The Darts Forum

This thread belongs to the players that were looking like being on the verge of the rise, but that didn't happen. Think of Jamie Lewis, Alan Norris, Benito van de Pas, Scott Rand. Those players. What happened to them? Why did they rise the ranks so fast but dropped down them in a likewise fashion?

Besides these names, I think Robbie Green deserves a mention. Before his switch to the PDC he of course had been quite a figure in the BDO, and in his first few years (2015-16) he did pretty well on the floor, and reached a quarter-final in the 2016 Players Champs Finals, as well as two Last 16's in the Grand Slam. He even was near the top 32 at some point, I remember. Whatever happened to Robbie Green?

On a side note, while looking him up on Wikipedia I saw he got caught using drugs in 2006, becoming the first darts player to test positive. What was that all about??

Chucks wife died

Scott rand. What a wanker.

Token mention for Andy Callaby back in the day.
Also, Aden Kirk ( is that right?)who turned Taylor over at Minehead once.

Mabbsy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:36 pm Token mention for Andy Callaby back in the day.
Also, Aden Kirk ( is that right?)who turned Taylor over at Minehead once.

It's hard to substantiate they did anything to suggest they were going to be top players besides beating a below-par Taylor once. But they deserve mentions.

Mabbsy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:36 pm Token mention for Andy Callaby back in the day.
Also, Aden Kirk ( is that right?)who turned Taylor over at Minehead once.

Kirk beat Wright the round after aswell then lost to Dolan

Safc wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:10 pm

Mabbsy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:36 pm Token mention for Andy Callaby back in the day.
Also, Aden Kirk ( is that right?)who turned Taylor over at Minehead once.

Kirk beat Wright the round after aswell then lost to Dolan

Wasn't Dolan near the top 10 in the world then? An annoyingly good player

thegentle wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:38 pm

Safc wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:10 pm

Mabbsy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:36 pm Token mention for Andy Callaby back in the day.
Also, Aden Kirk ( is that right?)who turned Taylor over at Minehead once.

Kirk beat Wright the round after aswell then lost to Dolan

Wasn't Dolan near the top 10 in the world then? An annoyingly good player

After the grand prix final would have been his zenith

Dolan was a class player from 2011-2014. To be honest I won't say he can't get there again, he's done some impressive work not falling out completely like many others did.

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:54 pm Dolan was a class player from 2011-2014. To be honest I won't say he can't get there again, he's done some impressive work not falling out completely like many others did.

Other than Dublin I'm struggling to think of any runs in the majors?
Did he make last 8 at ally pally?
Ringing a feint bell

Randall wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 6:26 pm Chucks wife died

+1

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:57 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:54 pm Dolan was a class player from 2011-2014. To be honest I won't say he can't get there again, he's done some impressive work not falling out completely like many others did.

Other than Dublin I'm struggling to think of any runs in the majors?
Did he make last 8 at ally pally?
Ringing a feint bell

In 2019.
Reached the semis of Euro 2012, had a couple of quarter-finals elsewhere.
Has always been a solid player who has the capabilities to beat anybody, and it's not like he's often not showing his skill. On the other hand, I'm unsure if he can get back to his level that he was at, or if he'll just be solid hanging around the 32nd spot.

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:00 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:57 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:54 pm Dolan was a class player from 2011-2014. To be honest I won't say he can't get there again, he's done some impressive work not falling out completely like many others did.

Other than Dublin I'm struggling to think of any runs in the majors?
Did he make last 8 at ally pally?
Ringing a feint bell

In 2019.
Reached the semis of Euro 2012, had a couple of quarter-finals elsewhere.
Has always been a solid player who has the capabilities to beat anybody, and it's not like he's often not showing his skill. On the other hand, I'm unsure if he can get back to his level that he was at, or if he'll just be solid hanging around the 32nd spot.

As recently as that?
Wow

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:02 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:00 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:57 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:54 pm Dolan was a class player from 2011-2014. To be honest I won't say he can't get there again, he's done some impressive work not falling out completely like many others did.

Other than Dublin I'm struggling to think of any runs in the majors?
Did he make last 8 at ally pally?
Ringing a feint bell

In 2019.
Reached the semis of Euro 2012, had a couple of quarter-finals elsewhere.
Has always been a solid player who has the capabilities to beat anybody, and it's not like he's often not showing his skill. On the other hand, I'm unsure if he can get back to his level that he was at, or if he'll just be solid hanging around the 32nd spot.

As recently as that?
Wow

Joyce also reached the QFs that year.
Like Labanauskas this year, this shows that PDC World Darts Championship is secretly quite influenced by luck. Many people would only say that about UK Open (definitely) and probably Grand Slam / Players Championship Finals. Actually the World Darts Championship is just as high up there for being partially luck-based tournaments.

