Introducing Mike Dupes, a dedicated and passionate darter from Anchorage, Alaska US...

Have you lived in Anchorage all your life?
Actually no, I've lived in Anchorage since I was about 14. Came from Arizona, talk about a shock on the system. After time though, it's grown into home, though every time I travel out I like to threaten not to return. I always seem to find my way back on to the plane.

How did you get started playing darts?
Family. My mom has since I can remember, been a part of a dart team. I started out playing against her, then subbing in on her teams as needed. Finally I broke out and played on my own.

How long have you been playing?
Since I was about 16, so that makes it 15 years now.

What kind of darts do you throw? Dart weight? Type of flights?
Laserdarts Black Eagles, 18 gram, kite flights.

Where did you get your first set of darts from?
I believe they were hand-me-downs. The first set I purchased were Devastators from AAA Billiards in Anchorage, Alaska. I remember them well and still have them in my place.

Where do you buy your dart parts today? At an actual store? If so, which one? Online? Where?
Well, there's a catch to that question. I kind of have my own thing in the works, but if I need some thing right away, AAA Billiards has a store here locally and they're a great help to the community. Online, I limit my purchases, shipping to Alaska is a killer, and honestly, I'm a hands on guy, I like to see & touch what I'm buying.

Do you play steel, electronic or both?
Both, but my primary focus is on soft-tip.

From a player perspective, what is the biggest difference between competitive steel-tip darts compared to soft-tip darts?
The size of the spots on the board, the mental focus, and oddly enough the math. Soft tip players oddly enough don't typically know how to set themselves up for a good out. There's a certain mental ability needed to compete in either version, some people just don't have it, some people learn it, others never do. Steel, if you good at that, you should be just as good if not better at soft.

Which do you prefer? Why?
Soft-tip. The payouts are better. I've never been really big on keeping score and the local leagues in Anchorage have kind of left a bad taste in my mouth at the moment. One league is focused on "having fun" which limits it's player base against tournament players, the other league I played in, I was discouraged with when the vice president tried to cheat to get a win (cheat in steel tips?). Soft just seems to have more fun and less cutthroat stuff. Oh and don't get me wrong, there's things wrong too. I just hang my hat on that side of the fence at this time.

What do you say to folks who insist that electronic darts are not "real" darts?
It's an interesting argument, and I think there's very little to do to changes peoples minds. When people raise the question, I tell them my interest in both. Soft tip has brought in a lot more money in the state, and for the most part is a bit more organized up here, so that's what I play. Not to say that steel tip tournaments aren't ran well, I've just never paid a whole trip to a steel tip event on my winnings like I do in soft regularly.

Pictured at right: 2007 Dart Team - Bill Hale, Steve Mangipange, Mike Dupes, & Eddie Wimberly

There is a freeze-out rule in competitive soft-tip darts where a team member cannot win the game with skillful darts, even if they wanted to (because of the freeze-out rule). The darter's opponent's combined team score must be lower than the score of your partner. If not, you cannot throw your turn, but rather you must go up to the machine and press the next-player button so that your opponent may shoot their turn.

If a darter can win by throwing skillful darts, then they should be able to win for their team, regardless of anyone else's score, right? Can you clarify the entire point of the freeze-out rule in competitive soft-tip darts?
The dreaded Freeze rule, though it doesn't rear its ugly head in every soft-tip league it is a big turn off. You mainly see it in team and doubles formats. The theory behind it is this, if your teammate and your self both throw you averages, you shouldn't get frozen. It's supposed to deter sandbagging for a lower statistic {and rating}. There's a huge flaw though, it doesn't account for luck which happens for often than not for the people with the lower handicap you're playing against. Let me explain how the freeze works. If my opponents combined score is less then my teammate, I am frozen and can't win the game. There's such thing as a double freeze too, if the opponents combined score is less then my teammate score and my own, that's a double freeze, neither of us can win until we're below their combined. It sounds scarier than it is, but all and all, I believe it helps keep good darters away from soft-tip darts. Now keep in mind, this freeze rule only occurs in leagues that usually have each member shoot on their own set of numbers, not stacked like steel-tips. There are leagues that operate closer to steel-tip.

