My thoughts on a different way to allocate automatic Pro Tour spots.

With Q School nearly finished, it got me thinking about the spots that are automatically given to players on the Pro Tour. For the last decade, at least, it has been a case of going through Q School, or getting an automatic spot by finishing in the top 2 of the Challenge and Development Tours. However I think there could be better ways of doing this, Only my opinion, of course, but darts is an ever expanding sport and there may be room for change, which would expand the game globally, as well as making the secondary tours more relevant. I also feel that the PDC would benefit from this, as the numbers of participants across all tours should increase. 

I would definitely keep Q School in its current format, however, the number of qualifiers would be slightly less. 

Currently the top 2 in the Challenge Tour and Development Tour gain a place. I agree with that. the best players over a whole year should get a card. However to make these tours more relevant, I would have a final qualifier at the end of the year. I would also include the Women's Series in this too. 

So, I would say positions 3-30 on the Challenge and Development Tours, along with the top 8 on the Womens Series play a final one-off tournament of 64 players. The finalists of this would get a card. It would be like a pre-Q School, for those that have played particularly well, an extra chance if you like. 

This, I think, would create much more interest in the secondary tours. For example, the numbers dwindle significantly as the year progresses on these tours. In particular the last couple of events. From a PDC point of view, there's extra entry money that can be made. Players lower down the rankings would now have a chance at a card, without having to go to Q School, so more likely to attend more events.  It also gives a chance for the Womens game to progress, with 8 women given a chance for a tour card, rather than 1 or 2.

The PDC is growing more and more global, and I think this could also be reflected with automatic Tour cards. The standard of the Asian, North American and Oceania darts tours is increasing - in particular in Asia, where they showed what they can do at the 2025 PDC World Championships. With Q School operating in Europe, it makes it so difficult for those further afield to qualify. The World Series helps with highlighting these parts of the world, but doesn't help in terms of getting players from these areas on the Main Tour.  

I would suggest that the winners of the Asian and North American (CDC) Tours get an automatic card. If that was this year, then Alexis Toylo and Leonard Gates would represent. They would both be a welcome addition, and more than capable of competing .

Then in Oceania, the winners of the DPA Australian Tour and DP New Zealand Tour have a play-off for another automatic card. This would have been Joe Comito or Mark Cleaver

The need for more automatic global places on the Pro Tour can only improve the event and create interest. Areas like South America are pretty much untouched. Africa is growing and needs more exposure, as does the Middle East, with countries like Bahrain,Egypt and UAE all developing. 

The PDC is the World lead in an every increasing sport and would be great if they could see beyond the UK and Europe. Fingers crossed they will. 

So, I would like to see five automatic spots added. It wouldn't make that much of difference to the amount of overall qualifiers from Q School. What it would add is more interest all season on the secondary tours, and also bring the Main Tour to the rest of the world. 

Special Discount Offer!

 To celebrate Q School and the growth of my site, www.dartwarehouse.com have kindly sent me my own special discount code to share with you. 

Simply quote Q-School10 on any product for a 10% discount on any product. 

Having a look at their site, they have a massive range of darts and products and I highly recommend them.  Please take the time to check out for yourself. 

Hopefully I will have more offers and giveaways in the near future!

Q School 2025 - Stage One done!

 So, I thought I'd write about a few thoughts and things I noticed during Stage 1 of Q School. 

First thing I notice, is that it can be a lottery. It's the same for every player, so no advantage is gained, however by players helping out, by beating players in close contention, or by getting a draw with lower averages, means chances of progressing to Stage 2 become better.  However, I guess that can be said of a lot of tournaments, depending on seedings or whether it is totally random, such as the UK Open format. 

'Averages do not play a significant role'. This appears to be a pure match-play process. Beat your opponent and get the point. It happened several times, where players with a high overall average, have not progressed. Q School is definitely about hitting the right shot at the right time. A player that can finish well, is more likely to progress than a 180 specialist. It's the old adage 'doubles for dough'. This was very much the mantra in Stage 1.

'Win, but win well'. I believe this was the most significant part of progressing to Stage 2. Aside from eight qualifiers per day, there are then around 80-90 places available in the Order of Merit. Whilst watching the live qualifying table (www.dartsrankings.com), it was very noticeable how advantageous it was to be winning 5-0 or 5-1. This large leg difference can be as important as an extra point. Players were soon overtaken by players due to their leg average, even if they had the same amount of wins. This will be key in Stage 2. Yes, get the win, that is obvious, but by winning well, the pressure goes to the players who won 5-4 and 5-3. 

