Howie Reed

Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Column HR475
IT’S LUKE’s WORLD!

The newspaper headline blared: “Littler’s Legend takes flight.” Then came the sub head: “At 17, becomes youngest world champion in dart history”.  Really no surprise there, except that headline isn’t from London papers like the Star, the Sun, the Mirror or the Express, to …

Thursday, December 12, 2024
Column HR474
Ponce de León smiles…

With the WDF Lakeside World Championships off and running Ponce de León must have been smiling “ear to ear.”   In 1513, de León found the Fountian of Youth in Florida. He discovered magic waters in a spring that would return youth to those a little …

Friday, November 22, 2024
Column HR473
LUCK… YAY or NAY

The golfing great Jack Nicholaus said, “The more I practice the luckier I get.” The Old Dart Coach would strongly disagree with Nicholaus. There is good luck, bad luck and the old favorite – “No Foxtrot Luck.”  Conventional wisdom, often says, “Good and bad luck …

Friday, November 7, 2024
Column HR472
Gary Anderson attacks the ODC!

Gary Anderson, the smooth throwing Scot, is never shy about stating his opinion.  It’s sometimes difficult to understand what the heck he’s saying. The Old Dart Coach recently caught a post of Anderson being interviewed after a match. Fortunately, it as transcribed for the …

Thursday, October 24, 2024
Column HR471
DOWN THE TUNGSTEN TRAIL…

The Tungsten Trail weaved a circuitous route this week with stops at the Philadelphia Social Club, Leicester’s Mattioli Arena and the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open in Prague.

The Championships Dart Circuit held their season ending Continental Cup in the city of Brotherly Love. Stowe Buntz, …

Thursday, October 17, 2024
Column HR470
CinderFELLA – it’s Mike!

Mike De Decker became a debut PDC TV winner with a stunning derailment of Luke Humphries’ dreams of becoming a back-to-back Grand Prix Champion. There were times in the Leicester’s Mattioli Arena when the crowd sat in stunned silence by what was happening. De Decker …

Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Column HR469
OCTOBER MEANS MATCHPLAY and GRAND PRIX!

Of course, October is also known for the coming of fall in many parts of the Colonies – a time for citizens to post on social media how much they love pumpkin spiced everything.

For the Old Dart Coach, the month contains his …

Thursday, October 3, 2024
Column HR468
WHOOPS!

The Old Dart Coach has been sentenced to a dinner of crow, fava beans and an average Chianti for committing the cardinal sin as a writer – he penned an incorrect “fact”. Shame on him. Bad boy. If he had a doghouse, he’d be in it.

In last …

Thursday, September 26, 2024
Column HR467
The Baby PDC… CDC

The Professional Darts Corporation, since its inception as a for profit enterprise, has expanded its footprint throughout the world. Today, that footprint in found in Europe, Asia and North America. In North America that footprint found a home with the Championship Darts Corporation or CDC.…

Thursday, September 19, 2024
Column HR466
A COBB SALAD…

A Cobb salad you write? Yes indeed…

The Cobb salad was invented in 1937 at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant. The owner of the restaurant, Robert Cobb, came into his restaurant hungry late at night. Looking around the kitchen he found little. Hunger won out so …

Thursday, September 5, 2024
Column HR465
NO Darts in Paradise

Ray Donovan was the Secretary of Labor in the Reagan administration.  He was accused of fraud and forced to resign. He and six others went to trial. “Donovan (and all of the other defendants) were acquitted with a number of jurors openly applauding the verdict.”  …

Thursday, August 22, 2024
Column HR464
Gambling on darts?

Yes, darting fans, there is gambling on darts. Some may take the attitude of Captain Renault from the movie Casablanca.  A little background…

During World War II, Casablanca, which is in North Africa, was under the administration of the French Vichy Government which cooperated with …

Thursday, August 15, 2024
Column HR463
The ODC Returns…

“Well, hello dar.” That’s a greeting made famous by the late comedian Marty Allen.  The other greeting the Old Dart Coach considered upon his return from illness was to post a few lines from a Willy Nelson tune.

Well, hello there

My, it’s been a long, …

Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Column HR462
Olympics and Darts… Yea or Nay?

Every four years about this time, dart fans ask: “Why aren’t darts in the Olympics?” With as many answers as opinions you may as well just pay your money and make your choice.

Many years ago, the Old Dart Coach sat on the …

Thursday, July 25, 2024
Column HR461
Cool Hand… HOT!

To the surprise of almost no one, Luke Humphries became the 2024 Matchplay Champion. He was the big favorite before the event started and never faced a real challenge until the final – Michael van Gerwen gave him a struggle. MvG had chances to win but …

Thursday, July 11, 2024
Column HR460
PDC Summer Classic is afoot…

…but first, a little “con-trav-es-tea” came out of the World Culp involving the champs (England) and runner-up Scotland – more specifically, related to the actions of Peter Wright. The Old Dart Coach and maybe some others are aghast, simply AGHAST at all the hugging …

Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Column HR459
PDC World Cup XVI Notebook

Well… a very “deep” subject. Before any event labeled “World’ anything, Roman numerals are a must.

Before PDC World Cup XIV even got underway it got more interesting. Wales’ mainstay Gerwyn Price withdrew due to illness and was replaced by Jimmy Williams.  FYI… Williams …

Thursday, June 6, 2024
Column HR457
THE BEST EVER?

Please don’t insult what little intelligence the Old Dart Coach has left after copious amounts of “aiming fluid” and “group tighter”. Granted, the bar isn’t high…

In the run up to the PDC’s World Series visit, the North American team was said to be the “best …

Thursday, May 30, 2024
Column HR456
SUPERLATIVES

What?  Yes, superlatives.

According to the dictionary there are over 100 superlatives used in everyday language. “A superlative is used to show that someone or something has more of a particular quality than any other of their kind.”

The odds are better than even that before the year …

Thursday, May 23, 2024
Column HR455
NOT AGAIN?

At times when preparing these award-winning efforts, the Old Dart Coach likes to do a little cheating. He’ll come up with a headline, then hope the PDC follows his lead.  That’s a great idea that usually finds the ODC flat on his keister. The original headline was …

Thursday, May 10, 2024
Column HR454
Hyde Park and Darts?

Hyde Park in London is famous for its speaker’s corner. That spot is used as an open forum for oral debate. It’s appropriate to link it to darts at this time. While this space should focus on news about people that throw “pointy things at …

Thursday, May 2, 2024
Column HR453
Number 13… lucky?