There seem to be more handicaps in soft-tip leagues. Someone might start off with an extra 100 points off their score so the game is really '201 to '301. This doesn't quite seem fair either - obviously the person with '201 points left has an advantage if their opponent has '301 to shoot. Please explain this one as well!
Let me state this from the start, I hate handicap. Here's the reason for it though. I'll use the Alaska Soft-Tip Dart Association that operates National Dart Association league in both team & doubles format. Soft-tip is very average based. Out of their player base, 90% of their players have an average below 20 points per dart. So the majority across the board push for this handicap based on their averages. It allows for a weaker player to start off below the stronger player, cause "based on averages" it would make a "fair" game.

If you ask me, it takes away ones push to become better and drive for more. I've actually had a match, I was at 501, my teammate 384, my opponents 201 and 300. The 201 lady got to shoot first, to my horror, she shot a 121 leaving herself 80. I shot a hat trick 150, leaving myself 351. The low lady shoots again, and takes it out. Keep in mind, I just shot 3 darts and lost a match. There's that mass flaw in the system. I honestly hate these leagues, I do play in them, I guess because I like to torture myself.

Now The Anchorage Soft-Tip Dart Association operates the Medalist league in Anchorage. It's more like the steel format mixed with a soft-tip feel. This league plays stacked '01 and there's no freeze. Players / teams are grouped by their averages / rankings. So there's no reason a person that shoots a 30 average would ever play against a person that shoots a 14 average. There is a handicap, it's very small though, nothing near like the 100's of points given up in the other leagues. Though, there's still those people out there that would rather sandbag to get to a lower division by throwing off and what not, it seems easier to address and correct in the Medalist league than in the others I've seen.

Here is another soft-tip question: It seems more often in soft-tip then in steel, that a match is one game or one leg, rather than 2 out of 3. (Except for money rounds or playoffs in soft-tip.) Most steel-tip league matches are 2 out of 3, as well as the general steep-tip tournament events. In your experience, do most competitive soft-tip leagues or tournaments consist of ONLY one leg (or only one game) in order to advance to the next round?
In soft-tip, usually you play many games and the winner overall gets the match. It's usually like 13+ games. Even at this it's usually the win loss record overall that matters, so I guess it's not about the match. Now I have seen some stupid stuff and major soft-tip tournaments were it becomes single elimination. Usually that few and in-between. With people forking in quarters to play, it's a rare sight to ever see a round robin play to.

Back to the interview questions about darts in general...

What is your favorite game and why?
Cricket, it's a game of skill (not everything counts) and strategy. Any one can win if they shoot well and follow a good plan of attack. It truly pits you against your opponent.

In the '01 games, what is your favorite out?
Oddly enough, looking back, a poorly shot 114 Shanghai style, Triple 19, Single 19, Double 19.

Have you been a Team Captain? What was that experience like?
I have, it can be very rewarding and very punishing. My former steel team the Bandits went back to back undefeated to take 1st in ADA "B" division here. It was a good time and honestly not all that hard, I had a roster of basically 2 teams to rotate through. I've also been the captain of a "competitive" soft tip team that really didn't feel so good about half way through. Some how I lost the fun in the whole situation. I'm a captain still today, but only friends, no push to win, it's nice.

What should players know about what its like to be a Team Captain?
Every one needs to know that a captain is in charge of the team. They juggle schedules, making sure all their players get their games to qualify. Good ones become masters of negotiations with bar owners and league staff. All the while trying to make sure the team is doing it's part to make things run smooth. It's not an easy task.

What is the biggest mistake that a Team Captain might make?
Not keep in touch with their players. I've been guilty of this at times. It ruins trust and possibly your team.

What qualities make a great Team Captain?
Some one that can bring a group together set out what they want to accomplish and go for it. Some one that communicates with others. Some one that knows how to set a schedule. Also takes a little bit of thick skin too. Really the ones that do great, are the ones that can put their team before themselves.

Tell me about your tournament, league and blind draw experiences...
Hmmmm, where to start….

