Darts, mrs ruffers, and what have I done?

[ruffers]

Background - Mrs ruffers has mentioned to me a few times over the years that the best bit of a football match is a penalty shoot out, and in fact all games should end this way... I happened to mention that she would probably enjoy darts on the telly as it's just like constant penalty shoot outs.

As you may be aware the PDC World Darts Championship is currently taking place on Sky Sports from Ally Pally and I put it on a few days ago to test out my theory. Big mistake. Biiig mistake. We're at the point now where she says "I don't mind the darts you know" when I start looking through other channels. Then if I change she says "No, ruffers, I DON'T MIND THE DARTS, YOU CAN PUT IT BACK ON. NOW."

We're going to see it live next year.

[lard]

Embrace the arrers. You'll never look back. A true sport.

You'll be able to go back to back with the BDO next week.

Let's.......play......darts!!!!!

[ruffers]

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely love it. It's just having mrs ruffers sitting next to me shouting that "the Painter should've hit that double, he's in trouble now!" is a bit disconcerting. I suppose buying her PDC Darts on the Wii for Christmas was just asking for trouble.

And Taylor demolished him tonight - great match this afternoon Nicholson vs Lewis though, telly doesn't get better.

[Keef]

Bought my uncle a lovely dartboard in cabinet for crimbo, think it was only around ?20, go for one of those!

[Jimbob]

its a bit rich to call it a sport, but for sheer entertainment value its hard to beat. ruffers you,ll have great craic watching it live, infact this is the first year i havn,t been for 5 years. just don,t make the same mistake i made in my first year, its a bit easy to get carried away with the whole thing, and i got so tanked up in the afternoon session, i ended up in a taxi by 6pm and missed the evening session.

[mrs ruffers]

In my defence - addicted is a strong word, but I've really enjoyed watching the early rounds on Sky. It's getting a bit less interesting now they're all at roughly the same level. Am fascinated by the strategy bit though - how do you decide which treble/double combination to finish? I guess this is something you just learn by playing?

And as for going - if that means I'd miss out on Sid Waddell's commentary - I'd have to be convinced...the man is a legend.

[Jimbob]

ahh but thats the whole beauty of the game, the big boys(no pun intended) playing each other, pure drama, eg barney vs baxter last night what a match and as for the barney-taylor final of a couple of yrs ago. re: the finishing strategy, most players will aim for a 32 finish not because double 16 is easier to hit than any other double, but purely because if the initial shot is messed up eg single 16 or double 8, then the double 8 will be the next shot, and the bed is beside the double 16, with a marker(s) already in place to make the finish that bit easier.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Can you run thru' that again please Jimbob?

About the 32 finish that is.(?)

[ruffers]

Double 8's next to double 16 if you go in the fat bit.

The other advantage is you can go double 8 4 2 1 if you reeally need to, if you're my standard. Others eg double 18 you end up with double 9 if you miss, miss that and then it's odd numbers and extra darts.

Just for fun, Sid said... http://www.xlab.co.uk/extras/quotes/?source=waddell

[lard]

ruffers Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Double 8's next to double 16 if you go in the fat

> bit.

>

> The other advantage is you can go double 8 4 2 1

> if you reeally need to, if you're my standard.

> Others eg double 18 you end up with double 9 if

> you miss, miss that and then it's odd numbers and

> extra darts.

>

> Just for fun, Sid said...

> http://www.xlab.co.uk/extras/quotes/?source=waddel

> l

Down to double one...aka going mad, or in the madhouse.

See also shanghai, breakfast etc.

[ruffers]

Or the Hacienda Loco as it was put last night.

Speaking of which mrs ruffers and I were privileged to be watching the telly to see Barney's nine darter as it happened. Spookily, after the first of the nine went in I said "this could be the nine darter we're still looking for..." PM me for lottery numbers.

[matthew123]

I've watched some of the Darts on Sky and it's been good entertainment, and it sounds a wicked atmosphere, with crowd chanting such ditties as "Play on Stompe, Stompe play on" and "Barney Army"

[Kells]

I've watched it all day today. I was far too quick to write it off without giving it a chance in the past. But I've got nothing done! Oh well.....

And finally, I've found something interesting about Lakeside!

[Jimbob]

lakeside smakeside, it the ally pally you want to be watching

[KalamityKel]

::O there's rules to this marlarky?

[HonaloochieB]

I long for the days of Jocky Wilson, used pyschological tactics on his opponents.

Used to nick their fags and hint that he'd spat in their beer.

We'll not seee his like again.