so close to each other?

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**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/layout-of-darts-board/226309/2 "2004-01-27T20:16:13Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> The term “clock” comes from the numbering system used on the face of the board. At first glance, the numbering system may appear to be somewhat odd. The numbers are arranged so that, in general, high numbers alternate with low ones and odd with even, although there are 3 groups of two even numbers together, and a block of four odd numbers at the bottom of the board. This arrangement was devised at the turn of the century, and though it is possible to use a more logical sequence of numbers, this numbering system has become so well established and popular that it is highly unlikely that it will ever change.

[Link](http://www.dartboard411.net/newdb411/newpages/bristleboard.html). That’s not very helpful and further googling is not reavealing much more. Good question though.