Eight to Watch – 2025 Grand Slam of Darts Preview

 

With a week off, I’ve been looking ahead to one of my favourite events of the year - the Grand Slam of Darts. It’s always an unpredictable mix of elite talent, quick starters, and a few names who catch fire just at the right time.

This year’s line-up looks wide open, so I’ve picked eight players to watch . A blend of favourites, form players, dark horses and potential surprises.

Luke Littler – Favourite

Hard to look past the teenage phenomenon. The defending Grand Slam champion has carried his momentum from an incredible 2024 season straight into 2025, already picking up more titles and averaging in the mid-100s on a regular basis. His scoring power is unmatched right now, and if he brings even 80 % of his best game to Wolverhampton, he’ll take some stopping. Still fearless, still hungry, and the clear man to beat.

Gian van Veen – Close Challenger

The Dutch youngster has quietly become one of the most consistent performers on tour. A smooth thrower with growing confidence, van Veen reached a string of semi-finals earlier this year, befor emaking his big breakthrough, by winning the European Championship last week . He’s already proven he can hold his nerve on stage and has the scoring game to push anyone deep into matches. If anyone can go toe-to-toe with the favourites, it might be him.

James Wade – Man in Form

The “Machine” just keeps ticking. After a few quieter years, Wade has found something close to his best again in 2025. He is  measured, clinical, and full of belief. He’s been posting steady averages and taking out key doubles at the right times, which is exactly what the Grand Slam format rewards. With his experience and temperament, you can never rule him out when it matters.

Jermaine Wattimena – Dark Horse

One of the most improved players of the season. Wattimena’s pace and aggression on the oche make him a tough opponent when he’s flowing, and he’s picked up a few eye-catching wins this year over higher-ranked players. If he can keep his first-dart consistency sharp, he could easily turn a few heads and make the knockout rounds. Dangerous when relaxed.

Wessel Nijman – Needs to Punish

After working hard to rebuild his reputation and form, Nijman has shown flashes of real quality this year. He’s heavy-scoring but sometimes guilty of not finishing off the legs he should. If he can learn to punish missed chances, he could make a proper impact on a big stage again. The talent’s never been in doubt and now it’s all about composure.

Chris Dobey – So Consistent

“Hollywood” has been quietly putting together another strong year. He rarely plays a poor game and has become one of the most reliable stage performers on the circuit. While others fluctuate, Dobey’s ability to stay around the 95–100 average mark week in, week out, makes him a real threat. If the draw opens up, he’s got every chance to go deep.

Beau Greaves – The Wildcard

It’s brilliant to see Beau in the mix again. Still just 21, but with a maturity and throwing rhythm that many seasoned pros envy. She’s dominated the Women’s Series and continues to improve against the men on the bigger stages. If she settles quickly and finds her range early, she could shock a few big names. The talent ceiling is sky-high.

Danny Noppert – Mr Steady

Always reliable, rarely flustered. Noppert’s calm, composed style often flies under the radar, but he’s been quietly consistent again in 2025 with solid averages, tidy finishing, and strong stage form. A former UK Open champion and previous Grand Slam semi-finalist, he knows how to handle the format. If he starts well in the groups, he could easily go deep while everyone else focuses on the headline names.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Slam always delivers stories,  from shock exits to unexpected heroes. Whether it’s Littler defending, Wade rolling back the years, or someone like Nijman finding form at just the right time, this year’s event feels wide open.

Finding My Way Again?

  The past couple of tournaments haven’t gone to plan.

On Wednesday 22nd October, I averaged 41.55 in the Under 55 Average Comp, reaching the Last 16 after finishing bottom of Group 4 with an average of 48.39. I won six legs across the night but couldn’t find any consistency. There was some good visits mixed with too many loose ones.

Then on Thursday 23rd October, I managed a 43.38 average in the Thursday Night Round Robin, losing out 3–0 to Jack Kempster in the Last 16. Despite a few steady legs, I never really settled into rhythm, and it felt like another outing where things just didn’t click.