It’s often heard that the number 13 is lucky.   The Old Dart Coach, who resides in Las Vegas, knows this may not be the case.  For example, if you were playing 21 (used to be called Blackjack but the name was changed – seems it was …

Thursday, April 25, 2024
Column HR452
Turn Back Time?

“If I could turn back time… if I could find a way.”  Those words were sung by Cher – her biggest hit…

Gary Andreson did turn back time, found a way, last weekend – winning his first Euro title in ten years.  In 2014, he won …

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Column HR451
Total eclipse of…

When the Old Dart Coach heard on the radio (that’s TV with no picture) the term “Total Eclipse” he thought someone was talking about the 1983 tune by Bonnie Tyer “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”  Foolish knave, he. It was a total eclipse of the sun …

Thursday, April 11, 2024
Column HR450
PDC Ground Hog Day – Par Deux

As the Old Dart Coach predicted some time ago, the PDC will become “Luke’s World.”  It has arrived.

But first an update on what Punxsutawney Phil, aged 138, does between the time he emerges from his hole on February 2 until his …

Thursday, April 4, 2024
Column HR4498
Monsieur Luke’s Olé…  Olé… Olé

Olé…  Olé… Olé?  Shirley the Old Dart Coach has gone over the edge.  His use of “Monsieur” proves he’s lost a step.  Could be this a belated April Fool’s Day attempt to out his Most Honored Editor’s fake news interview with Lady Gaga?  The …

Thursday, March 27, 2024
Column HR448
HAT 4 Luke… ZIP for Greaves

‘Twas an interesting week in the world of darts as Luke Humphries got the Hat Trick when he won last Thursday night’s Premier League tussle for the third time in a row.  The Trick was accomplished last by Michael Smith in 2022.

The …

Thursday, March 21, 2024
Column HR447
GROUNDHOG DAY!

For those that haven’t taken notice (although the Old Dart Coach has) the Premier League on Thursday nights has become a darts’ version of the movie Groundhog Day. For those that haven’t seen the movie here’s the Cliff Notes…

It tells the story of a cynical …

Wednesday, February 13, 2024
Column HR446
LUKES RULE!

‘Twas an interesting week in the world of darts – a week during which the two Lukes ruled the PDC at the oche.  It all started with the Premier League where World Champion Luke Humphries had himself a night to remember as he achieved his first Premier …

Thursday, February 8, 2024
Column HR445
ALERT! “Well, hello there…”

My, it’s been a long, long time

How am I doing?

Oh, I guess that I’m doing fine

It’s been so long now

And it seems now that it was only yesterday

Gee, ain’t it funny how time slips away

That’s the open stanza from …

Thursday, February 8, 2024
Column HR4443 
ALERT!

The famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged from his mole hole.  He didn’t see his shadow so there’ll be an early spring.  Phil, who lives in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania, peeked out of his hole on Groundhog Day for his annual visit to the daylight.  How he knew it was …

Thursday, February 1, 2024
Column HR443 
A road apple in disguise is still just a road apple

“A single dance does not make a romance or even a one-night stand – it’s just a mere oft-remembered memory.”  That quote comes from the Old Dart Coach’s next book that hasn’t been written.  The quote does about …

Thursday, January 4, 2024
Column HR442 
All Hail the New World #1 and World Champion, Luke Humphries 

As a young toddler The Old Dart Coach found Saturday a wonderous day of listening to the old standup radio.  His favorite?  Grand Central Station. “Grand Central Station – crossroads of the world with a million stories.”

From …

Thursday, December 14, 2023
Column HR441 
THIS IS IT! 

Yes, ladies and gentlemen and those that decline to state, the World Dart Championship begins its run at London’s Ally Pally (aka Alexander Palace) tomorrow!

The championship will run from December 15 to January 3, 2024, with a pause for the cause on December 24 until …

Monday, December 11, 2023
Column HR440 
WELL… WELL… WELL… 

A “deep” subject…

The WDF hosted the Lakeside World Championship last week.  Beau Greaves, as the Old Dart Coach predicted, coasted to another World Championship with an easy 4-1 defeat of Aileen de Graaf.  During Greaves’ run to the title she would score 11 sets, losing …

Thursday, November 30, 2023
Column HR439 
NOW IT BEGINS…

After the first couple verses of the “sports” anthem Sweet Caroline comes the refrain…

Sweet Caroline…

Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I 

For dart fans the good times mark the start of the …

Thursday, November 21, 2023
Column HR438 
It’s Thanksgiving… the time to give thanks.

It’s that time of the year when the folks in the Colonies give thanks.  In 1621, 50 Pilgrims (i.e., those that escaped the Motha Country which was then ruled by King James I of England and Ireland (and who was also James …

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Column HR437 
Geezer Gazette: Volume II – Issue III

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Geezer Gazette, the official voice for the Stacy Bromberg Senior Open welcomes you and brings you….  

BIG CHANGES!  

At the request of many senior male darters, the age for the Stacy Bromberg Senior Open has been lowered from …

Wednesday, November 9, 2023
Column HR436 
“My God, the Bridge!” 

Those words often escaped the mouth of the late Irene Maude Reed, the mother of the Old Dart Coach.  That expression was used many times due to something her son had done.  It was either that or concern about a possible baby switch at the …

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Column HR435 
Turn back time?

But first: The Old Dart Coach has been dining on crow (with fava beans and a nice Chianti) after making a false statement in last week’s column.  Looking back on the Ghost tournament (erroneously called The Ghost on the Coast …slipped that one by), the ODC …

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Column HR434 
THE OWL SAYS “WHOOO?”TRICK OR TREAT?

It’s that time of year again that the Old Dart Coach loves – not because he gets to dress up or that he likes to say “Candy little girl?”.

No, it’s the time of year that he’s cherished since the day his ex …

Thursday, October 19, 2023
Column HR433 
THE OWL SAYS “WHOOO?”

