My Tournaments 18th and 19th December

 Practise has been going well at home. I'm much more relaxed and I'm finding more straight darts. I've also changed my points, which seems to be helping - I'm now using 41mm, which is giving me a little more room in the board. I was on shorter points for the recent tournaments, but will be using the longer ones for a big tournament on 28th December. 

Wednesday 18th Tournament Under 55 Average

I felt quite good going into this tournament and thought I could go deep if I finished well in my group. I started off well, scoring wise, hitting a 53 average. However my opponent hit a 60+ average, so I lost that 2-0. I wasn't worried, as the darts felt good. I had lots of chances in the second game, but blew my lead with bad doubles and lost 2-1. No panic yet, as I thought I had a good chance against my third opponent. I played solid darts and got a 2-1 win, although again, doubles were an issue. I knew I had to win my last game, and scored well. My opponent did let me off a few times, but I kept my nerve for once, to get a 2-0 win and qualify for the knockout stages. 

The dreaded nerves came into play in my last 16 game, I felt I could, and should, have won this, but I couldn't quite relax, and my opponent kept hitting solid scores, giving them first crack at the double each leg. I lost 2-0, but learned a lot in that game. And feel I can overcome these nerves. 

Stats: Avg 46.43: First 9 52.08: 100+ 7: 140+ 0: 180 0

Thursday 19th Tournament (Open)

I had quite a tough group, as is expected on a Thursday night, including former top 20 tour player, Steve Brown. I had chances in several games though, and just the doubles were affecting me. My scoring seems to be on the up, and as long as I can consistently hit good scores, I can give myself a little bit more time at the doubles. In one game I hit a 65 average, which is definitely where I would like to be consistently. Two of my games, I had real chances to win, but I didn't take my chances. As the levels are quite high on a Thursday, there isn't the luxury of missing doubles. But it was a good night and things felt good. 

Stats: Avg 50.07: First 9 50.97: 100+ 4: 140+ 2: 180 0

Players to follow in 2025

 With the emergence of so many young players plus the changing faces on the Pro Tour, 2025 promises to be an exciting year in darts. I expect more shock results and more different players putting their names on trophies. This will be across the board, from the Pro Tour, to the Women's Tour, Modus Super Series and further afield. It seems that we are in a real darts peak, with more and more opportunities for all ages to progress. 

The recent WDF World Championship has already showed the emergence of new talent, particularly in the Women's game, and there is a lot more to come. I've also added a few 'wild card' names to follow. They may not be world beaters just yet, but are interesting names to follow. 

So, here are 21 players to follow:

JDC Alumni

Ryan Branley

A product of the ever-expanding JDC Tour, Ryan Branley has had a breakthrough year. At 16 he is already making an impact in the darts world and he seems to be heading the large pack of young players ready to make an assault on senior darts. Branley played on the Development Tour several times in 2024 and more than held his own. He also made a very impressive Modus Super Series debut, making finals night. On top of that, he had a great JDC World Championship, winning the Luke Littler Legacy Trophy and the JDC World Cup, as part of the England team. I fully expect him to progress and grab even more headlines next year. 

Archie Self

The number one ranked JDC player. Archie Self is just 15 and been ripping the JDC apart. This feat is particularly amazing, as there are some incredibly talented players already in the JDC. He recently won the WDF World Boys Championship, beating top seed Jenson Walker, who himself is a player to look out for. Self has more to offer on the JDC and will be interesting to see if he can dominate again next year. Once he turns 16, he will no doubt be on the PDC Development Tour, and I look forward to see how he performs. Due to his age, surely he can only get better, which is a scary thought for his current peers, and the Pro Tour could be looking over their shoulders soon after. 

Tergel Kherelkhuu

At 14 years old, Tergel Kherelkhuu, is, perhaps, the most exciting prospect in darts. He is a natural talent and has been hitting incredible averages and competing with the best juniors from around the world. He made the semi-final of the JDC World Championship and the semi-final of the JDC World Cup representing Mongolia. If he can get the relevant backing and travel, he will only get better. Certainly one to keep an eye on. 

Chasing Beau!

Women's darts seems to be getting stronger every year. For a few years, there were 4 or 5 players that would usually be challenging for the tournament wins and latter stages. This has definitely changed. Although Beau Greaves is still considered that bit better than the other Women players, there are some pretenders to the throne emerging. 

Paige Pauling

The 2024 WDF World Girl's Champion, Pauling has gone from strength to strength this year. She has won pretty much all there is to win in Girls darts, and made a fantastic start to her Women's Series career, by making two semi-finals, at her first attempt. She doesn't seem to have any fear or nerves and is happy taking on anyone. With a bit more stage experience and Women's Series matches under her belt, a Women's Series title is beckoning and more!

Sophie McKinlay

At the recent WDF World Championships, McKinlay was a runner-up in both the Girl's and Women's Championships. She has been incredible on the Girls and WDF circuit and been a good foil for Paige Pauling. McKinlay has shown real class and seems to be improving all the time. It will be interesting to see if she opts to play on the Women's Series, as she would certainly be a contender.  Like Pauling, she has no fear and will not be long before she is challenging the very best

Gemma Hayter

Just my opinion, but I think she is the biggest rival to Beau Greaves, currently, even above Fallon Sherrock and Noa-Lynn van Leuven. Gemma has been playing for quite some time, but only began a serious challenge on the Women's Series in 2024. This year, she has won 2 Women's Series titles and made the semi-final or quarter final, on many occasions. She has been super consistent and has really broke through. She is considered a contender in each tournament she plays, and has shown real ability in front of the TV cameras. She has appeared on the Modus Super Series several times, making the finals night on one occasion, and in November she beat Fallon Sherrock 4-0 to take the ADC Tour Championship title, again aired on the Modus stage.  I can see 2025 being an even more successful year for Hayter. 

