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High Stakes Under-55 at Browns Bar : A Tough Day but Plenty of Positives

 Yesterday was the High Stakes Under-55 Average tournament at Browns Bar, and the standard was absolutely brutal. A lot of players there were right on the fringe of the 55 cap, the sort of field where every leg feels like a mini-final.

I ended up in a three-player group, but don’t let that fool you ,all three of us were throwing mid-50 averages and pushing each other hard. I actually played some of my best stuff for a while, finishing the group stage with a 55.22 overall average and a 59.22 first-nine, plus a handful of 100+ scores.

In my final group match I started brilliantly with a 20-dart leg, but after that I just seemed to run out of steam. Whether it was concentration, blood sugar, or simply mental fatigue, the second leg just wasn’t there. It cost me the match, and with that, my shot at progressing.

That meant dropping into the Second Chance competition ,but honestly, by then I had nothing left. My throw completely deserted me. It felt like I’d forgotten how to play the game I’d been doing so well with only an hour earlier.

So yes, disappointing in the end… but there were positives:

• A tournament average over 55

• Strong grouping in the early legs

• Good 100+ scoring

• A reminder that the throw is improving

• And a better first nine than I’ve had in months

The big battle, as always, is the head game. Staying calm between darts. Not overthinking. Not letting one bad visit spiral into three. It’s something I’m still researching, learning about, and  slowly., getting better at.

I’ll keep building on the positives and keep searching for that consistent mindset. Something is moving in the right direction, even if I need a bit of help unlocking the mental side.

Onwards.

Just a footnote, I used some new K-Flex flights today which felt really good. Could be my head, but I'll take any positives!

What Happened to Spanish Darts? A Look at a Nation That Once Looked Ready to Break Through

 Not that long ago, Spain looked like an emerging force in world darts. There was a moment where it genuinely felt like they were about to push into the same 'rising nation' bracket as Portugal, Poland, and Czech Republic. But somewhere along the way, the momentum slowed.

So where is Spanish darts now — and is a resurgence still possible?

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The Golden Spell: Reyes, Alcinas and the 2010 Shock

If you were watching darts in the mid-2010s, you’ll remember the excitement surrounding two standout Spanish players:

• Cristo Reyes – who famously reached the Last 16 of the PDC World Championship in 2015, playing fearless, heavy-scoring darts. He also made TV runs at the World Matchplay and looked, for a while, like he was going to be a long-term Top 32 contender.

• Toni Alcinas – who reached the Last 16 of the World Championship in 2018, and of course was part of one of the biggest World Cup upsets of all time:
  Spain beating England (Phil Taylor & James Wade) at the 2010 PDC World Cup of Darts.
  That shock result briefly catapulted Spanish darts into the spotlight.

Back then, it felt like Spain was just one good player away from becoming a genuinely competitive nation.

The Current Picture: A Much Quieter Era

Fast forward to 2024–25, and things are… quiet.

The main Spanish names in recent years have been:

• Jesús Noguera – former Tour Card holder, Challenge Tour winner in 2019. Active, but no major 2025 breakthroughs.

• José Justicia – another former Tour Card holder, but not active on the Challenge Tour in 2025.

• Tony Martínez – Spanish-born, held a Tour Card but without big TV-stage breakthroughs.

• Carlos Rodríguez – historic Spanish player, mostly competed in the 2010–2015 era.

None of these players are currently making deep runs on the Pro Tour or televised events.
There are also no Spanish winners or top-16 players on the 2025 PDC Challenge Tour or Development Tour, based on all publicly available information.

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Outside the PDC: Catalonia Leads the Way

In the WDF system, the top 'Spanish region' player right now is:

Daniel Zapata (Catalonia)

Highly ranked in the WDF Main Rankings, regularly competing across Western Europe. While Catalonia competes separately, Zapata is still a great indicator of talent from the broader Spanish darts ecosystem.

But again , like the PDC picture, there isn’t a large group of upcoming Spanish players pushing into major finals or making huge waves.

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Has Spain Stalled?

You could argue that Spain was an emerging nation , but stalled just before they reached the next tier.

Possible reasons:

• Fewer domestic darts tournaments compared to northern Europe

• Less financial support or sponsorship opportunities

• No consistent stream of junior Spanish players entering PDC pathways

• Losing the momentum after Reyes and Alcinas peaked

• Limited TV exposure for darts across Spain

The talent is there, but the structure for long-term development hasn’t quite followed.

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A Glimmer of Hope: The JDC World Championship (24 November 2025)

The next big opportunity for Spain  could come from the youth system.

The JDC World Championship begins on 24 November 2025, held in Gibraltar ,which is right on Spain’s doorstep.

If Spain enters a team, it could be a huge chance for young players to:

• get international experience,

• compete on a proper stage,

• and possibly become the next Reyes, Alcinas… or something even bigger.

A new Spanish star coming through the JDC system could be exactly what’s needed to get the nation back on track.

