I've watched Nathan Aspinall come so close these past two years. So damn close. Fifth place twice in a row – the dartboard equivalent of missing the bullseye by millimeters when everything's on teh line.
Now "The Asp" stands at another crossroads.
The three-hour nightmare scenario
Thursday night in Sheffield. One match that could change everything for the 33-year-old Stockport thrower. Beat Michael van Gerwen, and he's through to the Premier League play-offs at London's O2 Arena. Lose... and welcome to anxiety town, population: one very nervous dart player.
"If I win that first game, I can save myself three hours of misery," Aspinall admitted, and I could practically hear the tension in his voice. "I'll know that by 8pm, I'm through to the O2, which is a dream of mine."
God. The pressure.
What keeps Aspinall awake at night
I spoke with a Premier League official last year who told me Aspinall was absolutely gutted after missing out in 2023. "Like watching someone get punched in the gut," were his exact words. Fifth place feels particularly cruel when you've been hanging around the qualification zone for months.
With 24 points already banked, Aspinall holds a four-point advantage over MVG heading into their quarter-final showdown. But darts math gets complicated fast – if the Dutchman beats Aspinall AND wins the night, he'll collect five points and leapfrog his way into the top four.
The other three spots? Already locked up by Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price. This is truly the last dance.
The bucket list confession
What struck me during our conversation was how openly Aspinall shared his remaining career ambitions.
"I've three things left that I want to do before I retire from darts," he revealed, counting them off like a man who's thought about this many times before. "I want to become world champion, play in the World Cup for England and also play in the Premier League final at the O2. And I can knock one of them off now."
I remember visiting the O2 back in 2018 for a concert – that place is genuinely spectacular. The thought of playing darts there with thousands watching? Spine-tingling stuff.
The MVG factor (it's complicated)
Here's where it gets interesting.
Most players would be talking trash about their opponent. Not Aspinall. His relationship with the 36-year-old three-time world champion runs deeper than most fans realize.
"I don't get any satisfaction from beating Michael. I look up to him so much," Aspinall confessed. "He's done all he can in the sport. I've so much respect for him. He has helped me out behind closed doors, more than anyone will ever know."
Wait, what? MVG mentoring his rivals? That's not something you hear every day in professional sports. Makes me wonder what advice has been shared over pints after tournaments.
The family promise
"I've said to all my family: 'I don't want to come fifth again.'"
Those words hung in the air when he said them. You could feel the weight of those previous disappointments. Two consecutive years of watching others compete at the O2 while he sat at home – that's the kind of thing that burns inside a competitor.
His daughter apparently made him pinky promise he'd make it this year. Poor guy has pressure from all sides.
When prayers replace preparation
"If I lose, then I need to pray on the boys to stop him. But I don't want that. It's in my hands."
There's something uniquely excruciating about having your fate potentially decided by others. Like watching your favorite team needing specific results elsewhere to qualify. I spent an entire Sunday last football season refreshing my phone every 30 seconds during three different matches... never again.
For Aspinall, Thursday represents control. Win and you're in. Lose and... well, then you're just another nervous spectator hoping for favorable outcomes.
The dartboard doesn't care about your bucket list. It doesn't know about your family promises or your previous disappointments.
It just waits for you to throw.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
How often should I replace my dartboard?
A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.
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.
What weight darts should beginners use?
For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.
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.
Statistics
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- 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."
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
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.
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