How did darts start?

Answer 1

England

Modern darts was invented by a carpenter from Lancashire named Brian Gamlin in 1896. However the history goes back much farther. Darts began as a military pastime originating in England during the medieval era in the first couple of decades of the fourteenth century

Answer 2

There are 2 popular ways.

coinflip, the winner starts the game or

diddle for the middle - both players will throw one dart, the player who is closest to the middle will start the game (hitting bullseye by both players will restart the diddlething)