Darts Betting and discussion

[craigbetts]

One for the Dart experts.

Do you guys think the general standard of play is better/worse/same this year relative to previous years?

Without looking at stats, I would say that the top level performers have not performed, yet the congestion in the guys averaging 90-98 is very competitive and there are more players playing better at this level. A good run and a close win here or there and the likes of Thornton, Newton or Wright are in the final playing one of the top performers. The Lewis v Wade match up is big and the winner of that is a big favourite for the title IMO.

[millidonk]

One for the Dart experts.

Do you guys think the general standard of play is better/worse/same this year relative to previous years?

Throughout this year the standard of darts as a whole has increased dramatically imo. We were seeing an abundance of 100+ averages on the build up to the world champs but this hasn't been seen in this particular tournament.

also like Betts said the overall standard has increased with the lower echelon rising up. Relative unknowns are consistently hitting 90+ averages and the top boys are not bringing their A game. Whilst it has hurt my wallet personally it has made games more closer / harder to predict and more exciting to watch. imo obv.

[tikay]

One for the Dart experts.

Do you guys think the general standard of play is better/worse/same this year relative to previous years?

Throughout this year the standard of darts as a whole has increased dramatically imo. We were seeing an abundance of 100+ averages on the build up to the world champs but this hasn't been seen in this particular tournament.

also like Betts said the overall standard has increased with the lower echelon rising up. Relative unknowns are consistently hitting 90+ averages and the top boys are not bringing their A game. Whilst it has hurt my wallet personally it has made games more closer / harder to predict and more exciting to watch. imo obv.

Thanks Milli, & also Craig.

I'm sure you are right, but I'm just trying to see how we can actually establish that. I see it oft-repeated as a fact, but how do we know?

It's not a personal thing, but I have an inbuilt default setting in my mind when I see stuff like that being stated, I start off by saying "but how do we know that is so?"

I do it with every single thing I see in print, everywhere. Is that really true?

We see it in poker a lot, kids see stuff on 2+2 & immediately state it as a fact.

No big deal, I'm just curious.

I thought some of the early rounds were pretty poor, to be honest, but I'm not a Darts expert.

Incidentally, "if the top boys are not bringing their A-game", surely that proves the point?

[Marky147]

Interesting to see Van Gerwen is playing last again tonight, maybe the producers like seeing him bowl around shitfaced...

[Snowball]

The pack are defo getting closer, I would put that down the Prize Money on offer meaning Players are taking it more serious an practising more.
Also with more Tournaments on Tv they are getting used to playing on the Big stage in front of Cameras.

[Snowball]

That was a pretty solid performance from Burnett.

I didn't really know him before until recently but him using radiator water to fill his pot noodle because he didn't have a kettle, is the single funniest thing I have ever heard anyone do.

He may be my favourite human.

He's a former World Champ.

[The Camel]

One for the Dart experts.

Do you guys think the general standard of play is better/worse/same this year relative to previous years?

Throughout this year the standard of darts as a whole has increased dramatically imo. We were seeing an abundance of 100+ averages on the build up to the world champs but this hasn't been seen in this particular tournament.

also like Betts said the overall standard has increased with the lower echelon rising up. Relative unknowns are consistently hitting 90+ averages and the top boys are not bringing their A game. Whilst it has hurt my wallet personally it has made games more closer / harder to predict and more exciting to watch. imo obv.

Thanks Milli, & also Craig.

I'm sure you are right, but I'm just trying to see how we can actually establish that. I see it oft-repeated as a fact, but how do we know?

It's not a personal thing, but I have an inbuilt default setting in my mind when I see stuff like that being stated, I start off by saying "but how do we know that is so?"

I do it with every single thing I see in print, everywhere. Is that really true?

We see it in poker a lot, kids see stuff on 2+2 & immediately state it as a fact.

No big deal, I'm just curious.

I thought some of the early rounds were pretty poor, to be honest, but I'm not a Darts expert.

Incidentally, "if the top boys are not bringing their A-game", surely that proves the point?

Well I've been watching darts for 30 odd years and I think the standard now is way way higher than ever before.

I remember when Paul Lim got the first televised 9 darter and what a huge deal it was.

Now there has been 2 in this tournament and about 4 near misses.

Although I read somewhere the treble 20 bed is a bit bigger now than it was in the heyday of Jocky, Lowie and the rest.

So that might be part of the of the improvement.

[Marky147]

That was a pretty solid performance from Burnett.

I didn't really know him before until recently but him using radiator water to fill his pot noodle because he didn't have a kettle, is the single funniest thing I have ever heard anyone do.

He may be my favourite human.

He's a former World Champ.

I remember him winning that title back in the 90s, because my old man had just been on a course with a couple of his pals, and they told him to look out for him in the upcoming championships.