Right now, I feel like I’ve lost my way a bit. The throw doesn’t feel smooth, and confidence is low. That said, I’m away for a week now, so I won’t be playing at all. Maybe that’s exactly what’s needed. Sometimes a short break is the best reset. A chance to clear the head, rest the eyes, and come back fresher.

The key will be returning with focus and simplicity: throw smooth, think less, trust the process. Every player goes through spells like this, so I guess it’s part of the journey.

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Key Stats

Wednesday – Under 55 Average Comp (Oct 22)

• Average: 41.55 | First 9: 48.25

• 100+: 5 | 140+: 1 | 180s: 0

• Legs Won: 6 | Legs Lost: 6 | Breaks: 3

Thursday – Round Robin (Oct 23)

• Average: 43.38 | Result: Lost 0–3 vs Jack Kempster (56.36 Avg)

• Group Stage Avg: 48.39

• Legs Won: 0 | Legs Lost: 3

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Reflection

Form dips happen.It’s part of learning how to stay composed under pressure. A week off might be the perfect chance to reset mentally, steady the health side of things, and come back sharper. The goal remains the same: improve, stay patient, and keep building towards Q School 2027.

Battling Through A Blurry Patch

 

Battling Through a Blurry Patch

Since Friday, things have been a little tougher. My eyesight has taken a hit, and as a diabetic, I know exactly why. My blood sugars were running high for quite a while, and now that I’m finally getting them under control, my body’s reacting. One of the side effects can be blurry vision, and from what I’ve read (and felt), it could last anywhere from a day to a couple of months.

Looking back, that probably explains a lot about my performances last week. I’ve tried practicing, but it’s been difficult to focus — literally. Even so, I managed to hit a 50 average in practice last night against a bot, so there are still positives to take.

It’s a bit frustrating because this Wednesday’s Under-55 Average Tournament looks very winnable. A few of the big names aren’t playing, and it’s a great opportunity. Whether my eyes will let me take it, though, is another question.

Still, it is was it is.  I’ll keep pushing through, stay patient, and trust that when this phase passes, things will clear up. Maybe both literally and metaphorically. Once that happens, I’ll be in a much better place to kick on and keep improving.

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Key Takeaway

Resilience and patience are just as important as practice — sometimes the biggest challenges aren’t on the board, but within ourselves.

Tough Week at the Oche. Time to Reset

 This week wasn’t my best on the board.

On Wednesday's Under 55 average tournament, I averaged 45.61, and on Thursday, things dipped further with a 39.35 in the regular Open Round Robin.. I struggled to find any rhythm or focus across both nights.

On Thursday in particular, I suspect my blood sugars may have been off. I felt flat and couldn’t concentrate properly from the start. Sometimes darts is as much about managing the body and mind as it is about hitting targets. When either is off, performance follows.

No excuses, though, it was just a bad couple of tournaments. The key now is to regroup, clear the head, and get back to throwing smooth and relaxed. Over the next few sessions, I’ll be concentrating on rhythm, tempo, and mental clarity to put this spell behind me and move forward positively.

Everyone has off days, it’s how you respond that matters.

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Key Stats

Wednesday – Under 55 Average Comp

• Average: 45.61 | First 9: 46.79

• 100+: 4 | 140+: 0 | 180s: 0

• Legs Won: 5 | Legs Lost: 9 | Breaks: 1

Thursday – Round Robin

• Average: 39.35 | First 9: 47.25

• 100+: 2 | 140+: 1 | 180s: 0

• Legs Won: 2 | Legs Lost: 10 | Breaks: 0

Darts Challenge and DartGolf all now available!

 Just to let you know I have two free darts practise games ready for you to try. 

Darts Challenge

In this game you play 10 rounds at 4 targets (20,19,18,Bull/25)

You have 9 darts at each person round. Doubles count as two and trebles as three.

You play against bots and can add up to 3 more human players. 

There are also 20 levels, so try to keep moving up!!

