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Posted
2 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Each individual bit seems to have its reasons but, cumulatively, it seems (and I'm aware of confirmation bias, here) to be more players having odd games and more players behaving in ways they usually don't. Maybe they're all noticing the scrutiny more this year?

The vibe seems a bit off compared to previously. It's still fun and the standards mostly ludicrous but something doesn't quite feel right.

I completely agree. I'm really enjoying it but there does seem something strange about the way a lot of better players are going out.

The Littler effect has brought more eyeballs but you wouldn't think it would be enough to create a massive difference to anyone but him.

For quite a few of the bigger players, they are under serious pressure to keep their position. Wright, Cullen and Smith definitely fall into this category. 

To be fair to Cullen (and it's not an excuse) I was gobsmacked when I found out he was 7/2 to beat Nijman. They are the odds that the real underdogs have been getting.

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Posted
2 hours ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

It’s getting more serious and less sporting to me between players particularly following victory.

I suspect this is the result of the extra money and focus that Littler has brought to the sport.

Also the employment of sports psychology more and more might be making some more highly strung than usual as they focus on winning the prize money.

I hope to be wrong about all this but I always admired the cordiality the players had together if not the crowds.

Yeh I suspect this is a bit illusory and it's always had a lot of needle. A few of the 'greats' were notoriously bad. Phil Taylor was and is a right one.

I was just reading a story from Russ Bray about the first time he met Jocky Wilson at an exhibition. He played him in a leg and despite being ahead he couldn't finish and Russ did. Jocky shook his hand and all was well.

About a half-hour later, Jocky followed him into the toilets and started giving it to him and offering him out.

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Posted

One thing that could be leading to significantly more tension, is the increase in standard and the number of players vying for a limited number of spots.

The rankings are purely based on prize-money. There are significant advantages to being top 16, top 32 and top 64. The likes of Wright, Cullen, Wade and Smith have been top 16 for years with little real fear of dropping out.

That doesn't seem to be the case suddenly, and the reality is that the Worlds is the biggest chance to get that ranking money. Often players are going in defending significant amounts, like Smith who's just lost £485,000 off his 2-year total.

At the end of the day, for many of these players you're talking about their livelihoods. I can't imagine the stress.

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Posted
14 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

One thing that could be leading to significantly more tension, is the increase in standard and the number of players vying for a limited number of spots.

I think you're right on that. The number of players about whom they're talking about 'tour card' (equivalent) is through the roof this year - and there aren't a huge number of spots.

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

Posted

are the players all using all in one  moulded flights and stems these days? its hard to tell with some of the darts but the flights never seem to come out of the stems anymore 

see you later undertaker - in a while necrophile 

Posted

Some great matches today and some more surprises. Rob Cross losing to Scott Williams a big shock. Had a feeling Ricky Evans would go well against Chizzy but also a big shock. Could be a surprise semi finalist looking at the draws

Posted
20 hours ago, graveyard johnny said:

are the players all using all in one  moulded flights and stems these days? its hard to tell with some of the darts but the flights never seem to come out of the stems anymore 

Yeh they're pretty common now. I use them, individual flights can be a pain.

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Posted
18 hours ago, OriginalMrC said:

Some great matches today and some more surprises. Rob Cross losing to Scott Williams a big shock. Had a feeling Ricky Evans would go well against Chizzy but also a big shock. Could be a surprise semi finalist looking at the draws

A record number of seeds have gone out before Christmas. 15 out of 32.

Definitely an opportunity for someone else to make big inroads.

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Posted

Did not see that result coming at all even though Wright played well in the last round. He rolled back the years there and put in a phenomenal performance. Humphries was really classy at the end, showed great sportsmanship.

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Posted
56 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

Did not see that result coming at all even though Wright played well in the last round. He rolled back the years there and put in a phenomenal performance. Humphries was really classy at the end, showed great sportsmanship.

He wasn't at his best, but Wright was insane with 70% on doubles. It could just be me but he seems to be becoming the story of this World Championship.

Another is Callan Rydz. My 11 year old had always bizarrely been a fan of Rydz ever since he lost to eventual winner Wright about 3 years ago despite being up at one point. It's kind of been a running joke because of his terrible hair.

He has the current highest running average and is now 3rd favourite to win. As someone who has followed his career and seen the depths he's been in quite recently, this is just crazy to imagine.

 

Posted

Hard to see anyone beating Littler now. I’d like to see him lose a couple more finals before winning the big one, make it more of a story, whereas I fear we’re in for another Phil Taylor-esque period of domination. 

Posted

The Wright of last night bore no relation to the Wright who limped his way right the way through the Premier League. Wonder how long he can stay in this gear.

Posted
On 24/12/2024 at 18:09, Maximus Decimus said:

Yeh they're pretty common now. I use them, individual flights can be a pain.

watching that rob owen at the min- his flights seem to spin round when the darts hit the board - not something have noticed with any other players?

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see you later undertaker - in a while necrophile 

Posted
2 hours ago, graveyard johnny said:

watching that rob owen at the min- his flights seem to spin round when the darts hit the board - not something have noticed with any other players?

There is a few but not many. Restricts potential bounce outs if a dart hits the other. More off putting than anything tbh. Cant think of many other players who have them.

Like poor jokes? Thejoketeller@mullymessiah

Posted
7 hours ago, graveyard johnny said:

watching that rob owen at the min- his flights seem to spin round when the darts hit the board - not something have noticed with any other players?

My wife commented on that too 😂

Posted

Littler had to battle again to scrape through last night although I  must say Ryan Joyce must be one of the best hitters of the doubles to finish around - Van Gerwen seems to be hitting some good form for mine

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see you later undertaker - in a while necrophile 

Posted
21 hours ago, graveyard johnny said:

watching that rob owen at the min- his flights seem to spin round when the darts hit the board - not something have noticed with any other players?

I've used them before, and I quite like them. One obvious point is deflections but they're also easier to use than putting in flights all the time. RVB was an early proponent. I suspect if they actually did reduce deflections more people would have them.

The downside is cost and availability. Normal flights are ten a penny, whereas a pack of 3 flights is about a fiver IIRC. When they inevitably chip or split, it's annoying to replace them.

I've noticed an increase in all-in-one stem and flights, Littler for instance. I've done this for a while purely just because of flights coming out all the time.

Posted
2 hours ago, graveyard johnny said:

Littler had to battle again to scrape through last night although I  must say Ryan Joyce must be one of the best hitters of the doubles to finish around - Van Gerwen seems to be hitting some good form for mine

I think scrape is a bit harsh. His average was pretty good, Joyce just wouldn't go away. I think it was a good sign that he stayed confident and didn't capitualte. Last year he never really had a tough game until the final.

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Posted

If Luke Littler does fulfil his potential this year I only hope he gets guarded from  the inevitable ‘build them up to knock them down’ tendency of media old and new.

Anyone willing to put their neck out on a prediction for the final?

 

Posted
1 hour ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

 

Anyone willing to put their neck out on a prediction for the final?

 

Bunting, van Gerwen Final with Bunting to win.

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Poverty exists not because we cannot feed the poor but because we cannot satisfy the rich.

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