Watching Littler Feed Kangaroos Made Me Feel Like a Proper Tourist (And I'm Not Even There)

By Lewis Barnett 8 August, 2025 5 mins read 201 Views

God, jetlag is brutal.

I've been following Luke Littler's Australian adventure through his Instagram stories, and honestly? The kid looks absolutely knackered. Nine hours ahead of home will do that to you - I remember when I flew to Singapore back in 2019 and couldn't sleep for three days straight. Felt like a zombie walking around Marina Bay.

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The Nuke Nearly Got Nuked

So here's the thing about Littler's first match Down Under - it was messy as hell. Beat New Zealander Haupai Puha 6-5, but barely. We're talking about a guy who usually throws like a machine, and he's out there averaging 91.80 and missing 13 out of 19 checkout attempts. That's not the Luke we know.

Poor Puha must be kicking himself. Led 2-0, then 4-3, had first throw in the decider... and still couldn't close it out against a clearly struggling Littler. The world No.94 is apparently losing his Tour Card too. Rough day at the office.

Opera Houses and Koala Bears (Yes, He Called Them Bears)

But here's what I love about this whole trip - instead of staying locked in his hotel room like most players do, Littler's been out there living it up with girlfriend Faith. Sydney Opera House? Check. Wollongong Zoo? Double check. The lad's been feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas like a proper tourist.

"I think it's good to get out of the hotel," he said after his match. "Like 85-90% of teh time, we're just stuck in a hotel, so it's good to get out and experience things that we probably won't ever do again."

Smart kid. When you're 18 and traveling the world throwing darts, might as well see some exotic animals while you're at it.

Why Humphries Pointed to the Sky (Spoiler: It's Heavy)

Luke Humphries also scraped through his first round, beating Jonny Tata 6-3. When he nailed the winning double five, he pointed skyward - but then got all cryptic when asked about it.

"Yeah, I can't talk about it right now. You'll find out. It's just bad news today that's all," Cool Hand Luke said. "I will enjoy these events with my dad. It's been hard for my dad recently. He has been going through a lot with other things that everyone will find out about soon."

Oof. That hit different. Whatever's going on with his family, you can tell it's weighing on him heavily.

Belgian Complaints adn Hot Water Therapy

Mike De Decker beat Brandon Weening 6-2 but spent most of his post-match interview moaning about how cold it was. His solution? Washing his hands in hot water before his quarter-final against Humphries.

Listen, I get that temperature affects your throw, but complaining about the cold in Australia during their winter just feels... I dunno, a bit soft? Maybe that's just me being harsh.

The £30K Redemption Arc

Here's what's really driving Littler - he got absolutely demolished in last year's final by Gerwyn Price, 8-1. That's the kind of beating that stays with you. The £30,000 winner's prize is nice, but you know he wants this title for pride more than anything.

Next up: Damon Heta, Australia's top player. Should be interesting to see if the jetlag wears off or if we get another slugfest. My money's on Littler finding his rhythm - he always does eventually.

The quarter-finals are Saturday at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Stephen Bunting plays Josh Rock, Price faces Chris Dobey, and all eight PDC stars made it through the first round. No upsets, but plenty of drama.

Sometimes the best stories happen when everything goes slightly wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

Statistics

The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
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.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.

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.