God, remember when everyone absolutely hated Gerwyn Price?
I'm talking proper, visceral hatred here. The kind where entire arenas would erupt in boos the second he walked on stage. Back in 2023, the man literally had to wear ear defenders at the World Championship because the crowd noise was so brutal. Imagine being so universally disliked that you need noise-canceling headphones just to do your job.
Now? The Iceman's facing Luke Littler in Thursday's Premier League semi-final at the O2, and something weird has happened. People are actually... cheering for him? It's like watching your least favorite uncle suddenly become tolerable at family gatherings.
When Everyone Else Becomes More Annoying Than You
Price himself has the most brutally honest take on his newfound popularity. "Maybe there's one or two characters in there now that the fans probably don't favour," he said recently. Translation: I'm still irritating, but apparently these other guys are worse.
Smart strategy, honestly. Stand next to someone more obnoxious and suddenly you're the reasonable one.
The Welsh thrower qualified fourth for the Premier League playoffs, which is pretty impressive considering how many people questioned whether he even deserved a spot after his lackluster 2024. He answered those critics by throwing not one but TWO nine-darters this season - in Manchester and Aberdeen. Because nothing shuts people up quite like perfection.
The Chippy That Changed Everything
Here's where things get really interesting though.
Price bought an old pharmacy in his hometown of Markham, Wales, and converted it into a fish and chip shop. I'm not making this up. The guy went from throwing tungsten to serving mushy peas, and apparently it's doing well enough that he's considering walking away from darts entirely.
"If I fall outside the top 64 and finish darts tomorrow, I really don't care," he said. "I'm just going to start enjoying darts now, turn up when I want to turn up and when I have to turn up."
That's the kind of confidence that only comes from having a solid backup plan. Or really good batter recipe.
Family First, Tungsten Second
The 39-year-old has completely flipped his priorities since opening the shop. "In previous years, it's been darts first and family life after but that's going to change now. It's going to be family life first, darts after."
You know what? Good for him. The man's built himself a platform where he can literally walk away whenever he wants. That's probably why he seems more relaxed these days - when you're not desperately clinging to your career, you can actually enjoy it.
Price hasn't won a major since 2022, but he's had a decent 2025 so far. Won Players Championship 2, finished runner-up in Bahrain, made the quarters at seven tournaments. Not world-beating stuff, but solid enough to keep him in the conversation.
The Accidental Redemption Arc
Maybe that's what we're witnessing here - the most unintentional redemption story in darts. Price didn't change his personality or suddenly become Mr. Congeniality. He just found something else to care about more than winning over crowds.
And somehow, that made people like him more.
Thursday's semi-final against Littler should be fascinating. The former pantomime villain versus the teenage sensation. Price might be the underdog, but he's always thrived in that role anyway. Plus, if it all goes wrong, he's got fish to fry back home.
Literally.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Statistics
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- 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).
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
External Links
How To
Taking Your Game Public
Playing at home is one thing; throwing in a crowded, noisy bar is another beast entirely. My first league night was a disaster—I couldn't focus with people walking behind me and the pressure of teammates watching. Now I wear headphones with low music between throws and have a specific pre-throw routine to center myself.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/the-voice-we-all-know-is-hanging-up-his-mic-and-im-not-ready
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