'Reputation counts for nothing'. This tournament is brutal and takes no notice of previous form or historical reputation. Stage 1 is about playing your very best for 3 days. If you can do that, it doesn't matter how you performed on the Challenge Tour or World Championship, or any tournament. The hunger for the Pro Tour is such that players will not think twice about the other player - it's all about each win.

In both the UK and Euro Q Schools, each had 'names' that made it to Stage 2, but equally some that did not. 

Examples include:

Qualified Stage 2 UK                                                                         Didn't Qualify for Stage 2 UK

Mark McGeeney                                                                                   Scott Taylor

Cam Crabtree                                                                                        Scott Waites

Bradley Brooks                                                                                     Mark Dudbridge

Ted Evetts                                                                                             Robert Thornton

Shane McGuirk                                                                                    Steve West

Qualified Stage 2 EU                                                                        Didn't Qualify for Stage 2 EU

Max Hopp                                                                                            Arjan Konterman

Kai Gotthardt                                                                                       Noa-Lynn van Leuven

Brian Raman                                                                                        Marko Kantele

Jose Justicia                                                                                         Rene Eidams

Michael Unterbuchner                                                                         Dragutin Horvat

So, Stage 2 begins and I very much suspect the same observations will be made. Just play well and win well for 4 days!

I will add a more statistical analysis tomorrow. 

First Tournaments of 2025 for me

I played two tournaments in the first week of January with very mixed results. I can only put this down to tiredness or one competition too many. 

On 1st January, I played in an Open event, so no cap on ability. I drew a tough group, but not impossible, by any means. I got off to a good start with 63 average, despite losing, but my form dipped after that. Most of it, as is the way at my level, was the wasted shots at doubles. I won one and lost two of my first three games, so was still in the hunt. Annoyingly I should have won the fourth game, but for missing doubles yet again. What was really annoying, was that players were beating me with averages, that I'd normally expect to get. I know averages are just a guide, but it is frustrating knowing you are not playing as well as you know you can. That's darts, I guess. The story was much the same for the last two games. I felt I was throwing ok, but just couldn't hit doubles. So I'll take the positive that the darts were straight and scoring wasn't too bad. 

Stats: Average 48.10: First 9: 52.11 100+ 8 :140+ 3: 180 0

2nd January, I felt good and thought that I might play well. However, this was not the case. I just couldn't hit the trebles. 5s and 1s played a big part too, and I never got out of first gear. I think I had just played too much and was overthinking. 

Stats: Average 44.00: First 9: 45.85 100+ 3 :140+ 1: 180 0

Modus Super Series Womens Week 1

 

With many players opting for Q School, the Modus Super Series turns to the Women's event. And it is a top line up. Maybe no Beau Greaves or Fallon Sherrock, but the very best in Women's darts are here. It is also exciting to see two of the games up and coming stars appear, in Paige Pauling and Sophie McKinlay.

The favourites, and rightly so are Gemma Hayter and Lisa Ashton. Hayter had a storming end to last year, picking up the ADC Women's title on the Modus stage, beating Fallon Sherrock 4-0. She has mixed it with her male counterparts on this stage too, more than matching them. Ashton has showed glimpses of her old form too and will be a danger. Even a below par Ashton, is more than a match for her peers.

Lorraine Winstanley and Trina Gulliver represent two very experienced players, that will not be overawed by the event. On their day, they are still very much able to compete and will be tough opponents. 

Scandinavia are represented here by Kirsi Vinikainen and Vicky Pruim. Vinikainen was so close to making history at the WDF World Championships, by narrowly missing a double 12 for a 9-dart checkout. Those within the game are well aware of her talent. Pruim is a consistent performer. She has played on this stage several times and is always very competitive on the Women's Series .

The interesting prospects of Paige Pauling and Sophie McKinlay may give an early indication of the prospect of new talent coming through. Both are teenagers and both are climbing rapidly to the top in the Women's game. McKinlay, in particular, made the final of the WDF World Championship in 2024 and did not look out of sorts playing Beau Greaves.

Ireland are represented by the duo of Katie Sheldon and Robin Byrne. Byrne is a multiple Women's Series winner and can be very dangerous. Sheldon showed promise as a youngster and is gradually finding her way through to the top end of Women's darts. This could be a great springboard. 

Finally Laura Turner and Steph Clarke make up the field. Clarke showed her form at the ADC Finals and has the talent to match any of the above. Perhaps not quite as consistent as some of her opponents, but certainly has the ability. Fresh from her commentating duties, Turner returns to her playing side. Again, another player with the ability to challenge when on form. 