Development Tour Developers

The Development Tour seems to get stronger every year, and this year was certainly no exception. Some players coming through the ranks and performing well on the Challenge Tour and Modus Super Series, to name but a few. 

Dominik Gruellich

Another of the growing crop of players from Germany. Gruellich had a great season on the Development Tour, making mulitple quarter and semi-finals. Although he didn't win an event, it will only be a matter of time, and 2025 could be his year. He has been super consistent and finished 10th on the Development Tour Order of Merit. There is more to come from him and he will build on this year's performances. 

Niko Springer

This is one player that I expect to do big things in the PDC Tour next year. Again, a product of the fantastic German conveyor belt of darts talent. In essence, he went toe to toe with Wessel Nijman all season on the Development Tour. He has a great temperament and is a big scorer. Incredibly difficult to beat.  He was unlucky at times this year, with tournament performances, but he will be ready for 2025, and I expect him to match Wessel's achievements of this year, at the very least. 

Tavis Dudeney

I have been particularly impressed with Dudeney, particularly in the second half of this year. He made 2 Development Tour finals, winning one of them. He played on the Modus Super Series in November, and after a bad start, showed some real class. Although he didn't make the finals night, there was a lot to suggest he has a lot more to show. He seems to be one of those players that flies under the radar, but be assured he will be a familiar name very soon!

North American Hopes

The North American Tour (CDC) is continually growing, and we are getting to know more and more players. I'll be following this Tour (and others around the world quite closely on here), so will be a chance to spot some talent. 

Adam Sevada

 Adam Sevada is a name that has stuck out to me on a few occasions, so I digged a little deeper. In terms of his stats, I'm tempted to say he has been the best player on the CDC in 2024, ahead of the likes of Stowe Buntz and Leonard Gates. Although he didn't finish top ranked, I think 2025 could be his year, if he maintains his form from this year. He has experience in World Series events, so has played against the top players before. He could be a name that we start to see more of . Currently I'm unsure of his PDC Q School intentions, but he would certainly have a very big chance. 

Jason Brandon

If I'm honest, I didn't know a lot about Brandon until the recent WDF World Championship. I do now! He powered through to the semi final, beating former World Champion, Neil Duff, on his way. He was unlucky not to make the final, but will be given a huge amount of confidence going forward. I think he will challenge on the CDC Tour and will hopefully see him in more WDF and PDC World Series action. He may spring a few surprises. 

Jim Long

I suppose it depends on whether Jim Long will go to PDC Q School this year, as to where we will see him have most success. (I will be writing a Q School preview, so will include him there if applicable). Assuming he isn't, then I think we will see him have most success on the Modus Super Series. He seems very much at home on the Portsmouth stage, and I see more event wins and Champions week appearances coming his way. He will be looking to improve on the CDC Tour and I believe he will be challenging for the number one spot. 

Africa Emerging?

For quite some time, Devon Petersen as been the leading force in African darts, and has been instrumental in the game's emergence there. As the interest expands, so does the pool of players. And now it seems that African darts is starting to find its way. Hopefully 2025 raises its profile even more. 

Johan Geldenhuys

Geldenhuys is the real deal. He was unlucky not to qualify for the PDC World Championship, but that just gives him another year to get even better. He had mulitple wins on the African Continental Tour and won the 2024 African Continental Tour Grand Final. He will only get better and I hope he gets the invites needed to raise his profile, as he really has a lot of potential. 

Sarah Makanga

Sarah Makanga is a player I am very excited by. She has been, by far, the best African woman player this year. Hailing from Uganda, she is leading the charge of a crop of African players starting to get to grips with the game. Already there is a strong presence in neighbouring Kenya in Womens darts, and Uganda is not far behind. Makanga has already played in some WDF events and is currently ranked in the top 75. It would be great if she could get the funding to play on the Women's Series, as she could really start to challenge. Definitely keep your eye on her!

Hilton Klein 

In November Hilton Klein made history, buy becoming the first Botswanan player to pay in the Modus Super Series. Despite being the underdog, Klein equipped himself well and didn't look out of place. This is the sort of arena Klein needs to be playing at regularly, and I think he will grow in confidence after November's visit. He looked good enough to show there may be more to come and I will be following his progress closely. Outside of Modus, he may show on the African Tour and/or WDF, so he could be pushing for the higher rankings there. 

The Asian Growth

Paolo Nebrida

Nebrida had a fantastic 2024, when finishing third on the PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit. The standard on this tour continues to grow, so to finish so high, gives a very good indication that this player has talent. Nebrida has been on the World stage a few times and is getting more confident each year. I fully expect him to have a great 2025Asian Tour, but will be looking out for him on a wider global stage, when he gets the opportunity. 

Nitin Kumar

Nitin Kumar is representing the Indian subcontinent in the world of darts and perhaps the best player, currently, from that region. He finished 12th on the Asian Tour, which is no mean feat, considering he missed some tournaments due to travel restrictions. The usual Japan/Philippines domination of the Asian Tour could be shaken up in 2025, as Kumar looks to establish himself further. He had PDC World Cup experience and played on the PDC World Championship stage, so he already has a fantastic base to build on.

Tomoyo Goto

Those inside the sport have been speaking very highly of Goto of late. At 28 years old, he has a lot of experience behind him already. He represented Japan at the World Cup earlier this year, and has been a prolific contender on the Asian Tour, finishing 6th. He has a lot more to come and there could be a breakthrough in 2025.  His main routes to success still lie with the Asian Tour and World Series, but if he makes the most of his opportunities, we could be seeing a lot more of him soon. 

