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Week 4 [23.03-29.03.2020] Game of darts



Game of Darts


Probably each of us played a game of darts. We got plastic boards from our parents, plastic darts and we just threw them to the target. But what are darts really about and what is their story? I encourage you to read.

The origin of this game is not fully known. It is believed that soldiers at the end threw short shots at trees or barrel lids with alcohol. The places where the darts landed were transformed into point sectors. Along with the growing interest in darts at that time, carpenters saw interest among potential buyers, and started to manufacture them.




Dart board - https://www.dartshopper.pl/tarcza-do-darta-winmau-blade-5.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2u6gmOya6AIVBM-yCh334QGXEAQYASABEgKbrvD_BwE

Since then, the rules of the game have been standardized:
· The game consists of two players.
· To win a leg (a game), the player must score 501 points descending from 501 to 0.
· During one approach to the board, the player can throw 3 times. After 3 throws, the player changes. This continues until the first of the players drops to 0 points.
· The outer ring on the board multiplies the points from sector x2, while the ring closer to the center x3, the green field center of board is worth 25 points and the red center is worth 50.

Below you will find a short minute video of how an average professional game looks like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vYPyLdmpXc

During the winter holidays back in 2019 me and my friends found in Italian television live broadcasts from professional tournament PDC World Championship of Darts. I was fascinated by the atmosphere in the stands during the game and of course the sport in itself.
Players before the game have their so-called "walk-on song" which could be compared to the ritual of boxers entering the ring, but isn't the atmosphere more friendly here?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lFkcbfrKdI

Note that the audience sits at the tables as if in a bar, thus integrating with each other. There are no divisions, no hooliganism, everyone respects everyone and they have fun despite supporting other players. Have you seen anything like this before? I remember the first time I watched a professional darters match, I was in shock.
However, when it comes to the professional sport, we distinguish two main leagues:

· Premier League where the top 10 players travel around Europe every week and play their matches every week in other cities on a peer-to-peer basis.
· PDC with 128 players playing their matches on a ladder basis, also every week in a different city.

Dart is a sport like any other and professional players can easily earn a living. Prize pools in major tournaments exceed even 1 million pounds.
I invite you to try playing darts. It is said that darts are derived from bars so if you go to a bar with friends don’t hesitate and try this sport. Maybe you will like this game.

1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darts
https://www.pdc.tv/
https://www.darts501.com/

Comments

1. To be honest, I haven't heard about it, but basically everything can be a sport somehow, so I am not surprised. I have not watched any professional match yet, but I like to play it. It is a game when no physical condition is required, so nobody can resist it ;)

2. I have never thought about it. Definitely football is not the one. Volleyball is said to be a "family sport" so I believe it is for a reason. When I looked at the video you posted I was really surprised that everybody sits by one table and celebrates. That is amazing!
1. I suspected that there were professional competitions. However, I've never watched the match, but I have to catch up - it looks like great fun, filled with healthy competition and fun.

2. In my opinion, the best atmosphere prevails during matches played with Polish volleyballers. The supporters include not only younger and older people but also families with young children. In addition to great chants and support, the atmosphere is very casual and family.
Answering your questions:

1. Yes, I once heard that darts are a professional sport. However, somehow I wasn't interested. Our imagination is the only limit, so practically everything can be considered a sport.

2. I think car racing has the best atmosphere. They are very exciting.
1. Of course I heard about darts. I even have my favorite players - Krzysztof Ratajski and Michael van Gerwen, who is called by fans the best darter in history. I fell in love with the dart during a ski trip. Accidentally watching TV sets with my friends we found a channel where the world championship in darts was under way. From that moment I got into it so much that I follow every news.

2. No doubt they are darts. In the stands, nobody talks, there is an atmosphere of friendship, love, everyone is happy, regardless of who wins. There are no hooligans, ultras, flares. In my opinion it's the best atmosphere in the world.
Karol Michalak said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
Yes, I watched it once upon a time during vacation when the bad weather came and there was nothing special in tv. It was fun to watch and also fun to play it as I bought same dart myself. Nothing special though.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
Not sure I don't watch that much sport to be sure, but dart fans are in the top 5 for sure of the most peaceful and happy athmosphere during sports.
Yuliia Sauliak said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
I have never heard about darts as a professional sport and have never watched the match as well.
I think may be it is because this kind of activity is not very popular in my country and among my friends. I think it took root in the UK, right?
2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
On my opinion, it is definitely football, which has the best atmosphere at stands. The reason for that is that the majority of people like this kind of sport, it is popular almost in every country.
Although, there is only hockey which could be competitive in regards to the playoff atmosphere.

