Been giving this a bit of thought over the weekend and I've decided to try and really push my darts the second half of this year. I've ditched the trainer board, gone back to my old darts and am aiming to put at least 2 hours practice a night in. I've dropped SuperLeague for a local league, aiming to cement my place in a new team on a Monday night and want to challenge for most wins on a Tuesday night (probably the hardest league I play in)
I'm hoping to enter more tournaments in the next 6 months and really am going to push it culminating in what I hope will be a proper go at GSoD qualification on 4th November as well as a successful debut at the "Clash Of The Forums" on 25th November. Alot of people tell me I can play this game well but I don't really believe them. To build that confidence up I need to put the effort in and get some good results.
I've set what I think are ambitious aims. I just love playing this game and hopefully I won't lose sight of that, even if I don't hit my targets.
Aim for the moon and maybe you'll land among the stars (or something)
First up...Stirchley Open
Monday, 8 August 2011
Friday, 24 June 2011
Harsh realities
The money in darts has increased dramatically during the last 20 years or so. The rewards are so much greater but so is the cost and the risk. Players needing sponsorship to compete is nothing new but in the PDC, you can't get on the tour without a major financial backer so the number of players looking for sponsorship has increased. There's only a finite number of people/companies interested in sponsoring players and they only have a finite amount of money.
There are success stories like Nigel Heydon and Mark Hylton who quit their jobs and have made it a success but they have only been able to do that with the help of sponsorship and speaking to them, they openly acknowledge they have been fortunate on that front. Others are not so. In a local paper last month, a player was practically begging for sponsorship to be able to continue on the tour. Another player had to drop out the UK Open qualifiers when his sponsor told him he could no longer afford to sponsor him.
Now, an argument could be made that if they did any good then they wouldn't have a problem. Bring in money for the sponsor, increase their profile and sponsors will follow. But not everyone can do a Barney, Whitlock, Lewis (to name 3) to come in and get in the latter stages early in their PDC career to do that. But what about the BDO? Build your reputation & profile then move? This is not a bad argument but you only have 2 opportunities to really do that (World Champs and World Masters) You still need sponsorship to do the BDO tour (though significantly less of it) and if people think they're good enough, they'll play in the PDC.
This does add weight to the arguments that the PDC caters for the elite and for every success story we hear about, there's probably another 10 that failed. Elite sport has always been a ruthless affair and Darts is now no different. The only thing apparently stopping Scott Waites moving is lack of sponsorship and the cost. I'm surprised no one has offered him some after his superb victory in the Grand Slam of Darts last year.
Darts is big business now and there will inevitably be casualties. Is it the PDC's responsibility to help?
There are success stories like Nigel Heydon and Mark Hylton who quit their jobs and have made it a success but they have only been able to do that with the help of sponsorship and speaking to them, they openly acknowledge they have been fortunate on that front. Others are not so. In a local paper last month, a player was practically begging for sponsorship to be able to continue on the tour. Another player had to drop out the UK Open qualifiers when his sponsor told him he could no longer afford to sponsor him.
Now, an argument could be made that if they did any good then they wouldn't have a problem. Bring in money for the sponsor, increase their profile and sponsors will follow. But not everyone can do a Barney, Whitlock, Lewis (to name 3) to come in and get in the latter stages early in their PDC career to do that. But what about the BDO? Build your reputation & profile then move? This is not a bad argument but you only have 2 opportunities to really do that (World Champs and World Masters) You still need sponsorship to do the BDO tour (though significantly less of it) and if people think they're good enough, they'll play in the PDC.
This does add weight to the arguments that the PDC caters for the elite and for every success story we hear about, there's probably another 10 that failed. Elite sport has always been a ruthless affair and Darts is now no different. The only thing apparently stopping Scott Waites moving is lack of sponsorship and the cost. I'm surprised no one has offered him some after his superb victory in the Grand Slam of Darts last year.
Darts is big business now and there will inevitably be casualties. Is it the PDC's responsibility to help?
