Well holy crap. I did something stupid last night and I'm not even sorry about it.
After TEN FREAKING YEARS of Premier League disappointment, I woke up this morning with the most beautiful bedmate I've ever had. No, not my wife (sorry Keila!) - I'm talking about that gorgeous Premier League Darts trophy I snagged in Berlin yesterday. Couldn't help myself... had to do the whole Messi thing. You know, that iconic photo where he's cuddling the World Cup in bed like it's his childhood teddy bear? Yeah, THAT one.
From Zero to Hero (Finally!)
Let's be brutally honest here. The first eight weeks of this Premier League were absolute torture for me. Showing up, getting knocked out in the first round, rinse and repeat. Week after week after miserable week. My 12-year-old Toby actually stopped watching because he said it was "too painful" - kids don't sugarcoat anything, do they?
But last night in Berlin? Different story entirely.
I somehow managed to channel whatever cosmic dart energy was floating around Germany and knocked out Nathan Aspinall, then world champ Luke Humphries, and finally Gerwyn Price. Back in 2015 during my only other Premier League appearance, I couldn't buy a win. Fast forward to 2025, and I'm suddenly unstoppable for one magical night.
What the hell happened in Berlin?
Listen. I was ONE MATCH away from tying Peter Wright's embarrassing record of 13 straight Premier League losses. Thirteen! That's the kind of stat that follows you to your grave. "Here lies Stephen Bunting, he once lost 13 Premier League matches in a row." Not on my tombstone, thank you very much.
The Berlin crowd was something else. When they started chanting "let's go Bunting mental" during my walk-on, I almost lost it. Got that weird lump in my throat and everything. Those Germans really know how to make a Liverpudlian feel special.
Trophy Selfies and Bedroom Confessions
So yeah, I did teh thing. Took that £10K trophy to bed with me. Snapped a pic. Posted it online with a caption about it being "one of the best I've been in bed with" which... probably wasn't my smartest move considering my wife might read that. (Love you, Keila!)
Worth it though.
The Dark Days
Back in January when this Premier League started, my manager bet me $50 that I'd win at least one night. By week six, he was acting like he'd never made that bet. Poor guy was probably already mentally spending that money.
There were moments I seriously considered just not showing up. Faking a mysterious illness. Anything to avoid another first-round exit.
But my youngest, Theo, kept telling me "Dad, you're due." Every. Single. Week. The kid's optimism was almost annoying... until he was right.
What This Means (Besides $10K)
Getting knocked down repeatedly then finally climbing back up feels... I don't even have the words. It's like being underwater for months and finally coming up for air.
My sponsors stuck with me through this nightmare stretch. They probably questioned their life choices a few times, but they never said it to my face. That loyalty means everything when you're struggling.
And the fans? God. You people are certifiably insane for supporting me through all this. Every time I stepped up to that oche feeling like a complete fraud, there you were, screaming your lungs out like I was actually good or something.
Turns out maybe I am.
Sometimes.
When the stars align.
In Berlin.
What's Next? (Besides Returning the Trophy to My Wife's Side of the Bed)
I'm giving 110% moving forward. That's such a cliché, isn't it? Athletes always claiming to give more than is mathematically possible. But when you've been through the professional equivalent of being repeatedly punched in the face for eight weeks straight, then finally land a knockout blow of your own... it changes something fundamental inside you.
So yeah, I'm riding this confidence wave as long as possible. And if I crash again next week? At least I'll always have Berlin. And that bedroom trophy pic that'll probably haunt me at family gatherings for years to come.
Worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
- 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.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
External Links
How To
Throwing Technique: The Basics
The perfect dart throw is all about consistency. Your arm should move like a pendulum, with the elbow as the pivot point. The dart should travel in a straight line toward the target, not in an arc.
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