I'm still laughing about this one. Our boy Luke Littler has officially had ENOUGH of German darts fans and their booing nonsense. Can't say I blame him.
When Fans Push Too Far...
The 18-year-old phenom (god, remember when we were all 18 and accomplishing... absolutely nothing?) has pulled out of the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen this weekend. He'll be the only player in teh PDC top 20 missing the event, which tells you everything you need to know about how bad things have gotten.
This isn't shocking if you've been paying attention.
German crowds have been absolutely brutal to the kid. Last month in Berlin, they greeted the world champ with boos before his quarter-final against Dobey. Littler responded with some choice gestures of his own - because what else would you expect from a teenager getting heckled by drunk adults?
Even German Players Are Confused
The weird part? Even German dart star Max Hopp was baffled by his countrymen's behavior.
"I don't understand why people would boo him," Hopp said after witnessing the Berlin incident. "They should be thanking him! The fact that prize money is about to skyrocket is all because of him."
Exactly! The kid's bringing millions of new eyes to the sport, and this is the thanks he gets?
Munich Was the Last Straw
Two weeks ago in Munich, it happened again. More boos. More hostility. I watched that match with my brother-in-law (who knows nothing about darts) and even he was like, "What's their problem with this kid?"
Littler finally snapped after that one.
He posted on Instagram: "Shouldn't have been in Munich but had to play anyway. Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that."
Reading between the lines there wasn't difficult. The kid was DONE with certain German venues.
Why Do They Hate The Wonderkid?
I've been following darts since 2018, and I've never quite understood why certain crowds turn on players. Back in 2019, I spent €200 on tickets to see the Premier League in Rotterdam, and the crowd behavior was... let's just say enthusiastic but respectful.
Is it jealousy? The kid's made around £1.5 million in his first year as a pro. Is it his confidence? The fact he doesn't back down?
Whatever it is, Littler's making good on his threat. No Sindelfingen for him.
The Dortmund Exception
Interestingly, he specifically mentioned Dortmund as the one German venue he'll still play. I texted my friend who's a regular at these events, asking why Dortmund might be different. His response: "Better crowd, more respectful. Also better beer." Priorities, I guess.
Listen. At the end of the day, the kid's 18. He doesn't need this grief.
And honestly? Good for him for setting boundaries. Too many athletes just take the abuse and smile through gritted teeth. Littler said nope, not playing there, and stuck to his guns.
That's the kind of backbone that makes champions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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 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.
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.
I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?
This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.
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
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- 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.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
External Links
How To
Choosing Your First Set of Darts
When I started out, I grabbed whatever cheap darts came with the board I bought at Target. BIG mistake. The flights (those wing things at the back) kept falling off, and the tips bent after just a few throws. After wasting about $30 on those garbage darts, I finally invested in a decent tungsten set.
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