Choosing axe-throwing software can shape how smoothly your venue runs on busy nights, how safe guests feel, and how confident your staff are behind the counter.
Many venues begin their search looking for better scoring or digital targets. That focus makes sense, since scoring is one of the most visible parts of the guest experience. But scoring alone does not manage bookings, collect waivers, assign lanes, or process payments, and as venues grow, those missing pieces become hard to ignore.
The right software supports the full journey of a visit, from online booking and check-in to post-session reporting. That foundation is what turns a great concept into a reliable, scalable business.
What is axe-throwing software?
Axe-throwing software refers to the systems venues use to manage bookings, waivers, payments, and sessions, often alongside scoring or projected target tools.
Today, the definition goes well beyond scoring alone. Modern axe-throwing software supports the operational side of the business, helping venues schedule lanes, manage group events, collect digital waivers, process deposits, and track performance. As venues add more lanes, host larger groups, or open additional locations, software becomes less about gameplay and more about keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Key benefits of axe-throwing software:
- Increase bookings and revenue with online reservations, deposits, and tools built for group events and parties.
- Improve operational efficiency by automating lane scheduling, session management, and check-in workflows.
- Enhance the guest experience with faster arrivals, digital waivers, and smoother transitions between sessions.
- Reduce manual admin through integrated payments, reporting, and centralized guest data.
- Support growth with confidence as you add lanes, host larger groups, or expand to multiple locations
Core workflows your software must support
When evaluating options, focus less on feature lists and more on workflows. These are the day-to-day processes your software needs to support without friction.
Safety waivers
Waivers are non-negotiable in axe-throwing. Your software should make it easy to collect digital waivers before guests arrive, link them to bookings or sessions, and surface them clearly at check-in.
Disconnected waiver tools create risk and slow down entry. Integrated waiver software helps protect the business while keeping lines moving.
Group bookings and parties
Group events are a major revenue driver for many axe-throwing venues. Your software should support large group bookings, private lanes, and party packages without manual workarounds.
Look for tools that handle guest counts, lane assignments, waiver collection, and payment rules for groups. This is especially important for corporate events and parties booked weeks in advance.
Payments and deposits
Modern guests expect to book and pay online. Your axe-throwing payment system should support deposits, full prepayment, add-ons, and refunds.
Integrated payments also simplify reconciliation and reporting, which saves time and reduces errors for operators.
Session check-in
Check-in is where everything comes together. Staff need to see bookings, confirm waivers, collect remaining payments, and assign lanes quickly.
Software that connects bookings, waivers, and payments into a single view makes peak times far easier to manage.
Scoring and projector software: Where it fits (and where it doesn’t)
Digital scoring and projected targets can enhance the guest experience. They add variety, visual appeal, and sometimes competitive formats that guests enjoy.
The limitation is that scoring software typically focuses on gameplay only. On its own, it does not prevent overbooking, manage groups, collect payments, or support reporting across the business.
For some venues, it makes sense to integrate scoring tools with a broader booking and operations platform. For others, replacing scoring-only tools with an all-in-one system reduces complexity.
The key question is whether scoring software fits into your operational flow or sits alongside it as a disconnected tool.
Evaluating axe-throwing software: A buyer’s checklist
When comparing axe-throwing software, it helps to evaluate platforms by category rather than individual features. Most options fall into one of three groups, each with different strengths and limitations depending on how your venue operates today and how you plan to grow.
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Criteria
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Scoring-only tools
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Booking-first platforms
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All-in-one venue systems
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Staff training
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Easy to learn for scoring, but staff must juggle multiple systems for bookings, waivers, and payments
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Moderate learning curve with separate workflows for bookings vs. in-venue operations
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Consistent training across booking, check-in, payments, and sessions in one system
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Peak-time reliability
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Heavily dependent on spreadsheets or third-party tools during busy sessions
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Handles online demand well, but may break down at on-site check-in or lane assignment
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Built to manage high volume, overlapping sessions, and large groups in real time
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Guest experience
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Fun scoring experience, but fragmented booking and check-in
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Smooth online booking, but disjointed in-venue flow
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End-to-end experience from booking and waivers to check-in and session management
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Reporting and visibility
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Minimal insights beyond scores or basic usage
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Booking and revenue reports, limited operational visibility
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Full view of bookings, lane utilization, revenue, and performance trends
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Scalability
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Low. Best for single-location venues with simple needs
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Moderate. Can support growth but often requires add-ons
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High. Designed for additional lanes, higher volume, and multi-location operations
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Payments, waivers, and risk management
Risk management is where disconnected systems cause the most trouble.