The cat says “Meow,” the cow says “moo” and the donkey says “Hee Haw.”  Now that dear readers have been brought up to date it’s time to move on…

Excellence is the best word to describe those that play darts under the banner of the …

Monday, October 11, 2023
Column HR432 
HANGOVER

In his younger days, the Old Dart Coach would wake up on January 1 with a terrible hangover caused by too much aiming fluid and group tighter (and also, soon to be forgotten New Year’s Resolutions).  It’s the same following a WDF World Cup…

This time, the hangover …

Monday, October 2, 2023
Column HR431 
HEJ… HEJ… and Au Revoir to WDF World Cup XXIII

When this adventure called the WDF World Cup XXIII started a few days ago the Old Dart Coach quoted Scottish poet Robert Burns: “The best-laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men Gang aft agley”…  

The plans for England’s men’s squad …

Saturday, September 30, 2023
Column HR430 
TGIF at the World Cup… the “Good, the Bad and the Ugly”

To put Friday at the World Cup XXIII in perspective imagine someone that has grown up on a ranch or watches Yellowstone.  To put it delicately, it’s the day that some baby bulls undergo the “ultimate …

Friday, September 29, 2023
Column HR429 
Day 3 of the WDF World Cup XXII

Three days into World Cup XXIII there are some conclusions that can be drawn.  On the men’s side those countries with a strong presence among the PDC (mercenaries) or CDC have seen their WDF men’s programs become less dominant.  The men’s …

Thursday, September 28, 2023
Column HR428 
A NEW DAY?

In 1965, Nina Simone had a big hit with “Feeling Good”.  The song was from the play “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd.”  Many years later, Canadian Michael Bublé released his version that became an instant hit.  He added his own …

Tuesday, September 27, 2023
Column HR427 
No sun for North America… Day 1

According to the weather reports from Esbjerg, Denmark, the first day of the WDF World Cup was a balmy 63 degrees and cloudy.  In contrast, for the North Americans it was chilly under a grey sky – and that spelled doom for …

Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Column HR426 
WDF World Cup… as the sun rises

As the sun rises at 7:18 a.m. in the seaport town of Esbjerg, Denmark, dart players (men, women, boys and girls plus one “feel like a girl”) from 49 nations will be preparing for the “Greatest Event in Darts”.  Make no mistake …

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Column HR425 
HELLO DOLLY!

Dolly Parton is known for a couple of sayings.  First is: “STOP IT RIGHT NOW!”  The Old Dart Coach concedes that “Here We Go Again” finishes second.

That lyric seems appropriate as the BDO family (represented by Anthony Eno) is back with another tale of woe.

Have …

Thursday, September 14, 2023
Column HR424 
Geezer Gazette: Volume II – Issue II

Welcome back to Volume II of the Geezer Gazette – keeping senior darters up-to-date on “What’s the Haps” (as John Kramer likes to say).  

EQUAL PAY FOR THE LADIES

The big news for the GOLDEN ERA DARTERS STACY BROMBERG SENIOR OPEN …

Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Column HR423 
DARTS AND FATS DOMINO – and RIP DAVID BROOK

NEWS BULLETIN 

A huge thank you is due Lisa Farrell who has made a donation to the GOLDEN ERA DART PLAYERS STACY BROMBERG SENIOR OPEN (January 19-20, 2024) bringing the Ladies Singles prize fund to $1,000 – the first tournament …

Friday, August 23, 2023
Column HR422 
Geezer Gazette: Volume II – Issue II

Welcome to the new and improved Geezer Gazette.  The Gazette is the official newsletter of the GOLDEN ERA DART PLAYERS STACY BROMBERG SENIOR OPEN scheduled for January 19-20, 2024, at CD’s Sports Lounge in Las Vegas.

$2,700 in prize money is …

Friday, August 16, 2023
Column HR421 
THE WEEK THAT WAS…

Rob Cross would have to have been angry when he traveled with his mates from the PDC for the World Series in New Zealand and Australia.  He won both the New Zealand and the New South Wales Darts Masters pretty as you’d like.  In New …

Friday, August 11, 2023
Column HR420 
SKULLDUGGERY AFOOT?

Skullduggery depends on the eye of the beer holder.  The definitions run the gamut from “underhanded or unscrupulous” to “dishonorable behavior or proceedings” to “mean… dishonesty…  trickery.”  To some, much of this defines the American Darts Organization.

Recently, the Old Dart Coach’s amigo, Mick Smith, asked, “Why …

Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Column HR419 
PLAYING CATCH UP and ADIOS

While the Old Dart Coach was tied up with the PDC “Squatter’s & Pointers” performing in Blackpool he ignored North America.  Thereby he missed another great weekend for the ‘Queen of the Oche” Paula Murphy who went through the ladies at the Music City …

Monday, July 24, 2023
Column HR418 
BEAU IS BODACIOUS!

The 7 top women and one “I Feel Like a Woman” toed the oche for the second Women’s World Matchplay – the winner would bank £10,000.  The show opened with a collage of women’s legends of darts.  Shame on the PDC for ignoring the fact that …

Monday, July 24, 2023
Column HR417 
ALL HAIL THE ASP!

The first day of World Matchplay quarter final matches had more “big checks” than the lotto.  In both matches big leads were the order of the day.  Daryl Gurney took it on the chin from Joe Cullen.  Gurney, who had only missed 12 doubles the …

Thursday, July 20, 2023
Column HR416 
THEN THERE WERE EIGHT…

The stage at the Winter Gardens (Blackpool) has seen players and fans battling sweltering heat.  The fans, of course, were forced to consume aiming fluid while players were limited to H2O.  This year, the temperature has been unusually cool.  The second round of the World …

Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Column HR415 
HIT THE DOOR, van Gerwen!

Dart players by nature are a gullible lot.  Given enough aiming fluid and group tighter darters will believe anything.  Phil Taylor was actually able to go “over the moon,” Gary Anderson did not drop SAD’s (silent and deadly) bomb’s on the oche and a …

Tuesday, July 12, 2023
Column HR414 
MID-SUMMER CLASSICS

After a brief vacation (wishing all Happy Canada Day and/or Happy July 4^th) Toeing the Oche is back!

The PDC and the ADO both have Mid-Summer classics.  The PDC has the World Matchplay starting Saturday with a prize fund of £800,000 with the winner scooping up …

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Column HR413 
The Cowboy Rides Away

George Strait sang, “Now I just found a game that I can’t play.  And this is where the cowboy rides away.”  

But first.  The PDC World Cup 2023 is in the rear-view mirror but, like “The Song is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On)”, …

Friday, June 20, 2023
Column HR412 
All Hail the Victors… WALES!

There is nothing in the world more aggravating than the jerk that says, “I told you so!”  That person deserves “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” as Bill Shakespeare wrote.  The Old Dart Coach is willing to accept his fate as he wrote …

Friday, June 16, 2023
Column HR411 
WORLD CUP KO ROUND SET!

