Back to Brown’s Bar I'm Aiming Higher Tonight

 It’s tournament night again with the Under 55 Average at Brown’s Bar, Bristol. Last week I managed to reach the semi-finals, even though I wasn’t playing anywhere near my best. Still, it was a step forward and a reminder that even when things aren’t perfect, you can grind out results.

This week, I’m feeling a bit more confident. My practice has been stronger, my grouping’s improved, and I’ve been hitting more consistent scores with the new setup. The goal tonight is simple — aim for a tournament average over 50 and hopefully go one better than last week by reaching the final.

If you want to follow the tournament live, coverage starts from 7:30 PM (UK time) — click here to follow along  

Let’s see if all the practice and small improvements start to show under pressure.

Forgotten Women of Darts: The Trailblazers Before Beau Greaves

 The rise of Beau Greaves has shone a fresh light on the women’s game, confident, clinical, and competing toe-to-toe with the men.

But before the Women’s Series, before Ally Pally walk-ons and TV slots, there were a handful of pioneering women who carried the game when no cameras were watching.

They’re rarely mentioned now, yet they set the stage for everything Beau and Fallon Sherrock enjoy today. Let’s meet five of the forgotten heroes of women’s darts.

 Gayl King – The Original Pioneer

Long before Fallon Sherrock made headlines, Gayl King quietly made history.

In 2001, the Canadian became the first woman ever to play in the PDC World Darts Championship, earning her place by winning the North American Cup.

She faced Graeme Stoddart at the Circus Tavern and lost 3-1 in sets, but the result barely mattered. King had proved that women belonged on the biggest stage.

Since then she’s slipped from public memory, yet her legacy remains: she walked so others could run.

Stacy Bromberg - The Forgotten World Champion

Known as 'The Wish Granter', Stacy Bromberg dominated American darts for nearly two decades.

She was U.S. No. 1 sixteen times, won countless national titles, and in 2010 lifted the only PDC Women’s World Championship ever staged, edging Tricia Wright 6–5 in a thriller.

The event was meant to spark a women’s circuit — but it never returned. Bromberg kept inspiring others until her passing in 2017.

A true champion, sadly without the spotlight her achievement deserved.

 Ann-Louise Peters - The Danish Flagbearer

In an era dominated by English and Dutch players, Ann-Louise Peters carried the flag for Scandinavia.

She reached the semi-finals of the 2014 BDO World Championship, helped Denmark win WDF Europe Cup team gold, and consistently mixed it with the best.

Quiet, classy, and determined, Peters proved that talent in women’s darts was global and not just British. She stepped away from the tour soon after, but her legacy lives on in every non-UK player who dreams big.

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Tricia Wright - The Nearly-Forgotten Finalist

If Stacy Bromberg was the champion, Tricia Wright was the other half of that 2010 story.

Wright pushed Bromberg to a deciding leg in the PDC Women’s World Championship final, and over her long BDO career collected titles across Europe.

She never quite became a household name, but her role in that historic final makes her part of darts history.

The 'forgotten finalist'  and a reminder of how small the women’s spotlight once was.

Francis Hoenselaar – The Jimmy White of Women’s Darts

If ever there was a Jimmy White of the women’s game, it’s Francis Hoenselaar.

For years she was runner-up to Trina Gulliver, finishing second six times at Lakeside before finally winning the BDO World Championship in 2009.

A six-time World Masters and five-time Zuiderduin Masters champion, she was stylish, consistent, and loved by fans.

Hoenselaar retired in 2011 after injury, but her perseverance remains a symbol of grace in defeat, and ultimate reward.

Closing Thoughts

Every era needs its pioneers. Before social media, before the glamour of the PDC stage, women like King, Bromberg, Peters, Wright, and Hoenselaar were carving out opportunities where none existed.

They may not trend on TikTok or walk out to a packed Ally Pally crowd, but they built the foundations of modern women’s darts.

Next time you watch Beau Greaves or Fallon Sherrock on TV, remember that their path was cleared by these unsung heroes.

Turning a Corner - Confidence Returning

 Definitely feels like I’m starting to turn a corner. The last few practice sessions have felt smoother and more natural and like the throw’s finally coming back together. My confidence is slowly rebuilding, and for the first time in a while, I’m actually enjoying practice again.

Scored 195 on my Darts Challenge Game, which isn’t bad at all, and hit a 49.81 average on the Russ Bray App against a bot. The overall score could still be sharper, but what matters most is that the darts were grouped much better and far less wild and much more controlled than they’ve been in recent weeks.

Tonight’s focus will be on doubles practice, trying to build that rhythm and consistency under pressure. I might even design another darts game soon. Something new to keep practice fresh and challenging.

Progress is progress, and it feels good to finally see some.

The Superstition Shortlist: Who Can Win the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship ?

 

Every darts fan has their hunches, but what if we turned superstition into a system? I’ve built a prediction model based on historical quirks, patterns, and outright anomalies from the PDC World Championship. The result? A ruthlessly filtered list of players who might actually win in 2026… if the darts gods keep playing by their own rules.

