Darts Betting and discussion

[The Camel]

Surely the greatest sportsman in English history has to have performed at the top in multi-disciplines?

GOAT?

Never heard of him, but pretty bloody impressive.

And to think I was in awe of Rebecca Romero.

[Marky147]

People also forget that Taylor could easily continue at this level for another 10 years as well.  25 years after winning his first WC he is still the short priced fav to win the WC every year.  Who is to say when this will end?  I am amazed he is still averaging 100+ in lengthly WC semis etc ten years after his peak.  If someone had said to me ten years ago he would be in the 2015 WC final after averaging 103+ in the semis i would have laughed at you.  Why can't he still be doing the same in 2025?  Is he the greatest ever English sportsman then if he has been at the top of this game for 35 years at the age of 65?

People say 'it's only darts it's not a sport' blah blah.  Why isn't Steve Davies/Hendry etc still at the top of their game crushing it if 'its only snooker'?

Glad someone tempted you out of retirement, son!

HNY

[Omm]

Mesmerised that these two middle age men are vying for a place in the final, feels like they are rolling back the years, when in fact the years haven't gone to be rolled back. Seriously when is Phil gonna get sh!t? Is he the greatest WORLD champion that ever lived?

Nice to see u back Arbboy, (I'm getting lonely in the greyhound thread!!!) agree that he is the greatest world champion ever, just can't bring myself to say he is also the greatest sportsman. Camel goes very close with Redgrave, in fact can't think of another modern day sportsman that beats him. Obviously there may be a few in history that we have forgotten.

Without doubt Darts would not be what it is today without Taylor, like him or not he raised the standard and changed the game forever.

[BigAdz]

It's really quite a difficult question to answer.

At first, I thought Arbby was onto something with Redgrave, ie, doing it himself then hand picking his crew etc, in an elitist sport. But then I thought most individual sports are elitist in some way or other.

Motor racing-money
Darts/Snooker-can't see parents eager to say, ok skip uni, become a darts player-unfashionable.
Tennis/Golf, seen as needing money to persue them.

Then most everything else are regarded as team sports, with every individual having doubts cast on their supreme greatness by, "well, he was just part of a great team"etc.

I think where people such as Taylor and McCoy deserve so much credit, is the fact that at ages when most people in their sport, let alone sport in general, are in the commentary box, or running a restaurant or driving a taxi.

Not only are they still the best, but they are still doing numbers that suggest they are still improving, just to stay ahead of the rest

[arbboy]

People also forget that Taylor could easily continue at this level for another 10 years as well.  25 years after winning his first WC he is still the short priced fav to win the WC every year.  Who is to say when this will end?  I am amazed he is still averaging 100+ in lengthly WC semis etc ten years after his peak.  If someone had said to me ten years ago he would be in the 2015 WC final after averaging 103+ in the semis i would have laughed at you.  Why can't he still be doing the same in 2025?  Is he the greatest ever English sportsman then if he has been at the top of this game for 35 years at the age of 65?

People say 'it's only darts it's not a sport' blah blah.  Why isn't Steve Davies/Hendry etc still at the top of their game crushing it if 'its only snooker'?

Glad someone tempted you out of retirement, son!

HNY

HNY to you as well son and all other blondes on the sports threads.  I hit the big 4 0 yday as well.  Mid life crisis got me back on blonde pissed up watching the NBA.  Obviously it is all about opinions and Sir Steve has been a incredible athlete across a huge timeline at the very highest level.  I am a bit biased though towards the power living in Stoke.

[stato_1]

If you classify Darts as a sport can't really see any argument for anyone other than Taylor

[arbboy]

It's really quite a difficult question to answer.

At first, I thought Arbby was onto something with Redgrave, ie, doing it himself then hand picking his crew etc, in an elitist sport. But then I thought most individual sports are elitist in some way or other.

Motor racing-money
Darts/Snooker-can't see parents eager to say, ok skip uni, become a darts player-unfashionable.
Tennis/Golf, seen as needing money to persue them.

Then most everything else are regarded as team sports, with every individual having doubts cast on their supreme greatness by, "well, he was just part of a great team"etc.

I think where people such as Taylor and McCoy deserve so much credit, is the fact that at ages when most people in their sport, let alone sport in general, are in the commentary box, or running a restaurant or driving a taxi.

Not only are they still the best, but they are still doing numbers that suggest they are still improving, just to stay ahead of the rest

McCoy and Taylor are very similar.  McCoy is just a better person with more class than Taylor.  Taylor lets himself down with his antics away from the game itself but as people have said that is just down to a lack of education in earlier life.  Taylor's level of mind games is incredible.  If Anderson wins tonight i really hope he makes Taylor sign the board as i would love to see Taylor's reaction if someone made him do that after losing a world final.  This game is going to make or break Anderson's career going forward imo mentally.  He looks so much mentally stronger than ever this year but this is the one guy he has known deep down for years he can't beat.  I want to see a real nasty streak in him tonight with no hugs and smiles with Taylor in the warm ups.  He always looks like he is beat against Taylor before he starts.

