Darts News, Updates and Exclusive Interviews
Darts news, updates and exclusive interviews all packaged together for every darts fan! Whether you are a novice to the world of darts or a seasoned purist, we have everything you need for all things darts. Our previews offer insights and opinions, but also keep up with the latest trends in the world of darts. Furthermore, our writers often provide betting previews and perspectives for those among us who would prefer to have skin in the game. Enjoy SportsBoom’s overview on darts, from its inception to its manic and seismic revolution around the sporting world!
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The 501 starting score is used to ensure that players cannot finish an entire leg using only variations of the 20 targets. This ensures that the game is more competitive and more of the board is used.
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How to Play Darts
Darts is a relatively simple game to understand. Players start with a pre-determined score, usually 501 but it can also be 301. To open the game and for a player to begin deducting points, they must open with a double. They then need to throw darts at various number zones until they get down to a number they can close the game out on a double again.
With cricket darts, however, the object here is for a player to hit each number and the bullseye three times, doubles count as two hits while triples count as three.
Major Darts Tournaments
There are various darts tournaments which are held each year, here is a look at some of the biggest on the circuit.
PDC World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is held annually from December to January. It’s been hosted at the Alexandra Palace in London since 2008, and is seen as the most prestigious amongst the PDC tournaments.
World Matchplay
The world Matchplay has been held annually since 1994 in Blackpool. From its very inception, the tournament has always been a legs only event. That is to say that players race to win a number of legs – they must win by two clear legs – to progress to the next round.
Phil Taylor currently holds the record for a run of 38 consecutive matches unbeaten.
World Grand Prix
The Grand Prix is held in Leicester and is seen as arguably the most exciting darts tournament on the calendar. It essentially pits 32 of the world’s best players against each other, it’s the only tournament which requires players to start and end each leg on a double and is the third longest running major event on the PDC calendar.
Famous Darts Players
These are players who have paved the way for darts in the modern era
Phil Taylor
Widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time, Phil Taylor has won 16 World Darts Championship Titles and his dominance in the sport is just simply unparalleled. His career sees 214 professional tournament wins and 85 major titles, he is also the only player to win every World Grand Prix he has appeared at.
Michael van Gerwyn
The Dutch player currently makes up the to three players in the world, having previously dominated the number one sport for seven years between 2014 and 2021. A three-time PDC World Champion, Van Gerwyn is regarded as one of Darts’ superstars.
Peter Wright
Affectionately known as ‘snakebite’, Wright is without question the most flamboyant performer the darts world has ever seen. Winning the 2017 UK Open – and in the process ending a 20-year wait for glory – Wright now boasts two World Championships, two World Cups and a World Matchplay title.
Fallon Sherrock
Sherrock is a professional darts player from Milton Keynes. She reached the final of the 2015 BDO Women’s World Darts Championship and has been accepted as a catalyst for change on the darts circuit. Showing that women not only have a place in darts, but are also capable of winning matches against the men, she is proud to be an example for young girls around the world!
The Future of Darts
A lot has been made about the strategic plan for darts in the immediate future. The reality is that the sport has continued to grow, and with players such as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries being so relatable to a younger audience – you can expect the popularity of the game to continue to soar.
Technology has also been responsible for the seismic interest tournaments such a the PDC World Darts Championships receives. The way in which the event is packaged to a global audience, complete with outfits, alcohol and festivities, it is no surprise that it’s the biggest event on the calendar!
A Brief History of Darts
We all have Uncle Jim to thank for darts being seen as a sport today! Placed on trial for allowing a game of chance to be played in his pub when gambling was outlawed, Jim illustrated in open court that the game was one of skill. Throwing three darts to a score of 20 and challenging the legal minds of the time to replicate this. When they couldn’t, it was agreed: Darts is a game of skill.
The formation of the British Darts Organisation (BDO)
The organization was founded in 1973 and later became the founding member of the World Darts Federation. It was through the formation of the BDO that darts entered a professional arena.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)
The PDC have always been seen as a bit too traditional and somewhat archaic – but in truth they have contributed to the development and overall professional experience of a functional governing body for the sport of darts.