The Pros and Cons of Playing on the WDF Darts Circuit

While watching the WDF World Championships, I felt that maybe the WDF would be another avenue into darts, when I get good enough! For many aspiring darts players, the WDF (World Darts Federation) circuit is the first real taste of competitive darts on a global stage. It offers an alternative pathway to the PDC and has become increasingly important since the return of the WDF World Championships at Lakeside. But what is life actually like on the WDF circuit? Here’s a balanced look at the advantages and the challenges that players face.

The Pros

One of the biggest benefits of the WDF system is accessibility. Events are spread across dozens of countries, and many of them are open entry, meaning players can sign up without needing a tour card. For players who are developing, or who can’t commit to the financial demands of the PDC’s Q-School and tour system, this creates a genuine route into high-level darts.

Another positive is affordability. While travel can add up, the entry fees themselves tend to be lower than PDC qualifiers or Challenge Tour events. Many tournaments offer solid prize money relative to the level, and for those living in Europe, it’s possible to build a competitive calendar without breaking the bank.

Importantly, the WDF circuit can act as a stepping stone. Plenty of players have used strong WDF seasons to launch themselves into PDC careers. It’s a place to build confidence, gain ranking points, and get used to tour-level pressure before making the jump.

The Cons

For all the positives, there are real challenges too. The financial strain is the biggest hurdle. The WDF calendar stretches across the world, and unless you have sponsorship, travel and accommodation can become a significant expense. Prize money is improving, but it still lags far behind the PDC. A deep run might cover your weekend, but very few players can rely on the WDF alone as a full-time income.

Another issue is inconsistency. Not all events are equal in organisation, venue quality, or professionalism. Some tournaments are run brilliantly, others can feel chaotic or outdated. For players coming from highly professional setups, the variation can be noticeable.

The ranking system, while more open, can be unforgiving for players outside Europe. Those based in the UK might have to travel frequently to keep pace with continental events. Those in smaller nations can find it even harder to climb the rankings without long-haul trips.

Exposure is another downside. Unlike the PDC, the WDF doesn’t have mainstream TV coverage for most events. Even Lakeside last year struggled for broadcast stability. This makes it difficult for players to gain sponsorship or build a following unless they already have a strong online presence.

Finally, the pathway can be slow. While the WDF is a great platform, progression isn’t guaranteed. A player might dominate locally but still struggle to break through because the step up to elite competitions requires consistent high-level performances under pressure.

Conclusion

Playing on the WDF darts circuit can be a rewarding and memorable experience. It offers open access, a strong community feel, and the chance to compete internationally without needing a PDC tour card. But it also demands commitment, money, and patience, and the limited exposure can make it harder to turn strong performances into sponsorship or a professional breakthrough.

For many players, the WDF serves exactly the purpose it was designed for - a proving ground. A place to test yourself, grow your game, and chase the dream of stepping onto a major stage. But like any pathway in sport, it comes with ups and downs. The key is knowing what you want from your darts career and choosing the route that fits your goals, lifestyle, and finances.

Darts Gear and Gift Guide: Three Brilliant Picks for Players of All Levels

 

I’ve been looking at some darts gear recently. Part curiosity, part early gift-hunting, and part seeing what might be worth recommending as useful kit for players wanting to upgrade. Here are three items that really stood out. Each one offers something a little different.

1. Trinidad Pro Steel-Tip 90% Tungsten Darts (18g) De Sousa

These Trinidad De Sousa darts instantly caught my eye. They’re made from 90% tungsten, giving the slim profile and durability you’d expect from a higher-end dart, but without the intimidating price tag of some premium models. What stands out most is the barrel design: the machined grooves offer a confident, textured feel without being overly aggressive. It’s the type of grip that suits just about any style- front grip, mid-grip, even players who sit slightly further back on the barrel. The balance is excellent too, giving a smooth, controlled release. They are a little light at 18g, but they fly really well and easy to get used to..

2. Star Wars R2-D2 K-Flex No.2 Flight System

As someone who loves the K-Flex system anyway, these R2-D2 flights from Target really stood out. They combine the stability of a one-piece flight and shaft with the fun of the Star Wars theme which are perfect if you enjoy a bit of personality in your setup. The polymer frame absorbs impact well when you’re grouping tight, helping keep your darts flying true without the usual flight pop-outs. The R2-D2 design is subtle but brilliant, and at under £20 they’re a genuinely cool upgrade without spending too much. Target’s Star Wars range is huge (darts, flights, accessories.More on that in a later post), but these were the ones that really grabbed my attention.

