Talking Darts

[creede]

(notice what time it is....we just got through feeding our 7 pound boss! I can't wait until this happens to you!)

Well, God willing yes. Momma always said don't pray for potato's unless I am willing to pick the shovel. So, I am shoveling like crazy if that be the case! I have also recently been inspired by a friend that has shown that through prayer and persistence, dreams become reality.

Thanks for the encouragement, and good night!

[CorvetteMark]

that is crazy man! wow!!! you are seriously going to make it aren't you?


I'll be rooting for you all the way.

[creede]

Hey, you still throwing the steel?

[creede]

Hey, practice went pretty good tonight. I threw a 25, and a 26 darter. The 25 is a PR on the Eclipse board. Best news is that I have finally found my stance. Also, on my 25 darter, I did not throw one TON and my lowest throw total was 41....that's great for me. Usually I will throw a TON per game, but also throw a 26, 10, or even a 5!

BTW - I need to get down to 14 darts....since that was the cut-off in the friday night madness last year.

Oh, and one more thing....IF I would have hit my 3 dart out I could have hit an 18! Just like in golf, the short game can kill ya!

[creede]

Now I see where "tops" is such a great strategy. I have been winning every game I play of late....which is no big surprise since I play everyday. Thing is, I have been setting myself up for tops whenever I can....and it's great. I used to just keep trying to shoot until I got low enough for any ole double...that wasn't too smart, and often led to much frustration. Tonight I hit tops 2nd time throught the rotation....with one intentional bust.

[creede]

Funny, I asked her the same thing last night. I told her that her mother probably thought I was nuts....after all, she came over to discover me hammering away on an 8 ft boardwark! She said that she thought it was great that I had so much passion for it (she's probably just happy it's in the garage and not the house! lol).

[CorvetteMark]

VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! :0

What does your wife think about the new furniture piece???

[creede]

Did you see the WSOD part 2? An American finally won! What a match!

Also, I have taken my obsession a step further.....I built an oche platform today (I read in Phil Taylor's book that he had one in his bedroom!). It's about 2 inches tall, and 2 ft wide. I haven't put the finishing touch on yet....the black carpet.

Know what's cool? I didn't throw a ton 80 yet, but I did just put 4 darts out of 6 in the T20! I have 2 sets of purists so I can throw 6 times before making the walk...do you do that?

[creede]

Well, I have noticed that sometimes it's very hard to see the improvement....but it's there. Has to be. We reap what we sow.

Did you catch the 2nd part of the WSOD tonight? PT is mortal....but once he grooves look out. So much fun to watch.

Guess what. I worked on my board setup quite a while today. Why? Because I'm reading PT's autobiography "The Power" right now, and he makes comment that if the oche is moved, then all bets are off. I started thinking about my board and checked it out. The board was about 1/2 inch too low, and the oche about 1/2 inch too close! Doesn't sound like much, but I'd bet it's about the width of the triple 20.

Anyway, I also read that Phil Taylor used to make himself throw 4 180's every night before bed. I decided to make myself throw at least 1 tonight....that's a tall order since I just changed board heights and darts. It took me 2 hours with one 30 min break.....and I just did it! Felt unreal. Main ingredient being the follow through.....and the prayer uttered in frustration just a few arrows before. Praise God.

[CorvetteMark]

I'd like to but my immediate future is not in my own hands...I mean when is it ever but especially not now with me on the waiting list for Glynco.

Do I have to admit that I'm not getting any better? Still will not post a score! ;0

[creede]

$1M On Offer In World Series of Darts
David Allen, Media Officer - Professional Darts Corporation

World Series Of Darts
THE biggest prize in darts history will be on offer at the World Series of Darts, a major new PDC tournament to be staged in Connecticut, USA, in May 2006.

The World Series of Darts will give an American player the opportunity to take home a $1 million first prize should they be victorious in the 32-man knockout event.

If the winner of the tournament - staged at the Mohegan Sun Casino from 19 -21 May - is a non-US citizen, they will win $100,000.

The World Series of Darts will feature the top 16 players in the PDC rankings along with 16 American qualifiers, and will be screened on leading American channel ESPN.

"This is a tremendous development for darts in the USA and worldwide," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

"The success of the Las Vegas Desert Classic in the past four years has raised the profile of the sport in America and we expect considerable interest in the World Series of Darts.

"The incentive is there for any American darts player who thinks he is good enough to come along, enter a qualifier and try to win a million dollars.

"By offering prize money like this, we are taking the game to a new level - and it's the sort of level darts deserves to be at."

A series of qualifying tournaments will be held across the USA to provide 12 of the players, with the final four coming from a special event on Friday 19 May.

"Friday Night Madness" will allow players to arrive at the Mohegan Sun to enter a specially-arranged qualifier which will complete the field for the main tournament.

The 16 PDC players will be determined from the official ranking list immediately after the 2006 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Full details of the dates and venues for the qualifiers will be announced in due course.

[creede]

That's right. Any post that does not have the word "dart" in it will be instantly deleted forever!

