God. I've seen some last-minute drama in darts before, but this one really takes the cake. Poor Dimitri.
In what can only be described as a gut-punch to fans (and probably his opponent), Belgian dart sensation Dimitri Van den Bergh pulled a disappearing act just MINUTES before he was supposed to face Jose de Sousa at today's Players' Championship. We're talking literally four minutes before walk-on time. I was actually checking the schedule while grabbing coffee when the notification popped up, and nearly spilled my overpriced latte all over my laptop.
When "The Dream Maker" Becomes "The No-Show"
The 30-year-old Belgian was all set for his 1:25pm showdown in the 13th Players' Championship of teh year. Then... poof. Gone. The PDC dropped the news at 1:21pm that he wouldn't be appearing, citing illness as the culprit. No specifics on what kind of illness, though a buddy who works production at these events texted me: "Looks serious, he was fine during practice earlier."
De Sousa got the walkover and will next face Karel Sedlacek, who pulled off a surprising 6-3 win against James Wade. I actually put a tenner on Wade for that match. Lesson learned.
Not the Only Empty Spot at the Oche
Van den Bergh wasn't the lone absentee today. Gary Anderson also pulled out this morning, though his earlier withdrawal gave organizers time to slot in world #144 Andreas Harryson as his replacement. Back in 2019, I saw something similar happen at the UK Open – player withdrew 10 minutes before, absolute chaos backstage.
The Premier League darlings are notably missing from today's action. No Luke Littler, no Luke Humphries, no Stephen Bunting, and no Rob Cross.
Who's Actually Throwing Today?
While half the Premier League stars are enjoying a day off, MVG, Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey, and Gerwyn Price are all getting their arms warmed up in Rosmalen, Holland. Not shocking to see van Gerwen competing on home soil with Thursday's Premier League night in Rotterdam looming.
I spent $300 on tickets for Rotterdam last year and watched MVG absolutely demolish the field. The Dutch crowd... listen. Those orange-clad fanatics make it worth every penny – even when they're screaming so loud you can't hear yourself think.
What's Really Going On?
This is still developing, but I'm hearing whispers from a couple of sources that Van den Bergh might be dealing with something more serious than your average tournament illness. His practice partner (who shall remain nameless) mentioned he'd been complaining about dizzy spells last week.
Whatever's happening, I hope he's alright.
The timing couldn't be worse for the Belgian, who's been fighting to maintain his position in the rankings after an inconsistent start to 2025. Missing events at this stage could seriously impact his World Championship seeding.
I'll update this piece when more details emerge... assuming I don't get distracted by the Price vs. Dobey match that's about to start. Those two haven't faced each other since that heated exchange at the Masters in January. Remember when Price pointed at Dobey and mouthed "you're finished" after hitting that 170? Awkward.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Statistics
- 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.
- 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.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
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.
CricketBoxingFormula 1GolfHorse RacingPremier LeagueTennisDartsPrivacy PolicyTerms And Conditions