If they both turn up tonight this has the potential to match any final in history quality wise.  I really hope it does.

[tikay]

People also forget that Taylor could easily continue at this level for another 10 years as well.  25 years after winning his first WC he is still the short priced fav to win the WC every year.  Who is to say when this will end?  I am amazed he is still averaging 100+ in lengthly WC semis etc ten years after his peak.  If someone had said to me ten years ago he would be in the 2015 WC final after averaging 103+ in the semis i would have laughed at you.  Why can't he still be doing the same in 2025?  Is he the greatest ever English sportsman then if he has been at the top of this game for 35 years at the age of 65?

People say 'it's only darts it's not a sport' blah blah.  Why isn't Steve Davies/Hendry etc still at the top of their game crushing it if 'its only snooker'?

Glad someone tempted you out of retirement, son!

HNY

HNY to you as well son and all other blondes on the sports threads.  I hit the big 4 0 yday as well.  Mid life crisis got me back on blonde pissed up watching the NBA.  Obviously it is all about opinions and Sir Steve has been a incredible athlete across a huge timeline at the very highest level.  I am a bit biased though towards the power living in Stoke.

No no no, you have missed the very best bit about Phil Taylor. He was the inaugral inductee in the.......

Stoke On Trent Hall of Fame

How about THAT, then?

PS - Welcome back, & Happy Birthday. 50, wow.

[arbboy]

People also forget that Taylor could easily continue at this level for another 10 years as well.  25 years after winning his first WC he is still the short priced fav to win the WC every year.  Who is to say when this will end?  I am amazed he is still averaging 100+ in lengthly WC semis etc ten years after his peak.  If someone had said to me ten years ago he would be in the 2015 WC final after averaging 103+ in the semis i would have laughed at you.  Why can't he still be doing the same in 2025?  Is he the greatest ever English sportsman then if he has been at the top of this game for 35 years at the age of 65?

People say 'it's only darts it's not a sport' blah blah.  Why isn't Steve Davies/Hendry etc still at the top of their game crushing it if 'its only snooker'?

Glad someone tempted you out of retirement, son!

HNY

HNY to you as well son and all other blondes on the sports threads.  I hit the big 4 0 yday as well.  Mid life crisis got me back on blonde pissed up watching the NBA.  Obviously it is all about opinions and Sir Steve has been a incredible athlete across a huge timeline at the very highest level.  I am a bit biased though towards the power living in Stoke.

No no no, you have missed the very best bit about Phil Taylor. He was the inaugral inductee in the.......

Stoke On Trent Hall of Fame

How about THAT, then?

PS - Welcome back, & Happy Birthday. 50, wow.

Steady on 40 son.  That's bad enough!

[tikay]

Has Taylor always done that "let the other guy throw first" thing in long games?

That's quite a neat mind-game.

Do other players ever do the same to him?

[BigAdz]

The most interesting thing about Taylor, is when you hear he only got into Darts because Bristow couldn't find a regular playing partner(tale according to Bristow).

Taylor was no more than a borderline County player, and Bristow tried to make him a great player as his pet project.

Apparently, he was totally useless and would crash out of every tourny early doors, and was close to giving up on many occasions. Bristow says, he showed little natural ability, but in the end it was shear determination won the day.

Hope for us all, eh!

[tikay]

The most interesting thing about Taylor, is when you hear he only got into Darts because Bristow couldn't find a regular playing partner(tale according to Bristow).

Taylor was no more than a borderline County player, and Bristow tried to make him a great player as his pet project.

Apparently, he was totally useless and would crash out of every tourny early doors, and was close to giving up on many occasions. Bristow says, he showed little natural ability, but in the end it was shear determination won the day.

Hope for us all, eh!

If Wiki is correct.......


Although he liked to play darts as a child, he never took up the game seriously until 1986 when he moved into a terraced house in Burslem, living near to Eric Bristow's pub the Crafty Cockney. A few months later, his wife Yvonne bought him a set of darts for his birthday and he started playing weekly, occasionally at Bristow's pub. By 1988, he was selected for the county team and playing at Super League level. Bristow started sponsoring him by loaning him £10,000 later that year to help him get started as a professional darts player and on the condition that he gave up his job in the ceramic industry

[Bazzaboy]

It's really quite a difficult question to answer.

At first, I thought Arbby was onto something with Redgrave, ie, doing it himself then hand picking his crew etc, in an elitist sport. But then I thought most individual sports are elitist in some way or other.

