The Math Behind Why Littler Isn't World No.1 Yet (But Probably Will Be Soon)

By Lewis Barnett 28 July, 2025 5 mins read 294 Views

Look, I've been covering darts for eight years now, and I still get confused by the PDC rankings sometimes.

Luke Littler just completed the Triple Crown at 18 years old – something that should theoretically make him the undisputed best player on the planet. Yet when you check the official PDC Order of Merit, he's still sitting at No.2 behind Luke Humphries. My mate Dave texted me Sunday night: "How is this kid not No.1 yet?" Fair question, Dave.

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It's All About the Money (Obviously)

The PDC Order of Merit works like a rolling two-year bank account. Every pound you win in ranking tournaments gets added to your total, and after exactly 24 months, it drops off. Simple enough, right? Except when you're dealing with a teenager who's only been a professional for 15 months.

Humphries currently sits at £1,797,750 while Littler has banked £1,500,500 since January 2024. That £297,250 gap might sound massive, but here's where it gets interesting – and slightly unfair for Cool Hand Luke.

Between October 2025 and January 2026, Humphries has to defend £890,000 in prize money. That's nearly a million quid he won during his dominant streak in late 2023 and early 2024.

Littler's Playing with House Money

Meanwhile, Littler is defending absolutely nothing. Zero. Zilch.

Every tournament he enters is essentially free money added to his ranking total. It's like playing poker when you're already up for teh night – everything feels easier when there's no pressure.

I watched him dismantle James Wade 18-13 in the Matchplay final with a 107.24 average. That's the highest final average since Phil Taylor back in 2014 (107.19, if you're keeping track). The kid pocketed £200,000 for that performance, and it all goes straight onto his ranking total.

When the Switch Happens

Here's my prediction, and I'm willing to bet my editor a tenner on this: Littler becomes world No.1 before Christmas.

If Humphries keeps getting knocked out early – his Matchplay title defense ended in round one against Gian van Veen – and Littler continues this ridiculous winning streak, the mathematics become inevitable. It might happen as early as November at the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton.

The timing would be perfect, actually. Littler could walk into Alexandra Palace in December as the official world No.1, defending his World Championship title. And get this – they've doubled the winner's prize from £500,000 to £1 million this year.

That completely breaks the ranking system for the next few years.

The Kid Knows His Numbers

After winning the Matchplay, Littler admitted he'd been doing the math himself. "I've looked at the rankings provisionally," he said, clutching the Phil Taylor Trophy. "I'm No.1 for the Worlds if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money."

Then he added with that trademark grin: "Obviously I don't want him to."

Brutal honesty from an 18-year-old who's earned over £2 million in prize money (including Premier League appearance fees) in less than two years. When asked about potentially losing hunger after winning everything, his response was classic Littler: "I have to build on it and get multiple of everything, triple of everything."

What This Means for Darts

We're witnessing something unprecedented in professional darts. A teenager completing the Triple Crown faster than anyone in history, while simultaneously preparing to become the youngest world No.1 ever.

The PDC ranking system wasn't designed for someone like Littler – a player who burst onto the scene fully formed and started winning immediately. Usually, players take years to build up their ranking totals. Littler skipped that entire process.

By this time next year, he might have ticked off every major title at least once adn be sitting comfortably at No.1. The scary part? He's just getting started.

Poor Luke Humphries. He's about to learn what it feels like being the old guard at 30.

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 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.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

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.

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 distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.

External Links

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I've been throwing darts since my college days back in 2008, but it wasn't until February 2022 that I really got serious about improving my game. That winter was brutal in Minneapolis—we had snow piled up to our windowsills, and I needed an indoor hobby that wouldn't drive my roommates crazy. Darts seemed perfect! Well, until I put a few holes in our wall... which led to my first lesson: always invest in a proper dartboard surround. My landlord wasn't thrilled about teh repair costs, but it taught me a valuable lesson about proper setup.