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From the Passionate Darter...
I have so many good experiences in the dart world that I just want to write about 'em and remember 'em! I'm not sure if anyone out in the dart cyber-world is interested so I'll hide it here under "More About Me"...
Favorite number?
Any number that I am shooting at!
What do you do when you have to double-out and you have '50 left?
I cannot believe some darters actually have to think about this. You throw for the double-bull like you want to win the game.
Pet peeve?
Let's say that you're playing '501 and you have '451 points left. Your next round is a big fat resounding '25 points leaving you '426 points left. Now, that is really nothing to write home about, I mean '25 points isn't going to get you a whole lot closer to your out. You've got a long way to go, baby. There are those darters or team members who I know are trying to be supportive and they'll say "Good shot - You made it even!" ARGHHH. First of all, hitting '25 wasn't a good shot unless you were actually aiming for a grand total of '25 points and in that case you hit your target. Of course you weren't aiming for a measly '25 points, you were aiming for the holy grail in darts, the Ton80! But here's the part that really bugs me and that's the comment about "Way to go, you left it even!" Well, even doesn't really matter unless you have to double-out AND you are down to an out with one dart left. I mean, C'mon! There are plenty of three dart outs for odd numbers so it just doesn't matter at that stage in the game, when you are in the 400s, to concentrate on making the score even. Hello?
Worst experience playing darts?
This has only happened to me twice in my darting days...and hopefully this scenario doesn't happen too often to other darters or to me ever again because there really is no point to it. I am talking about throwing those divinely good darts, being in the zone, and winning your single's match in league play ONLY to have your opponent refuse to shake your hand afterwards. Like I said, there's no point to this. If you are going to play darts then learn to be a gracious winner as well as a gracious loser. This only gives me more confidence whenever playing that particular opponent in the future because I will shoot my little heart out before I give up a match to a poor sport. Secretly (okay, not so secretly!) my plan is to beat 'em and hopefully make 'em wish later that they had stayed home rather than venture out and play darts. There's no room in darts for poor sports so get out of my way.
Some of the biggest lessons to learn playing darts?
Face it, darts are played in pubs and often well into the wee hours of the night. It is so easy to let yourself get caught up in the moment and drink too much. It is a lot of fun raising a pint with your friends and throwing darts for the night. However, the painful truth of the matter is that it just isn't smart to drive when you are too tired or when you have been drinking. I'm not a saint, I'm not an angel and I'm not on a soap-box. I am just sharing what I am learning along the way and that is that if you're too tired to drive, or driving under the influence then you are either very lucky or bad things are likely to happen. It's a whole lot cheaper in the long run to call a cab. 'Nuff said.
Who are the darters that I admire?
I admire any humble and passionate darter. It doesn't matter how good you are if you're an arrogant darter. I have no respect, time or energy for the arrogant ones no matter how talented they may be or how smooth their stroke might be.
Next on my list? I do admire and respect those who give themselves tirelessly to running leagues, the blind draws and tournaments. Organizing darts is truly a labor of love and certainly no one is going to become rich running a tournament (except maybe Barry Hearn someday of the PDC). These volunteers have made a huge commitment and those folks most likely put up with a whole lotta crap. Remember that the next time you're asking for something from them.
Next, I have to mention that I admire the darters and dart pub owners who support and give regularly to charitable causes and benefits organized to raise money for darters in need. Knock on wood, I hope never to be on that side of the fence and will gladly support those darters who need some help along the way.
Lastly, if I am going to name names, my favorites - the ones that I look up to and are ten feet tall in my book are Mr. John Lowe (first darter to throw a perfect '501 OI-DO game on television) and Paul Seigel, AKA Dartoid. Dartoid might not be able to throw a dart but he sure can write a good column about the game. And from everything that I know about them, they are both humble, and passionate darters.
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