Listen. I've been covering darts for twelve years now, and I thought I'd seen everything.
Then Thursday happened at the Modus Super Series, and suddenly I'm questioning my entire understanding of what's possible when two guys step up to throw some arrows. Conan Whitehead just delivered what might be the most bonkers leg of darts since Michael Smith made us all lose our minds back in January 2023. You remember that one, right? The World Championship final where Smith hit a nine-darter against van Gerwen and the commentator literally couldn't form words? "I can't spake" became instant legend.
Richardson Started Like a Man Possessed
So here's how this absolute circus unfolded. Whitehead's already up 1-0 in their Group C match – pretty standard stuff. Then James Richardson (aka "Ruthless," though that nickname aged like milk in about thirty seconds) steps up and throws six perfect darts. Six! All treble 20s, like he's playing a video game on easy mode.
The crowd's going mental. Richardson's 51 years old and throwing like he's discovered the fountain of youth in his dart case.
When "Ruthless" Became... Well, Not
Whitehead matches him dart for dart – another six perfect throws. At this point, I'm texting my editor: "You seeing this madness?" His response: "Already clearing the front page."
But then Richardson does what we've all done a million times in our local pub. He chokes. Hard. His first dart after those six beauties? A bloody five. A FIVE! Poor guy went from looking like Phil Taylor to looking like me after three pints. He eventually left himself 96 after nine darts, which sounds respectable until you realize he was staring at perfection thirty seconds earlier.
Whitehead's Ice-Cold Finish
Now Whitehead's standing there with 141 left, and you can practically hear the tension through the screen.
Treble 20. Treble 19. Double 12.
Game over. Nine-dart finish. The place erupts like someone just announced free beer for life.
I've watched the replay about fifteen times now, and it still gives me goosebumps. The way Whitehead stepped up after watching his opponent crumble... that's champion mentality right there.
The Internet Went Absolutely Mental
Social media exploded faster than you could say "one hundred and eighty." One fan called it "darts heritage" – and honestly, they're not wrong. Another just went with "Absolutely incredible!!!" which pretty much sums up my feelings too.
But my favorite comment? "Almost a 'I can't spake' moment." Because that's exactly what this was – lightning striking twice in the same impossible way.
Whitehead ended up winning 4-3 after Richardson mounted a comeback that nearly gave me a heart attack. Final averages: Whitehead 99.95, Richardson 87.32. Those numbers don't even begin to capture the emotional rollercoaster we all just survived.
God, I love this sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Statistics
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 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.
- 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 first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
External Links
How To
Setting Up Your Practice Space
The official height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the bullseye. The throwing line (oche) should be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board. I used to have mine hung too low and wondered why my game never improved at the pub! Measuring tape is your friend here.
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