Rest Of The World

Nicole Regnaud

Hailing from New Zealand, Nicole Regnaud is an exciting prospect in Women's darts. At 25, she still has plenty of time to improve. Already she is the best female player in the Oceania area, and could make some very large dents in global darts. She has performed, primarily in Australia and New Zealand, but also appeared at WDF events, including the World Championships. She has already showed a huge amount of talent, and has huge potential to reach the very top. It would be great to see if should get to some Women's Series events, as she would perform well. 

Rashad Sweeting

This Bahamian player lit up the World Championship stage, with his enthusing attitude, but also his quality. He won a lot of new fans and put another country of the global darts map. With a bit of luck he will get invites to competitions and we will see a lot more of him. He has the ability to compete at the top, but needs that stage experience. I will certainly be keeping an eye on him and hope he can get those opportunities he deserves.

Sudesh Fitzgerald

I've added Sudesh Fitzgerald, as I think it will be interesting to see how this part of the world progresses, with Fitzgerald leading the way. Fitzgerald has played at the PDC World Championship in the past, but it was 2024 that saw a lift in his exposure. Guyana qualified for the second year in a row for the PDC World Cup, showing that the game is growing in popularity. Like Rashad Sweeting above,it would be great to see Fitzgerald get some invites to play in bigger competitions. I will be keeping an eye on the South American and Latin tour, and hopefully Fitzgerald will be a big part of this. 

Another Tournament, More Nerves

 So on 14th December, I played in an under 55 average tournament. The tournament had a larger field than my Wednesday Under 55 tournament, and the entry fee was higher, which lead to larger prize money. 

The tournament was split in 4 groups of 7, with the top 4 in each group progressing to the last 16. 

I felt comfortable warming up and have kept my new relaxed, and slightly quicker style.  First two games, I won with relative ease. I was hitting straight and scoring well. Doubles weren't too bad either. Then I had to play one of the favourites. 

I have no idea why it happens, but I then started to think. Rather than just throw, my mind became cloudy. It was as though I was telling myself  I couldn't win. Thing is, anyone can beat anyone at this level. I've beaten better players than him, but also lost to worse players. I should have just played my game, but my silly brain was having none it. Ok, I still had the comfort of winning my first 2 games, but didn't need the doubt entering. Second game was the same. I should have coped easily, but I started thinking and the trebles dried up. I lost that match too, and dropped down the group table.  Next game I did win, thanks to my opponent not being at their best. Results elsewhere all went against me, which meant i had to win my last game to progress. I could either finish 2nd in the group or 6th, such was the tight nature of our group. 

Knowing this, I felt nervous before I even started. I needed to play how I did in the first two games, but I was just getting more agitated as I wasn't hitting the scores I wanted. To be fair, my opponent played well, but a game I know, deep down, I should be winning.  I went out, finishing 6th on 6pts - the same points as the player that finished 2nd. It's a cruel game at times, but I need to fix myself quick. 

This week I will keep trying to shake the nerves. Will research more online and see what techniques I can pick up. It's so frustrating, as my game is going ok and practise at home is good ,but my mind switches on as soon as I start a competitive match. This is the part I need to sort out. There shouldn't be nerves at this level, more a case of enjoying the game. However, I need to keep telling myself that until it settles in. I really hope is does settle, and soon!

Saturday 14th Stats: Average 48.68 First 9: 52.98  100+ 9: 140+ 3: 180 0

ADC Global Championship Week 2 Preview

 The second. and final week ,of the ADC Global Championship starts today.  Last week saw Adam Lipscombe take the win, with Daryl Pilgrim, Bradley Brooks and Andy Boulton joining him for the Grand Final. 

The favourite for this week is the Dutch player, Marvin Van Velzen. He is a player that has really made is mark, particularly within the Modus Super Series set up, where he won Champions Week in September. He will prove a tough opponent and has the ability to qualify.

I'm a big fan of Gary Stone, but he does have a habit of not quite making the final stages. If he gets his game right, then he will have a very good chance of winning this week. It depends on whether he can get over the mental hurdles that he has had in the past. No doubt he is an amazing player though. 

Adam Mould and Joe Croft are specialists at ADC events. This is where they perform particularly well .They both have Challenge Tour experience too, and have done well on the Modus stage. They are consistent type players, who are difficult to beat. I don't think either of them have quite reached their potential, so they could both play a big role here. 

James Welding, Charlie Martin and Shane Hayward,are all very capable players and have all had experience on the Modus stage. I imagine one of these three will make it to finals night, at least. They are solid players, but can all be inconsistent. Hayward is probably the strongest of the three and will prove a tricky opponent. 

Devon Petersen at his best would easily qualify for the Grand Final, but so far this year, there have only been glimpses of it. He will need to get off to a good start, to build confidence. Then he may have a chance. If not, then it may be a very tough ask for him to qualify. 

James Bailey has been around for a long and played on the DPA Tour and BDO/WDF. He has also played twice at the PDC World Championships. He has to be respected, and his experience may help. Could be a dark horse, if he gets off to a good start.

The other three contenders, I admit, I have very little information on. Clearly they must be good players, to have made it this far, so can't be discounted. John Desreumaux, Ivan Springborg Poulsen, Donnt Scheurwater represent, perhaps, the 'wild card' contenders, but we will certainly know more about them by the end of the week. 

So in summary, I think Marvin van Velzen will be the player to beat. If Petersen finds form, then he has a real chance, as does Gary Stone. Mould and Croft will also have a say if they stay consistent. 

My Darts Tournaments 11th and 12th December 2024

 I'm in a bot of a limbo at the moment. I'm trying to deal with the mental side of the game. I'm happy with how I throw, stance, oche position etc but seem overthinking. I chatted to a few people over the two nights, and many have the similar problem of 'shutting off' and not thinking when throwing. I honestly believe my average would go up by 10 points if I could just switch off. So this is my focus for the next few weeks.

