So I Can Win At Darts!

Posted: 12.07.15 in Throw Like A Pro Blog category

Aidan wins his first darts pay day!

So I can win at darts...

I'm sick blogging about the lows. There's learning in writing about the highs too.

This is a new one!!! I'm not just a loser on the oche. Ok, it sounds like confidence is really low, and it probably is but not without reason. It's extremely difficult to build up a winning streak in darts.

My fortune appears to have changed. We've reached a landmark achievement in the Throw Like A Pro blogs folks.

I've made my first money playing darts...

Yessssssss!

Tuesday night there was a singles tournament in the club where I play league, open up to all the division players. So 28 lads from right around the county showed up. Good standard of darts on show.

Round robin format; five boards, six lads on three and five on two. Top three on each went through to the final 16, plus top fourth place.

In other words, I stood a great chance of qualifying off the board. And going to the tournament that night... That was my goal. A nice realistic one. Just get in to the final 16.

Four round robin games later and I've topped my group. Won my first two games 2-1. There were some moments of sensational darts. And just as many moments of pure luck. Nothing strange there.

Lost the third round robin game and suddenly I'm in a position where if I don't win my final game, I'm out. And cue the nerves. Knowing I can't lose is a pressure I don't like. I'm happy being the underdog, that's what I'm used to. Suddenly I was the favourite but just needed this final win.

I knew how I was feeling, and knew how negative it would effect my game. And I controlled it. And won the final game. A last 16 game awaited. But I had already reached my goal. So now what?

Treat it like a bonus? Or refocus?

The chap I played in the last 16 started really well. He had the first leg wrapped up in 6 visits to the board. I relaxed at this point; put the smile on my face and just threw for the fun of it. Just like Rab told me to.

The second leg, and I've 325 left after nine darts. I'm right back in the match when I finish 180, 125, D10. Didn't help when the marker shouts out above the whole room that I've hit a 180; not sure he'd ever seen one before.

I finished the last 16 game off comfortably after that, and the last eight affair went in quite the same fashion. Following a brutal start I managed to claw it back before we both danced around the final double until mine happened to go in.

A semi final appearance, my first one in an open. I'm smiling from ear to ear; even though I've work in the morning. The hard work is starting to pay off. The dedication I'm ploughing in to the board at home is starting to transfer.

The semi final game is easily summed up. I didn't take the few chances I had, and my opponent was really good. He went on to win the final too.

In all, a great night for me. Huge strides made in terms of winning games... You can't buy that experience.

Some big tournaments coming up for me, all in preparation for the New Forest Masters in November. I want to defend that members trophy. 

image courtesy of Jeroen van Oostrom/www.freedigitalphotos.net

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Meet Aidan

Aidan has been a fan of darts since a young age, although he didn't pick up his first set if arrows until he was 23. In that time, Aidan has been dedicated to finding out what it takes to become a professional. He plays with two club teams in his County in Ireland.

Aidan documents his ups and downs of improving his game, and explores some of the unknown, yet crucial elements of darts such as nerves, confidence and much much more.

Aidan teamed up with the Darts Performance Centre ahead of his battle with Raymond van Barneveld, a relationship which he admits has "helped me to focus on certain areas that needed improvement, and the support from Paul and Andy guarantees will make you a better dart player".

Aidan throws a 23g DPC Elite Performance dart. He loves to tell people that he has now lost count of the amount of 180s he has thrown. His highest checkout in a competitive leg is 130, and the closest he has come to a perfect leg was two maximums before crippling under pressure to finish out with a 15 dart leg.

His plan is simple: to be a Pro! Follow his journey right here!

Aidan welcomes any feedback, advice or questions. You can find him on twitter:

@A_Farrelly or email: throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com