Friday, 25 March 2011
Difference time makes
Just been reading through my last entry (http://grazer501.blogspot.com/2011/02/over-last-few-weeks-ive-considered.html) and I can't believe the difference a month has made. I'm not sure what has changed but I'm more relaxed, finding it easier to get into a rhythm, not losing my temper if the darts aren't going right..... win or lose I'm just loving the game again and can't wait for my next match. I'm even enjoying practice again.
Recent performances and results have probably helped a little; 2-1 win against a player from top of the league, last 32 of the local singles comp, 3-0 win with a 148 c/o (a result that seemed to surprise everyone) 2-0 win with a 17 darter on Monday, 180 on the Tuesday in the pairs (lost 2-1 to Stuart Dutton and partner) Now whether I'm relaxed because I'm getting good results and performances or because I'm more relaxed I'm getting good results and performances I'm not sure but I'll take it. Even games I haven't won I've lost 3-2 and arguably should have won 3-0 but just couldn't get into a good ryhthm but I'm not beating myself up over it.......and it's getting noticed.
Played Tuesday and one of the top players in the league was chatting to one of our team after their match. He mentioned to him that every time he sees me play I seem to have got better and that if I keep going I'm going to be very hard to beat. They both knew how much stick I took my first season in the SuperLeague. He's the kind of guy who if he thinks you're playing like a muppet or he doesn't like you, he'll say so. This meant a lot to me but not as much as my team saying how much more relaxed I look and how well I'm playing.
Next up for me darts wise is Monday nights. We got a run of very hard games against 3 of the top 4 and I'm holding no fear of playing anyone at the moment so hoping to get some valuable points for the team. Thursdays there's the Gold Cup singles and pairs but not sure if I will enter them. Next big competition is the PDC UK Open Qualifier in Bristol on 17th April which should a good measuring stick of how I'm doing. Seeing my Dad at the weekend and no doubt some arrows will be chucked then.
They say you have to take the bad with the good. Maybe my run of bad is coming to an end. It's amazing what time and a little perseverance can do.
Recent performances and results have probably helped a little; 2-1 win against a player from top of the league, last 32 of the local singles comp, 3-0 win with a 148 c/o (a result that seemed to surprise everyone) 2-0 win with a 17 darter on Monday, 180 on the Tuesday in the pairs (lost 2-1 to Stuart Dutton and partner) Now whether I'm relaxed because I'm getting good results and performances or because I'm more relaxed I'm getting good results and performances I'm not sure but I'll take it. Even games I haven't won I've lost 3-2 and arguably should have won 3-0 but just couldn't get into a good ryhthm but I'm not beating myself up over it.......and it's getting noticed.
Played Tuesday and one of the top players in the league was chatting to one of our team after their match. He mentioned to him that every time he sees me play I seem to have got better and that if I keep going I'm going to be very hard to beat. They both knew how much stick I took my first season in the SuperLeague. He's the kind of guy who if he thinks you're playing like a muppet or he doesn't like you, he'll say so. This meant a lot to me but not as much as my team saying how much more relaxed I look and how well I'm playing.
Next up for me darts wise is Monday nights. We got a run of very hard games against 3 of the top 4 and I'm holding no fear of playing anyone at the moment so hoping to get some valuable points for the team. Thursdays there's the Gold Cup singles and pairs but not sure if I will enter them. Next big competition is the PDC UK Open Qualifier in Bristol on 17th April which should a good measuring stick of how I'm doing. Seeing my Dad at the weekend and no doubt some arrows will be chucked then.
They say you have to take the bad with the good. Maybe my run of bad is coming to an end. It's amazing what time and a little perseverance can do.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Over the last few weeks, I've considered quitting the sport of darts. My performances on Thursdays have been poor, Mondays inconsistent. The only time I really enjoy the game is in practice/messing around and at tournaments. That's why I attend the 2 last weekend and I had a great time. I really believed I could beat the players or at least give them something to worry about (a full write up is available here )
But at the moment, put me in a league match and I suffer despite the players really being no better than what I play at a tournament. I don't know if its preparation, the fact its just me but I'm just not enjoying the game of league darts. Alot of people are trying to tell me its just a blip, a mental obstacle to get over but it seems much more than that.