Wednesday 11th December 2024

A bit of an up and down night. In places I was throwing great, especially the first nine darts, but at times I got really nervous. This cost me in the last 16, where I was cruising, but then over-thought the finish. I would slow down quite a bit too, which is not really my natural game. In the group stages, I won 2 and lost 2. No arguments about the losses, as both players played well. The matches I won, were about right too. I just wish I could play with similar ease in the knockout stages. For a few weeks, I could do this and made back to back finals, but that part has started to fail me. The final was played with 60+ averages, so I need to up my game, although I'm assuming those 2 players may well be leaving the Under 55 tournaments soon!

Stats: Average: 46.37 First 9 56.24 100+ 5: 140+ 2: 180 0

Thursday 12th December 2024

This, as usual on a Thursday, was an Open tournament , so levels varied. My group was tricky, but doable. I avoided the top players, but my group was still filled with regular 60-70+ average players, so I knew I had to stay focussed. Sadly I didn't wake up in game one. I had opportunities in the first leg, but was sounded beaten by 17 darts in game two. The second game, was another where I had opportunities, but my nervy double thinking haunted me and I lost again. I started better in game 3, but my opponent is a regular 65+ player and he soon levelled and then won the match. My last game, however, was encouraging. I played my best darts and had chances. If I could keep throwing like that, then I'll be more than happy. Just need to fix my head!

Stats: Average: 49.25 First 9 48.15 100+ 2: 140+ 0: 180 0

PDC World Darts Championship 2025

This year's PDC World Championship promises to be one of the most exciting for quite some time. Over the season, particularly the latter part, there have been shocks and upsets, as a new crop of players emerge, and some of the stalwarts step up their game. 

The fact Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are in the same half of the draw, there's now an opportunity for those in the other half, with many believing they can go deep in the competition. 

I thought I'd pick 16 names out of the 96 competing and give a little rundown. 

I've split them into four groups of four: (Favourites, Contenders, Dark Horse, Wild Card)

Favourites:

Luke Humphries

The defending champion seems to be coming into form at just the right time. He beat Luke Littler in the recent Players Championship Final and seems to have an uncanny habit of pulling off wins, even when not at his best. I would go as far to say he is the best match play player in the world.  Having already won here, he will give have confidence in defending his crown. 

Luke Littler

An unbelievable first season on the Pro Tour. Littler has won a hat full of titles and goes from strength to strength. Although he had a 'dip' in form mid-season, he came back strong to take the Grand Slam title in emphatic style with incredibly consistent high averages. He will want to go one better than last year, and will take a huge amount of beating. 

Gary Anderson

Two time former champion, Anderson has avoided the two 'Lukes' in his half of the draw. His form this season has been top class, particularly on the Pro Tour floor events. He lost a thriller against Littler at the Grand Slam and was very unlucky to lose at the Players Championship, despite a 100+ average. The draw has been fairly kind, and he will hope to take full advantage. 

Michael van Gerwen

Another player that is in the opposite half to Littler and Humphries. Despite not winning a TV title this year, I think it would be foolish to write off Michael van Gerwen. He has a fairly nice draw, and then could potentially face Gary Anderson in the 4th round. That could be a crucial clash, as either player would then fancy their chances of making the final. MVG has been there before and that will count for a lot, especially in the early stages. He will want to make his mark and is definitely still in with a chance.

Contenders

Wessels Nijman

Wessels Nijman has had a fantastic first year on the Pro Tour, including winning a Pro Tour event. On the PDC Development he has been near unstoppable picking up multiple titles and was the 2024 Order of Merit winner. When on form, Nijman is a regular 100+ average player. His heavy scoring is a big part of his game, and if he can produce this at Alexandra Palace, then he has a very big chance. He has been unlucky in several big events, losing with incredible averages. The slight doubt, can be big stage experience, but if he overcomes the nerves, he is a serious consideration. 

Chris Dobey

On the Pro Tour floor events, Dobey has been very consistent and successful in 2024. So much so, that he finished top of the 2024 the Players Championship Order of Merit. Despite a poor Players Championship Finals, Dobey will come back ready to avenge last year's heartbreak when he let a 4-0 slip against Rob Cross. Dobey is a tough character and should be in the latter stages at least. 

Gian Van Veen 

Gian Van Veen has a tough quarter of the draw, but he will not be worried about that. He has gone from strength to strength this year and, at times, unplayable. He is a player capable of the big averages and has been getting more and more big stage experience. Winning the World Youth Championship last month will give him momentum. He will be tough to beat and could pose a problem. 

Mike De Decker

This has been somewhat of a breakthrough year for the Belgian player. Many in the game have already mentioned what a good floor player De Decker is, so it was whether this could be transform this to the TV stage. This year has proved he can, most memorably by winning the World Grand Prix in October, beating Luke Humphries. Many have dipped him to go far in this competition, and I wouldn't argue. He is a class act. 

Dark Horses

Martin Schindler

The German number one has a relatively kind draw. A player who still seems to be on the up can go deep into this competition. A solid player a regular on the TV stage these days, he may have a say in this competition. He avoids the favourites up to the quarter final stage and on his day can match anyone, so worth keeping an eye on. 

Daryl Gurney

Daryl Gurney had a great Players Championship, showing some of his old form as he made the last 16 and recording a 108 average in the first round against Peter Wright. Although he has struggled at points during the season, losing his World Cup spot, for example, he seems to be on the up again. The draw is reasonably nice for him, and could be potentially be up against players at a similar crossroads, such as Johnny Clayton, Joe Cullen and Gerwyn Price. I wouldn't surprise me at all to see him make the quarter finals at least. 

