I nearly spat out my coffee when I saw the figures. £288 PER LEG? Are you kidding me? That's what teenage darts sensation Luke Littler is pocketing every time he throws in the Premier League. And I thought my weekend pub league winnings were impressive (all £17.50 of them).
The Nuke isn't just demolishing opponents - he's absolutely raking it in while sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table ahead of tonight's action in Birmingham. My mate Dave, who's been following darts since the Bristow era, texted me last night: "Kid's making more in an hour than I do in a month. Time to teach my son darts instead of football."
Show Me The Money!
Let's break down these ridiculous numbers. Littler has already bagged four nightly victories in the tournament, with each win netting him a cool £10k. That's £40,000 just for those wins alone.
But wait, there's more.
Remember that insane nine-darter he threw in Cardiff back in March? That perfect leg earned him a gold set of darts valued at £30,000. Thirty. Thousand. Pounds. For darts! I'm still using the same beaten-up set I bought in 2018 for about £40.
BetUK crunched the numbers on his earnings, and they're staggering. The 18-year-old (God, I feel ancient typing that) is averaging £5,833 per week from the Premier League. That works out to £2,692 per match and £288 per leg.
The Price is... Higher?
Surprisingly, Littler isn't actually the highest earner per match. That honor goes to Gerwyn Price, who's averaging £2,857 despite playing five fewer games than teh Nuke. The Iceman might be third in the table, but his bank account isn't complaining.
Current world champ Luke Humphries trails behind, picking up a mere £1,923 per match and £203 per leg. Poor Luke. How will he manage?
Where Does All This Cash Come From?
The Premier League Darts isn't just about weekly glory - there's a massive payday waiting at London's O2 Arena on May 29th. That's when the semi-finals and final go down, and the prize money is... well...
£275,000 for the champion.
Let that sink in. Quarter of a million plus change for throwing pointy things at a circular board. I clearly chose the wrong career path.
The runner-up doesn't do too badly either, walking away with £125,000, while the losing semi-finalists pocket £85,000 each. Even finishing dead last earns you £60,000. I'd happily come last for that kind of consolation prize!
Tonight's Birmingham Showdown
Littler faces Stephen Bunting in tonight's opener, and I've got a feeling he'll add to his already impressive earnings. My buddy who works security at these events told me Littler arrived earlier looking "scary focused" and barely acknowledged anyone during practice.
The Warrington wonderkid (still can't believe he's only 18) is aiming for back-to-back Premier League victories to add to the £500,000 he banked for becoming world champion in January.
January. That was just 4 months ago. In that time, I've managed to finally fix that leaky tap in my bathroom and clear out half the garage. Meanwhile, this teenager has earned more than my house is worth.
Is Anyone Else Feeling Inadequate Right Now?
Watching Littler's meteoric rise has been both inspiring and... honestly... a little depressing. What was I doing at 18? Working at a video rental store for £4.50 an hour and thinking I was rich when I could afford a takeaway at the weekend.
But you can't help but admire the kid's talent. He's revolutionizing darts and bringing new fans to the sport. Including my niece, who's now demanding her own dartboard after watching "the boy who looks like he should be doing his GCSEs" on TV.
Tonight's action kicks off in Birmingham with Littler vs Bunting, and I'll be watching... while calculating how many legs I'd need to win to pay off my car loan.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- 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.
External Links
How To
The Dart Player's Journey: From Rookie to Robin Hood
I've been throwing darts since my college days back in 2008, but it wasn't until February 2022 that I really got serious about improving my game. That winter was brutal in Minneapolis—we had snow piled up to our windowsills, and I needed an indoor hobby that wouldn't drive my roommates crazy. Darts seemed perfect! Well, until I put a few holes in our wall... which led to my first lesson: always invest in a proper dartboard surround. My landlord wasn't thrilled about teh repair costs, but it taught me a valuable lesson about proper setup.
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