I have decided to continue Monday nights to keep it ticking over but SuperLeague I will giving up at the end of the season. Looking back over the last 3 years, the problems with my game really started there. It was a rough first season and it had a massive impact on me and my game. I'm not blaming it and I'm not going to make excuses but what I want to do is enjoy the game I dearly love.
But at the moment, put me in a league match and I suffer despite the players really being no better than what I play at a tournament. I don't know if its preparation, the fact its just me but I'm just not enjoying the game of league darts. Alot of people are trying to tell me its just a blip, a mental obstacle to get over but it seems much more than that.
I have decided to continue Monday nights to keep it ticking over but SuperLeague I will giving up at the end of the season. Looking back over the last 3 years, the problems with my game really started there. It was a rough first season and it had a massive impact on me and my game. I'm not blaming it and I'm not going to make excuses but what I want to do is enjoy the game I dearly love.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Practice and pressure
Some say darts is a mind game. You can be great one minute, appalling the next and no matter how good you feel sometimes the darts just won't go for you.
I've been having some bad runs of form of late. Losing 4 games then I'd get a win, another run of 4 defeats then a win. As comfortable as I feel when on the oche, I just have no confidence in where the darts will go which is obviously a problem. Seems a far cry from the beginning of the season where I won 3-0 with a 73 average. It got to a stage where I suggested to the captain to drop me for a game. He declined. I won 2-0 that night.
My problem has always been my consistency. 1 match summed it up perfectly; 1 st leg it was 60's, 50's all the way down and took about 7 darts to hit the double. Next leg went 96, 100, 125, 100, 80c/o for a 15 darter.
Last night was just all about the throw. Wasn't bothered about winning or losing, just getting confidence back into my game. 1st 3 legs were fairly scrappy but 4th leg missed D20 for 120 c/o & 15 darter (eventually taking it in 17) What pleased me though was that everytime he hit a big score, I didn't panic and when he didn't I seemed to step in and hit a big score myself.
It was just nice to get a win under my belt but I'm more happy with the that I had some confidence my game. "Take your time, relax and aim about an inch above the treble" was the advice I kept getting and it did work. I am due at a tournament next week but I think I may give it a miss until I feel fully confident in my game again.
Lack of practice has played a major part in my loss of form I think. I'm so busy now that even though I play twice a week, I haven't been practicing that much (certainly nothing like I used to) and you just can't expect to win or even play well without practice. Its probably no co-incidence that between Monday and Thursday I got about 3 hours practice in plus another 2 before the game and the darts were going a lot better.
The team results have probably had an impact on my game aswell. Monday nights we have been suffering some heavy defeats (9-0, 8-1) and this was either side of an 8-1 loss at SuperLeague. Monday nights I do feel under more pressure because I know the team look to me to get some points and regard me as one of the best players. Now there are a couple of good players in our side but only 2 of them are being consistent. Myself and the other are just below par at the moment.
I take the game more seriously than anyone in my team as I have probably mentioned in previous blogs. The pressure of fighting for my place I can handle now but the pressure of the team looking to me for points and the fact the team is losing is getting to me. Probably why I get more rattled on a Monday than a Thursday. It just seems selfish to simply play for myself but maybe that's what I need to do. Play for myself and if the team lose, nothing I can do. Maximum number of points I can get is 2 (1 singles, 1 pairs) but only 1 of those do I have full control over, the pairs are a lottery.