Waivers that live outside your booking system are harder to track and easier to miss. Payment tools that are not integrated create gaps in reporting and refund handling.
A unified system reduces liability by ensuring waivers are tied to sessions and payments follow clear rules. It also helps venues handle deposits, refunds, and no-shows consistently.
Regional expectations matter too. Venues in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia all face different consumer norms and compliance requirements. Software should be flexible enough to support those differences without custom work.
Scaling your venue: The software you’ll need in 12–24 months
Even if you are running a single location today, it is worth thinking ahead.
As venues add lanes, manual scheduling becomes harder. As locations multiply, reporting across sites becomes essential. Owners want to see performance at a glance, not stitch together spreadsheets.
Scalable axe-throwing software supports centralized reporting, consistent guest experiences, and data-driven decisions across the business. This is where many operators outgrow early tools and look for platforms built with growth in mind.
How to choose the best axe-throwing software
With so many options on the market, choosing axe-throwing software can feel overwhelming. Still, the right platform plays a major role in how smoothly your venue runs and how well it grows. Beyond daily operations, it should support efficient workflows, a better guest experience, and consistent revenue.
To help you evaluate your options, here are the key factors and questions to consider.
1. Is it easy for your team to learn and use?
Look for an intuitive interface, clear workflows, and included training so staff can get up to speed quickly.
2. How does it support the guest experience?
The system should offer easy online booking, digital waivers, fast check-in, and clear communication before guests arrive.
3. Can it handle peak-time reliability?
Software should perform well during busy sessions with real-time lane availability and smooth session transitions.
4. How strong are reporting and visibility?
You should be able to track bookings, revenue, and lane utilization with clear, easy-to-use reports and dashboards.
5. Is it built to scale with your business?
The platform should support added lanes, higher volume, and multiple locations without added complexity.
6. Does it integrate with your existing tools?
Integrations with payments, POS, and accounting systems help reduce manual work and keep data consistent.
7. What kind of support and onboarding are included?
Make sure onboarding is included, and support is available during your operating hours.
8. Are pricing and contracts transparent?
Look for clear subscription tiers, minimal add-ons, and flexible contract terms.
9. Can you test real scenarios before committing?
Ask for a demo of the platform to see it in action. Check how easy it is to handle group bookings and parties, peak-time check-ins, memberships, and regular reporting.
Look for a system that has the features you need, supports your venue, and scales with you over time.
Next steps
Choosing the right axe-throwing software affects how smoothly your venue runs, how guests experience your space, and how confidently you can grow. The right system simplifies operations, boosts revenue, and supports a great guest experience.
A comprehensive solution like ROLLER combines all your essential tools in one easy-to-use platform with feature subscriptions that expand as your venue grows:
- Online bookings: Let guests book sessions, parties, and corporate events online in a mobile-optimized booking system.
- Point-of-sale and payments: Speed up check-ins, manage walk-ins, merchandise, and bar sales with a unified POS that reduces errors and wait times.
- Digital waivers: Collect waivers online before arrival and link them directly to bookings and sessions. No separate tools or manual processes are needed.
- Memberships: Offer recurring memberships, prepaid sessions, or loyalty packages to encourage repeat visits and predictable revenue.
- Guest communication and feedback: Automate confirmations, reminders, and post-visit surveys to keep guests informed and gather insights to improve their experience.
- Reporting and analytics: Get real-time visibility into bookings, lane utilization, revenue, and session performance.
- Multi-location management: If you are growing, manage multiple venues with centralized reporting, shared settings, and consistent guest data.
Whether you are opening your first axe-throwing venue or expanding to additional locations, the right software and subscription model should make operations smoother, guests happier, and your business ready for growth.
Book a demo to see how ROLLER can help your axe-throwing venue thrive.
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