Luke Littler Could Walk Away £335K Richer Tonight (If He Doesn't Choke)

By Lewis Barnett 29 May, 2025 4 mins read 47 Views

Listen. I've been covering darts for seven years now, and I still get butterflies watching Finals Night.

Tonight's the big one – Premier League Darts finale at the O2, and honestly? Luke "The Nuke" Littler has everything to lose. Kid finished the regular season with a ridiculous 45 points (I had to double-check that number three times because it seemed impossible). That's 11 points ahead of Luke Humphries, who's probably plotting his revenge as we speak.

But here's the thing that keeps me up at night: being the favorite in darts is like being a ghost at a family reunion. Everyone sees you coming.

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The Money That'll Make Your Head Spin

Okay, let's talk cash because that's what everyone really wants to know. The total pot is £1million – yeah, you read that right. My mortgage broker would probably faint if I told him these numbers.

Winner takes home £275,000. Runner-up gets £125,000 (which isn't exactly pocket change). Semi-finalists walk away with £85,000 each, and honestly, that's more than most people make in two years.

The breakdown goes like this:

Winner: £275,000 (plus the glory and probably a few free pints) Runner-up: £125,000 Semi-finalists: £85,000 each 5th Place: £75,000 (van Gerwen already banked this) 6th Place: £70,000 (Dobey's consolation prize) 7th Place: £65,000 (Cross took this home) 8th Place: £60,000 (Bunting's share)

Plus there were weekly bonuses of £10,000 for nightly wins throughout the season.

Littler's Already Banked £60K (Not Bad for an 18-Year-Old)

The kid won six nights during the regular season, which means he's already pocketed £60,000 before tonight even starts. Humphries and Price grabbed £30,000 each, Aspinall took £20,000, and Dobey plus Bunting claimed £10,000 for their single wins.

So if Littler wins tonight (and that's a massive if), he's looking at £335,000 total. At 18 years old. God.

Who's Standing in His Way?

Three players want to ruin Littler's party: Humphries (obviously), Gerwyn Price (who's been throwing absolute fire lately), and Nathan Aspinall (the dark horse nobody talks about until it's too late).

The semi-final matchups are brutal:

Littler faces Price first – and Price has this annoying habit of turning up when it matters most. Then Humphries takes on Aspinall, which could go either way depending on who's nerves hold up better.

Semi-finals are best of 19 legs. Final is best of 21. Littler and Humphries throw first in their semis because they finished 1st and 2nd respectively (small advantages, but they matter).

The Reality Check Nobody Wants to Hear

Here's what my gut tells me after watching this sport for way too long: Littler's got the talent, but Finals Night is different. The pressure, the crowd, the money... it changes people.

I've seen players crumble under less pressure for smaller prizes.

But then again, this is the same kid who nearly won the World Championship on his debut. Maybe normal rules don't apply to him. We'll find out tonight at the O2, and I'll probably be biting my nails the entire time.

Either way, someone's walking away significantly richer. And the rest of us? We get to watch history unfold live.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Statistics

The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.

External Links

How To

Choosing Your First Set of Darts

When I started out, I grabbed whatever cheap darts came with the board I bought at Target. BIG mistake. The flights (those wing things at the back) kept falling off, and the tips bent after just a few throws. After wasting about $30 on those garbage darts, I finally invested in a decent tungsten set.