Online Singles Leagues

Update Regarding Online Play (Click Here)

No Limit for In-Person or Computer Play

As you may be aware, the advent of “social distancing” and “sheltering-in-place” has placed unprecedented demands on Internet Service Providers and the infrastructure that supports the World Wide Web. Anyone with an online service is now facing performance challenges during peak periods. DartConnect is no exception.

On Friday 27 March 2020, we introduced a new architecture to address the dramatic increase in on-line match play. However, we will need several days to properly scale this solution. As a precaution, we are temporarily implementing a limit for the number of concurrent on-line matches. This limit comfortably exceeds our current peak periods. However, in the event of a “surge”, this function is designed to protect live matches.

Should DartConnect reach maximum on-line capacity, a request for a Connect Code will be declined. Match turnover is rapid and we encourage members to try again after a short period. This “limit” does NOT affect in-person match play or matches against the DartConnect computer. We appreciate your patience and will be removing this constraint as soon as possible.

Have You Updated the Scoring App to 2.1.00 or Higher?

Learn More

League on Hold? Pubs Closed?

Create Your Own League with DartConnect!

DartConnect is the perfect platform for any size league, whether you’re a casual group of friends playing for fun or serious competitors seeking intense competition.

Gone are the days of chasing down match scores, filling out spreadsheets and updating websites. Let us do the work, while you take the credit.

DartConnect is the perfect platform for any size league, whether you’re a casual group of friends playing for fun or serious competitors seeking intense competition.

Gone are the days of chasing down match scores, filling out spreadsheets and updating websites. Let us do the work, while you take the credit.

NEW
ONLINE LOBBY FEATURE!

For 2021, active leagues receive a FREE private online match lobby, open 1 day per week for players to have an extra night of informal challenge matches.

Pick a Singles League Option:

Traditional League

Players follow a standard match schedule and use win/loss records to determine division rankings, just like leagues you’ve played in before. Fill out our sign up form and get started immediately!

League Sign Up

New! Open Challenge Leagues

A brand new concept: using a special “match lobby”, players play as often as they wish, using player averages to determine rankings.

Contact us to learn more:
leagues@dartconnect.com

NEW! “Premier Points” are Now Available!

Leagues Can Now Rank Players & Teams Based on 3 Options: Match Win, Match Loss, and Match Tie.

Learn More

5 Key Steps to Starting an Online Singles League

Read the Guide

Which Device Will You Be Using?

Host Device

FREE Guest Account or Paid Premium Account Required
The Host Device is responsible for generating and sharing the Connect Code
The Host Device selects the Match Type and Participants
Important: Even if the Guest Device wins the match, the Host must save the match

Download the App Now!

Guest Device

FREE Guest Account or Paid Premium Account Required
Enter the Connect Code provided by the Host Device
Wait for the Host to start the match
Game On!

Sign Up for a FREE Guest Account!

Sign Up Now!

Online League Match Setup

HOME – Host Device

The Host Sets Up the Match & Shares the Connect Code

Printable Instructions (PDF)

Select Leagues & Groups

Select Green League Button

Select Connect Button

Generate Connect Code

Share Code with Guest Opponent

Select Opponents & Start Match

AWAY – Guest Device

The Guest Enters the Connect Code & Game On!

Printable Instructions (PDF)

Select Play Online

Choose Your Experience

Enter Code & Continue

Sign Up Your League Today!

League Sign-Up Form

Online Best Practices

While the game of darts allows us to play remote (good thing we are not pool players), playing on-line requires us to modify some of our in-person behavior to improve the experience for participants. Here are a few considerations. We will be adding more as we get feedback from on-line veterans.

Who Goes First?

Even if you are using a webcam, the custom of aiming for the bull to determine the starting player can be a challenge when playing on-line. If you would like to continue this tradition, we recommend using the “PDC Bull” rule, in which only darts inside the Bull, or Double Bull count. If both players achieve a single bull or a double bull (a “tie”) then the players re-bull.

To speed up match play, consider dispensing with this custom and utilize “Random” or “Coin Flip” for the starting player.

Traditionally, players bull up before every Cricket leg. Again, for the sake of expediency, we recommend alternating or playing “Mugs Away” (loser starts the subsequent leg).,

Required Components: DC and Reliable Internet

DartConnect is always ready to play online!
Both devices must have reliable WIFI – remember upload speed matters!!!!
Try Speedtest.net or Google Speed Test where your scoring device and score board are located
Minimum upload speed: Consistent 2Mbps (don’t make your opponent wait…)
Note: This minimum assumes the player is NOT using a Web Cam Streaming Service, which competes with DartConnect data transfers

Recommended Broadband Speeds

There are many factors that contribute to internet reliability, including the location of the router, the age of the device, your internet service provider and the number of devices in your household competing for bandwidth. DartConnect does not requires a lot, but remember, upload speed matters, and this is normally a weak aspect of home service. Using the device you will be scoring on, in the location you will be playing in, you can use speedtest.net or google speed test. Remember, any streaming service, music, web cams, movies etc. consumes lots of bandwidth, creating traffic DartConnect must compete with.

