News & Reviews

Well the big news is I have a NEW website!

Darts501.com has a sustained following and new visitors discover it every day. So I thought it was about time I gave the site a long awaited overhaul. For anyone that writes or maintains websites they will know it is a labour of love to keep things up to date hence why I no longer can afford the time to give you match reports, however there are many good websites out there that can provide you with this information.

Darts501.com was also designed to be different. It is independent from any manufacture or supplier and therefore my viewers are not biased towards any of them. However I do appreciate the help and support they all have given me and that also includes the major darts governing bodies.

So on will some of my latest reviews.

NEW to Darts501 - Dart Events Calendar

I have introduce a comprehensive darts events list for all darts fans. The calendar will list WDF,BDO,PDC, Local and Player Exhibitions. This is a free listing and if you have a Google email or use a Google calendar you can add the event details to your personal calendar. If you are holding an event and would like it featured the fill in the small event form on the Darts Events Calendar page. I will do my best to feature as many as possible.

January 2012

Lakeside BDO / WDF World Darts Championship 2012

Congratulations to Christian Kist for winning the Lakeside World Darts Championship. Christian beat Tony O'Shea from the England 7 - 5. It was Christian first appearance at Lakeside and becomes one of only few that has won the title at their first attempt.

Both Tony and Christian had thrilling semi finals. Both semi finals went to the last set. Tony beat Wesley Harms 6 - 5 and Christian beat Ted Hanky 6 - 5.

Congratulations also go to Anastasia Dobromyslava for winning her second Lakeside World Darts Title. She beat  Deta Hedman 2-1 in a hard fought final.

Trina Gulliver for the first time in her career failed to make the Lakeside final losing to the eventual winner in the semi final. But like Phil Taylor she still remains a legend in her own life time and has currently won nine world championships and appeared in eleven world championship finals. 

Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship 2012

Congratulation to Adrian Lewis for retaining the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship title. Adrian beat fellow Stoke-on-Trent  player  Andy Hamilton 7 - 3 in sets. Both players had thrilling semi final matches and both narrowly made it to the final by beating their respective semi final opponents 6-5.

The fifteen days of darts broadcast by Sky has been one of the best darts tournaments yet. It should the depth of darts across the World  with some of the big named players falling in the early rounds. The event had it all and if your are a darts fan and missed the broad casts fear not because for a small fee you can watch the 2012 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship again on your PC via LIVE PDC TV plus other PDC darts events that have been played during 2011 See below for more details.

See a list of past winners of this event and other World Championship finals click here.

Miss to the event Or don't have Sky TV?

If you missed the live TV broadcast of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship or would just like to relive some of the fantastic matches that were played then sign up to LIVE PDC TV. For a small monthly or yearly subscription you can watch darts LIVE on you PC. Also watch highlights of matches that have been played during this tournament and past tournaments. Some of the LIVE PDC TV darts isn't shown on Sky or terrestrial TV so you can see more darts via the LIVE PDC TV broadcast than anywhere else.

In addition subscribers can see highlights of the 2011 William Hill Grand Prix plus over 300 other matches that have been played. They include the World Match Play, UK Open, RTL7 Masters, Premier League, and previously played Ladbrokes World Darts Championships to name just a few. Sign up now and don't miss a dart!

October 2011

BDO Trophy Champ - iPhone / iPadApp

The BDO have put its name behind a new iPhone app called – ‘BDO Trophy Champ’

The new app at a cost of 69p and allows you to take a picture of yourself or a friend and overlay one of a few BDO darts trophies. You can also pose for a picture show a 180! From what I had read I thought that can’t be it! But unfortunately it is.

The idea is good and fun but the app doesn’t for correct positioning. I.e. take or use an existing photo. But and stick a picture of a trophy on it. It would be much better if you could see the trophy in the frame shot first but no! Sorry guys this get a big thumbs down from me make it free then there is no reason to gripe but even then I think it may still be a contender as one of the worst apps ever.

Sid Waddell

Following a statement recently posted on the PDC website. I would like to send my best wishes linguistic genius ‘Sid Waddell’. Sid a Sky Sports Darts commentator and writer was recently diagnosed with bowl cancer; he is currently undergoing treatment.

Sid is famous for his off the cuff sporting comments many of which you can read here. For the latest information regarding Sid please visit the PDC website.