Olga Przytula said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

No, I have never heard about darts as a professional sport. Frankly, I don’t exactly why this is considered to be a sport but who am I to judge :D Nevertheless I’m impressed these guys are able to hit the target, I would probably throw the dart at my foot or at someone from the crowd, lol.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

Unfortunately, I have no idea as I don’t attend this kind of events nor watch them too often, but I do enjoy volleyball fans during polish matches. They seem to be very supportive of our team and quite cheerful even when we, as a team, fail to win. They seem to deeply care for these players and their sport, it’s always nice to watch :)
Ela said…
1. Thanks to your post I learned that professional dart competitions can be organized, I never thought of them as a sport. I don't play darts very often and maybe that's why I haven’t seen the potential in them. Unfortunately, I don’t like watching sports - I only tolerate volleyball and football, so I certainly wouldn’t like to watch a professional darts match.

2. It seems to me that volleyball matches have the best atmosphere. Once I was in the stands as a fan, it was an amazing experience. I didn't think that people could be so involved in supporting. Only by watching it live you can feel this magic atmosphere.
Wow Daniel! I didn't expect to find an another fan of professional darts here. We definitely have to play against each other. Are you in?
Thank you for reply but can you specify about which car racing are you talking about? F1, wrc or maybe other? Many people also say that slag racing is also exciting.
1. I actually heard about it. I have watched some of the dart tournament in TV when I was younger, although I didn’t particularly enjoy it. Probably the most boring sport there exist.
2. There is no objective answer to the question. It all depends on the viewer. If the viewer is knowledgeable about the sport and has a lot of fond memories about it than the he or she will be more immersed in the sport hence better atmosphere.
1. Yes, however I have never been deeply interested in this. Long time ago in one of the “Brainiac” episodes, they tried to assess how much better the professional dart player is than a complete amateur by giving the professional player smaller and smaller board, whereas the “normal” person got bigger each time. The difference in size at the moment the professional started to lose was the answer. I can’t remember the exact value, but the difference was quite significant.

2. I have never been at any sport event during my entire life, so I don’t know. I don’t know if it counts, but I like playing and watching billiard, however I don’t do this very often.
Bartosz Barnat said…
I have heard about it in the past. I don't know where exacly but I think it could be a movie showing different sports and why they are popular. Personally I really like playing darts but I don't have one in my house so It is rare for me.

I have never beed to any sport event. I can't really answer your question. I'm not really a competetive sport guy.


Yubin said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
Yes, my father likes to watch various sports programs, I knew about dart as a professional sport from my father since I was in elementary school, but I didn’t play dart until I was about 20 years old. I have watched these professional match with my dad, sometimes when I played dart, these games were also shown on TV.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
I guess it should be football, just go to search random videos about the fans in audience in any important football match, the atmosphere will be easily shown, for example, the Liverpool team song "You'll never walk alone", whenever this song sounds, the fans in the audience will sing along with the music, the kind of sound that surrounds the audience is a great encouragement to Liverpool's member. Jurgen Klopp once said, "Every time I walked in here, the music made me feel so wonderful and inspired us to move forward, I was already so shocked when I was still a head coach of Borussia Dortmund."
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

I heard about this sport. I think its more popular in USA than in Poland but anyway there are some tournaments as well. Honestly i didnt watch professional tournament but i played a lot of times by myself. In my opinion this is really nice game and i enjoyed it. This is awesome to play with friends and talk. :)