So what does all this actually mean for my game? Well I think its all experience. Anyone can ride a wave of good form and enjoy the game when on that run. But its what you do when its not going so well that counts. For me, I've learnt that no amount of practice can guarantee a good game but no practice will guarantee a poor one. I've also learned that I need to ignore expectation, including my own and just throw the dart. The rest takes care of itself
I've been having some bad runs of form of late. Losing 4 games then I'd get a win, another run of 4 defeats then a win. As comfortable as I feel when on the oche, I just have no confidence in where the darts will go which is obviously a problem. Seems a far cry from the beginning of the season where I won 3-0 with a 73 average. It got to a stage where I suggested to the captain to drop me for a game. He declined. I won 2-0 that night.
My problem has always been my consistency. 1 match summed it up perfectly; 1 st leg it was 60's, 50's all the way down and took about 7 darts to hit the double. Next leg went 96, 100, 125, 100, 80c/o for a 15 darter.
Last night was just all about the throw. Wasn't bothered about winning or losing, just getting confidence back into my game. 1st 3 legs were fairly scrappy but 4th leg missed D20 for 120 c/o & 15 darter (eventually taking it in 17) What pleased me though was that everytime he hit a big score, I didn't panic and when he didn't I seemed to step in and hit a big score myself.
It was just nice to get a win under my belt but I'm more happy with the that I had some confidence my game. "Take your time, relax and aim about an inch above the treble" was the advice I kept getting and it did work. I am due at a tournament next week but I think I may give it a miss until I feel fully confident in my game again.
Lack of practice has played a major part in my loss of form I think. I'm so busy now that even though I play twice a week, I haven't been practicing that much (certainly nothing like I used to) and you just can't expect to win or even play well without practice. Its probably no co-incidence that between Monday and Thursday I got about 3 hours practice in plus another 2 before the game and the darts were going a lot better.
The team results have probably had an impact on my game aswell. Monday nights we have been suffering some heavy defeats (9-0, 8-1) and this was either side of an 8-1 loss at SuperLeague. Monday nights I do feel under more pressure because I know the team look to me to get some points and regard me as one of the best players. Now there are a couple of good players in our side but only 2 of them are being consistent. Myself and the other are just below par at the moment.
I take the game more seriously than anyone in my team as I have probably mentioned in previous blogs. The pressure of fighting for my place I can handle now but the pressure of the team looking to me for points and the fact the team is losing is getting to me. Probably why I get more rattled on a Monday than a Thursday. It just seems selfish to simply play for myself but maybe that's what I need to do. Play for myself and if the team lose, nothing I can do. Maximum number of points I can get is 2 (1 singles, 1 pairs) but only 1 of those do I have full control over, the pairs are a lottery.
So what does all this actually mean for my game? Well I think its all experience. Anyone can ride a wave of good form and enjoy the game when on that run. But its what you do when its not going so well that counts. For me, I've learnt that no amount of practice can guarantee a good game but no practice will guarantee a poor one. I've also learned that I need to ignore expectation, including my own and just throw the dart. The rest takes care of itself
Saturday, 13 November 2010
The great conspiracy?
The Grand Slam Of Darts (sponsored by Daily Mirror) kicks off today as 32 players from both the PDC and BDO compete for the title.
Last year the BDO players acquitted themselves very well with Scott Waites making the final, O'Shea only being beaten by Taylor and (if you remove the results of the matches against the women) the BDO winning the battle 10-7 (though it was 10-10 but it depends on which side of the divide you're on) This obviously drags up the usual PDC vs BDO debate but then it doesn't take much.
There are some debutants to this years tournament, most notably Dave Chisnall (BDO World Championship runner-up) but he has a very difficult start against the PDC World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock. It will be interesting the reaction Chisnall will get from the crowd but as O'Shea showed last year, play it right and you can very quickly get them on your side (take note Mr Hankey - have you learned your lesson from last year?) I'm hoping Mark Hylton has a good tournament but again he has a very difficult start against Gary Anderson. Mark Webster and Wayne Jones also in the group makes it hard but Mark came through the qualifiers so he's shown he can cope. Can he do it on the stage though?
