This is my editorial and mine alone, just things I've picked up along the way in pursuit of mastering the game of darts. I'm interested in what you have to say, or words of advice so drop me a note at E-mail Regarding This Editorial.

Bad Sportsmanship

First of all - there is no room for swearing, fighting or generally being a bad sportsman in the game of darts. Darts is the only game that begins and ends with a handshake and let's keep it that way. If you're a gracious winner, then learn to be a gracious loser. Acting in bad sportsmanship only serves to help keep darts on the decline. And with this conduct darters do not want to play with you or against you. Most wins are won fair and square and there is no room for poor losers. We all lose along the way so learn to lose graciously. This means complimenting your opponent on good darts, not cheating, and ending the evening on a positive note. Dart bar owners do NOT want you to play in their bar if you're a sore loser.

If you have signed up to play on a team with a bad sportsman, then finish out your commitment and look for a new team. If this is the case, or you play against a team who epitomizes bad sportsmanship, it is your duty to report this team to the league. You are not being a rat...The league cannot reprimand the bad sportsman without knowing about him/her. It would be a shame if a darter with these antics continued to play and give darts a bad name. Worse, teams would leave these dart bars and bar owners would be left with the feeling that darters aren't great sportsman.

We are all ambassadors of good darts and let's keep it this way!

Support Darts and Encourage New Shooters

Next - with steel-tip darts on the decline support your local dart bar and show up on off nights to practice, attend the occasional blind draw, and local tournaments. This is how to keep darts on the upswing. Take the time to thank your dart bar owner for their participation and support of the game. It costs money to run a dart bar, keep the boards in good condition, make sure there is adequate lighting and plenty of room to play. The dart bar owner has the option of filling that dart space with electronic boards and pool tables that bring in revenue. How many dart bars are no longer dart bars, or have closed down, or sold their real estate to strip malls in order to make money? Support your local dart bars and keep the sport alive!

Justin Duke
H.D.A. President (Houston Darts Association)