The first round of the PDC World Cup is done and, with a new format, produced some exciting moments and upsets.

The doubles play led to some “singles play” when players didn’t set up their partners.  Another oddity was missing the big single for …

Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Column HR410 
WORLD CUP & OREGON OPEN SNFU

The 2023 PDC World Cup is upon us – starting tomorrow and running for four days in Frankfurt.   The World Cup is the Old Dart Coach’s favorite PDC event.  If the name Frankfurt rings a bell, it should.  The frankfurter (aka hot dog) …

Thursday, June 8, 2023
Column HR409 
WOW!

That describes the weekend for Canadian Jeff Smith who had a career weekend when he captured the North American Championship for the second time.  He achieved this milestone in spectacular fashion (which is a gross understatement).  The Show Biz Bible, Variety, would report Mr. Smith’s debut in …

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Column HR408 
LUCKY or GOOD?  AND a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!

Golfer Jack Nicholas heard a brainless sportswriter (like there’s another kind) say, “Boy that Nicholas is lucky”.  Jack responded, “…funny, the more I practice the luckier I get.”

Had Jonny Clayton heard a similar comment after Thursday night’s Premier League he’d say…

Thursday, May 18, 2023
Column HR407 
DEEP SUBJECTS

Well, well, well.  That is a deep subject.  The Old Dart Coach was spot on…

He wrote that the battle for the 4th Premier League playoff berth will be decided this Thursday in the “Great City of AAAAAberdeen”.

Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall meet head-to-head to see …

Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Column HR406 
Shootout in Sheffield?  Mistake on the Lake & Shania Twain

That sums up this week’s effort.  The Premier League appears set for a dramatic shootout on Thursday.  Fake news.  NO shootout in Sheffield.  Regardless of the results Gerwyn Price, MvG and Michael Smith will hold the three top spots …

Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Column HR404 
OUTHOUSE TO PENTHOUSE

“From the Outhouse to the Penthouse” originated before indoor plumbing.  It’s long gone now, sort of.  In some “modern” cities, San Francisco being one, it’s not uncommon to observe a “squat and dropper” on any given day.  In sport it’s a much less common occurrence.  Last …

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Column HR403 
THE PRICE IS RIGHT!

“Come on down, Gerwyn Price, to see what you’ve won!”

It was a memorable night in the Premier League for Price when the “PDC traveling road show” hit Brighton.  The city, known as a beach paradise during summer, was a chilly 46 degrees with showers.  …

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Column HR402 
THREE DOT LOUNGE OPEN

The Old Dart Coach walked thru the swinging doors of the Three Dart Lounge.  He heard Neil Diamond singing “Sweet Caroline” as the crowd, fueled by single malt (and assisted by more than a touch of Scottish singing fluid), sang along.

A patron paused singing …

Thursday, April 5, 2023
Column HR401 
CLAYTON BUFFO:

Jonny “The Ferret” Clayton had a career night when the Premier League landed for week nine in Berlin.  In order, Clayton took out Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price for his first win during this year’s Premier League play.

The Old Dart Coach is shocked …

Thursday, March 302, 2023
Column HR400 
GOLD (chemical formula: Au)

The headline shouted GATES GOLD!  “The Soldier” Leonard closed the gate on the UK’s hopes of a Senior Challenge of Champions winner.

Yes, the Old Dart Coach knows that Gates wants to call himself “Soulger” (no such word exists).

Gates played really minor league …

Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Column HR399 
WOULD YOU BELIEVE?

On September 18, 1965, the TV show “Get Smart” aired for the first time staring Don Adams as Agent 86.  Each Saturday night folks would gather around their black and white TVs as Agent 86 (aka Maxwell Smart) would say “Would you believe?”.  A tall tale …

Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Column HR398 
SIDE BAR SALOON (par deux)

Back at the Side Bar Saloon, the Old Dart Coach met with a flurry of attacks.  His attempt recently to show Cricket was in decline by comparing ’01 singles with Cricket singles entries at the Port City Classic was soundly (and fairly) dismissed.  Although …

Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Column HR397
SIDE BAR SALOON

The Three Dot Lounge is remodeling so it’s off to The Side Bar Saloon for the Old Dart Coach – a place where pints, darts and gossip flow like “porkies” from a politician.  Upon entering, there were the “usual suspects” discussing who were likely to win …

Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Column HR396
FOREST FOR THE TREES

The Old Dart Coach is accused as being unable to see the “forest for the trees.”

Paul Bunyan, with Babe (strange times those!) faced the same problem when visiting Las Vegas years ago, proclaiming, “I don’t see any forest for all these trees.”  With ax …

Thursday, February 22, 2023
Column HR395
Interesting week?

Before the Old Dart Coach became the world’s Master Darts Writer he pontificated on the “manly art of self-defense” (now “person art of self-defense”. Growing up as he did listening to Friday night fights on the radio he remembers the in-round announcer describing the first round …

Thursday, February 16, 2023
Column HR394
LIKE FINE WINE

Like fine wine, two older darters popped the proverbial champagne cork (no twist off cap) to celebrate victories.  The Old Dart Coach had a Miller Genuine.

Designated senior defending World Senior’s Champion and #1 seed Robert Thornton defended his title with a convincing 5-2 win over …

Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Column HR393
FOOLS RUSH IN

It’s not a reference to the song from the ‘40s (sung by Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Band) but rather to the dodo birds that decry the naming of Chis Dobey (and others) to the Premier League.  The world can run out of gas, and …

Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Column HR392
The Biggest Ship in the Harbor

Years ago, Bobby George spoke before the BDO and its member counties.  George is an underrated dart player known more for his showmanship.  He has a keen business mind…

George advised, We (BDO) have the biggest ship in the harbor, but there is …

Thursday, January 26, 2023
Column HR391
SPANNING THE WORLD!

Gong xi fa cai.  Welcome to the Lunar New Year.  Year of the Rabbit.  Like Phil Taylor the Energizer Bunny is “Over the Moon”.

Today, we visit Las Vegas (what happens there won’t stay there), Bucharest, Romania (a 2-WDF eventer), Copenhagen, Denmark (for the PDC) …

Thursday, January 19, 2023
Column HR390
Now, the rest of the story…

When one door closes another door opens.  (Alexander Graham Bell)

Days after the ADO put the kibosh on a comprehensive Golden Age Darters’ Reunion the ODC received an unsolicited offer from Paula Duritza Bushey, tournament director of the Virginia Beach Classic…

I …

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Column HR389
ADO DECLARES WAR.  REUNION SURRENDERS.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This first installment in a two-part series by the Old Dart Coach, Howie Reed, exposes the ADO for what it is.  The ADO trashed the efforts of the ODC and the Reunion Committee to stage a proper Golden Age Darter’s Reunion.  They …

Friday, January 6, 2023
Column HR388
I could write a book…

Stumped for how to begin this effort, the Old Dart Coach reached deep for a Frank Sinatra tune and was reminded of “I Could Write a Book” from the movie Pal Joey which also introduced “The Lady is a Tramp”.