Dirk van Duijvenbode

 

A resurgence in form by van Duijvenbode in recent months, as brought him to the fore as a real prospect for the World Championships. His past two tournaments have been very solid and is proving a very difficult opponent, particularly on his own throw. He has a tough quarter, but no player would really want to be facing him. He is tenacious and focussed, and when things go his way can be unstoppable. I really look forward to seeing how he matches up against the more favoured players. He may just beat them all!

Nathan Aspinall

Aspinall has had a tricky year, with injury and dartitis. This has seen his ranking plummet and opportunity to play events restricted. However, there were signs of a recovery at the Players Championship Finals last month. Aside from last year, Aspinall performs well on this stage and he is a gritty player that will not give up. The draw is quite open in his quarter and he has a chance of making the later stages. If he gets that far, then he could spring a surprise, all the way to the final. 

Surprises

Dave Chisnall

We all know Chisnall is a quality player and a very heavy scorer. His form hasn't been quite up to last year's, and is sometimes overlooked when trying to predict tournament winners. However, at his best, Chisnall can match anyone, especially with his propensity to hit 180s for fun. The draw looks ok for him, and he could forge a path through to the latter stages. From there who knows. Could be a big price finalist?

Danny Noppert

Like Chisnall above, there is no doubt of Noppert's quality. However he does have a tough quarter of the draw, with players including Luke Littler, Gian Van Veen and Rob Cross as potential opponents. What Noppert has in his armoury is composure and consistency. If his opponents are not at their best, Noppert will look to pounce on this. This year the form book has been ripped up and there is a chance that a few shock results may play into Noppert's hands. 

Niko Springer

This might seem like a long shot, and maybe it is due to lack of  big stage experience ,but I have been fortunate enough to have marked a few of his matches. Springer has been fighting Wessel Nijman all year on the PDC Development Tour, and has not been far away. Many are tipping Nijman for a big run at Alexandra Palace, so I believe Springer may also cause a few problems. He does have a tough quarter in the draw, but he is the sort of player that can hit 100+ averages regularly. If he keeps his nerve, any opponent should be wary. Amazingly he is 500/1. I'm definitely having a few pennies on him!

James Wade

James Wade has a wealth of World Championship experience, so should not feel the pressure. He has hit patches of great form and just needs to do that here. He is in the same quarter of the draw as Luke Humphries, so that will be tough, however Wade will not be overawed by any player. He may need to step up his averages a notch, but if Humphries does fall early, Wade could be there to pounce and go on a run. 

What Opportunities Are Out There For Darts Players? (Part One)

 Having read a poster online about some events the PDC host, it got me thinking about what events in general are out there. From total amateurs, to those wishing to progress to the top ranks, and in between. 

So the pinnacle, I think it's fair to say, is the Pro Tour. Most aspiring players would like to play at this level. The prize money is the highest here, as is TV exposure and the potential to be a full time professional darts player. 

As far a I can see, there are 6 routes to get there. 

1. Q School - This is the simplest way to get to the Pro Tour. The event is open to absolutely anyone, regardless of their ability. The only stipulation is that you must be 16 years old or over to enter.  Every year around 10-15 spots are available at each of the two venues. One in the UK and one in Germany.  There are two stages. Most start in stage one, and if they win enough games over 3 days, or make the quarter final of each day's competitions, then you go through to stage 2. Then in stage 2, will be those that have just lost their Tour card, plus those that have performed well in the Challenge Tour and Development Tour Order of Merits.  Either win one of the 4 stage 2 events, or win enough games over the stage 2 events and you qualify. I've made that seem very easy, which clearly it's not, but you only have to be at your best for 7 days, rather than over a whole season. Any player not receiving a Tour card, can play on the Challenge Tour and try that route. 

2. Challenge Tour - There are a couple of routes via the Challenge Tour. The most straightforward, is to finish in the top 2 positions on the Order of Merit table and the place is yours. The second, which has happened several times, is to win or perform well at tournaments on the Pro Tour. If a player pulls out of a Pro Tour (floor) event, then the next places are offered based on your position on the Challenge Tour. Many Challenge Tour players played, last season, on the Pro Tour, with some performing particularly well. Some players have accumulated enough prize money to make the top 64 in the Pro Tour, and therefore, an automatic place. Connor Scutt did just that this year  By taking chances on the Pro Tour also gives players a chance to qualify for the Players Championship Finals, which has a larger prize pot and TV exposure. By Scutt qualifying automatically, Christian Kist benefitted from finishing 3rd on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit and was awarded a Pro Tour Card.

3. Development Tour - This tour is designed for players  aged between 16-24. Unlike the Challenge Tour, there are no places offered to on the Pro Tour, for those performing well during the season. The reason for this, is that players on the Pro Tour are allowed to enter, as long as they are not ranked in the current top 32 on the Pro Tour order of Merit. So, for example Luke Littler couldn't play due to his rank, but Wessel Nijman and Keane Barry could, as they were lower ranked. The top 2 on the Order of Merit get a Tour card, however, if the top two contains a player already with a Tour card, then it goes to the next place. Due to this, the player in 5th place, Sebastian Bialecki, was awarded a card.

4. UK Open - Another competition open to any player over the age of 16. There are several qualifying events held around the UK, where the prize for winning an event, is to play at the UK Open. If a qualifier is good enough, they can progress through the rounds and even appear on TV, where the prize money is sizeable. The other benefit of the UK Open, is that,from the 3rd round onwards, the draw is random, so you could avoid certain players and make a run deep into the competition. A win, or runner-up position, may be good enough for automatic qualification for Tour card, based on the Order of Merit. Sounds a bit of a 'Hail Mary', but amateur players have progressed well here in the past, such as Rob Cross and Graham Hall. 

