God. There are moments in life when you wish the ground would swallow you whole. Yesterday was definitely one of those times for me.
I'd just wrapped up a disappointing weekend at the PDC International Darts Open in Germany (thanks for nothing, Wessel Nijman) and headed straight to Leicester for the Players Championship events. After checking in, I was absolutely STARVING. You know that hunger where your stomach feels like it's eating itself? That was me around 5pm yesterday.
The Barefoot Disaster
So I ordered Uber Eats - some greasy burger that I was craving after a weekend of airport food. The app notification pings: "Driver arriving in 2 minutes." I jump up, realize I can't find my thongs (that's flip-flops for you Brits), and make the split-second decision to just go barefoot. I mean, I'm Australian. We practically invented the barefoot lifestyle.
I rush to the elevator, hit the button, doors open and... there stands Dan Burn. THE Dan Burn. All 6'7" of Newcastle United glory, looking immaculate in what I assume was his pre-match outfit.
And there I am - barefoot, hair sticking up in seventeen different directions, wearing shorts with a mysterious stain from lunch.
Breaking Ice (And Possibly My Dignity)
The silence was excruciating. So I did what any normal human would do - blurted out something ridiculous like "Mate, I swear I own shoes. Just can't find my thongs." His face was priceless - that half-second where he tried to process if I meant underwear or footwear.
He actually laughed though. Seemed like a decent bloke.
When It Somehow Got Worse...
The elevator doors open on the ground floor and I'm greeted by what looked like half of Newcastle's fanbase camped in teh lobby. They erupted when they saw Burn. I tried to slink past, still barefoot, when some security guard with the comedic timing of a sitcom character loudly asks if my Uber Eats delivery was "perhaps some shoes, sir?"
I feel stupid now, but back in 2019 I actually met Burn at a charity event and he probably doesn't remember me at all. Which makes this even more awkward.
Why Does This Always Happen To Me?
Listen. This isn't even the first time I've had an embarrassing encounter with a footballer. Last year I literally walked into Harry Kane at Heathrow and spilled coffee down his probably-worth-more-than-my-car white shirt. My friend Jake still brings it up at EVERY gathering. "Remember when Damon assaulted England's captain with a latte?" Hardy har har.
Poor Burn.
The guy was probably trying to focus on the match ahead - which they won 3-0, by the way - and instead had to share elevator space with a barefoot darts player desperate for a burger.
The Darts Scene - Not My Finest Hour
Speaking of darts... my performance lately has been about as impressive as my elevator etiquette. Got knocked out in the last 16 and last 32 at last week's Players Championships. Rock and Barney sent me packing faster than my Uber Eats driver almost left with my food when he couldn't find me.
My coach bet me $20 that I'd make at least one semi-final this month. Looks like I'll be paying up.
The Fans Made It Worthwhile
At least the fans got a laugh out of my barefoot adventures. My Twitter mentions exploded after I posted about the encounter. Everyone wanted to know what I'd ordered. (It was a double cheeseburger, sweet potato fries, and a chocolate shake, if you're curious. Spent £18 on it. Ridiculous.)
One message just said "This is why we love you Damon." Which was nice. At least my embarrassing moments are entertaining someone.
Anyway, back to practice today. Hoping to actually find my shoes this time.
And if Dan Burn happens to read this - sorry about the barefoot first impression. I promise I'm slightly more professional on the oche than in hotel elevators.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.
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.
What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?
Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.
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.
Statistics
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- 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.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/burnout-nightmares-why-luke-littlers-actually-terrified-while-humphries-crumbles
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