(At the suggestion of …

Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Column HR387
Maple Leaf Miracle!

When the Old Dart Coach was a toddler, his mom took him to see Bambi.  He cried in sadness.  (Lighten up – he was only 4).

On Monday it was a different kind of tears, these of pure joy.

If you love darts and have …

Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Column HR386
Okay, where are we now?

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Most of the facts below are true.  The opinions are 100% fact.)

Oh YES – what a “festival” it was at the WDF’s Festival of Darts held at the De Bonte Wever in Assen, Netherlands.

The De Bonte Wever is …

Friday, December 9, 2022
Column HR385
A Week in the Netherlands

The World Darts Federation (WDF) “Hoi Poly” and 635 dart players invaded the city Assen, Netherlands, to hold forth the World Masters, World Open and WDF World Championship Qualifiers – a veritable festival of darts.

It’s also the AGM (Annual General Meeting) for the …

Friday, December 2, 2022
Column HR384
The Three Dot Lounge is Open…

Back in the day, the Old Dart Coach always looked forward to Friday and the arrival of the San Francisco Chronicle sports page…

Inside the “Green Sheet” (the sport section was printed on green paper) sports writer Bruce Jenkins would start his column …

Thursday, November 22, 2022
Column HR383
Where were we?

But first…

There are times in sport when you’re stunned into silence and or brought to tears of pure joy.  It’s like a romanticist having a loved one sent IL DIVO singing “I will always love you.”  That’s what happened on the seventh day of the …

Thursday, November 17, 2022
Column HR381
In form…

Is there a more meaningless term than “in form”?  No.

A darts player was asked, “How are you doing?”  Their reply, “I’m in form.”

Horse players know form equates to losing tickets.  With form and a £1.25 a dart player can go to the £1 store buy …

Thursday, November 10, 2022
Column HR380
A Pause for the Cause

Most sports participants take brief respites from the grind of competition.  Darts kinda took a deep breath last weekend…

Across the big pond was the final chance to qualify for the PDC (How’s Your ?) Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts starting this weekend.  It’ll …

Thursday, November 7, 2022
Column HR3787
EXTRA!  EXTRA!  READ ALL ABOUT IT!  ADO THREATENS GOLDEN AGE DARTERS… RENEGES ON AGREEMENT.  (Volume I – Issue II)

The phone rings…

Howie Reed… this is Matt Stoner, Vice President of the ADO.

Impressive.

(This followed a communication Mr. Stoner sent to another individual…)

I have been informed …

Thursday, November 3, 2022
Column HR377
BEAU-DACIOUS

Long before the Old Dart Coach picked up a dart, he would pick himself up from rodeo arenas across the USA.  He settled on steer wrestling which insured a trip to terra firma – place he was very familiar with trying to ride bulls.  One the baddest bulls …

Thursday, October 27, 2022
Column HR376
Geezer Gazette – JANUARY TREAT for GOLDEN AGE DARTERS (Volume I – Issue I)

Geezer: A geezer will usually be found outside a pub with a pint in his hand on match day.

Hello and WELCOME to the inaugural edition of the Geezer Gazette!

If you are reading …

Thursday, October 27, 2022
Column HR375
TREATS and TREASURES

The Old Dart Coach appears to have been wrong.  Perish the thought!

Gibraltar is not an island.  This was pointed out by “Big” Tony Holyoake.  The ODC, in his defense, points out that Gibraltar is an island… in Ohio.  Take that.

With All Hallows’ Eve fast …

Thursday, October 19, 2022
Column HR374
REDHEADED STEPCHILD?

Perchance the term is familiar?

Currently, it is a reference not to a human being, but to the condescending attitude of those in power.

The accepted definition is clear: the term redheaded stepchild is used to describe “…a person who is neglected, mistreated or unwanted.” 

Originally, the …

Thursday, October 13, 2022
Column HR373
That’s (Dart) Life

The Old Dart Coach is sure the Chairman of the Board (the late Francis Albert Sinatra) won’t go ballistic for the borrowing of his song title, with a slight modification.  Just read the opening two stanzas:  

That’s life (that’s life), that’s what all the people say …

Wednesday, October 7, 2022
Column HR372
HU?

The response by Colonies’ dart players, including the Old Dart Coach, when the North American Open Dart Tournament bit the dust after 2001, was “Hu?”.  “Hu” combined with the “Brook Trout Look” indicated that they had no idea what was going to transpire.

The North American was a …

Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Column HR371
“The THrill of Victory… and the Agony of Defeat”

For any male in the 1960s, now as old as glass milk bottles, Saturday afternoons meant ABC’s Wide World of Sports…

“Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports… the thrill of victory and the agony …

Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Column HR369
Unexpected Consequences

The world’s deluged with individuals using “unexpected consequences” to explain lack of common sense and stupidly.  Oil prices rise and so does everything else – that’s common sense, not unexpected consequences.  The Old Dart Coach chewing a red licorice rope breaks a tooth – that’s an unexpected …

Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Column HR368
Streisand & Redford, Umberger & Karpowich, Kramer & McGinnis

What in the Sam Hill is going on?

Streisand & Redford in the same headline as great darting duos?

Reitan-Green & Hopkins, Karpowich & Maloney, Lim & Sinnaeve, Verrier & McDonald (Cricket only) – and Reed & Parsley would also …

Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Column HR367
The SPOTTED OWL

The Spotted Owl is an endangered species listed with the Bald Eagle.  The action to list the Spotted Owl was fueled by those who feared it would be pushed to extinction as logging expanded.  Most of these folks wouldn’t recognize a Spotted Owl if one bit …

Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Column HR366
GOLDEN AGE DARTERS’ REUNION… A GO!

What started as dinner conversation among four old geezers then affirmed by two fair darting damsels, Lisa Farrell and Connie Sroka, has become a reality.  On January 20-21, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Tuscany Hotel/Casino, the First Annual “Darters of the …

Thursday, August 17, 2022
Column HR365
GREY SKIES FOR LADIES’ DARTS

The world, especially sport, has transitioned from rewarding excellence to kotowing to the loudest minority.  Darts has not escaped this rapidly-spreading WOKE virus.  Common sense the only known vaccine.