Of the players contending, I believe the steepest trajectory in improvement comes from Gemma Hayter and Sophie McKinlay. There is more than enough experience in the field to challenge these two, but if all play their 'A' game, I see these two in the final. Lisa Ashton and Paige Pauling, in particular, will certainly be hot on their heels though.

Q School Preview 2025

For some reason, this is my favourite tournament of the year. I have had the pleasure of marking at several of these events, and it has a real buzz. There are players that have been there and done that, but looking to get back to the Pro Tour, and those that just want to chance their arm and see where it takes them. I remember a couple of years ago noticing Robert Grundy at Q School. Although he didn't qualify that year, I could tell he had the game to make it. And in 2024, he duly got his card. He was a player I'd never come across before and shows that you don't need prior PDC experience to make the Pro Tour.  

Q School is made up of two stages. Everyone, except for those that finished in the higher places on the Challenge Tour, and those that have just dropped out of the Pro Tour, will start in stage one. There are three stage one tournaments, If you make the quarter finals each day, then you automatically go through to stage two, Otherwise, you receive points for each win gained over the four days, (except for the preliminary round, which carry no points) . 

The players with the qualifying amount of points also go through to stage two. This number is based on the amount players already, automatically qualified for stage two. 

Finally stage two is played similar to stage one. There are a certain amount of Pro Tour places to play for  (usually between 10 and 15) and these are played over four competitions - one each day. 

The winner of each stage two competition automatically gets a Tour card, and the the remaining places are made up of points gained by players, by winning matches. This forms an Order of Merit and the top players also get a Tour card, based on amount of allocated spaces have been given. 

There are two Q School events. One in England, where British and Irish players contest, and one in Germany for the rest of Europe.  Players from outside of Europe, can play in either. 

So, here's my list of 10 to follow, at each location:

UK Q School

Daryl Pilgrim

I may have mentioned him before, but Daryl Pilgrim is a player that really should have a Tour Card. He was a little unlucky not to qualify for the PDC World Championships and has performed well enough on the Challenge Tour to play in several Pro Tour events in 2024. A consistently high performer, he has also performed well on the Modus Super Series, and 2025 could well be the year he finally breaks through.

Justin Hood

Another player that played several Pro Tour events in 2024. Justin Hood has been around for a number of years, and was fairly successful on the WDF Tour. On his day he is capable of beating anyone and showed this by winning a Challenge Tour event. He won't be far away.

Ted Evetts

Evetts has had an up and down year since losing his Tour card. He has, however, shown glimpses of his best in recent months. He has the ability to go far at Q School, and can draw on previous Pro Tour experience to help him push through. As a junior, he was unstoppable, so he will need some of that confidence back to make a return to the big time. 

Tom Sykes

Sykes didn't play as much on the Challenge Tour in 2024, instead opting for Modus Super Series and ADC events. Here, he was in dominant form and always in the running for a title. He has the game to compete well in Q School, and if he gets off to a good start, he will be in with a very good chance. 

Lee Cocks

Like Pilgrim and Hood (above), Cocks has had a fair amount of Pro Tour experience. He has also played on the Challenge Tour and Modus Super Series. He seems to enter every event he can, and is always a threat. He certainly wouldn't look out of place on the Pro Tour and will be a very tough opponent to face at Q School.

Mervyn King

Of the Pro Tour players that have dropped outside of the top 64, I feel Mervyn King has the best chance of bouncing straight back. He has had an incredible career to date and all of that experience will help a lot at Q School. He is still a quality player, and if he can play somewhere near his best for those few days at Q School, he will make a swift return to the top tier of darts.

Simon Whitlock

Like Mervyn King, Whitlock has all the attributes to bounce straight back to the Pro Tour. It seems almost impossible to believe that a player of Whitlock's talent has dropped out of the Main tour, but he has a fighting spirit and has been at the very top of World darts. He has a strong chance, if he gets of to a good start.

Shane McGuirk

The 2024 BDO World Champion definitely deserves a mention. A player that has performed well on the Challenge and Development Tours in the past, he has also been successful on the Modus Super Series. He seems to be on a good run of form and his confidence will be high. Certainly in with a great chance. 

Beau Greaves

I think it's impossible to rule out Beau Greaves, as she attempts Q School for the first time. She won her 3rd BDO Women's title recently and finished top of the Women's Order of Merit yet again. Beau also played in the Development Tour, where she finished in 8th place, despite not playing all events. She was also the top English player on the Order of Merit. If she doesn't get nervous, then she could have a real chance. 