I have been spreading the word. I sure would like someone else to commit to meeting at least at the friday night madness next year. We could have a least 4 of us in the friday night madness that could make it. I'm going to at least one qualifier and probably the friday night madness....if necessary and God willing!

[CorvetteMark]

hey everyone! Creede thanks for the add!

Now i want everyone to keep this thread on topic...lol! JK!!!

I appreciate the gesture Creede....it's been an insane past few days for this guy!

CM

[creede]

I have to really get to work yesterday. I just changed boards and darts. I now have 2 boards in the garage! One Halex that keeps score, and one Eclipse with a Unicorn black surrond. Looks just like the WSOD setup except their ring is red. I finally got my shafts and flights for my Purists but had not really adjusted to them yet. At the moment, I'm really better with my 18 gram darts, but they are just so thin and light that they are easily diverted.

[dc_350]

:)

Sounds like your game is starting to come around...nice!

[creede]

Alright, any of you guys practing out there? 1 million dollar prize at stake "Not bad for a little game of darts!"

Yesterday I went around the double ring and the triple ring. I have a poster with 3 dart and 2 dart outs. I am going to do everyone of the them at least once (God willing). I am working on the 2 dart outs at the moment. I have completed the 110, the 107, the 104, and the 101. For whatever reason, the 104 took me 2 days, but then I did the 101 in about 15 minutes. Anyway, last thing I did last night was throw three straight darts into the D20.....on purpose even!

[creede]

I noticed that 100 was the most common score. They seemed to usually hit one T20, and 2 singles each time until time for the out.

So, are you tinkering with the idea of giving it a shot?

[dc_350]

I was happy to hit the dang board!!! lol

Actually I found my side-to-side control was out of whack...made a few adjustments and by the last game was actually able to throw a ton.

Doubles weren't that bad once I finally got to them!!!

[creede]

Was it harder to hit the T20, or the doubles?

[dc_350]

I actually found a little bar down the street from work that has a couple of boards. Taught one of my buddies how to play 501 and Cricket...man am I rusty!!! lol

[creede]

That makes sense. I guess they just feel so very comfortable shooting the 20 wedge.

I can't wait to see PT either. Have you been playing any?

[dc_350]

I always thought you went for the 32 out...gives you D16-D8-D4-D2-D1...all the out charts I have seen seem to be set up that way. But watching the pro's they all do seem to favor the D20...

Looking forward to "The Power"'s match next week!

[creede]

Sure did! The international players are excellent. I did however, like to see that they are still human. They did not hit all their shots, and even missed several doubles in a row at times. They are going to be tought to beat.....but it is possible.

Did you happen to catch how they like to try to always key on the 20? They like to set up the D20 out so that if they miss they can do D10, and then D5 if necessary. That's a great way to shrink the board.

I thought the coverage was awesome. They really built up the drama of the underdog Americans. They also explained the game well, and gave terminalogy. I think they showed so much of Manley because he is such a character. I'm prediciting over the next few years, we are going to see an explosion of steel tips over the U.S.

[dc_350]

I did! Was interesting to watch how ESPN covered it...

Most of the Americans got their clocks cleaned pretty well...

[creede]

Hey, did you catch the World Series last night? Not one American winner!

[creede]

Hey guys. The World Series of Darts starts tonight on ESPN.

[creede]

Just threw my first Ton-80 (180). Felt really good.

[creede]

Mark,

so good to talk to you. Thanks for all the prayers and all the notes on the threads. I'm not 100% yet, but Creede is healing me each day. He has taught me that it's really family and friends that mean the most in life.....material stuff falls way behind...and that even includes darts (not that i'm not still going to win the WSOD some day!).

[creede]

I am....all the time! I believe the connection is going to be made....we just have to keep trying (and praying, of course).

Thanks bull...very much. All of you guys have help lift me up very much. It's one thing to rally behind our favorite stock, but quite another to rally around each other. Y'all have shown to be true friends.

Hey, with a name like "bull", you should be real good at darts!

[CorvetteMark]

Wow! A 25!!! Congrats on blowing out your old personal best of 29. Good to have you back and that you are putting your trust in God that things will work out.

[BullNBear52]

Tickle him! Glad to hear you're home and okay.

[creede]

Hey guys. Thanks for all the kind words. We have returned home now, and Creede is doing well. He can't move his facial muscles yet, but in time he will. When? That's only in the mind of God.

Well, we have had about 100 visitors over the last 24 hours and I have been able to play a whole lot of darts. I even pulled off a 25 darter in 501 with the double out on the 10. Wonders never cease!

[CorvetteMark]

I will. He greatly appreciates it!

[BullNBear52]

OT: I found this board while conversing with him on another thread. Please let him know I'm keeping them in my thoughts and prayers.

[CorvetteMark]

I'll be more than happy to. He'll appreciate it very much.

Mark

[dc_350]

I am very sorry to hear that. Please pass along my best wishes...

[CorvetteMark]

O/T: Creede's wife became ill shortly after giving birth and their newborn child caught the illness as well and therefore some complications arose over the past couple of days. Both are doing better and are stable but are still at the hospital so the doctors can keep a close eye on them. So let's please keep Creede and his family in your prayers. He wanted me to let all know that he'll be back on the boards as soon as possible.

