Dartboard disaster! Watch as two pros butcher a leg with 41 missed doubles

By Lewis Barnett 27 April, 2025 5 mins read 70 Views

Holy crap. I've been covering darts for nearly a decade and what I witnessed last night at the Austrian Open was like watching a car crash in slow motion – except the car kept backing up and crashing again 40 more times.

Joe "The Rockstar" Cullen and Thibault Tricole just delivered what might go down as the most painfully hilarious leg in professional darts history. I'm still laughing about it this morning over my third coffee.

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What the hell just happened in Graz?

So there they were in the Steiermarkhalle, packed crowd, beers flowing, and these two PROFESSIONAL dart players suddenly transformed into... well, me and my mates after too many pints at the local. Cullen eventually won the match 6-2, but that scoreline doesn't tell the story of teh absolute catastrophe that unfolded in leg six.

Picture this: Two grown men, paid to throw pointy objects accurately, taking FORTY-ONE combined attempts to hit double 1. Not double 20. Not double 16. Double freaking ONE – the biggest segment on the outer ring!

Cullen needed 22 darts. Tricole missed 19 times. The crowd went from cheering to laughing to what I can only describe as collective hysteria.

When professionals look like pub players

I texted my buddy who runs a local darts league during this leg, and his response: "Are they blindfolded?" Honestly, fair question.

Cullen, ranked 24th in the world, almost collapsed on stage when he finally hit it. The man looked like he'd just completed a marathon – a marathon of embarrassment. The commentators called it "magnificent for all the wrong reasons" which might be the most British way possible of saying "this is an absolute trainwreck."

The $20 bet I wish I'd made

Back in 2019, I watched a similar meltdown at a local tournament where two guys missed 28 doubles between them. I thought I'd never see anything worse at the pro level.

I was wrong.

If I'd bet $20 on either player hitting double 1 within their first 10 attempts, I'd be crying into my wallet right now. This is why I don't gamble on darts anymore... traumatic flashbacks to 2017 when I lost £80 on a "sure thing."

What the players had to say...

Cullen, bless him, at least had a sense of humor about the whole debacle. "At one point I said shall we flip a coin!" he admitted afterward. "I don't think I would have been as jovial if I was on the losing end of it."

The Bradford-born player also confessed: "That [sixth leg] just proves whether it be professional, pub darts or youth darts that leg is still in there for somebody." Translation: even pros can throw like absolute beginners sometimes.

God. The psychological warfare of standing there, watching your opponent miss, knowing you'll probably miss too...

Social media had a field day

As you'd expect, Twitter (sorry, "X" – still can't get used to that) exploded. My favorite comment: "Some say they're still there trying to hit it."

Another fan nailed it: "Contender for the worst leg of darts I've ever watched at pro level."

And perhaps most relatably: "So you're saying I have a chance?"

Listen. We've all been there in some form. That moment where your brain and body disconnect completely. But most of us don't have it happen in front of thousands of people and cameras broadcasting worldwide.

What's next for our double-troubled heroes?

Cullen faces Damon Heta today for a spot in the last-16. I'm guessing he spent last night practicing his doubles... or maybe drinking heavily to forget. Either approach seems reasonable after that performance.

Poor Tricole. The Frenchman has to live with those 19 misses replaying in his nightmares.

As for me, I'll be watching Cullen's next match with morbid fascination. Lightning couldn't possibly strike twice... could it?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

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.

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 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.

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.

Statistics

The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.

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.