The Medalist Rating System is a parity system, which is similar to golf's handicap system. The system assigns a number indicating the skill level of the player, starting from 1 (beginner) going all the way up to 17 (very experienced player).

This number makes it easy for players to identify other similar players of equal ability. With this rating, less experienced players can compete with players who have the same level of expertise while the good darters can compete among their peers. This helps to avoid "bashing" where good darters can easily beat the new players and the new players get demoralized quickly after being beaten many times consecutively.

When you play a game, the board automatically calculates the average points scored during the game. The average points and rating are shown at the end of a game of x01, Cricket or Count Up. The average points are then compared against a table and a number ranging from 1 to 17 is assigned.

However, using a rating number from a few games is inaccurate and does not give an accurate picture on the expertise of the player. The player may be new and just happen to have a stroke of good luck! On the other hand, a talented player may just be having a bad night. A better picture of the player's skill is gained by taking the average over 54 games. At this point, the "good-luck" games are leveled out with the "bad-luck" games and the player's true skill level is more accurate. The player's rating changes from a "Temporary" rating to a "Permanent" rating.

A Medalist Temporary Rating is calculated for players who have fewer than 54 games recorded. Once a player has a minimum of 54 games recorded, a Permanent Rating is calculated and assigned.

In a Medalist League or Tournament, players are grouped into "divisions" based on their rating. In Medalist Darts, divisions are called Flights and are named with an alphabet A, B, C with the C-Flight being the lowest division. Double or triple alphabets could also be used, thus the range of flights could be as follow : A, AA, AAA; B, BB, BBB; C, CC, CCC Flights.

A player with a rating of 1 to 5 usually plays in the "C-Flight" division; a player of rating of 6-11 usually plays in the "B-Flight" division while a rating of 12 and above plays in the "A-Flight" division. The purpose of players being classified into divisions using ratings is to encourage competition among similarly skilled players and avoid any lopsided competition. Now, new players get to enjoy the game at their own pace and level with players of equal par and win competitions and prizes the same way as a more experienced players can win prizes.

Similarly, in a doubles tournament, the "C-Flight" division may consist of players with a total combined rating of 5-9. This means that a player of rating 5 can team up with a player of up to rating 4 for a maximum total rating of 9. Or a player of rating 8 can team up with a new player of rating 1. In the latter example, although the 8-rater player usually competes in the "B-Flight" division, he can join the "C-Flight" by partnering a 1-rater player. However, this does not mean that the team is likely to win the event. This is because the more experienced player has to play very well in order to carry his or her teammate. However, in most tournament, an individual limit is also set to ensure Parity among all flights, i.e. a high rater cannot play in a low flight.

What this means is, a "C-Flight" player with rating of 4 can play in C-Flight, B-Flight or A-Flight by partnering a respective player, while a B-Flight player can only play in B or A Flight and a A-Flight player can only compete within A-Flight with other equally skilled opponents.

This encourages an experienced player to partner and guide a new player while the new player is still perfecting his skill and needs more exposure and practice. The new player is more likely to be motivated and train harder and improve faster with this skilled partner-team combo.

Not to worry, the board itself calculates your total score, takes the average and does a lookup to the table for the rating. The score and rating achieved is then shown to you on the final screen.

As we discussed above, we need to have at least 10 games to get an initial view of the skill level. So, go to any location, and play 5 games of 501 and 5 games of Cricket (can be on different days) and record the PPR score for all the games using the score sheet provided at each location.

Next, register your scores with Medalist Singapore in order for it to be "recognized" for participation into any Medalist tournaments and leagues. Just hand the score sheet in to the location staff or better still, fax it to us. We will register your records and calculate your Medalist Temporary Rating for you.

Due to the limited number of games played, the rating is called a "temporary" rating, denoted by the prefix T. Once you have at least 54 games played, the averages will then form a "permanent" rating.

Your official rating is always maintained by Medalist Singapore based on official Medalist-sanctioned tournaments or leagues that you participate in and can be checked on our internet website (www.medalist.com.sg) with your own personalized username and password. Once you are registered, you can also access our dart forum and view comprehensive game statistics.

Once you have send in your rating, we will load your statistics into this website and send you the username/passwords via SMS. You can then login to check the details.

We will keep you inform via email or SMS on the next upcoming tournaments, leagues, demo sessions, etc that you can participate in.