Like many, the World Darts Federation (WDF) grabs its ankles asking for neither a cocktail …

Thursday, August 11, 2022
Column HR364
FAMILY AFFAIR

(Warning!  Fact-checkers caution that some of the ODC’s dart “facts” below may not be entirely accurate.  Readers should take them with a grain of salt, a shot of tequila and a lime.)

Shortly after England abandoned “carting” (dragging criminals thru the streets behind a cart …

Thursday, August 4, 2022
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Soapbox – Rants and Raves!

There are times when the ODC ascends the soapbox to rant and rave, even without the aid of Stupid Fluid…

It’s easy to rave about Pal Lim as he’s the 10th wonder of the sporting world right behind Tom Brady and Manny Pacquiao.  The …

Monday, July 25, 2022
Column HR362
ALL HAIL Queen Sherrock and King van Gerwen!

The sun rose at 5:28 AM Sunday morning in Blackpool, setting at 9:23 PM.  The weather?  72 and sunny outside.  Inside the Winter Garden it was hotter and beery…

Ten dart players, all battle tested, would determine what the “weather” would …

Sunday, July 24, 2022
Column HR361
AT LAST, THE END IS NEAR… but not for the ladies!

There are some out there that think the Old Dart Coach is going to use the old “Let’s use a Frank Sinatra song to start this column.  Then the ODC will quote a few lines thinking it’s cute …

Saturday, July 23, 2022
Column HR360
ALL GONE BUT FOUR!

The Old Dart Coach’s father’s favorite song was “One the Road to Mandalay”. He would sing it with all the gusto of Pavarotti calling Figaro at the Theatro dell’Opera di Rome.  In the song Padre would sing:

On the road to Mandalay 

Where the flyin’ …

Friday, July 22, 2022
Column HR359
LADIES in SPOTLIGHT, but first…

After a long wait, the ladies of darts get their own worldwide TV stage when the Winter Gardens opens its doors on Sunday afternoon (July 24) for the PDC Women’s Matchplay.  

It’s a quality field of 8 that have survived 12 events spread over …

Friday, July 22, 2022
Column HR358
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to TWO LEGENDS!

Yesterday, July 21, marked the birthday of two true legends of darts…

The initial winner of the World Matchplay, Larry “The American Eagle” Butler, is still soaring at the top of the sport.  Mr. John Lowe MBE is one that helped the sport grow, …

Wednesday, July 21, 2022
Column HR357
July 20, Par Deux – GAME OVER, but memories linger…

The Miller’s Report: Love it.  It was a great night of darts.  The drama was thrilling.  Had a great time in the sauna.  Temps dropping by 20 degrees outside, but it will still be hot in Winter Garden.  …

Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Column HR356
Title, title – there ain’t no title!

Round Uno had its moments with competitive matches few and far between.  This is the point, as they say in cattle country, when “bulls are made steers.”  The Bulls move on.

A factor is the heat inside the Winter Gardens.  In his …

Thursday, July 18, 2022
Column HR355
World Matchplay – Round Uno

The 2022 World Matchplay began with a fitting tribute to commentator John Gwynne who had passed away just 7 days before.  The last of the original three voices of the PDC is silenced… Sid Waddell, Dave Lanning and now John.

Most proclaimed in advance …

Thursday, July 14, 2022
Column HR354
PDC Mid-summer Classic – July 16-24, but first…

Mr. John Lowe, MBE has stepped away from competing on the Senior Tour.  I have decided that I have contributed to introducing the senior’s championships.  I did not win any of my matches but felt I did play at a good …

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Column HR353
Old Dart Coach ON PROBATION!

(Editor’s note: The ODC has been placed on public probation from Super-Secret Probation for his inexcusable behavior.  The USA defeated England 9-0 in 1985 in Brisbane, not Melbourne.  We apologize for his actions – as many have before.)

The ODC: “Do to my obsequiousness …

Sunday, July 3, 2022
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HAPPY 4th of July!  GREAT BRITAIN – THANK YOU!

As American’s celebrates the 4^th of July, Independence Day, we pass along a belated Happy Canada Day as on July 1, 1867, they consolidated three territories into the nation of Canada.  They wanted July 4th, but we already had …

Thursday, June 30, 2022
Column HR351
ARACHNID BLOCKBUSTER TV EVENT! 

Arachnid has concluded an arrangement for a TV event on ESPN in August in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  With $20,000+ up for grabs, this invitation-only event will be broadcast August 5^th at 11:00 pm Eastern time on ESPN.  With some details still to come, …

Monday, June 20, 2022
Column HR350
WORLD CUP SHOCKER!

All teams but one have now been sent packing.  Men at Work sing “Down Under” as Australia’s Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock receive their gold medals as PDC 2022 World Cup champion.

But first…

WHATS IN A NAME?

Good question!

People that live in Frankfurt, Germany, …

Saturday, June 18, 2022
Column HR349
A SATURDAY SONG FOR FRANKFURT

This is the day that eight teams will be singing the Huey Lewis tune, “This is It” for all the others.  Or Dinah Washington’s “What a Difference a Day Makes.”  For fans of the TV series Yellowstone, it’s the day they roundup the …

Friday, June 17, 2022
Column HR348
ENGLAND and AUSSIES SHINE… SCOTLAND and BELGIUM – NOT SO MUCH

Today, darts fans got their first look at #1 seed England and an answer to the question, should one ask, “Can Michael Smith continue to be the best player on earth?”  That title (bestowed by Wayne Mardle) was …

Thursday, June 16, 2022
Column HR347
CHEESE-EATING WEASLES RULE DAY ONE at World Cup!

A cheese-eating weasel is a punter that bets on every favorite in a sporting event.  The Old Dart Coach and his pal (The Legend, Russ Lopez) are charter members of the club.  On Day One of the World Cup the ODC …

Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Column HR346
van Gerwen triumphs… and World Cup for DUMMIES!

The 11,000 fans that packed the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin for Premier League finals night settled into a party mood as the two semifinal matches both resulted in 11-4 blow outs.   Little did they know, or care, that the final would …

Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Column HR345
“The WDF is the ADO’s boss.”

Really?

Those words are found on the ADO website in an opus by Director of Operations Steve Brown.  It presents supposition that the reader is asked to accept as incontrovertible truths.  Goebbels school of propaganda on display.