If your router is old or the standard one provided by the cable company, consider investing in a Mesh Network – this technology has resolved many hard to reach dart alleys.

Best Mesh Wifi Systems

Phone or VOIP Group Chat

Social interaction is a key factor in the enjoyment of darts
Don’t play silent! Make a call or set up a Group Chat
Make the session interactive. Call out both your achievements and frustrations
And while your at it, catch up on life…

Group Chat Options

Historically Skype and Google Hangouts have been the go to services for DartConnect Members when using a webcam. A relative new service called Discord has received promising reviews.

For convenience, What’s App, FaceTime or a an old fashion conference call is tough to beat. What’s at risk with a friendly game of darts among friends anyway?

AirPods and Bluetooth Headphones

With the proliferation of bluetooth headsets, we have more options than ever to be engaged conversationally with our opponents, while listening to music in the background.

Webcam or Video

Web Cams pointed at the dartboard can enhance the experience, but are not required – especially among friends!!!
Ideal set up retains a touch-screen device for scoring and a separate device for the webcam
Web Cams are not perfect. Angles, shadows and wire shots can still be difficult to discern
Webcams/streaming consumes bandwidth that competes with DartConnect – reconsider using a webcam if you have weak wifi speed

Video: How to set up a webcam to use with DartConnect

Webcam Mounting Options

Better webcams have a 1/4 thread tripod screw sleeve that enables simple mounting options (no duct tape needed!). Combine this with a camera clamp you allow for multiple mounting options.

The Pedco UltraClamp is a personal favorite for its versatility and durability – its clamp mechanism is designed to work with both flat surfaces and poles. The swivel feature allows you to aim your webcam as needed.

The recent introduction of Ring Lights creates a new mounting option. If you do not have one of these lights, consider using a “spring pole”. Spring poles are designed to be easily moved and stored as needed. These can be found at hardware stores, paint stores and on Amazon.

“ZipWall” is one manufacturer of these spring poles, and they make both 10 ft and 12 ft versions (check your ceiling height before ordering).

Pro Tip: These are always typically sold in 2 or 4 packs. Partner up with your mates and share the cost.

If the app screen freezes or you see the "endless spinner"

Most common solution: REFRESH

If the app freezes or shows a spinner that spins for a long time, especially while saving and syncing match data to our servers, the typical solution is to “refresh” the application.

There are 4 ways to refresh:

Tap DC’s built in refresh (see picture below), the circle/arrowhead on red control bar (if you see the spinner, wait a bit and if the screen comes back, use the refresh icon;
Tap device home key to return to home screen, then relaunch app (use the app icon if you saved to home screen);
Dismiss app using multi-task window, then relaunch app;
Turn device fully off and then restart it and relaunch app (aka “reboot” or “power cycle”).

NOTE:

Even if you reboot, the app should still have your match in the last state it was in for you to continue.
The spinner often happens between legs while the system is trying to re-sync, in this case a refresh will often return the game to the point where it is ready for the next leg and if using alt-start, the player whose turn it is will be highlighted.

App response is sluggish, turn recording is "lagging"

Check Your WiFi Speeds

Smooth online play requires a reliable WiFi Internet connection.

If you are experiencing slow or sluggish response from the app while playing online, for example, if it takes a long time to record scores and pass the control back and forth between players, this is most commonly caused by slow or compromised Internet connectivity.

First, measure your WiFi speeds, try speedtest or Google:

Point a web browser to either of the following test sites and run a test to get a reading on your download and upload speeds:
- speedtest.net (or download the speedtest app from the app store)
- Google speed test
We recommend download / upload speeds of approximately 10 mbps or higher

Please note that Internet speeds can be negatively affected by the following:

High network usage
- Are there more than 3-4 other people connected to the same network?
- Are other users engaging in high bandwidth activities (e.g. streaming movies, music or video games)? Facebook Live, Tik-Tok and other social media can consume significant bandwidth.
Service Provider Issues – Is your Internet service provider reporting system maintenance, local outages or other factors that could affect your connectivity?
Weather / Power Outage – Are there reports of severe weather activity and/or power outages locally or in your region? This can often affect local network access.

How to improve your Internet speeds for online play:

Ask others to stop or pause their Internet activity until you are done playing
Reboot your router, mesh network and/or access points
Disconnect any devices that are consuming bandwidth such as active Internet appliances, smart speakers, cell phones, etc.
Move your playing area or network router/access point so that they are physically closer to one another
Schedule play for “off peak” time when overall speeds are the highest