Now, there has been talk about the draw, the high profile games it has thrown up and whether its all been manipulated. Now these comments have mostly come from those who don't usually (if ever) talk about Barry Hearn or the PDC in a positive light in anyway, those who think the PDC can do no right. But lets look at the games it has thrown up for the BDO players and who's ended up in which group:
Hankey vs Taylor - would have been better if Hankey was the reigning BDO World Champion but given the comments of Hankey and everything that happened last year, probably the biggest game of the group stages. Hankey is in a group with the very impressive Wes Newton and the blows-hot-and-cold Michael Van Gerwen. Very difficult for him to get out this group.
Chisnall vs Whitlock - the 2 World Championship runners up. As good a game as any to pit the BDO against the PDC to see who is better. Chisnall has ended up in a group against Colin Osbourne (another player who blows-hot-and-cold) and Robert Thornton. Again, going to be difficult to get out the group but backing Chisnall to beat Thornton and whoever wins between him and Osbourne qualifies.
Tony O'Shea and Justin Pipe: In the same group. Pipe came through the qualifiers so has already played some of the PDC lot. O'Shea is a class act all round. Also in the group is James Wade and Vincent Van de Vort. Wade is in terrific form at the moment so expecting him to qualify top. But Vincent is more than beatable. He can also be a formidable player. Wade and O'Shea to qualify but think Pipe will pick up a win against VdV.
Henderson vs Jenkins: Henderson will fancy his chances here but Jenkins is a very solid player and very experienced. Merv King and Stacy Bromberg make up the group. Henderson stands a decent chance getting out this group as Jenkins can match King. Not expecting much from Stacy unfortunately.
Scott Waites and Martin Phillips: Again in the same group with Adrian Lewis and Co Stompe. This is a really open group. Waites made the semi last year, Phillips made the semi of the BDO World Championships last year, Lewis and Stompe are very solid players. Lewis is favourite to go through, Stompe is very solid but if Waites can beat Stompe then it's anyones.
Darryl Fitton vs Colin Lloyd. Fitton can win this one, no doubts at all. Lloyd is solid but hasn't really found the form when he was the World number 1 for a while. Also in the group is Barney and Tricia Wright. Barney is win the group, Wright to finish bottom so the final qualifier could well be whoever wins this first game.
Ok, those are just my thoughts. Now here's the thing. The only possible "evidence" to say the draw has been manipulated is that Hankey & Taylor got the same group. The other BDO players have got tough groups but so they should. They're now up against some of the best players in the world, you're not going to get that many easy games if any. Chisnall and Hankey could feel a little hard done by but someone had to get Taylor. It just an added kicker that Wes Newton is in the draw but Hankey is a crowd pleaser in terms of he gets them going. Think the longer he stays the better for the tournament. Its not beyond the realms of possibility Chisnall gets out his group as I've illustrated. Great chance for him to show his great performance in the BDO Worlds was no one-off.
The tournament is heavily favored to the PDC but it's a PDC run tournament, you'd expect that. Its not an ideal set up the GSoD in this respect however at least the PDC have done something. Don't see the BDO inviting PDC players to their official tournaments or even setting one up so they can.
Ultimately though, this is about Darts. These guys love the sport no matter where they play. They won't see it as BDO vs PDC. That is all for the fans and the hype. ITV4 have the coverage and they have been excellent the last couple of years. Just glad to see some more darts on the TV.
Best of order please. Game on!!
Last year the BDO players acquitted themselves very well with Scott Waites making the final, O'Shea only being beaten by Taylor and (if you remove the results of the matches against the women) the BDO winning the battle 10-7 (though it was 10-10 but it depends on which side of the divide you're on) This obviously drags up the usual PDC vs BDO debate but then it doesn't take much.
There are some debutants to this years tournament, most notably Dave Chisnall (BDO World Championship runner-up) but he has a very difficult start against the PDC World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock. It will be interesting the reaction Chisnall will get from the crowd but as O'Shea showed last year, play it right and you can very quickly get them on your side (take note Mr Hankey - have you learned your lesson from last year?) I'm hoping Mark Hylton has a good tournament but again he has a very difficult start against Gary Anderson. Mark Webster and Wayne Jones also in the group makes it hard but Mark came through the qualifiers so he's shown he can cope. Can he do it on the stage though?