[creede]

I've had a rough couple of days in my dart training. Two days ago I missed a chance to get out of 501 on 26 darts. I missed the double 16 times! Then yesterday my wife beat me two times in a row at 301. In the first game I opened with 98 points on my first throw! I had the win in sight with only 4 points to go, and she went out with 3 darts from about 100 points! She finished me off with a treble 20 on top of that! (We were not playing double out.) Next game we were neck and neck and she hit a double 20 to close! Maybe she's the real talent!

[creede]

We have 7 boardmarks.

Anyone ready to commit to training for next years qualifiers?

[creede]

Well, I haven't hit a ton-80 yet, but tonight I did hit a ton-17! lol. What really happened is that I was working my way around the board hitting triples and I hit the T13 on the first throw, I then directed my next dart at the T6, but hit another T13 just below the first one. At that point I said what the heck, and tried launched right at the T13 again.....i hit it (117 points total)! All three darts in the same triple in three throws....that's a first for me....even if the second throw was off just a tad! lol

I have noticed that I am getting a little better. I'm starting to hit a few of those shots that the triple is really mostly blocked, but you try it anyway....know what I mean? One of my favorite shots is when I have two darts a little lower than the target, so I try to drop a dart right over the top if them. Sure feels great when I pull this off. I also noticed tonight that I may miss several, but then hit two triples in a row. I call this progress. Sometimes it's very hard to tell if I'm getting better or not because the margin for error is so small. Hitting a triple has very little margin for error. I may hit the same number of triple 20's tonight as I did last night, and fail to notice that my misses are closer than before. I have a feeling that the learning curve on darts is very, very steep....meaning, we can all start hitting the board alright...and perhaps even the singles in the bed, but actually starting to consistently hit doubles, and triples probably comes all at once....and right past that point in which most quit!

[creede]

My 18 gram darts are Nodor. They are 80% tungston, and very slim. They are fun to throw, but so small, it's hard to feel like you get the same grip every time. I knew I needed something with a better grip, so I started looking online at all the different styles...talk about confusing! There have to be 500 different styles and weights. I said forget it, and just bought the Unicorn Purists.

http://www.edarts.net/st_darts/ptpurestl.shtml

I figure that they are good enough for Taylor, so they are good enough for me....not to mention he is my favorite (obviously!). They come as tips only, so I'm still working on discovering the perfect shaft and flights to go with them. I have more unicorn stuff in the mail.

Know what's funny? They seem to have almost no rules in regards to the dart you throw. Seems the only rule is that it can't be over 50 grams, and they can't be over 12". That would be a monster dart!

[dc_350]

Cool...thanks!

I have 2 old bristle boards. One is a Nodor Sportcraft, the other has no verbiage on it whatsoever. The Nodor has to be close to 20 years old now.

Darts? It's been so long I'm unsure of the brand or weights. I used to have a nice set of Hammerheads (does anyone use those anymore...are they even legal now?) with a very nice wood case. Lost them on a business trip when they fell out of my briefcase on the plane...

[creede]

Here's one for $2.55.

http://www.a-zdarts.com/db/dartboardsmain.asp

I also ordered an Eclipse from them. This is the same board they use at the WSOD. If you notice, the wires are super small. Hopefully, that will help with the bounce outs....i'll let ya know.

http://www.a-zdarts.com/db/eclipsepro.asp

I also have a board kinda like this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Halex-Softech-5000-Electronic-Dartboard-w-Wood-Cabinet_W0QQitemZ220002271991QQih...

That is not actually a 5000. It does, however have the same surface that is for soft or steel tips. And it does keep score. This is good to get more throws per hour. It's best not to use darts above 18 grams on this board, which is another reason I bought an eclipse....since I like my unicorn purists the best, which are 24 grams.

What kind of board do you have, and what kind of darts do you throw?

[dc_350]

I need to find the mounting bracket so I can put my board back up!!!

Only problem is I've moved 3 times since the board was up...could be anywhere!!! lol

[creede]

I know it. Being honest....I haven't even thrown my first yet in a real sense. I had one in which on my first dart, I threw a t20, second dart was a bounce out, third dart was a t20......so what did I do? Picked up the dart off the floor, and hit another t20, of course! So, I ended up with what looked like a ton-80, but actually, the bounce out didn't even come close to start with!

[dc_350]

Four 180's???!!! I'd never get to sleep!!! lol

[dc_350]

Doesn't count...has to be in the board...

[creede]

Man, you are making me jealous! Have you noticed that Taylor just keeps getting better? I reading his autobiography at the moment, The Power. In it, he says that when he was trying to go pro, he had a dart board in his bed room that he practiced on 2 hours every night. He made himself throw 4 ton-80's before quitting!

[creede]

Thanks. Are you throwing any?

[creede]

Thank you, sir.


The other thing I've never seen is one dart stuck in the flight of one already in the board.

That happens to you as well! I'm wondering....does that dart count?