A Player's Guide to Modern Dart Points: The "Littler Effect" and New Tech

For years, the dart point was the most overlooked part of the dart. It was just a simple piece of metal. But that has changed dramatically. Thanks to new technology and the influence of young superstars like Luke "The Nuke" Littler, the humble dart point has become a key component for performance tuning and customization.

This guide breaks down the critical aspects of modern dart points, from length and grip to interchangeable systems and specialized designs.

The "Littler Effect": The Trend of Long Dart Points

If you watch modern professional darts, you'll notice the pros are using points that are much longer than the standard silver points that come with most darts. Players like Luke Littler are known to use points in the 40mm-45mm range, significantly longer than the traditional 26-32mm.

Why Use Long Points?

Longer points offer several performance benefits:

1. Better Grouping: A longer point means the barrel of the dart sits further away from the face of the board. This creates more physical space in the target area (like the treble 20), allowing for tighter groupings as subsequent darts are less likely to be deflected by the barrels of darts already in the board.
2. Deeper Penetration & Reduced Bounce-Outs: Longer points embed deeper into the sisal of the dartboard, making the dart more secure and significantly reducing the chance of a bounce-out.
3. Enhanced Stability (for some): For certain throwing styles, longer points can shift the dart's center of gravity, contributing to a more stable and controlled flight trajectory.

Product Spotlight: Long Points

• CUESOUL Touch Point: An intricately designed and styled point that comes in a range of sizes from 33mm all the way through 45mm. These points fit a standard tungsten barrel, allowing players to experiment with extended lengths for improved grouping and board retention.

Why Don't All Darts Have Long Points? The Downsides

While beneficial for many, long points aren't universally preferred due to potential drawbacks:

1. Dartboard Wear: Longer points can dig deeper into the dartboard fibers, potentially causing more wear and tear over time.
2. Altered Flight Path: Some players might find their darts "nose-diving" slightly more with longer points, depending on their throwing style and release.
3. Deflection Issues: Players who rely on the barrel of their dart to deflect off already-landed darts for tight groupings might find this harder with longer points, as the barrel is further from the board.
4. Increased Weight: Longer points add a small amount of weight, which can subtly alter the overall feel and balance of the dart.
5. Surround Damage: Very long points (e.g., 35mm+) can pierce through dartboard surrounds and mark walls if not properly protected.

Ultimately, the choice between long and short dart points is highly personal, with many players finding a good balance with mid-range points (around 30-35mm).

A Look Back: Hammerhead Points

Invented in 1977 by Walt Bottelsen, Hammerhead dart points were a revolutionary "no-bounce" design. Their core innovation was a retractable point mechanism: when the dart struck a wire, the point would retract into the dart body, allowing it to slip off the wire and then "hammer" into the target, significantly reducing bounce-outs.

While innovative, Hammerhead darts faced criticism. Concerns were raised about the points potentially becoming insecure over time, leading to a "wiggle" or vibration during the throw, which could be distracting. Despite their versatility (interchangeable tips for steel or soft-tip), the technology has largely been superseded by more reliable and less complex solutions. Modern advancements in point design, like those with enhanced grip or interchangeable systems, offer superior performance without the mechanical complexities and potential drawbacks of the Hammerhead system.

The Tech Revolution: Interchangeable Point Systems

Historically, changing dart points was a difficult process requiring a special, often expensive, repointing tool. If a point broke, it could mean the end of a set of darts. The new generation of interchangeable systems has solved this problem.

Target Swiss Point

The most popular system by far is Target's Swiss Point technology. Darts equipped with Swiss Point have a special thread system that, with a simple pocket-sized tool, allows you to swap out points in seconds.

• Benefits:
  • Easy Customization: Experiment with different lengths, colors, and grip textures on your points without buying new darts.
  • Easy Repairs: If a point breaks, you can simply unscrew the broken piece and install a new one. A strategically engineered groove allows for easy removal even if the point breaks flush with the barrel.
  • Secure Fit: A patented locking system ensures the points stay securely fastened and don't loosen during play.

Luke Littler himself uses Swiss Point darts, which allows him to easily experiment with different point lengths to suit his throw and board conditions.

Product Spotlight: Target Swiss Points

• Target Darts Swiss Points, Diamond Pro: These laser-etched Swiss Point dart tips are available in lengths from 26mm up to 35mm, offering enhanced grip and easy interchangeability for professional darts players.
• TARGET Darts Swiss Point DS Dart Points: Another excellent Swiss Point option, these points offer even more grip and are available in lengths up to 40mm for extra reach. They come in black, silver, and gold finishes, allowing for both performance tuning and aesthetic customization.

Other Tool-Based Repointing Systems

Beyond Swiss Point, several manufacturers offer tools and systems for changing traditional pressed-in points or their own proprietary screw-in points:

• Harrows Re-Pointing Tool: A classic handheld tool for replacing traditional steel-tip dart points. It allows players to remove worn or damaged points and insert new ones, offering a cost-effective way to maintain darts.
• Harrows Quickpoint System: A newer innovation from Harrows featuring screw-in points. This system allows for quick and easy changes of point lengths or styles using a specialized tool, emphasizing flexibility and durability with a "no break point" design.
• Bull's Repointing Machines (e.g., Pointman Repointer): These are more robust machines designed for streamlining the process of dart point replacement. They offer stability and durability, often with features for handling different point types, though they require some experience to operate effectively.

Point Features: Grip, Taper, and Beyond

Points with Grip

Many modern points now come with laser-etched grooves, rings, or textures. This "grip" is not for your fingers (your throwing hand grips the barrel, not the point), but rather to help the point grip the sisal fibers of the dartboard better. This can further reduce bounce-outs and help darts sit more securely in the board.

• Smooth vs. Grippy: The choice between smooth and grippy points is a matter of personal preference. Some players find grippier points harder to remove from the board or believe they cause more wear. Others appreciate the enhanced security and reduced bounce-outs. Experimentation is key to finding what works for your throwing style and board.

Product Spotlight: Grippy Points

• RED DRAGON Specialist Dart Points: These standard 32mm long points are designed for most darts and add extra grip to the dart point for maximum control and reduced bounce-outs. They come in packs of 3 sets.

Tapered / Storm Points

These points feature a smooth, tapered cone shape where the point meets the barrel. This design helps eliminate the lip or edge that can cause deflections, allowing following darts to glide past more easily without being knocked off course.

Convertible Barrels: Steel-Tip and Soft-Tip Versatility

For players who enjoy both steel-tip and soft-tip darts, some barrels offer the flexibility to switch between the two. This is typically achieved through:

• Conversion Points: Many soft-tip dart barrels are designed with a 2BA thread. This allows you to simply unscrew the plastic soft tip and screw in a steel-tip conversion point, enabling the dart to be used on a bristle board. This is a common and straightforward conversion.
• Specialized Barrels: Some dart sets are specifically manufactured with barrels that can accommodate both soft tips and steel tips, often including a converter tool.

It's important to note that converting steel-tip barrels to soft-tip is more complex (often requiring drilling and tapping) and can significantly alter the dart's weight and balance, potentially impacting performance.

Conclusion: The Point of Precision

The dart point is no longer an afterthought but a crucial element in dart performance and customization. From the strategic advantage of longer points for tighter groupings to the convenience of interchangeable systems and the subtle benefits of point grip, understanding these components can significantly elevate your game. Experiment with different types to find the perfect point that complements your throw and helps you achieve consistent precision.