How about the blind draws, the only ones that I've attended in the last couple of years has been the soft tip blind draws at PJ's. It's usually a blast. There are a few over the top players that can ruin a night, but for most part every one behaves. It's really kind of a nice draw, it's women first followed by the men, and an added bonus for top co-ed team. Hallie there at PJ's usually adds some extra $$$ to the pot. So there's a fairly nice pay out. One of the times that sticks in my head, is a blind draw/birthday party we had for a couple gals there at the bar. Every thing was going as normal, but then it was cake time. Try to picture 70+ candles burning strong and 2 guys stumbling around this cake trying to get it to the main floor for the girls. It was a sight, we're actually lucky the building didn't go up in smoke.

When people ask me about competing in tournaments I start off by explaining that most tournaments are a combination of ones ability to control how much they drink, work with minimum sleep and still have the mental focus to play with every thing going on around them. Sadly enough, it's not far from the truth. Even in some of the best ran tournaments I've played in, I've played from 8 in the morning until 4 at night. It's a test of endurance for sure. In Alaska I truly enjoy getting out and playing in the steel tip tournaments around the state. Some of the best people you'll ever meet can be found there. For some odd reason, I personally prefer the tournaments away from Anchorage. I see those folks all the time during leagues and what not. My favorite in a tournament in Cooper's Landing, Alaska, most of every one that attends this event stays at the hotel where it's held. The good times, the drinks, the food, and the people make this one of Alaska most popular events. There's another tournament I haven't made it to, it's in Nome, Alaska, only reason I haven't made it up, is the poor planning on my part, but every year it goes off without a hitch. It's some thing every one should try to make. Tournaments aren't for every one, but I strongly suggest that every one try one, it's an experience.

Leagues, oh, leagues, the backbone of the dart community. I'm not sure where to start talking about them. I guess the important thing is each one has its strengths and weaknesses. The one thing I encourage every one to do is get involved in their league. I would never say my experiences in leagues have been bad, but a learning experience for sure. The only time I was ever turned off by a league is when the vice president and his team cheated to try to rank their team higher than they were in the standings. If the people running the league are willing to cheat, who knows what else takes place. I will not play in that league anymore, it's as easy as that, and any one that asks me I'll tell them why.

What events are there at the tournaments that you attend?
Soft.

Medalist World (Las Vegas) you'll usually find doubles events and a few trios events. Maybe they'll throw in a singles event that fairly weighted. Most events run a medley format ('01/Cricket/Choice). Medalist has since noticed the event, and is reformatting it this year to fit within 3 day, so every thing is going to be new.

NDA Team Dart (Las Vegas) you'll come up like team (4 person), doubles, singles, coed, and trios. It all depends on the format, but usually each event has a focus like '01 or cricket. It's a long event, usually up to a week of playing, at not really friendly on the weight times to play.

In steel tip I usually make the trips to the Kenai area and Cooper's Landing. There's a couple that are held around Anchorage I attend too, The State Open, Darts for Diabetes, and a Memorial tournament.

Dart Dawgs, Alaska Soft-Tip Dart Association - NDA A Division Doubles
What is your favorite tournament event?
I would have to go with a singles cricket event. It's one person against another, no one to blame but yourself if you loose.

How do you prepare for playing in a tournament?
I'm an odd duck, I practice on my own anyways, but the week of the tournament I'll get in 3 days of intense practice, playing all the games I'm going to compete in, and playing WITH MY PARTNERS. The night before, I don't play. Rest early and get a good dinner. The day of, a light breakfast and small sips of my drink, I can also be found chewing ice. I'm not an emotional character, so to some I come off cold, I'm just in my zone.

How much of darts is the eye-hand coordination/mechanics and how much is the mental focus?
I would say 70% muscle memory and 30% metal focus. I know people that are great players but what I call mental midgets. One thing wrong, and it turns off their game.

How do you get into the "zone" when you're competing?
I control my breathing, look at the floor and when I look up, I focus in on my target. When in the zone, I can hear nothing but my partner's voice. There are very little distractions for me. I've even been able to block out pain.

What is your role in running tournaments?
Usually, some how, I get stuck making an announcement, running a bracket, and handling the payouts then reporting the results.

Do the leagues rate the skill level of players - and for tournaments, are there events for each of the different skill levels?
Soft tip, Medalist does rate players in ability clumps, I feel it makes things more competitive. Usually each division plays all the same games, just against teams of their own level. NDA is a cluster, the league itself is open and handicapped based by averages. The teams (doubles or team) are split into division by their '01 average (major flaw) to compete in the tournament where they play '01 and cricket. Because there's such a difference in teams, it's possible in the top division to have a team with a big difference.

