An oche marker sets the throw at 2.37 metres permanently, so the distance is right every session and settled for anyone new who steps up to the board.

Getting it right matters more than it sounds. Being half a step out changes the whole geometry of a throw without ever feeling like a fault, which makes it the kind of thing players spend months trying to diagnose.

Laser oche markers project the line rather than marking the floor, which suits a room with another use — the line disappears entirely when the unit is switched off. They are also the only option that works on carpet, where a sticker will not hold and a mat can slide.