5. World Championships - Again, this is a long shot, but a decent run here could earn enough to be placed in the top 64 on the Order of Merit. However you would still have to wait until the next year, before you can play on the Pro Tour properly.  If you did win or was runner- up, then there will be other opportunities such as the Grand Slam. This is a route that is probably more applicable to non-UK and European players, as it gives a chance, albeit slim, to qualify for the Pro Tour, without having to relocate or constantly travel. I'm unaware that this has happened in the past, but there is a lot of quality around the world, and a surprise is possible. 

6. World Series -  A possible route for non-UK players, in the same kind of vein as the UK Open and World Championships. Players from the particular country, in which the World Series event is held, can qualify to play in the tournament proper. Some players have performed quite well, none more so than Damon Heta, who won an Australian Series. Although the World Series is unranked, there is opportunity for invitation places for other events, which can help towards Order of Merit prize money. 

So, these are the routes in order to join the PDC Tour. Players will need quite a lot of good fortune, and bags of ability, however many have made the grade and moved on to become top players in the world.

I will continue this with other routes into winning prize money and TV appearances, without having to go through the PDC. 

ADC Global Championship

 Alongside the Winmau ADC Tour, was the ADC Global Tour. A competition that culminates with the top players in Europe playing in a Modus Super Series format, at the venue in Portsmouth. The line-up as you can imagine is a tough one. All of these players have good Modus experience and beyond, so should be very competitive. 

The favourite, and rightly so in my mind, is Daryl Pilgrim. A real force in the game, across all the tours he has played on, he narrowly missed out on a World Championship spot ,and has been super consistent. He recently faltered in his recent Modus Super Series appearance, but was playing strong enough to suggest he has more to come. He will be the one to beat, but does have tough opposition. 

Seasoned campaigners Andy Boulton and James Richardson represent experience and tenacity. These two have been around long enough to not let the pressure get to them. Both play particularly in ADC events and have more than earned their places in the Global finals. It depends on consistency whether they can forge their way to the finals, but they will certainly cause problems for their opponents. 

Belgian player Brian Raman and the German Sebastian Bialecki are Europe's big hopes in bringing the title out of the UK. Raman had a decent showing at the recent WDF World Championships and will have momentum. He showed glimpses of the form that he had a couple of years ago when it was thought he would be forging his way up the Pro ranks. Bialecki will be buoyed by receiving a Tour card after great performances on the PDC Development Tour. He has been on the Modus stage many times and nerves shouldn't play a part. He is definitely a player capable of going all the way. 

The younger players representing are Thomas Banks and Bradley Brooks, although Brooks seems to have been around for ever! For a while Banks was often compared to Luke Littler, as both seemed to be coming through the youth ranks at great speed. However, Banks had forged his own path and performed well on both the Modus stage and PDC Development Tour. I have no doubt he will make the main Pro Tour one day, and this path may well give him a good grounding. He can certainly make the final stages here, and from there, who knows. A player with a lot of talent, so not to be discounted. Brooks, has played on the Pro Tour and won the World Youth Championship. Another player that was maybe expected to go on and climb the Pro ranks, he has stalled a little, but that doesn't mean he won't get that form back. This may just be the springboard he is looking for. 

Gemma Hayter is the sole female player this week, but is a dark horse in this event. She always performs well on the Modus stage and has become, this year, one of the best female players on the Women's Tour. She took the Women's ADC Tour Finals title on this stage last month, beating Fallon Sherrock 4-0, showing her real class. A good showing here, will again be proof of the growing strength in the women's game.

Bradley Roes, Adam Lipscombe and Conor Heneghan are another group of players that have played on the Modus stage on multiple occasions. Heneghan has particulalry good form here, although recently had a blip in form. If he can show some of the quality he has previously showed, then he could make the finals night, although he does need to raise his game quickly. Lipscombe is a steady type of player, who will cause problems, but whether it will be enough here, remains to be seen. The same could be said of Roes, who certainly has talent, but he may not be playing quite at the standard he needs to if he is going to make the final night. 

That just leaves the Cypriot player, Andreas Nikolaou. I know very little about this player, except he has played in a few WDF events this year. To have made it this far, he must be a decent player, but lack of stage experience could play against him. However, it could be the opposite and he takes to the stage and he surprises everyone!

So, in summary I would say Daryl Pilgrim is the player to beat. Sebastian Bialecki is definitely someone who is capable of taking this title, and also watch for Gemma Hayter, who seems to love it in Portsmouth. 

My Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th Tournaments

 I think I may be on the up again. Not in terms of average, or even winning tournaments, but after the past few weeks of just being tense with my throw and having grip issues, my last two tournaments have felt so much more comfortable.

I have tried to concentrate on relaxing my arm and focus on the arm finishing straight. I also take a breath before I take my first throw. This seemed to work for a good percentage of my throws. Obviously I had a few go wild, (although I'll always take those random treble 12s!), but in general, I felt like there was improvement. Doubles-wise I had a few issues, but I was more concerned with the throw and feeling relaxed than doubles and averages. The doubles will come, but for now, my focus is on consistent 20s or 19s. I need to be on a finish after 12-15 darts if I am to make that next jump in my performance. 

So, to Wednesday. This was just one of those tournaments. 

I played really well in parts and felt good throughout. However, it seemed that whoever I played decided that were going to play just that bit better than me. I had no real argument and I missed a few doubles, but just seemed to be beaten by the better player each time. The good thing is I didn't let it affect my mind and took it in my stride. I looked at all the positives and could take them to the next tournament.