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

I think esport because it is still growing and the atmospere is the best of any sports. Fans of various teams can talk with each other without any negative emotions and even when their team is out of the tournament they can still cheer the same players. I am intrested of professional scene of CSGO and one of the biggest tournament in the world is placed in Katowice every year.
Andrzej Kawiak said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
This is a very niche sport and additionally it is not posterior in our country, so I did not watch the match. But I know that people in England practise this sport.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
I think snooker has the best atmosphere. This is because it is quiet, nobody bothers anyone and only from time to time the audience applauds. The match you're watching from the grandstand looks weird - you're sitting and looking at two guys dressed like to get married for hours. Everything slows down, it's calm. Nobody fires flares, nobody chants any chants, nobody chants anything. Nobody wants anything from you. You mustn't take pictures, talk, it's better not to move at all, so as not to knock the players off balance.
MichalB said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

I have both heard and watched competitions at Eurosport. I even bought an electronic dartboard in Decathlon, and I managed to play some nice games with the kids. I recommend to everyone. It relaxes and you can lose the hours we have to spend at home.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

I think the fans are the coolest today, volleyball fans. Watching matches or sitting on the stadium grandstand the atmosphere is great. Zero animosity, malice. Just a friendly atmosphere. Yes volleyball!
Adam Tokarczyk said…
1. Yes, I even watched it on Eurosport or something few times out of boredom. It's funny to watch how they keep hitting maximum points every round. But it's not something I could watch longer that few minutes, because there isn't happening too much in this sport :p.

2. It's actually pretty hard question. Like someone already mentioned everyone has different tastes and we should also take into consideration that different sports have various popularity across countries. If we limit ourselves to Poland then I'd say football in terms of club games and volleyball for national teams. Polish football overall stands out, when it comes to this discipline. Nieznani Sprawcy, ultras of Legia Warszawa, is always in top 3 for the past few years in global ultras rankings. Sometimes we even have more than 1 Polish team, but it's rather rare as ranking consist of top 10 only as far as I remember. People responsible for atmosphere during their club matches aren't active in national teams scene though, so there it looks rather poor and is much better in volleyball.
Anastasiia Bida said…
1. Have you ever heard of the dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
Yes, I have heard about dart as a professional sport. But I couldn`t even imagine which atmosphere is in such competitions. People in unusual suits, tablets with the highest possible number of points. Wow, great fan culture! I haven`t watched a professional match before.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
I think it all depends on the sport, on how spectacular it is. Probably the most popular will be football with its crazy fans. I was at a football match only once, but I remember that for almost the entire game I looked at the fan sector, and not at the playing field. I also personally like the atmosphere in swimming competitions.
Viktor Ryś said…
1.
No, I mean if I have to guess then I probably could image it being a professional sport, but never heave heard about that discipline myself nor watched a live stream of it.

2.
That's a hard question, each sport has its hardcore fans, especially the sports where teamplay is involved, and one can cheer the whole team. I would say that football, but maybe because it's the most popular here in Poland.
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?'

I've never heard dart as a professional sport but it doesn’t surprise me that much because nowadays almost every kind of competition is a professional sport somewhere in the world it's kinda funny.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

I will say football (Soccer) based on the popularity of the game, almost half of the population of the world consider themselves to be football fans and when there is a game between two popular teams, fans in stadiums give quite a show.
1. Have you ever heard of the dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
Yes, I have heard about dart as a professional sport. I watched darts on Eurosport channel, at first i thought it's borring but after 5 minutes i got involved. I tried to play with friends but this game is very hard if you want to get specific numbers.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
In my opinion it's basketball, the pitch is small and there are lots of fans around including stars in the first row. Almost every game has amazing show during the match like concert or dancing cheerleaders.

1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

Yes, i've heard about it, it has all the bases of being a full-fledged sport. I haven't watched any stream of it. I believe that watching it is quite boring.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

I am not a big fan of football, however atmosphere during a match is great.
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

I heard about that and the doesn't surprise me. The amount of skill it takes to be a champion of this sport makes it definately championship-worth one. The way those champions throw their darts makes them one of the most precise sportsmen.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