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:07 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:02 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:00 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:57 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:54 pm Dolan was a class player from 2011-2014. To be honest I won't say he can't get there again, he's done some impressive work not falling out completely like many others did.

Other than Dublin I'm struggling to think of any runs in the majors?
Did he make last 8 at ally pally?
Ringing a feint bell

In 2019.
Reached the semis of Euro 2012, had a couple of quarter-finals elsewhere.
Has always been a solid player who has the capabilities to beat anybody, and it's not like he's often not showing his skill. On the other hand, I'm unsure if he can get back to his level that he was at, or if he'll just be solid hanging around the 32nd spot.

As recently as that?
Wow

Joyce also reached the QFs that year.
Like Labanauskas this year, this shows that PDC World Darts Championship is secretly quite influenced by luck. Many people would only say that about UK Open (definitely) and probably Grand Slam / Players Championship Finals. Actually the World Darts Championship is just as high up there for being partially luck-based tournaments.

Set play lends itself to surprise results more than leg play

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:08 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:07 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:02 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:00 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:57 pm

Other than Dublin I'm struggling to think of any runs in the majors?
Did he make last 8 at ally pally?
Ringing a feint bell

In 2019.
Reached the semis of Euro 2012, had a couple of quarter-finals elsewhere.
Has always been a solid player who has the capabilities to beat anybody, and it's not like he's often not showing his skill. On the other hand, I'm unsure if he can get back to his level that he was at, or if he'll just be solid hanging around the 32nd spot.

As recently as that?
Wow

Joyce also reached the QFs that year.
Like Labanauskas this year, this shows that PDC World Darts Championship is secretly quite influenced by luck. Many people would only say that about UK Open (definitely) and probably Grand Slam / Players Championship Finals. Actually the World Darts Championship is just as high up there for being partially luck-based tournaments.

Set play lends itself to surprise results more than leg play

I wouldn't agree with that. Someone who wins over a best of 5/7/x sets would have also won over best of x legs. Like 90% of the matches that are won in set play are also won with a majority of legs, so why exactly would set play be more tempting for upsets?

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:10 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:08 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:07 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:02 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:00 pm

In 2019.
Reached the semis of Euro 2012, had a couple of quarter-finals elsewhere.
Has always been a solid player who has the capabilities to beat anybody, and it's not like he's often not showing his skill. On the other hand, I'm unsure if he can get back to his level that he was at, or if he'll just be solid hanging around the 32nd spot.

As recently as that?
Wow

Joyce also reached the QFs that year.
Like Labanauskas this year, this shows that PDC World Darts Championship is secretly quite influenced by luck. Many people would only say that about UK Open (definitely) and probably Grand Slam / Players Championship Finals. Actually the World Darts Championship is just as high up there for being partially luck-based tournaments.

Set play lends itself to surprise results more than leg play

I wouldn't agree with that. Someone who wins over a best of 5/7/x sets would have also won over best of x legs. Like 90% of the matches that are won in set play are also won with a majority of legs, so why exactly would set play be more tempting for upsets?

You can lose 6-0 in legs and only be 2 sets down
In leg play they all count

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:15 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:10 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:08 pm

vizIIsto wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:07 pm

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:02 pm

As recently as that?
Wow

Joyce also reached the QFs that year.
Like Labanauskas this year, this shows that PDC World Darts Championship is secretly quite influenced by luck. Many people would only say that about UK Open (definitely) and probably Grand Slam / Players Championship Finals. Actually the World Darts Championship is just as high up there for being partially luck-based tournaments.

Set play lends itself to surprise results more than leg play

I wouldn't agree with that. Someone who wins over a best of 5/7/x sets would have also won over best of x legs. Like 90% of the matches that are won in set play are also won with a majority of legs, so why exactly would set play be more tempting for upsets?

You can lose 6-0 in legs and only be 2 sets down
In leg play they all count

And does that mean that leg play lends itself to less surprise results than set play? Yes, someone who is 2-0 in sets down instead of 6-0 in legs is more likely to come back, but if they come back they'll have probably won more legs than their opponent either way.
So statistically it shouldn't really matter. Probably the belief that it's easier to fight back from 0-2 in sets than 0-6 in legs (which I believe is untrue) creates more comebacks in itself.

I think its widely accepted that leg play is darts true form
All legs counting makes comebacks harder in my mind

Randall wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:32 pm I think its widely accepted that leg play is darts true form
All legs counting makes comebacks harder in my mind

Definitely, it's why Taylor made made the Matchplay trophy his own personal property even when he was occasionally vulnerable in the Worlds. Setplay a greater test of bottle, you can be outplayed, but win the key legs and you can beat anyone