About Me
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Welcome to the Passionate Darter. I'm your host and webmaster, Sherilyn J. Herkey. I began this site as a class project for the Internet Webmaster Certification course at Illinois Institute of Technology. Not only am I fulfilling the course requirements with this web project, but I'm having great fun. |
I am, truly, passionate about the game of darts. I began playing about 12 years ago at a local pub with my brother. I didn't know the first thing about darts, but we played electronic darts so it was pretty easy to get started. A friend bought me my first set of darts and I've loved the game ever since.
Shortly after receiving my first set of darts I saw a poster in the pub for league sign-up. I showed up, and not knowing anyone, put my name on a list seeking a team. Several days later I received a call from my new Team Captain summoning me to my first team practice. This league was steel-tip and I had never thrown steel darts before. How much different could steel-tip darts be, I reasoned with myself. And on my way to practice I stopped at a local sporting goods shop and purchased a cheap set of steel-tip darts.
Steel-tip darts, as I would painfully learn, is MUCH, much different then electronic darts. In many steel-tip games you are expected to double-out and you must learn to chalk (or score) your own games as you throw your shots. Previously I had simply aimed at the board, now I was learning strategy.
At that first practice, I was miserable. As I said my goodbyes after the practice, and turned to leave, I overheard my new teammates say...well, she did hit a double! That was not too terribly encouraging but I was a new player, I was on my first team and determined to do well.
I bought a rolled-paper steel-tip board (one of the cheapest, and worst boards to buy) and practiced, practiced and practiced. So determined was I to do well that I kept a practice log with all the practice games, scores, and noted the length of time to complete each so I could chart my progress. Somewhere I still have that little book, but I'm digressing here. Back to the league play! It was some time before I won my first singles match but I was elated. Since then I've had many wins and many losses as well. I've shot excellent games and poor games, thrown the winning dart for a team championship, and thrown the losing dart for a money round in a tournament. I've met many good friends through the game of darts, have played in pubs and tournaments across the country, and have tried to help others master the game along the way. I don't think I'll ever tire of the game.
What makes the game of darts so enticing? There's the challenge of doing well, of hitting that perfect out or near perfect game. There's the thrill of placing and winning money in a blind draw or a tournament. There's the exhilarating feeling of playing the finals for a major tournament on the stage, with all the other darters watching your every throw. There's the moment you throw those 3 perfect darts - three triple twenties, and in a tournament no less. There's the excitement of seeing your name in the tournament results pages of Bulls Eye News Magazine. There's the moment when you play against others at tournaments or blind draws, and others remember your name because they have seen you play before. There's the time I won a Pro-Am tournament and played partners with an actual professional darter, wearing a dart shirt given to me with my name embroidered on it. There's the exposure at tournaments to professional darters who take the time to offer tips and strategy on the game, as well as encouragement (read about the time I played mixed doubles partners with my favorite professional darter Paul Lim). There's the confidence that comes from playing well and improving. In short, I love the game, and I am indeed, the Passionate Darter.
One of the great things about the game of darts is that anyone can play, anyone can do well, and darters, as a group, are generally a good set of people. The average darter is beatable at any given moment, which means even the beginner has a chance at this game.Strategy is also an important part of the game of darts. Playing darts isn't simply aiming blindly at the board, but rather understanding the different games and shooting a smart game. Even a lucky player can win a game now and then, but I guarantee that if you understand the strategy of the game, and further develop your own strategy, you will win many more matches. When I'm playing against a fellow-darter who clearly shoots for the wrong combination of numbers, and I realize they've made a mistake, that gives me confidence. And this confidence helps me to be more successful when shooting my game.
It helps if you're a quick thinker and can quickly add and subtract scores while standing at the line. The darter who does not have this ability is clearly at a disadvantage because they may not immediately know what target they should aim their next dart at. Like the game of chess, it is helpful to understand the strategy of the game, what your next shot is going to be, and what your plan of action will be once your opponent throws. It is helpful to think ahead and plan your strategy so you are not simply chucking arrows at the board.
And once you've got a few wins under your belt, maybe you'll realize you love the game as much as I do. I hope you enjoy perusing through this web site, and pick up something new that helps your game. If you've got any strategy questions or ideas on content to add, please E-mail me, I'd love to hear from you. As always, shoot well and I'll see you at the line.
Yours truly in good darts, Sherilyn J. Herkey AKA The Passionate Darter