Wednesday 4th December Stats: Avg: 46.30: First 9 49.10: 100+ 4: 140+ 0: 180 0

Thursday's tournament was a little bit better. Actually if I played like I did on the Wednesday, I may have had a good chance. I arrived late to the venue, as I had an appointment, and was straight on, with just 9 practise darts. I think it was the lack of time to be able to think, (and therefore worry), that I threw a nice 60 average. I felt very relaxed and the trebles were going. However my opponent hit around 80 so I didn't pick up a win. My second game was against a player I knew I had to beat in order to have a good chance of progressing. This is when a little bit of tension crept in. I went one down, and then just told myself to relax and just throw. For once, it actually worked and I started playing well and took the next two legs to record a win. My third game was close, but just edged out, although I did record a 20 dart leg, so that's positive. Fourth game was similar. Had chances, but didn't take them. 

In the last 16, I found myself up against former Pro Tour player, Ryan Palmer. He opened with a 180 and I just tried too hard chasing and didn't really give him a game. I was pleased to get to the knockout stages though, as Thursdays are brutal and there's no average cap.  Definite progress made this week and looking forward to practise and more tournaments. 

Thursday 5th December Stats: Avg: 46.42: First 9 51.38: 100+ 5: 140+ 2: 180 0

What should I try this Wednesday?

 Back to my Wednesday night Under 55 average tournament.  I've had a little throw this week, but no intense practise or anything like that.  I'm at a stage where I just need to play through any insecurities or mental issues I'm currently having with the game. I just seem to be putting to much pressure on myself on a Wednesday and it is causing very silly mistakes. I need to go in relaxed, but have focus on what I need to hit. It doesn't have to be treble 20 every time. 60 per throw would be enough to get me to the semi-finals. ,or even better. Then once I'm comfortable with this, I can worry about the bigger scores and bigger finishes.  As mentioned in a previous post, Australian player Raymond Smith, spoke of the discipline of just going at the 20s and hardly switching. It makes sense to me and I am guilty of trying to make clever shots, which I don't really need to do. 

Last Wednesday I was too relaxed and didn't really care how I played. The arm felt good, but the results didn't reflect anything. Perhaps with a relaxed attitude but with a focus of caring, this may help. And being disciplined and not switching all over the board. 

You can follow my progress tonight from 7.30pm (gmt) Just click this link > My Wednesday U55 Tournament 

Listen to the Commentator

I've been watching the WDF World Championships on You Tube. While there are some little bugs, such as long advert breaks between matches, I have been particularly impressed with the commentary and punditry. 

One pundit, in particular, has bee, the Australian player, Raymond Smith, who has been insightful in the psyche of players and also given tips. 

He was talking about the idea of going back to basics and concentrating primarily on the 20s. Not switching very often and getting to the 161, 141, 101 finishes. It struck a chord with me, as it seemed so simple. In practise, I do sometimes have a tendency to switch around, and change games/drills, as I think it will improve me in various areas. However to concentrate more on the 20s and be consistent with them will surely increase my chances of winning. Perhaps if I get to a very high level, my thinking will change, but the sort of comps I generally play in, a 70 average will get me far and even a competition win. Raymond also mentioned that it will take a lot of discipline to do this, as it's quite boring when the vast majority of your practise routine is just throwing at the same number. For me, I need that discipline, and I really think this 20 focus might help my game improve in a reasonably short amount of time. I've never really thought about this way of practise before, but I'm going to give it a go. I don't expect anything to happen overnight, but maybe after a few weeks.

So sometimes there is some really good advice out there aside from the general commentary, and now and again something resonates. 

That Time Of Year

 It's that time of year, when the WDF stage their World Championships. One thing that always bugs me is the negativity some people give to this. 

They say it's no where near PDC level and 'they could beat them' .

The PDC is generally considered, even by those staunch to the WDF (old BDO), to be of a higher quality in terms of strength in depth. And that's ok.  This has been the case since the late 90s. PDC offer more prize money and have a more dynamic progression system, with Q School and the Challenge and Development Tours. Therefore it is to be expected that this will be the stronger governing body. 

And many have seen time in the WDF/BDO as a stepping stone to the PDC. In fact, it used to be that the WDF/BDO World Championship finalists would be invited to Q School, with many taking this opportunity. 

So in a nutshell, it is quite clear that PDC is better, in terms of averages and coverage than the other tours, including WDF. 

Elsewhere we also know that Premier League football is better quality than Championship football. We expect the Premier League game to have more skill and more familiar names, but as a fan of the game, I'd still enjoy, and appreciate the Championship game. And also acknowledge they are way better than me!

This can be applied to darts. I appreciate the quality is not quite as high, but it still is much better than me and most of my darts peers. To get to the WDF World Championships is not a free ride. It takes qualification, a season of earning ranking points, or winning a big competition. Also a consistent level must be maintained throughout the year. If the layman tried there hand in WDF competitions, they may understand just how difficult it is. Besides as the competition moves on, the averages are not that far away from generic PDC scores. You are talking maybe 1 or 2 darts per leg.

The Modus Super Series is a good comparison. As a fan of the game, I love the Modus Super Series. Again , it is not PDC quality, and I don't expect this.  It still has all the drama and excitement that darts gives and so I'm satisfied. 

To enjoy darts, every game doesn't need to be 100+ averages, and 9 darters. There is so much more to the game. 

A final point is that some players that have been in the WDF World Championships and Modus , have gone on to have successful careers on the PDC Tour.  Players such as Glen Durrant, Gian Van Veen and a certain Luke Littler. 

So keep enjoying the darts and watch it for what it is. Some games will be slower than others, but personally I don't care, I just love the fact that darts from all areas is appearing more and more on TV and Online. 

Modus Champions Week

 As this is Champions Week, it is no surprise that you could make a case for any of these players to take the crown. To get to this position means you would have had to qualify through a quality field, so any player represented will believe they can win.

