Easter Darts Mayhem: Littler Takes on Munich as Humphries Bails

By Lewis Barnett 18 April, 2025 5 mins read 89 Views

God, I've been waiting for this all month. The German Darts Grand Prix is literally hours away, and I'm already three coffees deep trying to organize my entire weekend around it. My wife thinks I've lost teh plot completely. Maybe she's right.

So here's the deal - teenage phenom Luke Littler is heading to Munich as the top seed after Luke Humphries (last year's champ) decided to skip town. Can't really blame Humphries... Easter weekend with the family sounds better than being stuck in a sweaty venue with darts fanatics. Though I'd choose the latter any day.

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Why This Tournament Actually Matters

Remember last year when Cool Hand absolutely demolished MVG 8-1 in the final? I had €50 on Van Gerwen that match. Never betting against Humphries again.

Littler (the 18-year-old wunderkind who's basically rewriting the sport) has been MIA from the last two European Tour events. Kid's schedule is packed tighter than my jeans after Christmas dinner. But he's back now, hungry to add another trophy next to that Belgian Open title he snagged in March.

He won't have an easy time though. Premier League heavyweights like MVG, Price, and Cross are all showing up with their game faces on.

When's This Circus Coming to Town?

The action kicks off Saturday (April 19) and runs through Monday (April 21). Everything happens at The Zenith in Munich - gorgeous venue, by the way. Went there back in 2018 for a concert and spilled beer all over a very annoyed German businessman. Still feel awkward about that one.

Watching Without Breaking the Bank

Here's the annoying part. If you're in the UK, this isn't on regular TV.

You'll need PDCTV, which costs either £49.99 for a yearly subscription (ouch) or £4.99 for either a three-day pass or monthly subscription. My buddy Dave just texts me the highlights because he's already subscribed to literally every sports streaming service known to mankind.

Alternatively, follow along with a live blog that'll give you leg-by-leg updates. That's what I did last tournament when my internet decided to die mid-match.

The Schedule (Or: When to Cancel Your Other Plans)

Saturday afternoon kicks off with eight first-round matches starting at noon UK time. Names like Joyce, Razma, Gurney and Menzies will battle it out with some lesser-known challengers.

The evening session (from 6pm) brings out bigger guns like Barney (van Barneveld) facing Rosenauer and hometown hero Martin Schindler taking on Vandenbogaerde. My German colleague insists Schindler has a real shot this year... we've got a friendly €20 wager on it.

Sunday is when things get serious.

The afternoon session introduces seeded players like Noppert, Cross, and Smith. But let's be honest - everyone's waiting for the evening when Littler, MVG, and Price enter the fray.

Monday is pure elimination madness. Afternoon brings the third round, then evening delivers quarters, semis, and the final in one breathless rush. Last year I missed the final because my dog decided that exact moment was perfect for an emergency backyard situation. Not this time, buddy.

The Littler Factor

Listen. I've been covering darts for 7 years now, and I've never seen anything like this kid. The way he handled pressure at the Worlds was something else.

His match against Woodhouse or Crabtree (whoever advances) on Sunday evening is appointment viewing. My prediction? He cruises through until meeting MVG in what could be a semifinal for the ages.

Poor Woodhouse.

The tournament might lack Humphries, but with Littler back on European soil looking to prove himself again... this could be the highlight of the Easter weekend. Unless you're into egg hunts and family dinners, I guess.

I'll be glued to my screen with a beer in hand and my predictions sheet that's already covered in crossed-out names and question marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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'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.

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.

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.

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.

Statistics

The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
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.