Behind the calm, focused exteriors of professional darts players lies a surprisingly quirky world of superstitions and psychological rituals. From lucky footwear to specific bathroom routines and pre-game meal preferences, many top players believe these personal traditions are crucial for their performance. This article delves into the fascinating and often hilarious lengths these athletes go to, hoping to secure that winning edge, revealing the hidden side of darts that goes far beyond skill alone.
When the bright lights shine and cameras zoom in, darts players often appear remarkably cool under pressure. Yet, beneath that composure, many engage in a silent negotiation – with the universe, with their equipment, or with themselves – all to ensure their darts fly true.
The Unwritten Rules of the Oche: Common Darts Superstitions
While some rituals are unique to individuals, many darts players, from pub enthusiasts to seasoned pros, share surprisingly similar beliefs:
- The ‘Grudge-Holding’ Darts: Many players firmly believe you should never put your darts away after a bad throw. To do so, they fear, would make the darts ‘hold a grudge,’ become resentful overnight, and purposefully miss targets the next day.
- The Bullseye Finale: A popular pub player’s rule dictates that you should never pack up your gear at the end of the night until you hit a bullseye.
- A Quiet ‘Thank You’: After a particularly good night, some players will softly whisper ‘thank you’ to their flights and barrels before carefully zipping up their cases, showing genuine appreciation for their tools.
Professional Players and Their Peculiar Pursuits
Even the most decorated professionals have their own unique, and often extraordinary, superstitions:
1. The Sacred Cubicle: Fallon Sherrock & Chris Dobey
For stars like Fallon Sherrock and Chris Dobey, a major win triggers a very specific routine: they must use the same toilet cubicle backstage for the remainder of the tournament weekend. If the cubicle is occupied, they’ll wait, sometimes with momentary panic. They believe that failing to use their designated winning spot quickly before a match could interrupt their ‘winning aura’ and lead to a loss.
2. The Power of Footwear: James Wade & Simon Whitlock
- James Wade’s Expensive Feet: Despite being one of PDC history’s most decorated players, James Wade adheres to a strict financial superstition regarding his footwear. He believes you cannot throw world-class darts in shoes costing less than £200. He will happily wear the ‘ugliest, most uncomfortable’ expensive shoes on global television if they meet his price criterion.
- Simon Whitlock’s Comfort Crusade: Australian pro Simon Whitlock developed such a fondness for a specific, cheap, and comfortable pair of trainers that when Nike discontinued them, he spent nearly 18 months scouring the internet for identical backup pairs. His dedication stemmed from a belief that these specific shoes were crucial for his balance and consistency.
3. Pre-Match Rituals: Paul Nicholson, Kevin, and Jeff Smith
- Paul Nicholson’s Cereal Bar Clock: Paul Nicholson had a precise tradition: eating a specific cereal bar at exactly 10:17 AM. If his watch hit 10:18 AM and the wrapper wasn’t open, he felt his entire match was ruined before it even began.
- Kevin’s Empty Stomach Success: One stellar game played on an empty stomach convinced a player named Kevin to always skip morning meals before a game. He perceived that eating could impede his throwing arm, making it too heavy.
- Jeff Smith’s Chicken Wing Charm: For Jeff Smith, the secret to elevating his game lies in the power of chicken wings, a personal culinary superstition he believes boosts his performance.
4. Equipment Quirks: Ian White & Mervyn King
- Ian White’s Supermarket Bag ‘Mojo’: Ian ‘Diamond’ White, a veteran pro with significant career earnings, famously refuses to buy a proper, professional darts case. Instead, he transports his darts to televised games in a cheap, crinkly supermarket plastic bag. He believes anything else, especially a ‘fancy sports case,’ would ruin his ‘mojo.’
- Mervyn King’s Trust Issues: Mervyn King struggles to trust any single set of darts, regardless of past success. For this reason, he always carries a minimum of six identical-looking, pre-made sets with tiny micro-differences. He constantly swaps them out mid-match if he feels a specific set has started ‘misbehaving.’
5. Personal Charms & Habits: Phil Taylor, Robert, Keith Deller, MVG & Luke Littler
- Phil Taylor’s New Year’s Eve 180s: Darts legend Phil Taylor had a mandatory ritual on December 31st: he had to hit two 180s on his practice board right before going to bed. He believed failure to do so would lead to a disastrous World Championship run.
- Robert’s Lucky Charms: Robert (likely Robert Thornton) wouldn’t step on stage without a tiny teddy bear from his granddaughter stuffed into his shirt pocket. Alongside it, there had to be a hand towel, perfectly folded by his daughter.
- Keith Deller’s Chalk Cloud: Keith Deller’s pre-throw ritual involved using an excessive amount of chalk to dry his hands, so much so that his darts literally left white smoke trails in the air. The sight of the dartboard stained with chalk from his darts helped soothe his mind.
- MVG’s Sock Reset: Michael van Gerwen (MVG) is known for violently yanking his socks up whenever he throws a bad dart. To him, this physical act helps to ‘reset his brain’ and get him back into his usual groove.
- Luke Littler’s Trophy Rule: Rising star Luke Littler firmly believes in never touching a trophy before the final match is truly over. Despite winning many, he won’t lay a hand on them until the final dart is thrown and the checkout completed.
These fascinating insights into the world of professional darts reveal that success isn’t just about skill and practice; for many, it’s also deeply intertwined with a belief in the power of their personal rituals and superstitions.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
