PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix – Night Three Round-Up
Posted on October 6th, 2011
James Wade came from two sets down to keep alive his hopes of retaining the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix title on Wednesday night, but Raymond van Barneveld, Wes Newton and John Part all exited the double-start tournament.
Reigning champion Wade found himself two sets behind in his second round clash with Vincent van der Voort at the New Citywest Convention Centre, but won nine of the next 12 legs to win through to the quarter-finals.
“Maybe I should have nicked one of the first two sets but I didn’t and I gave myself a lot of hard work to do,” said Wade, who has won the Dublin title in 2007 and 2010.
“It was great to come back like that and I feel like I’m starting to get back towards my best.”
Wade’s quarter-final opponent on Friday will be Andy Smith, who won through to the last eight in the World Grand Prix for a third time with a stunning 3-1 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2011 PartyPoker.net World Grand Prix, Andy Smith, Brendan Dolan, James Wade, Review, second round results
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PDC World Grand Prix Night 1 DartsMad Review
Posted on October 4th, 2011
The 2011 PartyPoker.net PDC World Grand Prix opened with an upset, local lad Brendan Dolan defeated an out of sorts Wayne Jones 2-0 with relative ease. The Wanderer threatened to make a game of it, hitting some timely maximums and a cool 74 checkout under pressure in the second set to go 2 legs each. However consistency from Dolan took him across the finishing line, sending a visibly disappointed Jones crashing out of the tournament.
In the second game of the night, a presumably confident Justin Pipe was looking to follow up his victory over Phil Taylor in the previous days Players Championship with a solid start to his WGP campaign. However John Henderson the Scotch rocker stood in his way, the result being 2-0 to the big man. Henderson controlled the game but an inability to close out a few legs, allowed Pipe more chances, than in fairness his below par game deserved.
Vincent van de Voort broke his Dublin duck at the fifth attempt, seeing off Kevin Painter 2-0, after racing away with the first 5 legs without reply. However in the 6th Painter capitalised on the Dutchman’s struggle to double in and nicked the leg, took the 7th but missed tops to stay alive and force the deciding set, as a relieved Vincent checked out and celebrated shaking the WGP monkey off his back.
A new central stance at the oche for Colin Lloyd helped him put in a decent performance against Wes Newton including taking out Madhouse to force (and subsequently take) a last leg shoot out in the first set. It is rumoured that Jaws has been using the Winmau SightRight, but nothing could help him stop The Warrior from firing in maximums and 12 dart legs as he shifted up a gear to take the final two sets 6 legs without reply for a 2-1 win.
Reigning PDC World Champion Adrian Lewis looked comfortable against Canadian veteran John Part as he took an early lead. However, some sloppy darts from Jackpot and true grit from Part saw a reversal in fortunes as the 3 times World Champion astonishingly got back into the game to eventually go on and a win 2-1.
James Wade fared much better as he opened the defence of his WGP title with a 142 checkout to stop Steve Brown in his tracks who was eyeing up a 2 legs to nil lead in the first set. The Machine then went on to claim the first set, quickly followed by the second and match winner in a slick no nonsense performance. Bristol’s Bomber Brown will be ruing missed chances and a tough draw.
Raymond van Barneveld scraped through a tight opening set 3 legs to 2 against Mervyn King, who then proceed to drop away as Barney pushed on to take the winning set in a more comfortable fashion. The final game of the night was contested between Andy ‘Pieman’ Smith and the nights other local hero William O’Connor. However O’Connor could not emulate the earlier success of fellow Irishman Dolan, despite taking the opening leg as the vastly more experienced Smith marched to a 2-0 victory.
Tags: 2011 World Grand Prix, Adrian Lewis, Double in, Dublin, John Part, PDC dART, PDC Darts, Review
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Championship League Darts Group 3 – Nicholson Joins the Winners
Posted on September 30th, 2011
PAUL NICHOLSON sealed his place in the Championship League Darts Winners Group next month with a 6-4 victory over Simon Whitlock in Thursday’s Group Three final at Crondon Park GC in Essex.
Nicholson, who was defeated in Wednesday’s semi-finals by Phil Taylor, powered through the eight player field by losing just one game in his seven group matches to top the table, before defeating Mark Walsh 6-4 in the semi-finals.
Nicholson opened the final against Whitlock superbly with a maximum and went on to win the opening leg by hitting double eight. Both players missed chances to win the second leg but it was Whitlock who won it to level.