DartGolf

You are given a 'par' finish eg 107 is Par 5, so you have 5 darts to checkout. If you checkout in 4 then you are 1 under par and if it's 7 then 2 over par, just like golf. 

The maximum score is 9 darts per hole so you don't get frustrated

There is a leaderboard and you play bots. 

There are also different levels of difficulty. 

Beware!. Only the top50 make the cut to play rounds 3 and 4!

Good luck😀

Quick Note About My Games

 On the right side of the screen, you may have noticed thee are currently two games to play. One is Darts Golf and one is Darts Challenge. Both are free by the way!

Due to a little hitch, Darts Golf is still being fixed to launch, but should be available very soon. It's a cracker of a game!

Darts Challenge is available now though. 

If you like any of them, then please thank me by following me on Twitter, as I look to grow this passion of mine😇

What will the top 10 PDC Pro Tour look like in 10 years time?

 I was looking at the PDC Development Tour scores today and there are some big names getting big results. This led me to think, it is only a matter of time before many of these players break through to the Pro Tour and start mixing it with the very best. 

I suppose Luke Littler is an anomaly and has risen to the top in at an unbelieveable rate. This is certainly not the norm. My thinking is how will the top 10 look like in 10 years, as normally takes a few years to build up and defend prize money.

The rise of Littler has coincided with the rise in the popularity in darts in general, and espcially with young fans and players. This has led to the JDC and PDC Development Tour becoming among the most popular of all the tours, and is where the next wave of top class players will come from. 

Now there are some players that have been around the top 10 or so for years, even decades. However I firmly believe that there is a shift happening. The top 32, and eventually the top 10, is going to have a big shake up. 

I will be running a model over the next few days, to try and use a statistical method on a Top 10 in 2035, but for now, it's just my own thoughts on what the top 10 could be come December 2035. 

Top 10 (in no particular order)

Luke Littler

He is too good not to be still at the very top of the game. Assuming he doesn't get embroiled with the distractions of fame, he will continue to be the standard for the next decade. 

Luke Humphries

Alongside, Luke Litter, Humphries is setting new standards, and I believe he can improve even more. He is still relatively young, in darts terms. His approach to keeping healthy in mind and body, will keep him sharp. 

Gian Van Veen

Some may disagree, but in terms of ability, I'd rate Van Veen equal to Littler  He hits 105+ averages with regularity. I believe he may need a little more mental toughness, but if that comes, he will be around at the top for many years. 

Wessel NIjman

Another of the young Dutch players that is consistently hitting the big scores. Nijman and Van Veen can really push each other, much like their predecessors Van Gerwen and Van Barneveld.

Beau Greaves

Yes, deadly serious. Beau is competing with the very best. To qualify via the the PDC Development Tour, to the main tour is no mean feat. She is playing at the highest standard, and will only get better as she gains more experience playing against the very best players in the world.

Dominik Gruellich

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A bit of a wild card, but Gruellich as proven himself on the Pro Tour in his first year. He seems to be ultra consistent, and has been a real player on the Development Tour. 

Michael van Gerwen

I can't see Van Gerwen dropping outside of the top 10 anytime soon. Despite dips in form, I think we are comparing him to the days where he won absolutely everything. He is still one of the best players in the world and I don't think he will lose pace just yet. 

Josh Rock 

Prior to Littler, Josh Rock was touted as the next big thing. And perhaps this was seen as a false dawn to start with. However, paricularly in 2025, Rock has shown he is the real deal. He is back to his best, winning the World Cup with Daryl Gurney, and is going from strength to strength. 

Charlie Manby

Another wild card of sorts, Charlie Manby seems to be flying through the ranks and improving at a great rate. He hit a 130 average during one of his Development Tour games, which must demand attention. If he doesn't automatically qualify for the 2026 Pro Tour, he should ease through Q School. 

Tergel KurelKhuu

Wild card number three. Tergel is an unbelievable talent. Those in the JDC circles know all about him . He would win more competitions, but living in Mongolia can make things tricky. However he is  one of the best under 18 players in the world . With more experience he will show what he can do. There is no question of his amazing talent.