I am not much of a sports fan myself but I have to admit that every two years, whenever there are Fifa World Championship or UEFA Championship I turn into one of the most sport-engaged people in my family. There is something about watching very importat matches together with your friends and family. Grabing something to drink while watching two teams fight like they are fighting for thier lifes. Priceless.
Thanks for your comment. I also agree that volleyball is very exciting and atmosphere is insane. Do you watch national team matches or some kind of league?
Thank you for a reply. I also agree that football has a great atmosphere in the stands. A month ago I was at a Legia Warsaw and I will remember this experience forever.
Thanks for your reply Bartosz. If you have never been to any sports event you should try. Who knows, maybe you will like it.
1. I have heard and even played, but not at the professional level. I think it is a really difficult sport and it practices dexterity very much. All in all, you should try
2. I think football is such a sport. I love watching German football and I sometimes go to matches. The atmosphere in the stands is really amazing.
1. Yes i have awareness about that, like every other single discipline can be professional.No i have never watched professional dart match, but maybe in one day, who knows. Generally I rarely watch sport matches.

2.I really hard to say for me, because mostly i have no time for watching matches but if have to say darts matches have nice atmosphere and they are looking really family friendly.I prefer watching martial arts, so it is hard to compare these two sports.
Roman Burlaka said…
1. I've heard about it as well as other sports that are commonly known just as a hobby. Maybe I've seen a match before but I really don't remember. Videos were quite interesting so maybe I'd like to visit some professional match of darts in the stands. Cause stands is a bar, quite good, isn't it?

2. I think it depends on what you describe as the "best". I have been only in the football stands in my life but even there I choose a regular sector, not the fan one - I don't like a crowd at all.
Zygmunt Z said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

Yes I have but I don’t follow it as it is boring to me.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

Most of us are going to say football probably but I can say that there is a great atmosphere in the grandstands during F1 races. Especially when there is a home grand-prix for any of the drivers. The spectators are always being sent into raptures whenever their home hero gets past any of the opponents.
Maciej Sadoś said…
I have heard about it for a first time a couple of years ago from a friend from my high school. We met one day in his house and he was in a middle of watching some tournament. I could say it's indeed a sport of culture.
Unfortunately I've never been to any sports event other than some car shows. So it's hard for me to even guess which sport could have the best atmosphere
Yes, I have heard about darts being a professional sport. In fact, I watched it one or twice and it’s quite funny. Darts are usually associated with drinking beer in bar and playing with friends not really with professional sports. So, it’s funny to see grown man playing darts like pros. I do not know what sport has the best atmosphere in the stands because I don’t watch any sport at all. All I can say is that when I was younger, I watched professional League of Legends matches at it was awesome.
Maciej Górczak said…
1.I think I did know about it, but it kind off left my mind as soon as I heard about it, so it's nice to be reminded. I've never seen a professional match, that sounds interesting!

2.I think the most exciting atmosphere in the stands is present during bullfighting and it's original name is corrida de toros :) It originated in Spain and I'm fascinated by it. All the fear, craziness and the muscular, angry animals can create an amazing atmosphere. I always wanted to take part in it, hope it's going to happen one day.
s18716 said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
Yes, of course, I saw professional matches on TV when I switched channels. Then I noticed that the intensity of passions in this sport is also very great. And the excitement of the participants is very high. I did not attach much importance, after a couple of minutes I switched the channel. But from your article I learned a lot for myself. I didn’t think that the prize in the championship could reach such an amount; earlier I thought that the main prize would be a couple of thousand dollars and a vacuum cleaner. Just kidding. But actually the scale of this game amazes me now. I do not promise that I will be interested in this sport, but the next time I have the opportunity, I will definitely try to throw a couple of darts.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
For some reason, it seems to me that one of the most striking fan atmosphere today is in football. Probably because it is a popular sport and people come to stadiums en masse, and perhaps such a large number of people create an impression of a bright and rich atmosphere. I would also mention American football and baseball. I know people who go to matches of these sports only because they want to feel the atmosphere of the stadium, while not being a fan.
Maciek Olko said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
Yes, I saw some dart matches on YouTube before, but I don't remember names of players. I did enjoy those matches very much.

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
I think ski jumping has very good atmosphere in the stands. Fans are very friendly and often support many more than just one jumper.
Angelika Dutt said…
1. Yes, I've heard of darts as a professional sport. Several times I have been introduced to the scores and the meaning of particular fields on the board. Earlier, I thought that the most points you get when you hit right in the middle. But I haven't had a chance to watch the darts games on TV and I don't think it's a sport that would fascinate and attract me.

