Luke Littler's Getting Booed Everywhere and It's Actually Becoming a Problem

By Lewis Barnett 3 July, 2025 5 mins read 32 Views

Look, I've been watching darts for years, and I've never seen anything quite like this.

Luke Littler – the kid who basically came out of nowhere to become the youngest World Championship winner ever – is getting absolutely hammered by crowds everywhere he goes. And I mean everywhere. Frankfurt, Berlin, New York... it's like he's carrying around some kind of invisible "boo me" sign.

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Frankfurt Was Just the Beginning

The World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt was brutal to watch. The crowd was relentless, and you could see it getting to him. He ended up losing to Germany in the second round – which, honestly, nobody saw coming. This is the World No2 we're talking about here.

But here's the thing that's really bothering me: it's not just Germany anymore. Vincent van der Voort (former pro, knows his stuff) was at the US Darts Masters in New York last weekend and said the crowd there was giving Littler hell too. At Madison Square Garden, no less.

The Kid's Only 18, For God's Sake

Van der Voort put it perfectly: "It's becoming a real issue, especially when you consider how long his career could be."

Think about it. Littler could be throwing darts professionally for the next 20-30 years. That's a long time to be dealing with hostile crowds every time you step on stage outside of England.

And even in England, he's not universally loved. Van der Voort was pretty blunt about it: "The truth is, he's only really popular in England – and not even everywhere there."

What's Actually Happening Here?

I watched Littler at the US Masters. Kid averaged 109, hit six 180s, and still got knocked out by Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals. The numbers were there, but you could tell something was off.

Van der Voort noticed it too: "He wasn't happy at all." And honestly? I don't blame him. Imagine being 18 and having thousands of people actively rooting against you every single match.

That's got to mess with your head.

The Real Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About

Here's where it gets uncomfortable. Van der Voort didn't mince words about why this is happening: "It's the things he says and the way he carries himself. They're not helping his cause."

Look, I get it. When you're 18 and suddenly famous, you think you've got it all figured out. But darts fans are... particular. They remember everything. And if you rub them the wrong way early on, good luck changing their minds.

"You can turn people against you quickly in this sport if you're not careful," van der Voort said. And he's absolutely right.

Where Are the Adults in This Situation?

This is what really gets me. Van der Voort made a point that I think everyone's been dancing around: "It's unfortunate he doesn't seem to have the right people around him — people who can guide him, help him make better decisions, and teach him what's smart and what isn't."

The kid needs proper management. Not just someone to book his flights and count his prize money, but someone who can sit him down and explain how this sport actually works from a PR perspective.

"When you're 18, you think you know it all. But you don't," van der Voort added. "Later in life, you realise your parents were right about a lot more than you gave them credit for."

This Could Get Much Worse

Here's what worries me most: once a narrative takes hold in darts, it's incredibly hard to shake. And right now, the narrative is that Littler is cocky, that he doesn't respect the sport's traditions, that he needs to be taken down a peg.

Van der Voort called it "draining," and that's exactly what it is. Imagine having to walk onto every stage knowing that 90% of the crowd wants to see you fail. That's not sustainable for anyone, let alone a teenager.

The kid won his first senior title at 14. He's got more natural talent than most players will ever dream of having. But talent only gets you so far when you're fighting the crowd every single night.

Something's got to change, and it needs to happen soon. Because right now, Luke Littler is learning the hard way that being the best player in the room doesn't automatically make you the most popular one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Statistics

A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
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.
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.