Great News: DartsWarehouse 10% Discount Continues

 

Great News: DartsWarehouse 10% Discount Continues!

We’re thrilled to announce that DartsWarehouse have agreed to extend the 10% discount originally introduced at the start of the year! That means more savings for you, whether you’re stocking up on flights, trying out new barrels, or just topping up your accessories.

Where to find it?
Head over to the Offers & Discounts page on my site to grab the deal and see what else is available.

This is just the beginning,with more exclusive offers are on the way, so if you’re looking to get more value for your minsey and expand your darting arsenal, you’re in the right place. Keep checking back regularly to stay ahead of the game.

Thanks for your continued support and happy throwing!

No Pressure, Just Darts - Tonight’s Open Tournament

 It’s an open event tonight, which means anyone can turn up from former tour players and county throwers to improving players like me just trying to keep pushing forward.No average restriction in place. 

There’s something great about nights like this. No pressure  just pure darts. You never quite know who’ll be on the oche next to you or who you might draw, but that’s part of the buzz. I’m not putting any pressure on myself to qualify through the group stage or chase a particular average; I just want to walk away feeling like I threw well and made good decisions.

For me, that’s what these tournaments are about: testing yourself, learning from better players, and enjoying the competitive atmosphere. Every leg against stronger opposition is a chance to grow.

Hopefully I’ll get a few solid scores on the board, settle early, and maybe cause a little upset along the way. Either way, I’ll post an update tomorrow with how it went!

A bit about Red Dragon Darts

 Over the last few months I’ve been playing with my setup and trying to find that balance between grip, flight path, and feel. I've found Red Dragon Darts very useful.

Their darts always seem to have that bit of extra quality in the finish, the balance, and the consistency ,especially considering the price. Even their accessories feel solid: flights don’t tear as quickly, stems don’t snap as easily, and their grip patterns are some of the best around.

It’s also the brand a lot of the top players trust including Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright, Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries… and many more coming through.

So, now that I’m partnering with Red Dragon through their affiliate programme (a small commission helps me keep this blog and the games free), I’ll be keeping an eye on their offers and sharing them when they’re actually worthwhile.

If you’re looking to upgrade your setup  or just fancy grabbing a few new bits then  here’s the link to browse their latest deals:

Click the banner on the right to see Red Dragon’s current offers

(Affiliate link — thanks for supporting the blog!)

I’ll also be adding a NEW Darts Deals Page vet soon with verified discounts and partner codes, so check back if you’re looking for good value.

Let me know what kit you’re throwing with at the moment.Im always interested to hear what others are using and wh

What Is the Vault National Finals?

 

The Vault National Finals is the pinnacle of the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) Vault series — a fast-paced, structured darts competition that serves as a springboard for amateurs aspiring to break into elite levels. With a £65,000 prize fund, this one-day knockout showdown brings together the top 12 performers from each regional Vault circuit, making it a who's who of top-tier talent outside the Pro Tour (yet often including former Tour card holders). There will be over 300 competitors battling it out on Saturday 15th November at the fantastic Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Play starts at 10.00am (UK time)  and you can follow the scores here : https://www.dartsatlas.com/tournaments/yupSwmOPq9Je

Qualification takes the form of a Seven-week 'Vault' series runs across regions, featuring round-robin group stages (best-of-3 legs), leading into best-of-5 knockouts.This year's finals will attract over 300 players, showcasing consistent top-level play spanning multiple regions. It’s a marquee event, not just for the cash but also for national ranking points and potential entry into televised competitions like the Modus Super Series. On that note, it is a shame that this is not televised. In my opinion, this would make excellent viewing (even if just the highlights were aired)

Why This Matters

A key event for darts progression: players gain national ranking points, major cash rewards, and playing opportunities beyond the Vault. It has widespread representation from former pro players, the Finals truly blur the line between amateur and professional competition. For anyone tracking darts talent beyond the PDC Tour, this event is where rising and returning stars make their mark.

There are so many names that could potentially take the top prize of £10,000. Previous winners Neil Duff (WDF World Champion 2022) and current title holder, Thomas Banks will both be there. 

Here's just six potential contenders, but the list could be ten times that number:

Jack Tweddell

Jack has had an outstanding year.  He finished 7th on the PDC Challenge Tour and has played on the Pro Tour on a number of occasions this year, due to that high position. He has also been a regular on Modus Super Series stage,so has all the right credential for a good run.

Tyler Thorpe 

Those inside darts will be aware of the emergence of Tyler Thorpe. He recently broke a record at Modus, with the highest overall leg difference in a final group. He seems to be improving all the time and is a player in form.

Tom Sykes

Had a great and consistent couple of years. Always there or thereabouts, he is a heavy scorer and tough to get ahead of. He has gained a lot of Modus experience and is the sort of player that could easily handle the Pro Tour, as and when it comes his way. 

Shaun Fox

Shaun would be my tip to win. He seems to have been overlooked on the Modus Super Series stage, despite being one of the country's top amateur players. He showed some early season promise, by qualifying for the UK Open and he has had some good results throughout the year on the ADC circuit. Another player capable of very large averages and I expect to see him at the latter stages of this tournament. 

David Pallett

Another successful season on the WDF circuit, in particular, David has what it takes to win this. Ultra consistent and bags of stage and TV experience. Someone who could win the WDF World title this year, so this would be a great stepping stone. 

Gary Stone

Although Gary Stone is a very successful player, I always feel he has the ability to win so much more. He has a wealth of WDF and Modus experience, and is always thought of one of the main contenders in any event he enters. He has the ability to win this, just whether he can remain consistent is the key. 

A few of my local friends are in this tournament too, and I hope to see them progress. A few have a fair chance, so will be keeping a keen eye. 

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.