I swear, darts might be teh most gloriously unpretentious sport on the planet. These guys (and gals) just don't give a damn about looking cool. And thank god for that.
When Victory Literally Knocks You Off Your Feet
Wednesday gave us one of those moments that'll live forever in darts blooper history. Poor Danny van Trijp – whose name unfortunately became prophetic – absolutely NAILED a checkout before promptly falling off the stage like he'd been hit by a tranquilizer dart.
This happened at the Modus Super Series in Portsmouth. I was actually supposed to be there covering it for a friend's blog, but my car decided to die on the M25. Typical.
The Spectacular Fall From Grace
So here's what went down. The Dutchman hit this gorgeous 137 checkout with two double-tops to win the third leg in his doubles match with Jimmy van Schie against Belgian duo Dimitri van den Bergh and Brian Raman.
He'd just pulled off this brilliant finish to get the Dutch guys on the scoreboard after being 2-0 down. Collected his darts like normal. Stepped back. Admired his handiwork...
And then gravity became his worst enemy.
Off the stage he went. Just... gone. Like he'd been yanked by an invisible hook.
Teammates Lose It Completely
Van Schie couldn't even pretend to be concerned. Dude was practically crying with laughter while his partner picked himself up off the floor. The Belgians were no better – Raman gave him this sympathetic pat on the back that just screamed "there, there, you absolute disaster."
Listen. We've all had embarrassing moments. But most of us don't have them broadcast after hitting a perfect shot in front of a crowd.
The Curse of Portsmouth?
What's wild is this isn't even the first time someone's taken a tumble on that exact same stage! Back in January, Steve Beaton (who's been playing since I was in diapers) nearly went flying while playing against Devon Petersen.
The commentators absolutely lost it. Laura Turner said everyone "needed a moment" to recover, adn Henry Deacon hit him with the devastating "How was your trip, Steve?"
Brutal. I love it.
From Faceplant to Victory
The best part? Van Trijp and van Schie actually came back to win the match 4-1 after being two legs down. Nothing like a public humiliation to fire up your competitive spirit, I guess.
Social media had a field day, obviously. My favorite comment was someone dubbing him "Danny van Trip" which made me snort coffee through my nose at 6am this morning.
Darts, man. Never change.
I've watched the clip about 14 times now and it gets funnier each viewing. The way he just... disappears from frame. Chef's kiss. Worth the $12.99 I paid for the streaming subscription alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
Statistics
- 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.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- 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.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
External Links
How To
Aiming Systems & Practice Routines
When I first started, I would just aim at whatever number I needed. But after watching some YouTube tutorials in 2018, I learned about the "clock" system. Imagine the board as a clock face. If you're aiming for the 20, but hit the 5, you're throwing too far to the right (clockwise). Adjust accordingly.
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