A sharp point bites the wire and holds where a dull one skids off, which makes a sharpener one of the cheapest things you can buy for your scoring.

Points also pick up burrs from the wires as well as blunting, and a sharpener takes both off in a few strokes. What you are aiming for is sharp enough to grip and rounded enough not to bend on impact — a needle point is actually worse than a blunt one.

Keyring sharpeners are the practical choice because they travel with you rather than living in a drawer. Motorised versions work faster and more evenly, which suits a club or a household with several players getting through points.