Honestly? I didn't see this coming.
George Noble – you know, "The Puppy" – just called it quits on Premier League Darts. Right after what might've been the most electric final we've seen in years between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. Talk about going out on a high note, I guess.
Three Decades Behind the Oche
The man's 56 and has been calling darts since I was probably learning to tie my shoes. Started back in 1992 – can you imagine the sport back then? Different world entirely. He's seen everything from the BDO glory days through the PDC revolution, and now he's watching teenage sensations like Littler throw perfect darts like it's nothing.
What gets me is the timing. Noble literally witnessed the changing of the guard in that final – old school Humphries versus the kid who's rewriting every record book in sight.
The Voice of Perfection (21 Times Over)
Here's a stat that'll blow your mind: Noble has called 21 televised nine-darters. Twenty-one! That's more than any other ref in the game. I remember watching him call Raymond van Barneveld's perfect leg back in 2009 – the first nine-darter in PDC World Championship history. The guy's voice was shaking with excitement, and honestly, so was mine.
Poor Noble probably never imagined he'd become the soundtrack to darting perfection.
Eighteen World Championships. Every BDO final from 1995 to 2007. The man's resume reads like a history of modern darts, and now he's just... done. With the Premier League, anyway.
What's Next for Darts Officiating?
Before hanging up his Premier League microphone, Noble made some interesting comments about the future of refereeing. He thinks it's time for the first female referee at a major tournament – and maybe even the first non-British one. Can't argue with that logic, honestly. The sport's gone global, so why shouldn't the officiating reflect that?
He'd already stepped back from the European Tour after last week's Dutch Darts Championship, so this wasn't completely out of nowhere. Still feels sudden though.
The Perfect Exit
If you're gonna retire from Premier League duty, doing it after a Littler vs Humphries final isn't the worst way to go. Those two are basically carrying the sport into its next chapter, and Noble got to call one last epic battle between them.
Makes me wonder what he's thinking right now. Three decades of "One hundred and eighty!" and "Game shot and the match!" – that's gotta leave a mark on your soul.
The PDC tour will keep rolling without him, but it won't sound quite the same. Some voices just become part of the fabric of a sport, you know? Noble was one of those voices.
Guess we'll see who steps up to fill those shoes. Big ones to fill, that's for sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- 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.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
External Links
How To
Final Thoughts From a Passionate Amateur
As I'm writing this in late 2023, I'm still working on improving my own game. My current challenge is mastering the triple 19 as an alternative to the triple 20 when one gets blocked by previous darts. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks—my muscle memory fights me every step of the way!
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