Do Long Dart Points Really Make A Difference?

One of the most common questions I see from darts players is whether longer dart points actually make a difference.

It's an interesting debate because, unlike changing barrels, stems, or flights, point length often feels like a much smaller adjustment. Yet if you've spent any time looking at professional setups or browsing darts forums, you'll quickly discover that point length is something many players are passionate about.

Some players swear by standard points and wouldn't change them for anything. Others seem to fit increasingly longer points every few months in search of tighter grouping, fewer deflections, and improved scoring.

For me, the answer is somewhere in the middle.

I currently use 40mm points on my darts, and while I definitely think they make a difference, it probably isn't for the reason most people expect.

So let's take a closer look at longer points, what they actually do, and whether they're worth considering for your own setup.

Why Are More Players Using Longer Points?

If you look around the professional game, you'll notice that longer points have become increasingly common over the last few years.

Walk into any darts retailer and you'll find an endless range of point lengths available. What was once considered a specialist modification has become completely mainstream.

The reason is simple.

Players are always looking for small gains.

Unlike changing to a completely different dart barrel, fitting longer points allows players to subtly alter how a dart behaves without completely changing the feel of their setup.

Some of the benefits often mentioned include:

• More room in the treble bed

• Reduced flight deflections

• Better board entry angles

• Improved visual reference when aiming

• Increased confidence in tight groups

On paper, it all sounds fantastic.

But as with most things in darts, the reality is a little more personal than that.

The Tight Grouping Argument

The most common reason people give for using longer points is tighter grouping.

The theory makes perfect sense.

When a dart enters the board, the longer exposed point leaves more space between the barrel and the board surface. This can create extra room for following darts to find their way into the target area without crashing into the barrel that's already in the board.

If you're consistently filling the treble 20 bed, this can certainly help.

Many professional players who score heavily benefit from this extra space.

However, I think this is where many amateur players fall into a trap.

We often hear about tighter grouping and immediately assume longer points will suddenly unlock higher averages.

The truth is that if you're not regularly filling the treble bed already, the difference might not be nearly as dramatic as some people suggest.

That's certainly been my experience.

While I appreciate the additional space, it isn't the primary reason I continue using 40mm points.

My Reason For Using 40mm Points

This is where my opinion probably differs from a lot of players.

I don't use 40mm points because I think they magically improve my grouping.

I use them because they make the dart feel better.

Sometimes darts players overcomplicate things.

We become obsessed with statistics, technical advantages, and trying to squeeze every possible percentage point out of our equipment.

But confidence matters.

Comfort matters.

The way a dart feels in your hand matters.

For me, 40mm points simply balance the dart beautifully.

The setup feels right.

The dart feels more settled in my hand, more natural during the throw, and more stable when entering the board.

It's difficult to explain unless you've experienced it yourself, but certain setups just feel like they belong.

That's exactly how I feel about longer points.

When I pick up a dart with shorter points now, it often feels slightly off. Not wrong, just different.

My eyes have become accustomed to the setup.

My throw has adapted to it.

My confidence has grown with it, and confidence is one of the most powerful tools a darts player can have.

The Psychological Advantage

This is something I think many players underestimate.

Not every equipment change creates a measurable improvement.

Sometimes the benefit is psychological.

If you stand at the oche believing your setup suits your throw, you're immediately putting yourself in a better position to perform well.

Confidence influences everything:

• Your release

• Your commitment

• Your rhythm

• Your decision-making

When you trust your equipment, you stop thinking about it.

And that's where you want to be.

The best setups are often the ones that disappear from your thoughts entirely.

You simply pick up the darts and throw.

For me, longer points help create that feeling.

Are There Any Downsides?

Of course, longer points aren't perfect.

Like any setup change, there are compromises.

The first thing you'll notice is that they can feel strange initially.

If you've used standard points for years, switching to 40mm points can make the dart look completely different.

Your visual reference changes.

Your setup looks different in the board.

The dart may feel slightly nose-heavy depending on the barrel you're using.

Some players love this.

Others absolutely hate it.

There is also the possibility that certain barrel designs simply don't pair particularly well with very long points.

What works brilliantly for one dart might feel awkward on another.

This is why copying somebody else's setup rarely guarantees success.

The only opinion that really matters is your own.

What I Actually Noticed After Switching

One thing I always try to be honest about is equipment changes.

I don't believe in miracle fixes.

Switching to longer points didn't suddenly add ten points to my average.

It didn't transform me into a scoring machine overnight.

What I noticed was far more subtle.

The dart felt better balanced.

The setup felt more natural.

I felt more comfortable standing at the oche.

The darts sat in the board exactly how I wanted them to.

And over time, that comfort became confidence.

That's what kept me using them.

Not hype.

Not marketing.

Not because a professional player uses them.

Because they work for me.

Should You Try Longer Points?

Absolutely.

They're one of the cheaper modifications you can make to a dart setup, and the difference can be surprisingly noticeable.

The key is managing expectations.

Don't expect longer points to suddenly solve every problem in your game.

Don't expect an instant jump in average.

Instead, pay attention to how the darts feel.

How they balance.

How they enter the board.

How confident you feel throwing them.

Those factors often matter far more than any theoretical advantage.

Final Thoughts

So, do long dart points really make a difference?

Yes, they absolutely do.

The real question is whether they make a difference for your game.

For me, 40mm points have become a permanent part of my setup. Not because they transformed my averages overnight and not because they suddenly unlocked perfect grouping.

They simply make the dart feel right.

The balance suits my throw. The dart sits in the board exactly how I like it. Most importantly, I feel comfortable and confident every time I step to the oche.

That's something many players overlook when they're constantly searching for the next equipment upgrade.

Darts is a game built on repetition, confidence, and trust.

If a setup gives you confidence, that's often worth far more than any technical advantage.

My advice would be simple.

Try longer points for yourself.

Experiment.

See how they feel.

Don't expect miracles, but don't be surprised if they subtly change the way your darts feel in your hand and in the board.

You might hate them.

You might never go back.

I know which camp I'm in.