There seems to be some mystery revolving around the true creation of the sport called darts. How did this fascinating now world-wide sport captivate so many people. If we look back though out history there is much evidence that proves this game is much more than just a sport. Let's start at the beginning. Looking back this skill of throwing darts for many before us meant survival. The Aztecs and roman for instance also practiced this skill of throwing darts. They used this skill to feed there tribes and families. What do the historians have to say?

One theory suggests that this sport originated in the middle ages by so-called English war archers. These men while not on duty would spend any or most of their free time perfecting their throwing skills. They would practice by throwing small arrows called "dartes". These war men would practice hours on in using standing objects such as tree stumps as targets. The wood of the tree stumps acted as a perfect target because it was dense enough for the small arrows to penetrate and still stick, this helped the war man to gauge accuracy.

Another theory yet wild but often talked about is the suspicion that this grand dart board game of darts traveled to our beautiful land of America by sea. By sea your asking your self? Many books and articles have suggested this game not only traveled by sea but on one of the most infamous ships ever built. Yes, people some historians believe that aboard the ship of the Mayflower the pilgrims would play.

Ok, we know the sport as it is played today can be pin pointed to about the 1900's or a little earlier. One document that supports this fact is a famous picture taken of the seven English dart team called the DOGGER BANK No. 1 TEAM They were winners of 2 silver cups and several other prizes. The photograph is one of the oldest of its kind ever published. The picture futures a board much more different than today's British board. It futures a board much different and much lager in diameter than the British style with over twenty sectors of scoring space.

In 19 century the dart craze was in full boom, the game appealed to many working men from across the nation. These working men came from many back rounds, some including black smith and leathers men. These men would flock to the closest tavern after work to prove their man hood, and for many it was a way to get there mind of the days worries. At this time there were many taverns owners that would provide many types of gaming activities for there customers. How ever most gambling games such as cards, dice were illegal and forbidden by the law. These games often drew in a rowdy crowd. If the owner of the tavern where caught housing these types of games, they were shut down, turned over to the courts, and charged. How ever this is exactly what happened to the tavern owner Anakin and because of this event we now can pin point the birth of the sport.

In 1908 the first documented paper was sent to the Magistrate Court in Leeds. The report claimed that a local tavern owner was involved in participating and allowing gambling in his tavern. The alleged game involved throwing small arrow like objects at a target that was pined up on the wall. The courts promptly obtained a warrant and arrested the owner of the tavern, Anakin. He was brought back to the courts with a dart board in hand to plead his case. He was determined to prove that his game was not a game of chance but rather a game of skill that could be improved over time with practice. Anakin did just that, he proved his game was skilled based. All charges were dropped! Anakin continued to operate his tavern and help spread the growth of the sport.