The bookmakers have made the Lithuanian player, Darius Labanauskas the favourite closely followed by Andreas Harrysson. Although Labanauskas spent a few years on the Pro Tour ,I'm not sure his form in general would put him at the top of the field. Harrysson, however, is always a tough opponent. He is a big scorer and also had a 9 dart checkout at the Modus Super Series. I'd be very surprised if he did not make Saturday's final six. Tom Sykes and Jim Long are another two I fully expect to make it to Saturday, Both are perennial winners here and are usually comfortable at making the final stage. Sykes, in particular, is an exciting prospect for the future, and someone I'm quite confident will take his place on the Pro Tour soon. 

If it was this time last year, I would expect Andy Boulton to be favourite. He has an amazing Modus record and played on the Pro Tour, as part of a high placed Challenge Tour position .If he gets back some of last year's form, then he will be very difficult to stop. 

Paul Hogan and Andy Hamilton have bags of experience, so they shouldn't get nervous, but whether they can remain consistent, is another question. They have made it to Champions week, so there is a chance that either could spring a surprise. 

Scott Taylor, is another with an excellent Modus record. He has blown hot and cold this year, so depends which Scott Taylor turns up. On his day, he can match any of these though. 

Kai Gotthardt and Romeo Grbavic are interesting players, in that they are not that well known outside of darts circles. Those that have played against them will know their talent, so not to be discounted. Both players have had solid seasons, so at least one of them should make the Saturday finals night. 

That leaves David Davies and Derek Coulson. These are seen as the outsiders, but they have both already caused a surprise in qualifying. Davies has been here many times and will not be overawed. I could see him sneaking a Saturday place. While with Coulson we will have to wait, but he is a capable player. 

So in summary I think Andreas Harrysson will make the final. I think he is that tiny percentage better than the others currently. His opponent? I'll go for Andy Boulton, as I know he has real quality, and if he hits that here, could take a lot of stopping.  I will say, though, don't be surprised if David Davies goes a long way into this competition. He has got his chance at Champions Week after many, many attempts, so he will be very motivated. 

Less is More Or Not?

 I had a busy weekend and so go zero opportunity to throw darts, not even in practise. It made me wonder whether this actually may be a good thing. 

When I play in my weekly tournaments, one of the things I berate myself with is, 'I should have practised more'. However, I have previously been speaking about being tense and overthinking things. Perhaps one of the reasons for this, is I am being too analytical and looking for perfection. The more I practise, the more I get frustrated that I'm not reaching the dizzier heights I expect to. Maybe these few days off will give my mind and body a chance to relax and reset. I will practise tomorrow for an hour or two and it will be interesting to see if my throw will be a bit easier. 

Obviously I know I do have to practise if I want to improve, but maybe there's a balance. May quality, rather than quantity, and certainly less analytical. Just throw at the board, get comfortable with certain areas and don't put pressure on yourself. For this week ,I will step away from playing the computer in 501s. That will just cause unnecessary pressure. Maybe just drills and simple games like Bobs 27 and 61-100 in 6 darts. Then I will play on Wednesday and hopefully will help with the tension. 

JDC World Cup and Championships

 The climax of a full season of Junior Darts was staged in Gibraltar as the JDC World Cup and World Championship were played. It also saw the staging inaugural Luke Littler Legacy Trophy. Littler owes a lot of his success to the JDC and academy route into professional.  His success has inspired many many young people to try their hand. Some want to be future pros and some just want to enjoy the game. 

The Luke Littler Legacy Trophy was the first major title to be held, and there was no shortage of quality. The eventual winner was Ryan Branley, who beat fellow English star, Jack Nankervis in the final. Both have been flying on the JDC tour, and many within the JDC would not be have surprised to see these two make the finals. The final score was 6-5, with Branley hitting an average of 92.53. In fact he hit above 80 in every round. Nankervis wasn't far behind as he hit 83.14 in the final. 

The World Junior Championship was the next event. No winner decided in Gibraltar, as this will be played at Alexandra Palace during the PDC World Championship. However the tournament was played down to the semi-finals, with the winner of each securing their place. 

The young Belgian talent,Lex Paeshuyse booked his place beating the Mongolian sensation, Tergel Khurelkhuu in his semi final. Paeshuyse had also beaten both Branley and Nankervis in the earlier rounds, so had performed incredibly well to make it. Along with names mentioned above, he will be one for the future for sure. The second player to qualify was the English player Daniel Stephenson. Stephenson had to beat the number one ranked JDC player, Archie Self in the quarter final, so his route was tough too. This all leads to an exciting final on the Alexandra Palace stage, where both players will be hoping to follow in the successful footsteps of previous winners such as Jurjen van de Velde, Keane Barry and, of course, Luke Littler. 

The final big event in Gibraltar was the World Cup. Teams of four would play, firstly in a group stage, and then onto a straight knockout. 20 countries were represented, and around half of these had second string 'B' teams.  

The strength of some of these nations give an indication of what's to come over the next few years, and it's great to see new countries emerge with young talent. Mongolia, in particular, stand out. Not a country you would consider when it come to darts, but are a nation getting stronger each year. Also good to see Italy, Canada and Gibraltar perform well. This will hopefully make darts even more global than it currently is. 

The final saw England 'A' overcome Netherlands 'B', in the final. Perhaps not too surprising, as the Junior game in these countries has had most investment and structure in recent years. However England had a tough match to overcome Mongolia 4-2 in the semi final and Netherlands beat Ireland in their last four game. So more and more countries are emerging and may darts may not always be UK/Dutch stronghold.

The English team was a very capable group and included JDC number one, Archie Self, Ryan Branley, who has also appeared on the PDC Development Tour and Modus Super Series, Jack Nankervis, who I've mentioned above and Kieran Thompson. I'm sure we will be seeing most of this group a lot more in the coming years too. 

The JDC goes from strength to strength, and events like this can only make it grow. I look forward to see players come through this system and follow the legacy of Luke Littler.