God, what a night.
I've been covering darts for eight years now, and I still can't decide if Gerwyn Price is brilliant entertainment or just... exhausting. Thursday night at the O2 gave us another masterclass in why "The Iceman" splits opinion like no other player on the circuit. The guy went full pantomime villain mode against Luke Littler, complete with his trademark ear-splitting roars that either make you want to punch the air or reach for the mute button.
That Roar Though...
Listen. I was sitting maybe 30 feet from the stage when Price broke Littler's throw in the opening leg. The sound that came out of that man's mouth could've woken the dead in Wales. Proper primal scream territory, followed by this aggressive fist pump toward his corner like he'd just won the whole tournament.
My colleague Sarah immediately texted me: "Is he always this extra?"
The answer is yes. Always.
One fan on X summed it up perfectly: "That scream Gerwyn Price does is a proper ick ur 40 bro." Harsh but... I mean, they're not wrong? There's something about a grown man letting out banshee wails every few minutes that feels a bit much, even by darts standards.
The Crowd Wasn't Having It
Those 12,000 punters at the O2 made their feelings crystal clear. Every time Price stepped up, you could hear this low rumble of boos building. Not the playful pantomime booing you get sometimes – this felt genuinely hostile. Remember, this is the same guy who wore headphones on stage back in 2023 because he couldn't handle the crowd noise. The irony wasn't lost on anyone.
But here's the thing that gets me: Price thrives on this stuff. The more they booed, the louder he got. It's like he feeds off the negativity, which is either psychologically fascinating or deeply concerning. Haven't decided which yet.
When The Nuke Went Nuclear
Poor Luke looked rattled early on. And I mean properly shaken – not the cool, collected teenager we've gotten used to seeing demolish seasoned pros. Price had him 6-4 up at the break, and you could see Littler's frustration building with every missed double.
Then something shifted.
Littler admitted afterward he "stormed off stage" during the interval, which honestly made me respect him more. The kid's human after all. He told Sky Sports he just sat down, had a drink, and gave himself a proper talking-to: "You can do it." Basic stuff, but sometimes that's all you need.
The comeback was vintage Littler – clinical, ruthless, and absolutely devastating. 10-7 in the end, booking his spot in the final like the defending champion he is.
The Price Divide Gets Deeper
Social media went mental during and after the match. For every person calling Price's antics "a proper ick," there was someone else defending the passion. One fan claimed hearing Price's roar actually made them feel better while they were sick in bed – "some sort of energy transfer went on." Mental, but I kind of get it?
Another simply said: "The Price roar is mega int it." Short, sweet, and probably accurate if you're into that sort of thing.
Here's my take after watching this unfold live: Price isn't going anywhere, and neither is the controversy. He's 40 years old, a former world champion, and he's found a persona that gets people talking. Whether they love him or hate him seems almost irrelevant – they're watching, they're reacting, and they're buying tickets.
But watching Littler handle the pressure and come back from 6-4 down? That's the real story here. The kid's learning how to win ugly, how to dig deep when things aren't going his way.
That's champion mentality right there.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Statistics
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
External Links
How To
Mastering Your Grip & Stance
There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/finals-night-format-breakdown-how-many-legs-do-they-actually-play
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