Kid Breaks the Most Bizarre Curse in Snooker History

By Lewis Barnett 26 August, 2025 4 mins read 208 Views

Okay, so I've been following snooker for like fifteen years now, and I've never seen anything quite this weird.

Stan Moody – this 18-year-old who everyone's calling "the Luke Littler of snooker" – just did something that 22 other players couldn't manage over the past year and a half. He beat Ding Junhui... and then actually won his next match. I know that sounds stupid when you read it, but trust me, it's been impossible until now.

Hear the Summary

What Even Is the Ding Curse?

Here's where it gets genuinely mental. Since March 2024 at the Players Championship, every single player who beat Ding Junhui would immediately lose their next match. Every. Single. One. It started when John Higgins beat Ding and then got crushed by Zhang Anda the next round. My mate Dave (who's been tracking this stuff obsessively) texted me the stats last week: 22 tournaments, 22 failures.

The kid from England just demolished Zhou Yuelong to break it.

Hundreds of Millions Watching You Lose

What I love about Moody is how he talks about the pressure. When he beat Ding 5-3 in the previous round at the Wuhan Open, he said something that stuck with me: "I just tried to think about how much pressure he had with hundreds of millions of people wanting him to win."

Imagine being 18 and having that kind of perspective. When I was 18, I couldn't handle ordering pizza over the phone without sweating.

He also mentioned how the crowd was cheering Ding's flukes – which, if you've never experienced Chinese snooker crowds, is like playing in a football stadium where everyone wants you to fail. "I tried to enjoy it, view myself as the underdog and take the pressure off," he said afterward.

This Kid's Going Places (Unlike the Previous 22)

Moody's been building momentum since his fourth-round run in Saudi Arabia earlier this month – the deepest he's gone in a ranking event. But breaking the Ding curse? That's the kind of thing that changes a career trajectory.

Poor Ding, though. The guy's a former UK Championship winner, and somehow he's become this bizarre good-luck charm in reverse. Players beat him and then immediately forget how to play snooker.

Until now.

Why This Actually Matters

Look, I know curses aren't real. But in a sport where mental strength is everything, knowing that 22 players before you couldn't handle the follow-up match? That's psychological warfare at its finest.

Moody admitted he felt "very nervous" trying to close out the Ding match, but then he went out and thrashed Zhou Yuelong. That's champion-level mentality right there. The Luke Littler comparisons suddenly make a lot more sense – both kids have this ability to handle pressure that would crush most adults.

Eighteen months. Twenty-two tournaments. One teenager finally said "nah, I'm good" to the whole thing.

Now excuse me while I go text Dave that his spreadsheet tracking this curse can finally be deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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 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.

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'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.

Statistics

The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
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.

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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.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/the-nuke-is-back-littlers-european-return-gets-real-at-flanders