🧠 The Superstition Filters

To make the cut, a player must:

1. Be British or Dutch
   No one outside the UK or Netherlands has won since 2008.
2. Be right-handed
   Lefties like James Wade and Micky Mansell? Never lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy.
3. Not wear glasses during matches
   Sorry, Stephen Bunting, and Gian van Veen.
4. Avoid red or yellow shirts
   No champion has ever worn either as a dominant color.
5. Not be the reigning champion
   Only 3 players have ever retained the title. Littler’s out.
6. Not have won the Worlds more than 5 years ago
   No one has reclaimed the title after a gap longer than 5 years.
7. Not be a debutant
   Only Rob Cross (2018) has pulled that off.
8. Be ranked inside the top 10
   Over 80% of champions were top 10 at the time of their win

✅ The Final Four

After applying all filters, only four players remain in contention:

Luke Humphries 

Chris Dobey

Danny Noppert 

Josh Rock

❌ Notable Eliminations

• Luke Littler – reigning champ
• Michael van Gerwen – last won in 2019
• Rob Cross – outside top 10
• Peter Wright – red shirts
• Gerwyn Price – glasses
• Raymond van Barneveld – last won in 2007
• Nathan Aspinall, Joe Cullen – outside top 10

 Final Thoughts

This isn’t a betting guide, it’s a superstition-powered filter for fans who love the weird patterns that make darts so compelling. Will one of the final four break through? Or will someone shatter the model entirely?

Either way, I’ll be watching  and updating the list as the drama unfolds.

Small Signs of Improvement – Progress at Last

 

Bit by bit, things are starting to feel better on the oche. My throw’s beginning to flow again, and I think a few of the changes I’ve made are starting to help.

Switching to the Michael van Gerwen 22-gram darts has made a noticeable difference as they’re flying straighter, grouping tighter, and generally just feel right in the hand. Sometimes that small change in confidence makes all the difference.

I’ve also been putting time into my own Darts Challenge Game (available free via the link in the sidebar). It’s a great little practice routine that sharpens up your targeting on 20s, 19s, 18s, and 25/Bulls. I’m only on Level 3 at the moment, which is pretty lowly, but it gives me plenty to aim for, so seventeen more levels still to climb!

I’d love to hear from any pro or semi-pro players willing to give it a try. I’ve got a feeling anything above Level 10 would take some serious shooting . I'm thinking probably 70+ average territory. If you fancy testing your accuracy and focus, give it a go and let me know how you get on.

Who Can Follow Beau Greaves to the Very Top?

 For years, darts fans have wondered when a woman would genuinely challenge the men on the PDC stage. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from Fallon Sherrock and her history-making Ally Pally wins, Lisa Ashton’s brave runs on the Pro Tour, and Mikuru Suzuki’s impressive averages on the Women’s Series. Each showed glimpses that it could happen, but so far, none have made that final step into the upper tiers of the professional game.

Enter Beau Greaves.
Still only in her early twenties, she’s already a dominant force on the Women’s Series and has proven she can mix it with the men. Her smooth throw, natural rhythm, and icy composure under pressure have made her one of the most gifted players, male or female, to emerge in recent years. With more regular PDC appearances likely in 2025, there’s a real sense that Beau could push the boundaries further than anyone before her.

But who else might follow?

One name to watch is Gemma Hayter. She’s been steadily improving, putting in strong performances across regional events and the Women’s Series. While not quite at Greaves’ level yet, she’s not too far off and it will be fascinating to see how she performs at Q School in January. She has the temperament, the will, and the game to cause some upsets. Ireland's Rebecca Allen is one for the future and will be interesting if she tries her hand on the Women's Series soon. She is arguably the best under 18 year old female player in the world. 

In the men’s game, the next generation is already queuing up. Players like Luke Littler, Josh Rock, Gian van Veen, and Wessel Nijman, have shown that age is no barrier to competing at elite level. Their rapid rise demonstrates what can happen when young players get the exposure, support, and competitive opportunities they need.

That’s perhaps where the women’s game still has work to do.
The Women’s Series streaming boards have added some much-needed visibility — but it’s still limited. Imagine if there were regular tournament highlights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content showcasing the personalities and rivalries developing on the circuit. More visibility means more role models — and that’s what will ultimately encourage more young women to pick up the darts and believe they can make it.

Beau Greaves has shown the path.
Now the question is: who’s next to follow her?

Thursday Night Round Robin – Signs of Progress

 

After a few tough weeks, tonight felt like a genuine step forward. My overall average climbed to 48.52, with a first-nine average of 51.78, and I even produced a 16-dart leg along the way. a little win for the evening.

There were flashes of the form I’ve been working toward, especially in the game where I averaged over 60, which shows the potential starting to come through. The new darts seem to be bedding in nicely; the throw feels more natural, and I’m finding a smoother rhythm on the scoring phase.

Mentally, I’m still overthinking at times and that’s the next area to tackle, but it finally feels like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Small improvements each week, building confidence, and keeping faith in the process.

Here’s hoping this is the start of a stronger run heading into the next few events.

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📊 Stats Snapshot

• Overall Average: 48.52

• First 9 Average: 51.78

• 100+ scores: 8

• 180s: 1

• Best Game Average: 60.74

• Best Leg: 16 darts

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💭 Final Thoughts

It’s been a challenging spell results-wise, but the signs of progress are there. The averages are creeping up, I’m starting to feel more composed at the oche, and there’s a sense of rhythm returning.

It might just be that the new darts are helping unlock something, or maybe it’s just persistence finally paying off. Either way, I’m leaving tonight’s session with a bit of belief again, and that’s a win in itself.