Steel tip is always, open, straight up, no ranking.

Alaska Dart Association - The Undefeated Bandits, 2007
How many dart bars are there in Anchorage?
True dart bars, 2. But many bars compete in the league, hell just this year Boston the restaurant jumped in.

How far do you have to travel to away bars for league?
Well this year I'll be playing against an Eagle river team, it's that's about 30 miles, maybe 30-45 minutes.

What is the format of the league(s) that you are involved in?
Medalist, 15 games, 6 '01 /7 cricket /high player single cricket /low player single '01.

NDA Team Four person soft-tip teams, play handicapped games, 8-501, 8-Cricket

NDA Doubles Two person soft-tip teams, play handicapped games, 6-501, 6-Cricket, 1-701

D.S.C. Express Trios, a fun league for cash. Team are capped on ability, play is straight up. 3 singles 301, 3 trios cricket, & 3 doubles cricket games. Each player plays 1 301, 2 doubles cricket and 3 trio cricket. It's a fast format made to bring people into the bar.

ADA - 4 person teams, (limit of 8 including subs). Match format is one team game of 801 DO/DO (1pt), 2 doubles games of 501 SS/DO (1pt each) and 16 singles games of 401 SS/DO (1pt each). 10 pts need to win match.

Dart Dawgs Triumphant Against Team Spain NDA Team Darts, 2007
Do you travel to tournaments and which are your favorites?
All over the state for steel tip. Soft-tip, I travel to Las Vegas regularly to compete in the world events. My personal favorite though is a steel-tip tournament in Cooper's Landing, Alaska.

Do the pros travel to compete in tournaments in Anchorage? Which pros?
I haven't seen any compete up here. I have met John Lowe up here in passing through. Would like to get Paul Lim to come up some time.

How many teams do you play on, and how many times a week do you play?
This year I've cut back. I play on 3 teams, I play Thursdays, rotate through on Fridays and Sundays.

Which is your favorite pub to play at, and what would make the perfect dart bar?
PJ's of course, well at least it used to be. I used to play money games and for fun in there until 4AM in the morning. Now days though, that zing for darts has died out. Not sure if it's the poker craze or the money crunch people are feeling. So, now days, anywhere a game can be found.

Since darts are played in pubs, do you think that darts has a bad reputation as just a bar-room game because there is alcohol involved?
Yeah, it gets that outlook. Most sponsors of darts have in the back of their mind, what's in it for them? It's really a great way to fill an empty bar during the week if you do things right. I've heard of church leagues and what-not, too. So it doesn't have to be alcohol related. I'd love to see darts go back to the VFW's and Moose lodges, back to smaller private playing areas it used to be. I some times feel giant dart bars loose a lot of their personality in trying to fill a place.

What about darts on television - have you watched darts on TV? Have you watched dart matches online?
I have both, I have DVDs too. I like to watch their stroke and compare it to mine. I think that some thing is lost watching it anything other than live. I am guilty of watching darts anyway I can though.

What will it take for darts to be successful as part of regular TV programming?
Hmmm...

I used to compete in paintball competitively around the world too, and we asked the same question. Short matches, something the viewer can relate too. Flashy events, sponsors and big money, and the one thing every one hates to hear, skin to win. No one cares about the overweight dart player that wins 12 titles. We need something that catches the audience.

Do you practice and what is your practice routine?
I do. I'll play count up, cricket, '01, around the world, and Burma Road.

Do you have a board set up at home? Do you have a picture of this?
No, I practice where I play, in the dark poorly lit bars…

What have been your best moments playing darts?
Taking first in the local NDA team tournament to allow my friends / teammates to retire on top. Creeping my way into the A division with all the lower guys pulling for me to knock out the big dogs. Getting on stage at my first Medalist World event in Las Vegas.

Describe throwing your first Ton80?
I really didn't know what happened. I threw, I threw and I threw, the team went nuts. It was my first night with them and my opening throw of the season. I was clueless…

Do you consider darts a game or a sport and why/why not?
It's a rough call. It can be both. There's people that play darts, they may own a set, and play in a league, but don't practice or compete in tournaments much or at all. For these people it's a game, luck and chance. But there's the other side of that. The Darters, they practice, they play leagues, tournaments, money games and thing you throw at them. They usually have the biggest chip on their shoulder cause they've put some thing into it. They train, muscle memory and a standard throw, they can usually hit their target fairly accurately. I think these people make it a sport.