All the best Sid I hope your recovery is faster than a nine dart checkout! (I think I leave the clever wording to you)

Trina Gulliver Interview - BBC Radio Somerset

BBC Radio Somerset's Matt Faulkner interviews Trina Gulliver following Trina's Gold medal win at the UK Internationals.

May 2011

Scoring for Show, Doubles for Dough.

Bobby George’s darts lingo

By Bobby George and Dr Patrick Chaplin 

So what have these geezers been up to this time! Well a new book landed on my doorstep a couple of days ago (title above) all about darts lingo! Yes, the terms used or have been used to describe anything from numbers, scoring, good and bad play in the sport of darts.

So the first thing I did? I took the book down the Frog and Toad up the Apple and Pears into the Rub-A-Bub! What! Yep! That is what I did! Translated means ‘I took the book down the road and up the stairs into the pub…’ and had a good read. Well I thought I would start off my review with a direct reflection for what is in store for you.

‘Scoring for show, doubles for dough’ is a compendium, glossary, list, and reference book, what ever takes your fancy! It contains a list of words, phrases and terms used over the years by dart players to describe virtually everything to do with the sport of darts.

A lot of the terms listed can be credited to one area of London namely the East End, or to be precise to the East Enders born within the sound of Bow Bells! (St Mary-le-bow church bells) If you are born within this relatively small area of London you can be called a Cockney and for those of you that know me I am a Londoner but I am not a Cockney! I was born on the south side of the River Thames in Wandsworth.

So what is so special about Cockneys? Well many use rhyming slang terms to describe every day English terms (example above) and for the untrained you are unlikely to know what they are talking about. But I digress, if you wish to know more about Cockneys and the Pearly King’s and Queens of London town have a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney

Many of you would have come across a few of the terms used within the book. Some of you will know their meaning others won’t. The book tells you where most of these terms originate but with others you will find are still under debate. But please don’t be put off by my opening remarks this isn’t a book about Cockney rhyming slang. Darts terms featured in the book come from all over the country and across the pond in America. They feature terms not only used for the traditional dartboard you see on telly; the clock or London board but also the Manchester log-end and the Soft-tip dartboard widely used in America.

Personally I am glad this book as been written by two of the most respected individuals within the darts world today. The wit of Bobby put together with the renowned historian and writer Dr Patrick Chaplin are a perfect marriage. Together they have compiled probably the most comprehensive list of dart terms I have ever seen. There are some terms however missing and some I had to look twice at, as I have never heard the terms used within darts. I think some of the content just explores variation of terms.

Not all the terms / phrases are fully explained and some of these are fairly common phrases to a darter. An example: ‘Shanghai’ – No meaning given to this term other than it means hitting a treble, a single and a double in a single combination throw and of course it also refers to a game. So where does ‘Shanghai’ come from Chaps?

‘Bed and Breakfast’- They miss out the ‘Champagne Breakfast’ which consists of a treble five, treble twenty and treble one unlike the single of each in a single throw is given the title of ‘Bed and Breakfast’.  I thought this was a common darts phase used for years but it misses the list. Where this term originates from I haven’t a clue. Maybe it was coined as a better ‘Bed and Breakfast’, a linking of rings, Wedding breakfast! But I merely guess. I think this is one for the ‘Professor’ to sink his teeth into.

For those of you that watch regular PDC darts coverage on TV will also be familiar with a stack of terms used to describe play, but this is Bobby George lingo, so don’t expect to find those terms in this book. However for good measure you are treated to several of Bobby’s ‘Georgisms’. Bobby has come out with a lot of one liner’s over the years, coined many a nickname for himself and fellow darters many you can read in the book and of course where they all originated. ‘Luvverly jubblerly’. There is also a small insight into his exhibition scene, plus a further reading list which many of you will find useful. But dare I say it! I am sure these guys will be bombarded with other terms used across the country to describe dart play and local dart colloquialisms. So book two may be on the horizon before the release of book one! If you do however send them anything try and supply the reason behind the use or better still, and if at all possible, a written piece maybe from an old journal to back up the originality.

Having said all this I have mixed views regarding the final cut of the book. I am happy to see the terms listed for prosperity and it does make a good read for those of you that want to learn a little more about dart terms. However, I am disappointed with the unnecessary and over use of swearing and sexual innuendos used by a seemingly frustrated Bobby George. If you put that to one side then the book will make a nice one for your dart book collection.