2. I like to watch the volleyball the most, because there is always action there and every now and then the teams score points, which keeps the adrenaline going throughout the game.
I like watching ski jumping too, there were seasons when I spent every Sunday in front of the TV. Unfortunately, I think it's a sport that has to be watched all the time during the season.
Aneta Artych said…
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

No, I have never heard about dart. It seems to be very difficult sport and it practices dedication very much. What I can say more, for sure I should try it :)

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?

For sure football is not the one sport has the best atmosphere in the stands. Volleyball is said to be a sport for whole families. Present people are not only teenagers and old people but also parents with young children.
1. Yes I have but I have never watched a profesional game of darts. Recently I heard that a woman won a first ever profesional game of darts that is good to hear that the sport is not only about one sex.
2. I think it is hard to decide. Maybe even impossible. I love football so I might be a bit bias. For sure many sports has amazing atmosphere in the stands - there is basketball, volleyball or handball and many many others. Of course, football is the most popular sport in the world and it gathers the most people but it doesn't mean it has the best atmosphere to be fair.
Darts is a very nice game. When I was younger, my parents bought us a summer shield and played family games. I think that you can always throw to the chosen place, you just need to be able to, which means that the most important should be (and are) the championship in this game. There is no luck here, but skills and tactics.
I think football generates the biggest emotions in the stands, but they are often toxic. When people play bilard or snooker, however, it is quiet and it is difficult to get strong emotions among the audience. In my opinion, the best emotions are in e-sport, because people are uniting and trying to see the smallest games, which in cumulative amount ensure victory, so we as fans can learn something. Surely everyone would indicate their sport here, because we know what we do. And the rest is our speculation.
Jakub Kisiała said…
1. Yeah, I love it. This sport is so ridiculous, that it's really cool. I often watch it in tv when there is nothing better.
2. Definitely Formula One.
1. No, I would never have thought that darts could be at that level, usually I played it somewhere in the rides or somewhere in the pub. I would like to see how they play it professionally.

2. In my opinion, this is definitely football. The atmosphere is just magical on football. Especially the moments when the fans sincerely worry and support their team.
Grzegorz Rostek said…
1. I have never watched a professional dart match, but i have heard about it being a thing.

2. I don't really know, I'm not a huge fan of watching sports. But if i had to choose, it would definitely be volleyvall in my opinion.
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
I think I heard of dart as a professional sport once before but I’m not sure about this and I have never watched a professional match I only ever saw some bar competition but well most competitors were drunk during the competition but no one was bothered by this because the audience was also drunk.
2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
Hmmm sport that has the best atmosphere in the stands… well maybe it’s golf this is a sport for gentlemen and most of the time it has good atmosphere even if they are exited, they try to be quiet because they could disrupt contestants.
Oskar Kacprzak said…
1. I could see a game of darts as a professional sport definitly being a thing. Anything can be a professional sport now-a-days.
2. Polish beer flank game. Haha. I don't know I don't watch or care for sports.
1. Yes, I saw that examples were often shown in American TV shows as similar matches were in the form of a professional sport.
2. I think that any match has a good atmosphere from the stands, but one of the most spectacular is the horse racetrack.
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?
I used to watch Eurosport a lot, and they did transmit some main events from the dart. However, I was surprised the first time I've seen a professional dart match.
2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?
I like the atmosphere in the basketball matches. Much more respectful than the football matches, but still with some nice noise, and the sport itself is pretty entertaining.
1. Have you ever heard of dart as a professional sport? Maybe you have watched a professional match?

I was aware that darts are played by some people as a professional sport, but I didn't know much about it. I wasn't even aware that professional matches are broadcasted anywhere, so no I haven't, to be honest even if I knew I wouldn't probably watch it/

2. Which sport has the best atmosphere in the stands and why?  

I think that it wouldn't be any team sports, I feel they bring too many emotions. I think that some extreme sports, such as snowboarding competitions, downhill or even regatta. Even if you have your favorite contestant it doesn't bring that many negative emotions towards the competitors. 

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