Oche

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The oche (pronounced "ockey") is the throwing line in darts — the boundary behind which players must stand when throwing. The official distance is 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters) from the face of the board, measured along the floor. This seemingly arbitrary distance is actually standardized by the World Darts Federation and the PDC, ensuring every competitive match worldwide is played from the same distance. The oche can be a simple strip of tape on the floor, a raised wooden bar, or an integrated part of a purpose-built dartboard setup. In professional venues, the oche is a raised steel bar that provides physical feedback — you can feel it under your foot if you step too far forward. In pubs and home setups, a piece of tape or a thin strip of wood works fine. Your position at the oche matters more than you might think. Most right-handed players stand slightly to the left of center, aligning their throwing arm with the 20 segment. Left-handers stand slightly right. Some players stand square (both feet parallel to the oche), while others stand at an angle with their front foot turned sideways. There's no single correct stance — Phil Taylor stood fairly square, while Gary Anderson stands at a pronounced angle. The key rules: your feet must be behind the oche, and at least one foot must be on the floor. Leaning forward is allowed as long as your feet stay behind the line. Some taller players lean significantly to reduce the effective throwing distance, which is perfectly legal. Find a stance that feels balanced and comfortable, and then use it every single time. Consistency at the oche is the foundation of a consistent throw.