Tags: Championship League Darts, Paul Nicholson, Results, Review
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Championship League Darts Group Two – Taylor Powers Home
Posted on September 28th, 2011
PHIL TAYLOR booked his place in the Championship League Darts Winners Group next month with a 6-5 victory over Simon Whitlock in Wednesday’s Group Two final at Crondon Park GC in Essex.
Taylor bounced back from his semi-final defeat to Wes Newton in Group One by powering through the eight-player field on the second of nine days in the internet-streamed event.
The world number one took six victories from his seven league games during the day to total £2,000 prize money in finishing top of the league table for the second successive day.
After defeating Paul Nicholson 6-3 in the semi-finals – coming from 3-2 down to take four successive legs – he edged out Whitlock in a tense final.
Tags: Championship League Darts, Phil Taylor, Results, Review, Simon Whitlock
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Championship League Darts Group One – Anderson Flies High
Posted on September 28th, 2011
GARY ANDERSON claimed victory in Group One of the 2011 Championship League Darts, defeating Wes Newton 6-1 in the final at Crondon Park after the Fleetwood ace picked up his first-ever win over Phil Taylor.
Anderson will now return for October’s big-money Winners Group in the internet-streamed event, which sees players compete in eight-man groups in a round-robin league phase before the top four contest each day’s Play-Offs.
Taylor – the 2008 Championship League Darts winner – had gone through the Group One league phase unbeaten but saw his hopes of early progression shattered by a brilliant Newton display in the semi-finals.
The Fleetwood ace, who has risen to seventh in the world this year and also reached June’s UK Open final, finished fourth in the table and led 2-0 against Taylor early on in their clash.
Tags: Championship League Darts, Gary Anderson, Results, Review, Wes Newton
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Target Cool Play Darts Shirt Review
Posted on September 7th, 2011
Let’s face it; most darts players are hardly renowned for their sharp dress sense are they? A pair of nylon slacks, a dodgy shirt and (unless you have dispensation for medical reasons) plain black shoes. Of the three, the shirt is the item of clothing that players can use to achieve individuality, some like them loud (Mr Mardle), some low cut (too much flesh Ted) etc. – you get the idea. But that is in the professional game where they are also emblazoned with logos, sponsors and nicknames.
For the image conscious amateur darter or someone looking for something a little more understated, perhaps those that play once a week in their local boozer and enter the odd tournament, something like the Target Cool Play shirt is a much preferable option. With minimal branding, consisting of a neat target logo on the breast pocket, and made from a highly breathable material which involved 12 months of development, the Cool Play dart shirt claims to keep your body at a comfortable temperature when you need it most. Endorsed and used by Colin Lloyd they are available in sizes small to XXXXL.
Tags: Colin Lloyd, Darts Shirt, Review, Target Cool Play
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SportswaXX Dart Grip Wax Review
Posted on September 2nd, 2011
I spent last night with a bulging pocket and sore thigh.
Yep, it was darts night again.
I have always had a problem with gripping my darts. I started with chalk, then went on to licking my fingers, then chalk AND licking my fingers. It sounds pretty gross, and not too healthy, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Have you noticed that your darts don’t feel right after you have washed your hands with soap and water? Or when you’ve got moisturiser on your hands? Or when you’ve been playing with your hair?
All these things and more, affect grip. Ideally the best grip for your fingers is the oils your skin produces naturally. However, wash your hands with soap and it’s gone and your fingers are too dry. Tidy your hair, and gel/wax/spray over compensates. The worst is probably nervousness and as a by-product; sweat.
So, I’m on a mission to find the best grip available for darts players. Many people don’t realise what’s out there, making my bulging pocket seem a little odd. But, it was bulging for good reason. I had, in my pocket, an open pot of SportswaXX. In pink, of course.
Other than the fact that every time I sat down the pot dug into my thigh, SportswaXX does the job. I recommend putting it in your pocket an hour or so before you play. If it’s still solid when you’re at the oche, you’ll end up causing yourself sore finger tips from digging at it in panic! Get it soft enough and it’s perfect.
SportswaXX provides a tackiness which isn’t too greasy or too dry. You can manipulate the texture on your fingers by warming your fingers up or wetting them slightly, so it should suit just about everyone.
I was talking with a seasoned darts player who had no idea grip wax existed. He was very appreciative when I loaned him mine and bought some for himself the very next day.
SportswaXX comes in yellow and pink and can be bought here from Red Dragon for £6.95.