‘Scoring for show, doubles for dough’ goes on general release in all good book shops and online on the 25th June 2011.

May 2011

Book Reviews from 2010

The Darts Bible

How to Play and Win at Darts

By David Norton & Patrick McLaughlin with Steve Brown.

David, Patrick and Steve have done an excellent job with this modern darts book. It reminded me of an early readers digest format whether that was the intention or not, I am not sure but the colourful and ring binder layout make this book very tactile to read.

The book as the name suggests ‘The Darts Bible’ tries to cover a lot of ground from the early history of the modern game both in the US and UK through to how to play as well as covering rules, facts and a history of tournament wins.

Steve Brown, legendary US professional darter, contributes well. His advice throughout the book titled ‘Pro tips’ are an inspiration and particularly the section which I call the middle game but referred to here as the setting up, will I am sure help many a darter beginner or not review their tactical throwing. Phil Taylor 15 times world champion also lends his personal advice under the ‘Gospel according to…’ Phil’s mind set reminds us that although darts can be fun sport to be enjoyed maybe over a beer, his single mindedness approach and advice show you why he has won so many tournaments during his career. His advice along with Steve’s will make you think how you approach the sport in future.

Features on dartboards, darts both steel and soft-tip, lighting and setup are valuable to the beginner. I particularly like the snippets that are dotted around sections of the book this alone makes this book different from many I have read.

How to play advice and rules are covered in depth as well a glossary of the many of the sports stars profiles and achievements. If you’re are fed up of just playing 501 or cricket then I suggest you have a read of the numerous games that are featured as I am sure you will find something here that you will want to play.

If anything this book is a good reference book for both the beginner and the more serious player. There is something here for everyone but if I was to be critical in anyway, the fact based detail regarding players are repeated in different context a few times throughout the book and I wonder if the large section taken up by who won what and when was a little too large and would be better served with more technical advice from Steve and Phil. All in all a very good darts book that I would recommend to any dart player regardless of play level.

The book is now available form all good book shops and internet book selling sites. Amazon

June 2010

The Official Guide to Bar Darts

by Dr Patrick Chaplin

Patrick Chaplin is an established writer on the sport of darts. He is a regular contributor to Darts World and We love Darts magazines here in the UK and occasionally has the odd article published in Bullseye News in the United States. Patrick is probably known best as ‘Dr Darts’, a nick named given to him many years ago but now he can truly call himself Dr Dart. His dissertation on the social history of Darts in England 1900-39 was made into a book in 2009. A limited run of hard back copies were made and if you are lucky you may still be able to get you hands on one. (A paper backed version may be on the cards but as yet I haven’t heard).

Although Patrick has written many books include two world champions’ autobiographies: - John Lowe and Trina Gulliver and along with John Lowe ‘The Art of Darts’. But this latest Patrick venture sees  him passing on his wisdom in his first book covering aspects of the game that you wouldn’t normally associate with Patrick; ‘The Official Guide to Bar Darts’.  Patrick isn’t a person that you will see throwing darts on the stage of the Lakeside nor indeed throwing darts for his County of Essex, England. So is this project a well structured and informative book? Well yes!

Patrick isn’t a prolific one eighty scorer any more and his new book will help any aspiring darter. Unlike a just how to play dart book, Patrick ventures into aspects that are not normally covered or indeed given much thought as regards dress and preparation. The book does also cover choosing a set of darts, the grip and stance and here Patrick draw’s upon observations he has made not only from his own throwing technique but more importantly from the professionals that he has met and knows within the sport.

The book isn’t designed just for those new to the sport readers or indeed just a how to do, there is something here for everyone. Games, practise, improve your game; dealing with nerves and crowd; tournament and top player profiles. As you may expect from a historian, a brief history of the sport is included and a dedicated section on women’s darts.

If anything Patrick has tried to cover a lot is a small package and I am aware the initial script was in the region of 100,000 words. This however has been cut back a fair bit, but never the less this is a good book worth buying for both new and experience dart players. I think everyone will gain something from ‘The Official Bar Guide to Darts’. A comprehensive index also makes this book a good reference book when needed.

The book is now available is the USA and in the UK from June 2010. Purchases can also be made online from various book sellers and Amazon.

June 2010