Now, there has been talk about the draw, the high profile games it has thrown up and whether its all been manipulated. Now these comments have mostly come from those who don't usually (if ever) talk about Barry Hearn or the PDC in a positive light in anyway, those who think the PDC can do no right. But lets look at the games it has thrown up for the BDO players and who's ended up in which group:
Hankey vs Taylor - would have been better if Hankey was the reigning BDO World Champion but given the comments of Hankey and everything that happened last year, probably the biggest game of the group stages. Hankey is in a group with the very impressive Wes Newton and the blows-hot-and-cold Michael Van Gerwen. Very difficult for him to get out this group.
Chisnall vs Whitlock - the 2 World Championship runners up. As good a game as any to pit the BDO against the PDC to see who is better. Chisnall has ended up in a group against Colin Osbourne (another player who blows-hot-and-cold) and Robert Thornton. Again, going to be difficult to get out the group but backing Chisnall to beat Thornton and whoever wins between him and Osbourne qualifies.
Tony O'Shea and Justin Pipe: In the same group. Pipe came through the qualifiers so has already played some of the PDC lot. O'Shea is a class act all round. Also in the group is James Wade and Vincent Van de Vort. Wade is in terrific form at the moment so expecting him to qualify top. But Vincent is more than beatable. He can also be a formidable player. Wade and O'Shea to qualify but think Pipe will pick up a win against VdV.
Henderson vs Jenkins: Henderson will fancy his chances here but Jenkins is a very solid player and very experienced. Merv King and Stacy Bromberg make up the group. Henderson stands a decent chance getting out this group as Jenkins can match King. Not expecting much from Stacy unfortunately.
Scott Waites and Martin Phillips: Again in the same group with Adrian Lewis and Co Stompe. This is a really open group. Waites made the semi last year, Phillips made the semi of the BDO World Championships last year, Lewis and Stompe are very solid players. Lewis is favourite to go through, Stompe is very solid but if Waites can beat Stompe then it's anyones.
Darryl Fitton vs Colin Lloyd. Fitton can win this one, no doubts at all. Lloyd is solid but hasn't really found the form when he was the World number 1 for a while. Also in the group is Barney and Tricia Wright. Barney is win the group, Wright to finish bottom so the final qualifier could well be whoever wins this first game.
Ok, those are just my thoughts. Now here's the thing. The only possible "evidence" to say the draw has been manipulated is that Hankey & Taylor got the same group. The other BDO players have got tough groups but so they should. They're now up against some of the best players in the world, you're not going to get that many easy games if any. Chisnall and Hankey could feel a little hard done by but someone had to get Taylor. It just an added kicker that Wes Newton is in the draw but Hankey is a crowd pleaser in terms of he gets them going. Think the longer he stays the better for the tournament. Its not beyond the realms of possibility Chisnall gets out his group as I've illustrated. Great chance for him to show his great performance in the BDO Worlds was no one-off.
The tournament is heavily favored to the PDC but it's a PDC run tournament, you'd expect that. Its not an ideal set up the GSoD in this respect however at least the PDC have done something. Don't see the BDO inviting PDC players to their official tournaments or even setting one up so they can.
Ultimately though, this is about Darts. These guys love the sport no matter where they play. They won't see it as BDO vs PDC. That is all for the fans and the hype. ITV4 have the coverage and they have been excellent the last couple of years. Just glad to see some more darts on the TV.
Best of order please. Game on!!
Monday, 30 August 2010
Pros and the rest of us
This weekend just gone (28th/29th August) was the Doublefinish.com Open. Not a huge field but alot of quality there; Deta Hedman, Dennis Smith, Steve Bunting, Peter Wright, Kevin Simms to name a few who were in attendance. There were 2 tournaments that weekend and I got tough draws in both; Deta Hedman on the Saturday and Dennis Smith on the Sunday - both first round draws. Lost 4-2 to Deta and 4-1 to Dennis. Felt I played as well as I have done in competition for a while. My finishing against Deta was a particular highlight for me (2 darts, 2 doubles - 80 c/o and 92 c/o and I also hit a 180) It was great playing against players of this caliber and I was just happy not to have disgraced myself.