TML
Tags: Dart Grip Wax, Darts equipment review, Review, SportswaXX
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Red Dragon 24g Foxy Ladies Darts Review
Posted on August 26th, 2011
The lovely folk at Red Dragon Darts sent me some new toys! For the last week I have been playing with a set of Foxy Ladies. 24g worth of Foxy Ladies 12, to be precise.
Regardless of the 40.06mm barrel being roughly 10mm shorter, and the 8mm barrel about 2mm wider, than my own darts, the Foxy Lady 12’s were surprisingly easy to get accustomed to. That is, after adjusting my throw – they were consistently landing around 4 inches higher than I was aiming (darts physics fascinates me!).
My first impression of them when I saw them online wasn’t great if I’m honest. As I’ve said before, I’m not big on glitz and glam, and the Foxy range is a marshmallow-y pink and white. But, they were actually quite pretty and I really can see the appeal. They are advertised as bringing a “touch of glamour and style to the oche”, and without being attention seeking, they’re not far off!
Last night I discovered a friend of mine uses a set of Foxy Ladies. She told me they were bought for her a while ago and she couldn’t speak more highly of them. It’s always nice to hear a long term user’s perspective.
You can pick a set of Foxy Ladies, from a series of 12, with weights ranging from 21g to 34g for £15.90. The Foxy Ladies are inexpensive yet a respectable 85% tungsten and have the quality of a dart that will last, making them ideal for players of every level.
Red Dragon Darts also offer a special little bonus; for an additional £10 you can have your Foxy Lady personalised! This makes for an awesome gift for any female darts enthusiast.
The Foxy Ladies range comes with a Red Dragon Darts wallet and good quality flights and stems as standard. There’s definitely something to be said for value for money.
See all the DartsMad darts equipment and book reviews here
Tags: darts, Darts Equipment Reviews, Ladies Darts, Red Dragon Foxy Ladies 24g, Review
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European Championship Darts Final Results
Posted on August 1st, 2011
IMPERIOUS TAYLOR WINS HIS FOURTH EUROPEAN TITLE
PHIL TAYLOR defeated Adrian Lewis 11-8 in the final of the PartyPoker.net European Championship to claim his fourth European title in a row.
The Power saw off the World Champion in a tense final thanks to a crucial break of throw in the 18th leg, with Taylor popping in a 180 before taking out 164 to move 10-8 ahead.
Both men hit two 140s in the next leg, but it was Taylor who was first to the double and hit double ten to claim the £50,000 winner’s cheque with a 109.29 average.
“It’s a great feeling and a great end to a fantastic event,” said Taylor. “The crowd were unreal and stuck behind the players throughout. The atmosphere has been brilliant. Adrian’s semi against Raymond was one of the best I’ve ever seen – he’s had a tougher day than me to get to the final.
“I’m looking forward to having a great holiday now and this trophy is down to 30 years of dedication,” added the World number one.
Lewis was on a high after winning a thrilling semi-final against Raymond van Barneveld, clinching a place in final with a 121 checkout against the throw in a deciding leg after hitting a nine-darter in the 17th leg before the Dutchman battled back. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Adrian Lewis, european championships, Final, Phil Taylor, Results, Review
Filed under European Championship, News, PDC, Tournament News | 1 Comment »
European Championship Darts Night 3 Results
Posted on July 31st, 2011
LEWIS THRILLS GERMAN CROWD AS HUYBRECHTS SHOCKS NEWTON
ADRIAN LEWIS turned on the style at the PartyPoker.net European Championship in Dusseldorf, reaching the quarter-final with an electric 10-5 win over Dave Chisnall.
The World Champion was tied at five apiece against the St Helens man, but when they returned from the break Lewis fired in four 180s and took out 146 and 104 as he won five in a row, then clinched the match with a 123 checkout to send a message to the rest of the field with a 105.80 average – with the eight players in action tonight averaging 100.14 between them.
Lewis will face Kim Huybrechts in Sunday’s quarter-finals after the Belgian won a tense match with World number seven Wes Newton 10-8. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Adrian Lewis, Day 3, European championship darts, Kim Huybrechts, Raymond van Barneveld, Results, Review, Round 2
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Both poker and darts are highly popular pursuits. The games are available online, in fact, that there are organizations dedicated to making sure the rules of video poker and online darts are conformed. Similar to darts having the World Darts Federation, among others, and poker has the Tournament Directors Association. These rules are put into place in highly competitive tournaments, in which as many as hundreds or even thousands of people compete for cash prizes as well as prestige.