Motor racing-money
Darts/Snooker-can't see parents eager to say, ok skip uni, become a darts player-unfashionable.
Tennis/Golf, seen as needing money to persue them.

Then most everything else are regarded as team sports, with every individual having doubts cast on their supreme greatness by, "well, he was just part of a great team"etc.

I think where people such as Taylor and McCoy deserve so much credit, is the fact that at ages when most people in their sport, let alone sport in general, are in the commentary box, or running a restaurant or driving a taxi.

Not only are they still the best, but they are still doing numbers that suggest they are still improving, just to stay ahead of the rest

McCoy and Taylor are very similar.  McCoy is just a better person with more class than Taylor.  Taylor lets himself down with his antics away from the game itself but as people have said that is just down to a lack of education in earlier life.  Taylor's level of mind games is incredible.  If Anderson wins tonight i really hope he makes Taylor sign the board as i would love to see Taylor's reaction if someone made him do that after losing a world final.  This game is going to make or break Anderson's career going forward imo mentally.  He looks so much mentally stronger than ever this year but this is the one guy he has known deep down for years he can't beat.  I want to see a real nasty streak in him tonight with no hugs and smiles with Taylor in the warm ups.  He always looks like he is beat against Taylor before he starts.

If they both turn up tonight this has the potential to match any final in history quality wise.  I really hope it does.

I agree with that. Anderson is a different player when he has a bit of fire in his belly (like last night). Beating Taylor in the Players last month will surely have him in a positive mindset here although I expect Taylor will be a different animal tonight. For me it's all about how Anderson starts and his double top. If he hits that like he was last night then he can win. If he misses a few early doors then he could fold quickly as he's not the best chaser in the world.

[Marky147]

People also forget that Taylor could easily continue at this level for another 10 years as well.  25 years after winning his first WC he is still the short priced fav to win the WC every year.  Who is to say when this will end?  I am amazed he is still averaging 100+ in lengthly WC semis etc ten years after his peak.  If someone had said to me ten years ago he would be in the 2015 WC final after averaging 103+ in the semis i would have laughed at you.  Why can't he still be doing the same in 2025?  Is he the greatest ever English sportsman then if he has been at the top of this game for 35 years at the age of 65?

People say 'it's only darts it's not a sport' blah blah.  Why isn't Steve Davies/Hendry etc still at the top of their game crushing it if 'its only snooker'?

Glad someone tempted you out of retirement, son!

HNY

HNY to you as well son and all other blondes on the sports threads.  I hit the big 4 0 yday as well.  Mid life crisis got me back on blonde pissed up watching the NBA.  Obviously it is all about opinions and Sir Steve has been a incredible athlete across a huge timeline at the very highest level.  I am a bit biased though towards the power living in Stoke.

Haha, better get yourself a sports car, and a load of designer clobber!

[buzzharvey22]

Gary Anderson needs to win otherwise the world of darts goes back a bit.

The world needed MVG vs Taylor final and MVg winning. but weve got 2nd best and we need ando to win!!

What a redic statement to make about the greatest ever sportsman in English history.  The guy is close to retirement age and has crushed a sport non stop for 25 years against probably 25/30 wannabe champions and seen them all off time after time when prize money/sponsorship deals are reaching football salary levels for the top 4 in the game.  He has more cash than he could ever spend in his life in Stoke on Trent yet is still motivated to totally crush his chosen profession and you say the sport is taking a step back when he continues to average 103 in world championship semis over 9 or 10 sets against a fellow all time great??  Are you on drugs?

Watching him tonight was like poetry in motion.  I can't believe we are still in 2015 and watching him play at this level when he has taken the game into a different orbit over the past 15/20 years.

Do people ever think about Hendry or Davies still destroying Snooker in 2015 like Taylor is still destoying darts?  It's truely incredible.  He is far and away the greatest sportsman in the history of this country.

Steve Redgrave wins "greatest sportsman in English history" easily IMO.

Really?  Hand picking fit younger guys to fill the boat in his later years to power him to glory?  Phil hasn't had that luxury.  He just powered through 25 years of total domination himself and single handedly taken the game to a totally different level.  Redgrave hasn't changed rowing personally in the slightest imo.

Bristow was winning the world final 6-0 in 1986 averaging sub 95!!!!!  I really don't think most darts fans realise how good a product they are watching right now.  Pre PDC/sky no one in the history of the world championship ever averaged more than 95 in a final who got beat in the Embassy final.  You would struggle to get to the 2nd round now averaging sub 95.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_BDO_World_Darts_Championship

John Part must be the worst 3 time world champion in the history of any sport.

He won the world final 6-0 averaging 82 in 1994 then luck boxed his way to beat a nobody in sheppard in 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_BDO_World_Darts_Championship

How dare he pick the strongest team to try and win the Olympics.

I bet Messi is often caught banging on the Gaffas door asking him to sign Josy Altidore