3. One80 Darts Advent Calendar

If you’re after a darts gift that feels fresh and a bit different, the One80 Advent Calendar is ideal. Instead of chocolate, you get 24 days of darts accessories and small surprises. A brilliant way to build some excitement in the lead-up to Christmas or the World Championship. It’s perfect for players who like trying out new flights, stems and small bits of gear, and usually the total value of the items inside ends up being more than the cost of the calendar itself. It works for every type of player too: beginners, casual throwers, or regular league players who enjoy experimenting with new kit. A fun, affordable gift that always gets people talking.

Whether you’re upgrading your own gear or looking for something for a darts-mad friend, these three items are great picks.

Wednesday Night Under 55 Average Tournament – Browns Bar, Bristol

 Last night (Wednesday) I played in the Under 55 Average Comp at Browns Bar, Bristol. It was a bit up and down overall, but I’m happy with my scoring. The big takeaway? My head was in a much better place than it’s been for the past few weeks.No overthinking, just enjoying the game.

I definitely need to practice my doubles more, but mentally I felt solid. Lost focus a little in the Last 16, but I’m fine with that. Tonight is an open tournament, so the goal is to keep this upturn in form and mindset going.

Stats from Wednesday

Result: Last 16

Match Average: 45.74

First 9 Average: 53.79

100+ scores: 7

Legs Won: 7

Legs Lost: 6

Breaks: 4

Reflection

Scoring was decent, but finishing let me down. Still, the mental side felt strong, which is a big win for me right now.

Darts Counting – Maths or Memory?

 I’ve always enjoyed numbers, and I think that’s one of the main reasons I’ve always enjoyed darts. As a sports fan in general, numbers are everywhere.Stats about form, points needed to win a league, or what’s required to clinch a game. But darts is unique because every throw can be planned, and that plan is built around numbers.

Snooker is similar, but in snooker, the position of the white ball often dictates sacrificing a higher-value shot to keep a break going. In darts, the goal is simple:score 501 points and finish on a double, in as few darts as possible. There are exceptions, like setting up a shot when you have a big lead, but generally, the aim is maximum efficiency.

My first interest in marking darts games came when I was about eight or nine. At my local youth club, older lads would pay me in crisps or soft drinks to mark their games. I quickly noticed certain scores kept coming up. They were amazed I knew what 17 × 3 was, but I wasn’t adding it up,I just knew that segment was worth 51 because I’d seen it often. 

The real challenge was adding three darts together and subtracting from the total. That took some maths at first, but after many games, it became second nature.

Fast forward to today, and I still love marking games. It’s fascinating because I’m always learning new finishing routes and setups. I’ve been lucky enough to mark on all the PDC Tours, and that sharpens you up fast. You need to call out totals almost instantly and, if asked, tell a player their finish just as quickly. Rhythm matters.

So, do you need to be a maths genius to do this well? In my opinion, no. People ask me that a lot, and I explain why: it’s mostly memory. You need some interest in numbers because memory works best when you care about the subject. When I was a competitive quizzer, I could remember Olympic champions or Oscar winners easily because I liked those topics. Birds and flowers? Not so much.

Marking darts is more about pattern recognition,almost like muscle memory. Do it enough, and it sticks. I know three treble 20s is 180 without adding 60 + 60 + 60. A more complex example: single 20, single 19, treble 18. I’ve seen it so often I know it’s 93 instantly. Over time, you build up a library of patterns. Oddly, I get caught out more on low numbers because they come up less often. The better the players, the easier it is because their scoring is more predictable.

The hardest part is telling players what they have left. That’s less about memory and more about quick subtraction. Tablets have made this easier compared to chalkboards, but speed still matters.

Predicting where a player will go next helps too. If someone has 116 and starts on 19, they’ll probably go treble 19 next (leaving 97). If they hit another single 19, they’re on 78, likely aiming for treble 18. Sometimes they surprise you with something like treble 14 to leave 36, so you add that to your mental playbook.

Players evolve, and routes change. Treble 17 is more popular now, and treble 14/double 14 pops up more often too. Like the game itself, marking takes practice. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. Some players hate this part, which is understandable, but if you want to improve, there’s no shortcut - just keep doing it.