2. Bristle vs Electronic
This is the first decision — and it determines everything else in your setup. At Abreuvoir 132, our electronic machines host the Wednesday league, but our most serious players also train on bristle at home.
🎯 Bristle (sisal)
- • Steel tip darts
- • Long lifespan, pro feel
- • Ideal for 501, Cricket, league play
- • Manual scoring or app
For players who want to improve.
⚡ Electronic
- • Soft tip (plastic) darts
- • Automatic scoring, built-in games
- • Perfect for parties and families
- • Louder, uses electricity
For fun without the hassle.
3. Top 3 bristle
Compressed sisal boards are the pub and league standard. Here are our three picks for a home setup worthy of the 132.
🎯 Winmau Blade 6
$95 — $120The world reference. Premium Kenyan sisal, ultra-thin wires, fast self-healing. Used in international competition — the number one pick of our regular players.
See Winmau Blade 6 on Amazon.ca →🎯 Viper Shot King
$50 — $70Excellent value for getting started in bristle. Dense sisal, regulation 18-inch diameter. Perfect before investing in a Blade 6.
See Viper Shot King on Amazon.ca →🎯 Target Aspar
$60 — $80Well-known British board, good durability and clearly defined segments. A solid alternative when the Winmau is out of stock.
See Target Aspar on Amazon.ca →4. Top 3 electronic
For nights with friends when nobody wants to keep score — the same vibe as our bar machines, but in your basement.
⚡ Arachnid Cricket Pro
$300 — $400Top of the line. Micro-perforated surface, accurate scoring, many games and tournaments. The machine our most demanding players recommend for home use.
See Arachnid Cricket Pro on Amazon.ca →⚡ Viper Neptune
$150 — $200Best mid-range pick. Clear LCD screen, 43 games, good responsiveness. The sweet spot for a first electronic board without breaking the bank.
See Viper Neptune on Amazon.ca →⚡ Fat Cat Electronx
$100 — $150Reliable entry-level board for party nights. Automatic scoring, multiple games, compact format for smaller spaces.
See Fat Cat Electronx on Amazon.ca →5. Darts
Tip type depends on your board — never mix steel tips on electronic or soft tips on bristle without an adapter (not recommended).
Steel tip vs soft tip
Steel tip for bristle boards — maximum feel and precision. Soft tip (plastic) for electronic machines — protects the micro-perforated surface.
Recommended weight: 18g — 26g
Beginners: 22g — 24g (balance of stability and control). Advanced players: 18g — 20g for speed, or 26g for a more stable trajectory. Try several weights before committing to an expensive set.
6. Essential accessories
A good board without the right accessories means holes in the wall and arguments over the score.
🗄️ Cabinet
$80 — $150Protects the board, stores darts and gives your basement a pub look. Look for solid wood with doors and a built-in shelf.
See dartboard cabinets on Amazon.ca →⭕ Surround ring
$30 — $50Absorbs misses around the board. Essential if your wall is drywall — your landlord (or spouse) will thank you.
See surround rings on Amazon.ca →📋 Scoreboard
$20 — $40Chalkboard or dry-erase board beside the target. For bristle, it's mandatory — nobody remembers a 501 after the third beer.
See dart scoreboards on Amazon.ca →🟫 Floor mat
$25 — $45Marks regulation distance and protects the floor. Some models include a built-in oche line — practical and professional.
See dart floor mats on Amazon.ca →7. Ideal setup
Official measurements — the same ones used in league play at the 132.
Bullseye height
5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) from the floor to the centre of the bullseye. Measure from a flat floor — not from a thick mat.
Throw distance (oche)
7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 m) from the wall to the throw line, measured horizontally.
Lighting
Install shadow-free lighting directly above the board — avoid side spots that cast shadows on the segments. An LED ring light around the board is the pro setup used in competitions.
8. Play at the 132
Set up your home board? Come test your level against South Shore regulars. Abreuvoir 132 hosts a dart league every Wednesday night — professional machines, weekly standings and a relaxed atmosphere.
🎯 Wednesday league
All skill levels welcome — beginners and seasoned players. Friendly competitions, prizes and cold beer between rounds.
Discover the 132 dart league →9. Budget summary
From entry-level party setup to pro bristle — here's where to start based on your budget.
10. FAQ
What dartboard should a beginner buy?
For learning rules and family fun, an electronic board like the Viper Neptune is enough. To progress toward a league like Wednesday nights at the 132, invest in a bristle Winmau Blade 6.
Bristle or electronic for a Quebec basement?
Bristle (sisal) suits serious players with steel-tip darts — ideal for a dedicated basement corner. Electronic boards accept soft tips, score automatically and work better for casual party nights with friends.
What height should a dartboard be mounted?
The bullseye centre must be 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) from the floor, with a throw distance of 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 m) — the official standard used in league play at Abreuvoir 132.
🎯
Practise at the 132 on Wednesdays
Dart league · pro machines · cold beer · 1627 Route 132, Varennes.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cooblink (which develops and maintains abreuvoir132.com) earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon.ca links in this article contain an affiliate tag; your price stays the same. Editorial recommendations reflect what our team and regular players actually use.
Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24 · Abreuvoir 132, Varennes