Darts Champ Luke Humphries Caught in Awkward 'No Hands' Water Sipping Moment

By Lewis Barnett 4 May, 2025 5 mins read 49 Views

God. The things we catch on camera these days. I was watching the European Darts Grand Prix this weekend (because what else do you do on a Saturday night when you've got no social life?) and witnessed possibly the most relatable awkward moment in darts history.

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The Weird Water Incident That Has Everyone Talking

Luke Humphries - you know, the 30-year-old former world champion - was absolutely demolishing Connor Scutt 6-1 in Sindelfingen, Germany. But it wasn't his dart-throwing skills that caught my eye.

It was his bizarre drinking technique.

The man literally BENT DOWN to his glass of water like a dog at a bowl rather than picking it up with his hands. I nearly spat out my own drink when I saw it. The camera caught him red-handed (or should I say... no-handed?) performing this strange maneuver, and the poor bloke looked mortified when asked about it afterward.

Sweaty Palms - A Darts Player's Worst Nightmare

When confronted about his peculiar sipping method, Humphries looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole. "Did that get shown on camera?" he asked with visible embarrassment. Yep, mate. We all saw it.

He then explained: "It was... my hands were so sweaty, and I didn't want to touch the glass because it was so, like..." before trailing off, clearly flustered.

The world No1 (who my brother-in-law bet £50 would win teh tournament) eventually managed to explain his reasoning: "There was so much moisture that I was like, if I pick it up with my hands, it might make..."

Sweat-Gate 2025

"Look, it's very hot out here. It's really, really tough. It's like being abroad when you're on holiday," he continued, desperately trying to justify his actions.

"But you have to make the best of a bad situation, and I thought if I don't touch the glass, I won't add that moisture to my hands, and it worked!"

I mean... fair enough? I've done some weird things to avoid sweaty hands before important moments. Back in 2018, I had an interview and kept my hands in the air-conditioning vent of my car for the entire 30-minute drive. Still got the job, though!

When Discretion Fails Spectacularly

"I didn't know you were going to catch it on camera," Humphries admitted. "I was hoping I did it discreetly, but yeah, I was just trying to help myself a bit."

Discreetly? On a televised professional darts match? Oh, Luke...

The internet, predictably, had a field day with this. One fan suggested on X: "Could just use his left hand to pick op the glass." Revolutionary thinking there, Einstein.

Another quipped: "Gonna have to change his nickname to 'Wet hand' Luke now." Which, I have to admit, made me laugh harder than it should have.

From Cool Hand to No Hand

The irony that his nickname is literally "Cool Hand Luke" makes this whole situation about 500% funnier. Maybe he takes the "cool" part too seriously - can't have those hands heating up!

Unfortunately for our hydration-challenged hero, his tournament run came to an end on Sunday when Michael Smith edged him out 6-5 in what must have been a nail-biter.

I wonder if he tried his no-hands drinking technique again or if he just embraced the moisture. Some things keep me up at night, adn this might be one of them.

Let's be honest though - we've all done weird things when we're nervous or under pressure. Like that time I tried to eat soup with a fork during a business lunch because I was too embarrassed to ask for a spoon. Poor Luke. At least his awkward moment only cost him some dignity and not the match.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

Statistics

In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.

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The Dart Player's Journey: From Rookie to Robin Hood

I've been throwing darts since my college days back in 2008, but it wasn't until February 2022 that I really got serious about improving my game. That winter was brutal in Minneapolis—we had snow piled up to our windowsills, and I needed an indoor hobby that wouldn't drive my roommates crazy. Darts seemed perfect! Well, until I put a few holes in our wall... which led to my first lesson: always invest in a proper dartboard surround. My landlord wasn't thrilled about teh repair costs, but it taught me a valuable lesson about proper setup.