“The Oregon Open will not …

Wednesday, May 24, 2022
Column HR344
A new Axiom?

The Old Dart Coach loves axioms.  “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t teach it to fish.” “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, but you can’t make him drink.”

New axiom, “You can’t beat your opponent until you …

Wednesday, May 16, 2022
Column HR343
BACK OFF!  Famous writers are allowed mulligans!

This adventure in darts will be copacetic with a warning to the persnickety.  Back off!  The Old Dart Coach is allowed literary freedom.  All famous writers are allowed mulligans.

Prior to the start of the 2022 PDC Premier League season, the PDC …

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
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Roe or Wade?

It was just Mother’s Day weekend and in the USA’s non-contagious 50 states debate has erupted over Roe vs. Wade.

The PDC debate?

Wade vs. ALL – as the Premier League arrives in Scotland.  It’s a night of undisrupted sleep for the sheep with men enjoying …

Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Column HR43
Memories

On May 17th at 5:00 p.m. the Sahara Hotel on the tail end of the famed Las Vegas strip closed its door for the first and last time. Local Las Vegans – that is anyone who’s lived here more than ten years and may or may not eat …

Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Column HR42
The ODC’s “rubber” meets the road on the Premier Asia Darts League Tour.

Anyone remember the tyre commercial that used the theme “Where the rubber meets the road”? Well that’s where the Premier League 2011 found itself with just two weeks remaining. It was put up or shut up …

Monday, April 25, 2011
Column HR41
SMOKE THIS you 6-10 split, gap-toothed English wanker!

Willie Nelson sang about being “On the Road Again” with such joy that it’s 100% sure that he’s never been on the road with the Old Dart Coach.

Neither could you use Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park” to describe the experience. …

Monday, April 4, 2011
Column HR40
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

Much was made in this space about the disgusting behavior of the drunken hooligans during Premier League in Glasgow. Echoing those sentiments the PDC issued the following: “We are investigating the events of Thursday (March 17), when a minority of the crowd …

Monday, March 21, 2011
Column HR39
A Night of Shame

There is a very fine line between a “great sporting crowd” and a “mob of hooligans.” During the period of the Roman Empire thousands would gather in the Coliseum in the name of sport. Often that “sport” matched Christians against lions or slaves against bears. …

Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Column HR38
Is “with” a preposition?

English teachers implore students to “never end a sentence with a preposition.” As the rule doesn’t apply to those who don’t know what a preposition is it’s a mystery why this rule is so important. One of the two people who regularly read this effort …

Sunday, February 27, 2011
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The “Good Ship Taylor” is on the Prowl!

When it comes to sports TV commentators no one in the world can match golf’s David Ferriday. Englishman Ferriday, like those who saw the error of their ways hopping aboard the Mayflower, now resides in the USA. His knowledge of golf …

Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Column HR36
Is “experienced” just another word for OLD?

There is a constant debate whether sport imitates real life or visa versa. (As if sport isn’t real life.) As in life, one works hard at sport to develop abilities and then reap the benefits. In an 1889 essay Oscar Wilde held …

Monday, January 31, 2011
Column HR35
Butler! King! Baxter! Croft?

The Old Dart Coach’s past mention that many tournaments have faded into the sunset was true but failed to acknowledge those that are still going strong. One of those is the $15,000 Camilla Classic held annually in Nueva Helvetia, California. WTF is a Nueva Helvetia? …

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
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Take a Lesson from Darts History – There’s Not Much Left to Lose!

The Old Dart Coaches muses, as muses takes little energy, about days past when all dart tournaments were preceded on Friday evening by a blind draw at a local bar. His favorite was held before the …

Thursday, January 6, 2011
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“Jackpot” Hits the Jackpot!

A number of years ago a young English dart player was in Las Vegas to play in the Las Vegas Desert Classic. Being big for his age – actually he’s big for any age – he was playing the slots at a popular Strip casino.…

Friday, December 24, 2010
Column HR32
Merry Christmas from the Old Dart Coach – and Mel Torme!

The Old Dart Coach on this Christmas Eve won’t be much help in this effort as he is suffering a severe case of the “Whips and Jingles.” This condition, also known as the “Ws and the Js,” was …

Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Column HR31
Kudos to Tommy Cox (and The Netherlands) on a GREAT World Cup!

Being in the land of the Shakespeare and considering the burning question facing the PDC one might turn to the Bard. “Dost thou believe, Orlando, that the boy can do all this that he hath promised?” “I …

Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Column 30
The 2010 Grand Slam of Darts

In all sport there are seminal events or moments that simply defy description or explanation. Regardless one must try. In today’s world of Blackberry-mania those events would be described using term like “OMG!!!” or “WTF!!!” with probably 200 shouts of “UNBELIEVABLE!!!” tossed in …

Thursday, November 11, 2010
Column HR29
It was a Dark and Stormy Night

Victorian novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1830 wrote, “It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents – except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets rattling along the …

Saturday, October 30, 2010
Column HR28
Halloween Eve

It’s Halloween Eve which brings some sadness and a tear to the eye of the Old Dart Coach. T’was the last century when his ex-wife perished on “All Hallows Eve” when her broom crashed and burned. T’iz also the time when witches are out and about rushing …

Friday, October 15, 2010
Column HR27
A Bountiful Buffet of Darts, with “Whine”

The recently concluded World Grand Prix was for some a Mickey D’s Happy Meal without the toy. For others – those addicted to delicious delights from the oche – it was a bountiful buffet of delectable morsels.

All are correct, with the …

Saturday, October 9, 2010
Column HR26
The Greatest Match Ever Played?

Opinions today have become like ears, “Everybody has at least two.” If he were alive today that would of course exclude old Vincent van Gough. Vinnie had this plan to win the hand (and probably a couple of other parts) of his dearly beloved. …

Friday, October 8, 2010
Column HR25
“Timothy the Mouse” with a Pint and a Cigar

Any sporting event that is really good fits the “MO,” or modus operandi, of a stage play, movie or book. This revelation struck the Old Dart Coach as he was watching round two of the £350,000 World Grand Prix. There’s …

Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Column HR24
“Double, double, toil and trouble”

Prior to the £350,000 Bodog.com World Grand Prix at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin the PDC took advantage of the facilities for a pair of £31,600 Irish Players Championships. The Championships drew 100 players with the news being the two who didn’t enter. That …

Friday, October 1, 2010
Column HR23
“Writing About Darts for Dummies”

Just purchased a copy of Writing about Darts for Dummies. The first lesson and key to success is to include “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.”