What are your thoughts about the possibility of darts being an Olympic event in the '2012 games?
Would be awesome! USA has a lot of catching up to do.

In your opinion, what needs to be done in America to promote darts in a positive manner?
Youth programs, we need to play in more places than the poorly lit bars we play in, positive top players, and some one to run well against the rest of the world.

How do YOU help promote darts in a positive manner?
I try to keep every one informed. When some thing is wrong, I call it just that. I write up articles on www.alaskadarts.com and help many leagues with their management. I don't jump towards having stacked teams when I play, I prefer the challenge of giving an player a chance to play with a higher rated player. Every one knows I'm approachable to talk about just anything. I'm usually very positive while playing, there's a few people (and they know who they are) that I don't care for.

Tell me about the youth darter programs in Anchorage, and/or Alaska in general?
Youth programs? That's a novel idea, we need one again!

How do you keep up to date on darts throughout the state of Alaska?
It's a hard task when every thing is by dog sled. It's actually not that hard, most the people that throw tournaments know to get a hold of me, either by phone or email. Usually I'm at the events, not sure how that works out, must be the darter's draw.

Do you keep up to date on world darts such as what the PDC is doing?
No…

Have you attended any of the PDC Las Vegas Desert Classic tournaments?
I haven't, but there's been a few Alaskan that do go.

What makes up good sportsmanship?
There's a combination of things. It's the ability to know your opponents and play accordingly. It's being positive, and letting go of the things in the past. It's cheering on friends and their competition even though your match is done. It's volunteering without reward and often times not even a thank you. It's congratulating your opponent on a win or great shot. There's a number of things, it's displayed often and forgotten just as often.

Which darters would you like to meet?
Phil Taylor (who wouldn't) / John Part / Eric Bristow

What words of wisdom do you have for darters who are just starting out?
Play your game, decide how far you want to take things and most importantly, have fun.

What is the best way for a new darter to learn to chalk?
Watch a few other first, and then do it. Practice makes perfect.


Do you subscribe to Bull's eye News Magazine? If not, why not? If so, what is your favorite column or subject covered in the magazine? What would you like to see more of in Bull's Eye News Magazine?
I don't oddly enough, I guess I just never really filled out the information to get started.

What is your role in the website www.AlaskaDarts.com?
I help the owner keep everything up to date as much as possible. I've become the contact and one of the go to people for darts in Alaska. I try to keep the dart players informed and up to date on what events are going on and when. Some times my opinions that I write upset people, they're supposed too.

Do you frequently surf other dart websites and which ones are your favorites? Why?
I do, I'm always looking to see what else is out there. A better practice routine, a new look at darts, what people are saying, issues with a league format. I'm looking all over for whatever information I can get, then I pass it along.

Do you plan to travel to Chicago for the Windy City International Open, usually held annually in September or October?
Nope, not me.

Tell me three things that most darters do not know about you...
That I'm a dad, and now a husband (happened this last Saturday). Though I compete at darts, it's not my life. My friends are my friends and I hold each one dear to myself. I have 2 rabbits as pets.

Congratulations on your wedding and fatherhood!

What are you doing when you are not playing darts?
Paintball, playing computer stuff, or organizing the next league or event. Baseball...watching NASCAR!

And lastly, what kind of work do you do?
I'm a dispatcher. Go figure that, I organize things.

Thank you Mike, for the opportunity to learn about your passionate darter point-of-view, and for sharing your comments regarding the world of darts. You seem to be an avid team player with many different experiences, steel-tip, soft-tip, league, tournaments, and your comments about competing, sportsmanship and the reality of what it takes for darts to be successfully televised, for the masses, are SPOT on. Yes, your interview is very engaging to read, and again, thank you very much.

For those who want to learn more about darts in Alaska, take a moment to visit: www.AlaskaDarts.com, or buy an airline ticket to travel directly to Mike's home-bar: PJs, in the Anchorage, Alaska area. And don't forget your darts.

As always, shoot well and I'll see you at the line.