Spider

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The spider is the metal wire framework embedded in the face of the dartboard that creates the boundaries between all scoring segments. It's the network of wires that separates singles from doubles, trebles from singles, and one number from another. Look at a dartboard face-on and you'll see the spider clearly — it looks like a spiderweb, hence the name. The spider is both essential and controversial in darts. Essential because without it, there would be no defined scoring areas — the board would just be a flat circle of sisal. Controversial because darts that hit the spider bounce out, wire, or deflect into unintended segments. The spider introduces an element of randomness that players accept but don't love. Board manufacturers have worked hard to minimize the spider's negative impact. Traditional boards used round wire that created a raised ridge, causing frequent bounce outs. Modern boards use thin, blade-like wire that sits almost flush with the sisal surface. The best boards (like the Winmau Blade 6 or Unicorn Eclipse) use wire so thin that it's almost invisible, dramatically reducing bounce outs and wire deflections. The spider's design also determines the size of scoring segments. Thinner wire means larger effective scoring areas for each bed. This is why professional-quality boards with thin wire feel "easier" to score on than cheap pub boards with thick, round wire — you're literally getting more target area. If you're setting up a board at home or for a club, investing in a good board with a modern spider is one of the best things you can do. The difference between a cheap board and a quality one is immediately noticeable in reduced bounce outs and more consistent scoring.