Dartoid’s Column

Saturday, January 31, 2026
Column 708
A (stolen) darts joke: A drunk staggers into a bar…

Really drunk. Can barely stand.

He slurs, “Bartender… gimme a martini.”

“Nope,” says the bartender. “You’ve had enough.”

The drunk notices a dartboard behind the bar.

“Fine. Gimme the darts.”

The bartender shrugs, hands him three darts – figuring …

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Column 707
How Not to Get Played by a Puppy Pic

EDITOR’S NOTE: The information contained herein is opinion – the author’s perspective as a long-time observer of nonprofit fundraising practices. Its purpose is not to discourage charitable giving, but to encourage informed giving. Any references to executive compensation, fundraising …

Monday, January 19, 2026
Column 706
Confessions of a Charity Hustler – How Compassion Became a Business

Imagine this…

You get an email.

There’s a photo of a half-dead puppy. Crusted eyes. A twisted leg. Maybe a catchy name like Lucky.

Below it, a big friendly DONATE NOW button.

The copy promises your $25 will …

Saturday, January 3, 2026
Column 705
Luke Little is better than Phil Taylor ever was!

There are certain statements in darts that sound like heresy no matter how carefully they’re made. This is one of them:

Luke Littler is better than Phil Taylor ever was!

Not greater. Not more dominant. Not more accomplished.

Better.…

Monday, December 29, 2025
Column 704
Caracas, Venezuela

I staggered out of undergrad with a diploma, a vague sense of optimism, and an unearned confidence that the world was basically a pub with different accents. Then a good friend – caraqueño, born and raised in Venezuela – suggested I come visit for a while. …

Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Column 703
Leonard Gates and the Gap Between Talent and Touch

Every sport has its characters. Darts, being darts, may collect them faster than most.

And then, there’s Leonard Gates.

Gates is one of the most naturally gifted players the United States has produced in years. When he’s on, he throws …

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, …

Monday, December 1, 2025
Column 701
Confessions of a Dart-addled Mind

There’s no known cure, and frankly, I wouldn’t take it if there were. Once you’ve thrown enough darts, the world starts to look… well, different.

A round dinner plate isn’t a plate – it’s a dartboard. A wall clock? Stop sign? Hubcaps?

Dartboard. Dartboard. …

Saturday, October 25, 2025
Column 699
Nothing in Hollywood is straight – especially dartboards

If you are anything like me, every time you spot a dartboard on television you shout, “Dartboard!” And if you are really like me, you immediately notice that it is almost always hung too low or too high.

Television and movie …