Walk into any darts tournament and you’ll hear one number more than any other: the average. Players track it, fans quote it, and commentators celebrate it. In darts culture, your three-dart average is seen as the ultimate measure of ability.
But here’s the twist: winning tournaments rarely requires the highest average.
The Myth of the Average
I ran a quick study across major events and found something surprising: the player who lifts the trophy almost never tops the average chart. Why? Because darts isn’t just about scoring big—it’s about timing, finishing, and handling pressure.
Averages can be inflated by easy wins or dead legs, but when it comes to crunch moments, checkout percentages and composure matter far more.
The Data: 11 Players Championship Events
I looked at the first 11 PDC Players Championship tournaments in 2025. Here’s what I found:
- In 0 out of 11 events, the winner had the highest tournament average.
- In most cases, the highest average belonged to a player who didn’t even reach the final.
- The gap between the winner’s average and the top average was often 5–10 points.
Why Does This Happen?
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Matchplay - Scoring Power
Darts is about timing. You can average 110 in a first-round blowout, but if you crumble under pressure in the quarters, you’re out. -
Short Format Variance
Players Championship events are best-of-11 legs early on. One bad leg can hurt your average, but not your chances if you win the big moments. -
Mental Game
Closing out legs under pressure matters more than hitting big trebles when you’re cruising.
So, Are Averages Pointless?
Not at all. Averages are a great indicator of scoring consistency. But they’re not the ultimate measure of ability. In fact, they might be the most misleading stat in darts if taken in isolation.
Takeaway
Next time you hear someone brag about their average, ask: 'Did you win?' Because in darts, winning beats averaging every time.
