Holy crap, I wasn't expecting this twist in the darts drama this week. Liverpool's own Stephen "The Bullet" Bunting might be packing his bags for Frankfurt after Luke Littler dropped what feels like a not-so-subtle hint that he's done with Germany for now.
I've followed Bunting since his BDO days (showing my age there), and the thought of him potentially stepping in for England at the World Cup next month has me unreasonably excited. The man deserves it.
What the hell did Littler actually say?
So here's the tea. After a rough weekend in Munich, the teenage sensation posted something that raised eyebrows across the darting world: "Shouldn't have been in Munich but had to play anyway, next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that."
Read between the lines much?
When I caught up with Bunting yesterday before his Premier League homecoming in Liverpool, the 40-year-old couldn't help but crack a smile about the situation. "He's put a few posts on socials about not going back to Germany," Bunting told me. "Well, if he doesn't go back to Germany, that means I'm in the World Cup, doesn't it?"
The man's not wrong. As World #4, he'd be next in line to partner with Cool Hand Luke Humphries if Littler bails.
Liverpool night could make or break The Bullet
Tomorrow's gonna be massive for Bunting. The M&S Bank Arena will be rocking, and he's coming home sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table.
I remember watching him practice at St Helens years ago - back in 2018 I think - and even then you could tell he had this never-say-die attitude that's so... well, Scouse.
The walk-on dilemma (that isn't really a dilemma)
One thing Bunting won't be changing is his iconic Titanium walk-on music, even for his beloved Liverpool. Smart move.
"You'll Never Walk Alone is the best, definitely. Especially when I'm in teh ground and we're all singing it together," he explained. "But I couldn't walk on to You'll Never Walk Alone. I don't want to make myself too emotional."
He did float an interesting compromise though.
"I may ask PDC if I can put a bit of Jamie Webster, My City, before I go on. I think that's more of a poignant song. My City, My People, My Heart and then going to the Titanium. I think that would be a really nice touch."
Can he pull off his own Istanbul?
Let's be real. Bunting needs a miracle to make the Premier League playoffs. He's eight points off the pace with just five nights to go.
But as he reminded me: "I'm a Scouser, aren't I? We fight till the end. That was born and bred in me ever since I've been a young lad."
God. The way he said it made me believe him for a second.
"I'll never give up in any game I play. Whether it be 6-0 down, 5-0 down or whatever it may be, I keep fighting till the end. That's what I've done, really. I've come back off the floor. I was bottom of the league with not a point and now I've won a night and lost in a final of a night."
Titanium connections
In one of those weird coincidences that make sports fascinating, I mentioned to Bunting that Ronnie O'Sullivan is reportedly using a new titanium ferrule at the World Snooker Championship.
The Bullet had no idea. "I didn't know that. I like watching the snooker, to be honest," he said, genuinely interested. "I know what'll be doing tonight, watching the highlights. I love watching snooker. Ronnie O'Sullivan's a master of snooker and if he's using titanium as well then it can only be good, can't it?"
As for Littler's banter with Liverpool fans ahead of Thursday's showdown? Bunting offered some veteran advice: "I think it's a dangerous path that you could go down. Obviously, you don't want to get the fans hating you."
Wise words from a man who's seen it all in this game.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
Statistics
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
External Links
How To
Common Problems & How I Fixed Them
Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.
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