SOMETHING OLD

The Old Dart Coach has dictated good ole’ Houston Hartwell to give …

Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Column HR 2
Frankenstein at the Oche

If you were given the names of Charles Ogle, Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Fred Gwyne, Bo Severson, Peter Boyle and Bryan McDougle could you connect the dots? Could you tell anyone what all of these gentleman had in common? …

Monday, September 13, 2010
Column HR21
Champions League – Par Uno

After frenetic play the first three day’s of the Champions League are now in the books. The League is a great example of the PDC (that would be Barry Hearn) using modern technology to advance the sport while increasing money available. This while other …

Thursday, September 9, 2010
Column HR20
Talkin’ “Turkey” – the Best American Darts Player of ALL TIME!

Should you ever travel to Istanbul, Turkey, which we all know use to be called Constantinople, you might like to know that their famous Blue Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I. The Old Dart Coach doesn’t know …

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Column HR19
North American Players Miss the Good Ship Lollypop BUT the Menace’s Ship Comes In

Peter Cross sang the song “Some Day My Ship Will Come In” which is probably what North American players were singing when the good ship “HMS PDC” landed in Canada. Even if they never heard …

Saturday, August 14, 2010
Column HR18
If you want to be a sport act like one!

Toeing the Oche has for the most part been positive on the Professional Darts Corporation. They, the PDC, have accomplished in fewer than 15 years what the sport couldn’t accomplish in the 500 years prior. A TV contract, the …

Monday, August 2, 2010
Column HR17
SURPRISE! It’s Taylor Again (at European Championships)

Back in the day when the Old Dart Coach was the Old Rodeo Guy the days around July 4th used to be called “Cowboy’s Christmas.” The name emerged from a string of rodeos around that holiday that could make or break a …

Monday, July 26, 2010
Column HR16
Taylor Does a Tchaikovsky! Bromberg Gits ‘er Done!

The ODC sometimes gets things almost right. He opined, “Off the quarters (97.93) one would have to think that Barney (95.89) is there for the taking if Wade is up to the task.” He was spot on but Wade wasn’t up …

Saturday, July 24, 2010
Column HR15
Darts Needs a Mercy Rule!

The Old Dart Coach is in his cups and almost inconsolable after yet a third trip to the local Wal-Mart for his favorite “red-skinned potato salad.” As is usually the case before being over taken by demon alcohol he ranted on and on about …

Friday, July 23, 2010
Column HR14
£40,000 at 1/40 on Lloyd to beat Painter!

The media reported that a punter bet £30,000 pounds on Kevin Painter in his match against Colin Lloyd. Toeing the Oche asked “what was he thinking when Painter was 8-2 down in the race to 13?” The light of day, actually …

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Column HR13
One Night in Blackpool

In 1984, Murray Head had a big hit record with “One Night in Bangkok.” It was written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson who were bookended by the pair of A’s in the group ABBA. With ABBA now again relevant with their musical hit Mama …

Saturday, July 10, 2010
Column HR12
Musings from the Padded Cell…

The Old Dart Coach has been locked in a padded room for his own protection. It was a move taken to protect not only the ODC but those around him from injury. The trigger to his unexplained behavior is believed to be the PDC …

Friday, July 2, 2010
Column HR11
North American Darts Championship

Many years ago, before The Old Dart Coach was the ODC, an aspiring writer equated his local yearly darts tournament to a circus. Being a newbie he had volunteered to help with the set up and the tear down. In later year’s he would come …

Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Column HR10
World Series of Darts Festival… Par Cuatro

Ernest Hemingway wrote the novel “The Sun Also Rises.” For reasons unknown there was never a work titled “The Sun Also Sets.” Missed opportunities some might say… as the sun in Las Vegas set yesterday on the PDC portion of the Tropicana …

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Column HR9
World Series of Darts Festival… Par Tres

The Greek scholar Archimedes who lived from 287 BC to 212 BC proudly proclaimed “Eureka!” which means, literally, “I’ve found it!” Why he didn’t just say “I found it” is lost in the antiquity. The late American President John F. Kennedy use …

Monday, June 28, 2010
Column HR8
World Series of Darts Festival… Par Deux

Cicero wrote: “As you sow, so shall you reap.” That would be Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of Rome’s greatest orators and prose stylist who lived from January 3, 106 BC until December 7, 43 BC. He could have been writing about Mr. …

Sunday, June 27, 2010
Column HR7
World Series of Darts Festival… Par Uno

On a scorching hot Las Vegas mid-day the first dart was thrown in anger for the new World Series of Darts Festival. The clever Yanks had lured the wily Brits into a game of cricket. While named for the English game that …

Thursday, June 24, 2010
Column HR6
“Duel in the Desert” Preview”

With the Las Vegas Desert Classic now just a memory, on Saturday the PDC will launch its latest venture into the Las Vegas and North American market. The Tropicana World Series of Darts Festival (doesn’t that just roll off your tongue?) kicks off a …

Monday, June 14, 2010
Column 5
Barnsley, Bromberg – and the PDC Invades Vegas!

The Old Dart Coach reminds us that in six days the “Man” created the world which included the earth which included both man, women and declined to state. On the 7th day, according to the Good Book, he rested. In the …

Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Column HR4
Riley’s Dart Zone UK Open

There are times in a dart player’s life when everything is perfect. Every triple pulls your dart like a magnet as doubles are falling like the stock market, Jupiter aligns with Mars, you’ve found the Big Rock Candy Mountain right after you’ve hit the …

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Column HR3
The Premier League Final

“A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malamute saloon” is the opening line of the poem by Robert Service titled “The Shooting of Dan McGrew.” Fast forward to May 23, 2010 and the Wembley Arena where a bunch of darts fans …

Monday, May 17, 2010
Column HR2
The 2010 Premier League Penultimate Night… and MORE!

It came with the heading as the “Penultimate Night of Darts” to be played at Newcastle. The Old Dart Coach had no idea what “penultimate” meant. He did know it was set-up night for the final night of Premier League Play. …

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Column HR1
Toeing the Oche with the Old Dart Coach Howie Reed

Some, but not the Old Dart Coach, have missed the nuance – that Phil Taylor’s demeanor is totally unlike Tiger Woods, who the ODC argues couldn’t carry Taylor’s Unicorns. A much better comparison would be between Taylor and Phil …