Jarred Cole

I've put Jarred Cole into the mix as looking at the County averages, he is the top player in the Premier Division. That, surely, is a good form guide. Add to that his experience on the Modus stage and the Challenge and Development Tours, he will not be overawed by the Q School experience. On his day, he is capable of the standard required to play on the Pro Tour, and he may just get through. 

Euro Q School

Jimmy Van Schie

Van Schie is a player that deserves a place on the 2025 Pro Tour after a fantastic 2024. He performed well on the Challenge Tour, which gave him a few opportunities on the Pro Tour. He also performed well in the Modus Super Series and was usually favourite in the weeks he played. He went in to WDF World Championship as the hot favourite, although he surprisingly went out to Jarno Bottenberg in the third round. He is a very consistent performer and has a strong chance of qualification.

Andreas Harrysson

Representing Sweden, which has a rich history in darts, Harrysson can lead the country back to some former glories on the Pro Tour. He is a big scorer and has the experience now to get through Q School. He has had experience on the Pro Tour in 2024, which will have helped him a lot with confidence. He has also become a regular name on the Modus Super Series, where he has a very good record. I would be very surprised if he didn't make it on to the Pro Tour properly in 2025. 

Alexander Merkx

Alexander Merkx narrowly missed out in qualifying automatically from the Challenge Tour to the Pro Tour. He made a late run on the last weekend of the Challenge Tour, but just fell short. He played at the 2025 PDC World Championship, which would have give him a lot of confidence after beating Stephen Burton, before succumbing to Chris Dobey. He is another consistent player and will definitely be there or thereabouts come the final days of Q School. 

Stefaan Henderyck

Henderyck is a player that has been around Belgian darts for a long time, without breaking through. He is a consistent performer on the Challenge Tour, with 2024 being particularly successful. He made several quarter finals or better, including a runners-up spot. He always seems toget to the latter stages of any tournament he plays. This will be key, especially with the points system making up the Q School Order of Merit. Could be a surprise qualifier. 

Kai Gotthardt

Kai Gotthardt has had a great season, culminating with a PDC World Championship spot, where he beat Alan Soutar, but lost to Stephen Bunting. He is part of the ever growing wave of German players, and he has the game to make the Pro Tour. He has been consistent on the Challenge Tour and also played well in the Modus Super Series. He could be the sort of player that picks up a lot of points and qualifies without having to actually win a Q School event.  

Noa-Lynn van Leuven

Noa-Lynn van Leuven has spent much of 2024 splitting decisions, however I want to concentrate on the darts and her chances of qualifying for the PDC Pro Tour. Van Leuven has made history, by being the first player from the Women's Series to win a Challenge Tour event and went on the play in several Pro Tour events. She was unlucky at the PDC World Championship,losing to Kevin Doets, but showing she has the ability to play with the best. She could very well make it through.

Dominik Gruellich

I have high hopes for Dominik Gruellich at Q School. This young German player has shown great consistency on the Challenge and Development Tours. He is a big 180 hitter and his rankings don't really show his actual ability. He has been ultra consistent on the Development Tour especially, and is not that far behind Wessel Nijman and Niko Springer, who dominated this year. Not usually mentioned when German darts players are spoke about, but he will definitely be in with a great chance. 

Marvin van Velzen

Marvin van Velzen seems to have made the Modus Super Series his second home. He has taken to the event so well and performances have been incredible. Aside form that, he has performed solidly on the Development Tour, and is a player definitely on an upward trajectory.  He may go under the radar at Q School, which could help in his favour. He has the ability to qualify and his confidence will be sky high. 

Boris Krcmar

Boris Krcmar was one of the unfortunate players to lose their Tour card, by some outsiders performing particularly well at the PDC World Championships. He hadn't had the best of seasons, which doesn't really show the talent this player has. After all, he is a multiple Soft Tip World Champion. I think he is too good not to be on the Pro Tour and feel he will be straight back. It will be tough, of course, but he has the experience and talent to not let Q School get the best of him. 

Jarno Bottenberg

Jarno Bottenberg has caused a few surprises this year. He knocked Jimmy van Schie out of the WDF World Championship, but most impressively, he won the WDF Toto Dutch Open. That competition had several thousand entrants, and he came all the way through to take the title. It is one of the hardest titles in the world to win, so this shows he has some talent. He form on the Challenge Tour has been ok, without being fantastic, but he does show real glimpses of talent. He has good Modus Super Series experience too, which will only help. I would not be surprised if he goes close, or even qualifies at Q School. 

So there you are, a little summary of some players who could be making the Q School headlines. Stage One begins on Monday 6th January. You can follow the scores live at https://tv.dartconnect.com/

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