Luke Littler's Weekend From Hell: Emergency Tooth Surgery Has Him Questioning Belgium Trip

By Lewis Barnett 29 August, 2025 4 mins read 260 Views

Jesus. Poor Luke Littler.

The kid's been through the wringer these past 24 hours, and honestly? I'm not even sure he should be thinking about darts right now. The 18-year-old world champion just had emergency dental surgery after what sounds like absolute agony - we're talking "hours and hours" of pain that had him rushing to an emergency dentist in teh middle of the night.

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When Your Tooth Decides to Ruin Your Weekend Plans

So here's what went down. Littler was supposed to be the No1 seed at this weekend's Flanders Darts Trophy in Belgium. Big deal, right? He was set to cruise into the second round, probably face Dylan Slevin or Francois Schweyen on Saturday at 6pm BST. Easy money.

Instead, he's posting Instagram stories at god-knows-what-hour with girlfriend Faith Millar, looking absolutely shattered after having a tooth yanked out.

The poor guy's trying to stay optimistic though: "Luckily they were able to do it and sort me out but hopefully it's all good for Saturday. Everyone knows I love Belgium and hopefully I can play my best darts."

Reality Check: This Kid Has Never Done This Before

Here's the part that got me. Littler's being completely honest about how freaked out he is - and I respect that. "I've never had this done and I don't know how I'm gonna be feeling but right now... I'm in shock and shaken as I didn't know what to expect."

That's real talk right there.

And then he does something that shows he's thinking three steps ahead (even while probably still numb from whatever they gave him). He's already anticipating people at the airport thinking he's being rude: "If you see me in airport I'm just gonna have my airpods in and I'm gonna be doing my own thing. So don't be saying I'm arrogant because I'm not."

The Sweet Spot in All This Chaos

Amid all the dental drama, Littler made sure to thank the Night and Day Emergency Dentist staff ("I can't thank you enough") adn dropped an "I love you" to Faith on his post. Kid's got his priorities straight, even when he's dealing with what sounds like a nightmare situation.

Belgium: Round Two of Bad Memories?

Plot twist: last time Littler played the Flanders Trophy, he got knocked out in the third round by Dirk van Duijvenbode, 6-2. Not exactly his finest hour. Now he's potentially heading back there with a freshly extracted tooth and zero idea how he's going to feel.

Honestly? If I were his manager, I'd be having serious conversations about whether this trip makes sense. But knowing competitive athletes... he's probably already packing his darts case.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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 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'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.

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.

Statistics

In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
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 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."

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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.