Friday, December 12, 2025
Column 702
The Littler Phenomenon – Questions Asked and Answered
A couple of years ago, when Littlermania was still just the Luke Littler phenomenon, darts forums were awash with questions from wide-eyed newcomers – along with “answers” from armchair “experts” – covering every conceivable aspect of the game. Many were earnest, some were clueless, and more than a few wondered aloud how their child might become the next sensation.
Now, as Littler begins his latest quest for the world championship title and a million-pound payday, some of those early questions – and the responses they inspired – are worth revisiting. What follows is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, word for word – every question and every answer is 100% real (which just might be cause for some concern about our sport!).
Q. When do you replace your flights?
A. Every 18 minutes, otherwise you’ll never make it pro.
Q. Does anyone know the distance from the board to the oche, please?
A. Oh, no – is Google down again? 4 feet, 6 inches.
Q. Is there anything you can put behind the board to make it quieter? Neighbor can hear the thud every time.
A. Earplugs for the neighbors are the best option.
Q. I’ve been playing 2-3 years and am still only averaging 40-50. What am I doing wrong?
A. Try using four darts.
Q. I want to put up a dart board at my flat. How can I keep two cats away when I throw? Don’t want to kill my cats.
A. Buy a dog.
Q. Been throwing for about a year or two now but have yet to get a 180. I’ve had a 140 but just can’t get a 180. Should I change darts or just keep throwing?
A. If you’ve not hit a 180 in two years give up.
Q. Hi! I’m new to this group. I recently joined because I grew up in a dating family, have recently started playing again and have introduced my whole family to it from my 3-year-old to my eldest 21-year-old.
A. A “dating” family sounds dodgy but welcome to the group.
Q. Anyone selling a decent set of soft tip darts? Looking for an upgrade for my 4-year-old.
A. Soft tips for a 4-year-old? That’s a bad swap if I’ve ever seen one!
Q. What’s everyone’s thoughts on hammer heads vs. regular darts?
A. Dunno, I’ve never thrown a shark before.
Q. Starting to play darts. What’s the best way to practice?
A. Make sure that you have the flight facing forward towards the board.
Q. I’m a 40-year-old man. There was just a video of a little kid playing with his new electronic board – so I posted that I’d beat him (obviously as a joke) and was warned of bullying and could face a potential ban.
A. Whomever reported this needs to get a grip. I think the trouble is that you used the pronoun “him” – shame on you.
Q. Does anyone use dart wax? Do you find it beneficial?
A. Yes, it doesn’t half hurt your ear, getting it out with the point.
Q. Good weight of darts?
A. Quarter of a ton.
Q. I prefer pear-shaped flights, but why do most pros use standard shape?
A. Not many world titles have been won with pears. I think it’s the shape more than taste.
Q. How can I hit a 180?
A. Get new arms.
Q. Anyone got any tips/advice on how to improve on hitting doubles?
A. I put a mark on the glass – then I know when I’ve got two shots of whiskey in it. Makes it so much easier.
Q. Can I have some interesting darts facts to share with my boyfriend so I can show off?
A. The game of darts originated in the Mesozoic Era but wasn’t popularized until many years later when the Egyptians would play during breaks while building the pyramids.
Q. If you have 181 left and hit a 180, does it count as a 180 or is it counted as “no score”‘?
A. It will count as a score. You now have 1 left – so you have to hit one dart in the ring around the board, one dart above the d1 and one dart in the ceiling.
Q. At what height is the bull supposed to be from the floor?
A. Just slightly above the heifer’s butt hole.
Q. How do you clean the grooves in your barrels?
A. Use the wifey’s toothbrush.
Q. Probably been asked a thousand times before but what are the basics (or tips) for someone starting out?
A. I’d start by getting a dart board and some darts.
Q. Any advice on electric scorers?
A. Turn them on before use.
Q. Any tips and advice on throwing better darts – like stance, throw, following through etc.?
A. A good curry DOESN’T help with keeping your shit together at the line.
Q. What do people think are the main principles of throwing a good dart?
A. Making sure you let go of the dart.
Q. Quick question for everybody that bought Luke Littler darts – are you now seeing 100+ averages and hitting 180s all around or have you realized you just wasted money on another set of darts?
A. Mine are amazing! I threw 15 maximums in a row. My averages are way up! But I can’t get a double two.
Q. What tips do people have to reduce dart board sounds traveling through walls?
A. If your darts are going through the wall, you may be throwing too hard.
Q. Can we ban all 180 posts? No one cares that you placed 3 darts in the t20. We honestly don’t. No one cares that you started darts 20 minutes ago and have hit 97,000 180s in that time. Just no.
A. Sounds like someone shat in your cereal.
Q. Hello everyone. I want to get started playing darts but don’t know what equipment to buy first. Any suggestions?
A. A cue.
Q. Someone posted the other day asking how long people had played before recording their first 180. While I had thrown a few over the years in games with friends, I was positive my first “proper” one was 1997.
A. Are you sure it was 1997 and not 1998? I feel we as a group need clarification on this point? It’s important.
Q. Anybody else say “”F*** you, 3rd dart!” Or is that just me?
A. Just play the third dart first.
Q. Hello guys. I’ve been following darts since the last world championship, so you can say I’m new. I wonder why all or most darts players are in such poor physical shape?
A. To get good you need the extra weight to keep yourself steady. Most pros travel to Japan and do the sumo wrestler training for a year.
Q. How come darts surrounds are as expensive as dart boards?
A. How much is a moat compared to the price of the castle? Something is wrong. On the other hand, the board is to throw darts at, and the surround is to stop your wife killing your when you f*** the wall up, therefore priceless.
Q. Last night I came in and pissed on my dartboard. How long will it take to dry out?
A. Lick the board every hour. When the piss taste is gone, it’s dry. I’m 57 now and can’t piss that high but could when I was younger.
Q. Can I spray my dartboard with water? The holes made by the darts don’t close and it’s a new dartboard.
A. If you spray the board, it will spout and grow a new board over the course of a week.
Q. I’m shite at darts and couldn’t hit a fridge door if I was throwing hedgehogs. Any tips?
A. What sort of hedgehogs are you using?
Q. How long until my arm stops hurting after starting? Blimey.
A. We are talking darts, right?
Stay thirsty, my friends,
Dartoid
