I never liked it was playing darts, but I did a complete 180 with this auto-scoring system. This gadget has ignited my new found love for the old pub favourite. It’s a lightweight ring with four hi-def cameras mounted on your board. Connect the DartCounter app via Wi-Fi and you’ll get effortless automatic scoring with an annunciator calling out your points and telling you what you need to check.

I’ve been testing the Target Darts Omni Auto Scoring System for the past few weeks, playing locally by myself and with family, and playing the odd game online. This is an expensive system, but for darts fans and players looking to improve their game, it may be worth the investment. As a casual fan, I find that a little game of darts is a great way to unwind at the end of your day.

Climbing the Oche

The Target Darts Omni Auto Scoring System pairs with the DartCounter app (Android or iOS). It’s quick and easy to put together, attach your board with magnetic legs, but you need to run the power cable to an outlet. Connect to Wi-Fi, run a short calibration, and it’s time to play. I tried Target’s Star Wars Millennium Falcon Surround and Dartboard ($200 or £150) and a set of Darth Vader Darts ($340 or £250)—amazing Star Wars gifts for the fan in your life—but it should work for most boards and any darts.

The LED ring illuminates the dartboard beautifully. Four HD cameras accurately record the score of each dart thrown. The DartCounter app compiles comprehensive statistics on your game. You can configure all the matching parameters in the app for a tailored session, and there are also several practice modes and games, such as Around the Clock, where you have to hit each number consecutively and then the bull’s-eye, and Bob’s 27, where you start with 27 points and have to hit the doubles shown.

The online multiplayer is probably the biggest selling point, and you can find matches or create your own lobby in the DartCounter app. I never had trouble finding a match, and there were over 100 live matches going on every time I checked. You get three free online games every week. To unlock all features, including tournaments, unlimited online games, more detailed statistics, and the Master Caller using your name, you need to subscribe for $6 a month or $40 a year (£6 and £40 in the UK). You get a three-month free trial of the system. Local play is free, except for a couple of games (121 Checkout and Halve It), so you don’t NEED to subscribe.

I have played a lot of games in the last few weeks, but I enjoyed playing a tournament with my brother. We had a dartboard in the garage when I was a teenager and spent hours throwing darts, but neither of us had played in years. After a lot of laughing at how bad we were and a lot of commiseration, we both got our eyes, and things got competitive. I won the best-of-five classic 501 matches, but my brother beat me in Around the Clock (I got stuck in the bull’s-eye).