A memorable match. It is January 1983. The scene is set in the 'Jollees Cabaret Club' in a town called Stoke-On-Trent. Eric Bristow's mind splits in a second, he did not go for the double Bull. With a Single 18 he left '32' on the chalkboard. It is Keith Deller's turn. He has to take an outshot of 138 and he picked that opportunity! Through Treble 20, Treble 18 and Double 12 it's game shot, the match and the Championship!!! The Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke-On-Trent was in those years THE place where you should be. From 1979 to 1985 the BDO World Darts Championship were held over there. (We are talking about 'The Embassy', now called 'Lakeside'). Stoke-On-Trent is the city where Ted Hankey and Philip Douglas Taylor were born.

Each player has its own moments of glory, but also his own favorite location. Every match is different, every situation is different. It happens sometimes. You are standing at the line and it all feels good in an instant. You feel as if you are home.

Without a doubt, the best darts are thrown at home. In the living room, in the basement or at the attic. Your own trusted location, your own trusted dartboard.

A tournament in your favorite pub, it still feels more at home than the big tournaments that are played in large sport halls. The matches in the competition. . . there are always surprises. A crooked lane in the corner or an orbital lane placed at the entrance and exit. In the center of the cafe or in a separate section where you can concentrate best. Music in the background or just express music in the foreground. The colors, the establishment, the smells, the people, the drinks, the memories. . . . everything contributes to an optimal (personal) place to be.

Learn to enjoy! Enjoy the moment, enjoy the game, enjoy the location. That's what it's all about. Enjoyment is addictive; to put away your needs is rather unhealthy. Just find the right balance and your 'place to be' can be everywhere.

There you are, shopping. Suddenly you walk along a traditional English pub. You put your hand against the window to reflect the sunlight to fall. Two elderly men playing a game of darts, the board is nicely illuminated. The bartender did not pressure, he follows the game with appropriate interest. Then he smiles, the game is over. The men shake hands. It seems as if the loser wants to make clear sign that he could have won. "Are you coming?" Calls your wife suddenly. "Yes, yes I am on my way" is what you call back. An afternoon shopping. . . pfff. . . that's not easy for a dart player.

Let's go back to the ' Jollees Cabaret Club' in Stoke-On-Trent. Keith Deller was a debutante, Eric Bristow had already triumphed in the same place. Perhaps it was exactly that 'home feeling' that ensured Bristow to assume that Deller was not capable of shooting a 138-finish. Enjoy your 'place to be'; but keep it sharp!

The annual tournament where you've never performed well. You don't understand why, but there is something that you don't like. It just feels not warm, not like home, you miss that dart pleasant atmosphere. You gotta bend this recognition to your own advantage. Observe the lane and the board before the game (if possible).

Try to focus on the things you do like. Any negative thought is already one too many; feelings against everything are obviously not desirable...

MR. 19 (AKA Jeroen van den Helder of The Netherlands)

"Where ever I lay my darts is my home!"