The Kid Who Can't Stop Winning: Luke Littler's Wild Ride Down Under

By Lewis Barnett 18 August, 2025 5 mins read 262 Views

Honestly? Watching Luke Littler right now is like watching someone play darts in cheat mode.

The 18-year-old world champion just wrapped up his second straight title in New Zealand, and he's walking around saying he feels "unbeatable." Which, given that nobody's managed to beat him in four weeks, sounds about right. The kid's sitting on a 13-game winning streak that started back in Blackpool last month, and he's £60,000 richer after his little jaunt across the globe.

But here's the thing that gets me – he still won't call himself the best player in the world.

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Faith, Jetlag, and a 23,000-Mile Love Story

So apparently Luke's secret weapon this time around wasn't his famous 180s or those ridiculous averages. It was his girlfriend Faith tagging along for the ride. He's calling her presence "pretty lucky," which is probably the understatement of the year considering how this tour went.

His parents stayed home this time (smart move, honestly – jetlag hit them hard last year), and his manager Martin Foulds had to bail early because he got sick. That left just Luke and Faith to handle the pressure of back-to-back tournaments in Australia and New Zealand.

Poor Faith probably didn't know what she was signing up for when they went public with their relationship earlier this summer. One minute you're dating a darts player, the next you're flying 23,000 miles round-trip watching your boyfriend demolish everyone in sight.

The Luke vs Luke Situation

Here's where it gets interesting. Everyone and their grandmother thinks Littler is the best player on the planet right now. His form is absolutely mental. But Luke Humphries is still sitting pretty at world No 1 in the official rankings.

And our boy Luke? He's got principles about this stuff.

"Luke is world No 1," he said. "Until I get to No 1, I won't call myself the best player in the world. Being No 1 means you are the best — whether you are winning or not."

I mean, fair enough. But also... mate, you've won three titles in a row and haven't lost a match since July.

What Happens When You Feel Invincible at 18?

Listen to how this kid talks: "I just feel unbeatable at the minute. I'd say this is one of the best patches I have been in for quite a while."

The best patch he's been in for quite a while. At 18. God.

He's already looking ahead to Antwerp on August 29, talking about making it four titles in a row like it's just another Tuesday. The confidence isn't arrogance though – it's backed up by numbers that would make seasoned pros weep. His averages are through the roof, his finishing is clinical, and he's making it look effortless.

But then he drops this line that shows he's still got his head screwed on right: "Players could be thinking about my dominance. But for myself, I want to win everything that comes my way."

The Real Question Nobody's Asking

Everyone's focused on when (not if) he'll overtake Humphries in the rankings. That'll probably happen before the World Championship starts in December at Ally Pally.

But here's what I'm wondering – what happens to everyone else when this kid officially becomes world No 1 and starts calling himself the best player on the planet?

Because if he feels unbeatable now while still being humble about his ranking... imagine what happens when the numbers finally match the performance.

The darts world better buckle up. This is just getting started.

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.

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'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.

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.

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 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.

Statistics

The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
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.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
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.

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/holy-hell-josh-rock-just-threw-himself-off-a-200meter-tower-at-53mph-before-his-big-tournament