But this brings up the differing mentality of players and their respective standards. Deta and Dennis, whilst would not have taken the game lightly, would have been thinking they would win. Me, whilst not out to lose, has to have some perspective. I could give them a good game (and I felt I did) but would have had to go some to beat them. Am I beat before I even throw a dart? Definitely not. One thing that got said to me by a player seemed very counter intuitive but does make sense on one level. I'd lost a game but played well and enjoyed it. He asked me if I enjoyed the game, I replied "Yes, despite the fact I lost I enjoyed it" He said to me;
"That's where you're going wrong. You didn't enjoy it despite you lost, you enjoyed it because you lost"
It's taken me a long time to get my head round this and I'm still struggling a little with it. I think it's about just enjoying the game regardless. I have had alot of first round exits recently but I'm enjoying just playing the game. Do I want to get past the first round? Of course I do. Is it getting to me? A little though I've played some excellent players and I feel I'm definitely improving. Whilst I am not there to lose, I'm there to enjoy the game. So how does this differ from the professionals?
I think it boils down to standards and knowledge of those standards. When Dennis and Deta played, they both knew it would be a tough game because they know they other is a very good player and their achievements but they also know how they can play. Despite that though, they both play because they enjoy it. To me, there seems to be a fine line between just playing to enjoy it and going into match thinking you will win. Thinking you will win can add additional pressure. But some will argue semantics. What is the difference between knowledge and belief in this context?
Some would say if I went into the game believing I would win is arrogance and delusion given the opposition but is taken as a standard mentality for pro's or those regarded as top quality. Is this what makes the likes of Taylor, Whitlock, King, Wade so immense? Is it just quality that stops the likes of Bunting, Simms, Wright, et al from pushing into the elite and getting that elusive World Title? How good do you actually have to be before believing you will win is accepted?
But this brings up the differing mentality of players and their respective standards. Deta and Dennis, whilst would not have taken the game lightly, would have been thinking they would win. Me, whilst not out to lose, has to have some perspective. I could give them a good game (and I felt I did) but would have had to go some to beat them. Am I beat before I even throw a dart? Definitely not. One thing that got said to me by a player seemed very counter intuitive but does make sense on one level. I'd lost a game but played well and enjoyed it. He asked me if I enjoyed the game, I replied "Yes, despite the fact I lost I enjoyed it" He said to me;
"That's where you're going wrong. You didn't enjoy it despite you lost, you enjoyed it because you lost"
It's taken me a long time to get my head round this and I'm still struggling a little with it. I think it's about just enjoying the game regardless. I have had alot of first round exits recently but I'm enjoying just playing the game. Do I want to get past the first round? Of course I do. Is it getting to me? A little though I've played some excellent players and I feel I'm definitely improving. Whilst I am not there to lose, I'm there to enjoy the game. So how does this differ from the professionals?
I think it boils down to standards and knowledge of those standards. When Dennis and Deta played, they both knew it would be a tough game because they know they other is a very good player and their achievements but they also know how they can play. Despite that though, they both play because they enjoy it. To me, there seems to be a fine line between just playing to enjoy it and going into match thinking you will win. Thinking you will win can add additional pressure. But some will argue semantics. What is the difference between knowledge and belief in this context?
Some would say if I went into the game believing I would win is arrogance and delusion given the opposition but is taken as a standard mentality for pro's or those regarded as top quality. Is this what makes the likes of Taylor, Whitlock, King, Wade so immense? Is it just quality that stops the likes of Bunting, Simms, Wright, et al from pushing into the elite and getting that elusive World Title? How good do you actually have to be before believing you will win is accepted?
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