[millidonk]

One for the Dart experts.

Do you guys think the general standard of play is better/worse/same this year relative to previous years?

Throughout this year the standard of darts as a whole has increased dramatically imo. We were seeing an abundance of 100+ averages on the build up to the world champs but this hasn't been seen in this particular tournament.

also like Betts said the overall standard has increased with the lower echelon rising up. Relative unknowns are consistently hitting 90+ averages and the top boys are not bringing their A game. Whilst it has hurt my wallet personally it has made games more closer / harder to predict and more exciting to watch. imo obv.

Thanks Milli, & also Craig.

I'm sure you are right, but I'm just trying to see how we can actually establish that. I see it oft-repeated as a fact, but how do we know?

It's not a personal thing, but I have an inbuilt default setting in my mind when I see stuff like that being stated, I start off by saying "but how do we know that is so?"

I do it with every single thing I see in print, everywhere. Is that really true?

We see it in poker a lot, kids see stuff on 2+2 & immediately state it as a fact.

No big deal, I'm just curious.

I thought some of the early rounds were pretty poor, to be honest, but I'm not a Darts expert.

Incidentally, "if the top boys are not bringing their A-game", surely that proves the point?

Completely right. You can't believe everything you read and you should always ask for opinions to be quantified.

The first thing I ever remember seeing on TV was darts. I have watched darts for almost 30 years both on tv and in pubs, clubs etc. My grandad, dad and one of my uncles were darts mad.

Any excuse for pics. 

I believe this was my 6th bday party:

Click to see full-size image.

Me a bit older. Darts mag world which I remember reading every issue I could ever get my hands on as a kid..

Click to see full-size image.

Sighs.. just realised camel posted. but meh..

x2 9 darters in first round. One of which was from a qualifier. x2 9 dart where they failed with the 9th dart!!

I don't have the time right now but I am sure if I went back through all comps and looked at the averages of players it would be a steady incline with this year being the peak. At the Grand Slam of Darts, there were 18 100+ averages, at the masters there were 7 x 100+ averages from 15 matches. Players on the outside, not talking about the fringe of the top 32, i mean way down the line are not only capable now, but are consistently achieving sick averages.

I remember the odds being 30/1 for a 9 darter on tele once. I think at the start of the world champs it was evens..

 

[millidonk]

I am the only Milligan who is terrible at darts. Even my missus is better than me. She was Durham University Ladies Singles champ. So sick. Although I did throw x2 140s on Thursday. Now I don't have a job I can finally put in the hours. Will be on the stage at the Ally Pally come Xmas 2015. legooooooo.

[craigbetts]

Had a look at round 1 stats for the PDC worlds for the last 3 years. (struggled with inserting a table!)

                     2012                    2013                     2014
avgs

70 -                2                           0                             0
70-79.99         1                           5                             4
80-84.99         9                          13                            12
85-89.99         22                         20                           21
90-91.99         8                            6                            9
92.93.99         5                            7                            2
94-95.99         8                            7                            4
96-97.99         2                            2                            8
98-99.99         6                            3                            4
100 +             1                            1                            0

On first look there is nothing to pull from this and the standard is pretty consistent throughout the 3 years. Last years quarter finals onwards show a big spike in the previous years scoring, although the match ups are key and the better players remained in the tournament.

 

[Tal]

3 years isn't much. Must be a marked spike when comparing the stats of 2008, 2003, 1998 and 1993.

More people are used to playing on TV and that is massive for the quality of darts.

[craigbetts]

3 years isn't much. Must be a marked spike when comparing the stats of 2008, 2003, 1998 and 1993.

More people are used to playing on TV and that is massive for the quality of darts.

I agree, although I thought Teeks was querying this year in comparison to recent years. The Camel was spot on, over time there will be a better standard. Just going to check back and see when records start on my research site.

[Snowball]

The Final is on Bbc 5 live.

[tikay]

Had a look at round 1 stats for the PDC worlds for the last 3 years. (struggled with inserting a table!)

                     2012                    2013                     2014
avgs

70 -                2                           0                             0
70-79.99         1                           5                             4
80-84.99         9                          13                            12
85-89.99         22                         20                           21
90-91.99         8                            6                            9
92.93.99         5                            7                            2
94-95.99         8                            7                            4
96-97.99         2                            2                            8
98-99.99         6                            3                            4
100 +             1                            1                            0

On first look there is nothing to pull from this and the standard is pretty consistent throughout the 3 years. Last years quarter finals onwards show a big spike in the previous years scoring, although the match ups are key and the better players remained in the tournament.

 

Thanks Craig.

Small sample size, but not conclusive either way, I'd say.

The statement "standards have improved since last year" strikes me as optimistic, though, at first glance.