10-Year-Old Darts Prodigy Has Barry Hearn's Jaw on the Floor – But Can't Even Reach the Top of the Board

By Lewis Barnett 13 May, 2025 5 mins read 421 Views

I nearly spat out my coffee when I heard this one. Barry Hearn – the godfather of darts promotion who basically built the PDC empire – thinks he's found teh next Luke Littler. And get this: the kid is TEN YEARS OLD.

Let that sink in for a second.

Listen to the Content

The Pint-Sized Problem

There's just one tiny (literally) issue with this child prodigy that had Hearn gushing. The poor little fella can't even reach the top of the dartboard to pull his darts out when he hits double 20. I'm imagining some poor parent having to lift their kid up after every throw like some bizarre darts-themed workout routine.

Hearn, who's now 76 and stepped back from his PDC chairman role in 2021, is being predictably tight-lipped about who this mystery child actually is. When pressed about the youngster's identity, he went full protective mode.

"Oh no, I'm not gonna put any pressure on these kids," Hearn insisted. "I watched him on a stream. I'm saying no more than that, buddy."

Where the hell are these kids coming from?

Back in 2018, I visited a youth darts tournament in Sheffield and was blown away by the talent level. But this sounds like something else entirely. Hearn makes it clear this isn't just a UK phenomenon either.

"Don't be parochial. Don't just think about England," he explained, wagging his finger like my old geography teacher. "There are kids out there in Holland, in Germany, in Belgium, in Spain, in Italy, now in France. And now we're seeing China suddenly pick up on darts, too."

God. Remember when darts was just something drunk uncles played at Christmas?

The Secret Sauce Behind Darts' Youth Revolution

One thing I've always appreciated about darts is its accessibility. You don't need $4K worth of equipment or fancy training facilities. As Hearn points out: "It doesn't cost a lot of money to play darts. You can put a dartboard up in your bedroom."

But talent alone isn't enough. The pathway matters.

Hearn's been obsessed with creating proper structures for young players. "In darts, we have the Junior Darts Corporation, which starts at six years old and goes up through the ages into the Developmental Tour, which is 16 years old," he explained.

Six years old... I was still eating Play-Doh at that age.

The Littler Effect

We all watched in disbelief as Luke Littler stormed to the World Championship final at 16, won the Premier League at 17, and conquered Ally Pally before turning 18. The kid's like a ghost at a family reunion – nobody expected him, but suddenly he's all anyone can talk about.

My editor bet me $20 that Littler would crash and burn after his initial success. Poor guy. His response after Littler's Premier League win: "already updating my resume."

But Hearn knows that with great talent comes great responsibility (sorry for the Spider-Man ripoff). "Luke is a sensational player, a great, great, great player and he could be a generational great," he said. "So we've got to help him through because you will find that your life changes."

The pressure cooker of early fame

Listen. I've seen what happens when young sports stars get too much, too soon. The money, the attention, the expectations... it can crush kids who should be worrying about homework, not world championships.

Thankfully, Hearn seems aware of this. "He has a manager, he has a mother and father who are very supportive and they have people they can turn to should they need any help in any direction possible," he noted about Littler.

I feel stupid now for doubting the PDC's ability to nurture these young talents. They've clearly learned from other sports' mistakes.

As for our mystery 10-year-old sharpshooter... I guess we'll have to wait adn see if he grows a few inches before making his grand debut. Until then, someone get that kid a stepladder!

Frequently Asked Questions

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

Statistics

Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."

External Links

How To

Throwing Technique: The Basics

The perfect dart throw is all about consistency. Your arm should move like a pendulum, with the elbow as the pivot point. The dart should travel in a straight line toward the target, not in an arc.