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Conclusion: Spain Isn’t Gone - It’s Waiting for Its Next Spark

Spanish darts hasn’t disappeared… it’s simply waiting for the next breakout moment.

With the JDC World Championships so close to home this year, and with the pathway into the PDC clearer than ever, there’s no reason Spain can’t rise again. One good junior crop, one special youth player, one fresh run at the World Cup  and the country could very quickly become a name to watch again.

A Quick Thank You

 Just a quick post to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s been reading, following, and supporting the blog recently.

The visitor numbers have been growing really well, and it honestly means a lot.

I started this as a small project, and seeing it build week by week has given me a real boost to keep going, keep writing, and keep growing this into something bigger.

Your support genuinely helps  so thank you!

Plenty more posts, ideas, and updates to come.

High Stakes at the Under-55 Average Tournament Today

 Today’s a big one — the High Stakes Under-55 Average Tournament.

It’s capped at 55, which means for once I’ve actually got half a chance!

We’ve got 32 players battling it out, and with a larger £20 entry fee, the payouts are much bigger than the usual mid-week comps. Definitely worth a go and and it should make every leg feel like a proper pressure moment.

I’ll add the live match link here so you can follow along from 11.00am (UK time)

Under 55 High Stakes

As always, I’m just praying I can keep my head for once.

If I can settle early, find a rhythm, and stay around that 50+ mark, then who knows? Maybe tonight’s the night for a deep run or even the final.

Let’s see what happens....

Grand Slam of Darts Quarter-Finals: My AI-Model Predicts the Winner

 

The 2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts is down to the final eight, and it’s one of the most wide-open quarter-final line-ups we’ve seen in years.

So I decided to put my Philpot AI-Style Prediction Model to work.

This model blends:

• recent three-dart average

• checkout %

• 180s and scoring bursts

• big-stage experience

• bookmakers’ odds (converted into a rating)

• and a final Philpot Form Boost' for players trending upwards

It’s early days for the model, but it gives a fun, stats-based look at who’s most likely to lift the title this weekend.

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⭐ Philpot AI Ratings (Out of 100)

1. Luke Littler – 95/100

The defending champion, the strongest scorer in the field, and the most explosive leg-player in the world right now.
Elite 180 power + rock-solid temperament = the model’s outright favourite.

2. Luke Humphries – 90/100

Still the best all-round player on the planet when he hits top gear.
A slightly lower form rating keeps him behind Littler, but his stage experience and consistency mean he is right in the mix.

3. Gerwyn Price – 88/100

Nobody brings Grand Slam pedigree like Price.
Big-stage factor + finishing quality keep him in the top tier of contenders.

4. Danny Noppert – 85/100

Quietly in great form.
Strong doubling numbers, improved scoring, and a high “danger of causing an upset” rating in the model.

5. Michael Smith – 82/100

Still posting big numbers but hasn’t quite had the major-run consistency this season.
His ceiling is massive — but his floor can be low.

6. Josh Rock – 80/100

Momentum, yes. Experience deep in TV majors, not as much.
The model loves his long-term curve but sees this as “maybe one tournament too soon”.

7. Ricky Evans – 78/100

Playing freely and enjoying the moment.
A live danger in patches, but model marks him down on consistency and doubling.

8. Lukas Wenig – 75/100

What a story.
Huge power, fearless, but low Grand Slam / TV experience keeps the model cautious.
Still very capable of a shock.

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🏆 🏆 Philpot AI Champion Prediction

The numbers pick:

🏆 Luke Littler – 95/100

Everything points to a deep run: the scoring, the timing, the pressure handling, and last year’s title. The model says Littler is the man to beat.

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🌑 Next Best Pick

Luke Humphries – 90/100

If Littler slips even slightly, Humphries is the most likely to punish him. His consistency over long formats remains elite.

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⚡ Surprise Candidate

Danny Noppert – 85/100

The stats favour him more than many fans realise.
If Price or Littler have an off night, Noppert has the game to pounce.

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📈 What’s Next for the Model?

I’ll update this after the quarter-finals to see how well the predictions performed and adjust the model for the semi-finals and final.

Let me know in the comments who your pick is!

Thursday Night Round Robin – A Shift in Mindse

 

Last night’s round robin felt different and in a good way. I didn’t make it out of the group, but I walked away feeling far more positive than I did on Wednesday. The difference? I stopped stressing and just let myself enjoy the game.

Instead of overthinking every dart or chasing perfection, I focused on rhythm and staying relaxed. That shift made a huge impact. I still had a bit of double trouble, but I played with more confidence and composure throughout.

My Stats:

• Average: 45.61
• First 9: 53.22
• 100+ scores: 6
• 140+: 1
• 180s: 0
• Legs Won: 10
• Legs Lost: 8
• Breaks: 1

It’s easy to get caught up in results, but last night reminded me that mindset matters just as much. Playing with a clear head and a bit of joy goes a long way. I’ll take that forward into the next session.