Is darts your biggest passion? Then, the thought of becoming a professional darts player might have tempted you by now. This goal is not something you can achieve overnight, but if you're skilled and practice regularly, you might be able to get there. Read on and find out what you should do to become a professional darts player, as well as a few tips and tricks from pros to aspirants.
How to get the professional player title?
If you’ve been playing darts for a while and you consider yourself good enough to acquire the professional darter title, there are a few steps you need to take. Like it often happens in sport, this recognition is being granted by an official organization that tests the players’ abilities. In the case of darts, this is the ADA or American Darters Association that has been around since 1990. This organization grants the professional player title after assessing darters' skills and it is also the official sanctioning body for national darts leagues. To get assessed, you need to apply either online or send a form to ADA by mail.
After your application has been approved, there is an annual membership fee of 20$ you will need to pay. Once you become an ADA member, you will receive a set of instructions and goals you have to reach to acquire the professional title.
If you’ve decided to apply to ADA, then you’re probably already training regularly at home, in pubs or you might have even participated in local competitions by now. Constant training is essential after you’ve joined ADA and it’s the only way you’ll be able to conquer the pro title. Moreover, in order to be able to maintain your title, you will also need to comply with different competency requirements each year, which means continuous practice.
Speaking of these requirements, here is the list of criteria you must meet if you want to become and remain a professional darter:
- Be an active member of the American Darters Association
- Compete continuously and take part in at least 30 games of 501 in ADL’s open division each year
- Maintain your scores above the standard, which means an average score of 17.5 points per dart if you’re a man and 12.0 points if you’re a woman
- Respect ADA’s code of conduct and ethics at all times while competing
Furthermore, it’s important to remember that if you decide to resign from the organization because you no longer want to compete professionally or can no longer meet their annual requirements, you will not be able to rejoin the ADA for the next 2 years.
A few tips on how to become a pro
What every sport requires if you want to join the ranks of professional is practice. This sport is not extremely challenging, physically speaking, but it does require a lot of training to be able to improve your technique and targeting. Regular practice is the most important factor that will allow you to become a professional darter. If you’re sure you want to pursue this goal, practice every day!
Ambition and discipline also contribute a lot to the process of becoming a professional darter and they reflect in your practice.
A good method to sharpen your darts skills once you’ve reached a certain level and you’re eager to become a pro is getting a coach. This might seem strange to many, but the truth is that pro players often train with a coach. This person is definitely someone with a lot of experience in the field, but also someone who has the necessary patience and attention to detail to help you improve your focus and perfect your technique.
Another common tip many pro players rely on while perfecting their style is keeping the darts pointing up. This should be the constant orientation of the dart from the second it leaves your hand until it reaches the board.
Speaking of throws, the grip is also extremely important when playing darts. If, in the beginning, you might tend to hold the dart tightly before releasing it, in time, you will see that a firm but relaxed grip is the best one. Pro players have a solid and confident grip but they don’t hold the dart too tightly because this would prevent them from releasing it with ease and scoring.
Good balance and position are also essential elements you should be focusing on while you’re training and striving to become a professional darts player. As you practice, you will get used to keeping your body still and only allowing your arm to move while making a throw.
Becoming a professional darter is certainly not an easy task, but with the right dose of talent, determination and a lot of practice, you can get there. We’d like to help you on your way to turning this dream into reality by providing you reliable darts gear. Check out our catalog and you will find anything you need there from sturdy darts sets to professional dartboards and comprehensive accessories.
Do i cloes one of my eye when i throw the and how much can i make a year playing darts and what books do i read to become the best!
It depends on what and how many tournaments you take part in. There are plenty of useful resources out there. You can start with the short and straightforward posts you’ll find on this blog. Good luck!
Hi I’ve been playing darts since 2005 and ive been wanting to turn professional and I live in Windsor Ontario what are the steps to turn professional I am willing to give up on everything so I can reach my goal and dream.
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for your comment, we appreciate your commitment and dedication to the game.
We are not experts in the Canadian pro field, but we recommend taking a look on the Canadian National Darts Federation website, maybe you’ll find some answers there:
https://www.ndfc.ca/
What competition would I be able to play in and what sort of money can I earn when starting off your career
When starting off your career in competitive darts, the income you can expect to earn varies greatly and is highly dependent on your performance in tournaments and competitions. While you could potentially earn some money, most players don’t start off earning a significant income from darts.
In terms of competition, you could start with:
Local Dart Leagues and Tournaments: You can start by participating in local leagues and tournaments. These might be held at pubs, clubs, or dedicated dart venues. The prize money for these types of events varies, but it’s usually modest.
Regional or National Tournaments: As you gain experience and skill, you might start entering regional or national tournaments. The prize money for these events is usually higher, but the competition is also more fierce. Check out the American Darts Organization (ADO) for a schedule of upcoming tournaments.
Online Dart Tournaments: Some online dart platforms host their own tournaments, with small cash prizes or other rewards for the winners. These can be a good way to gain experience playing against a variety of opponents.
At the very top level, professional dart players can earn substantial prize money. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship, for example, had a total prize fund of £2.5 million (around $3.3 million) in 2020, with the winner taking home £500,000 (around $660,000). However, reaching this level of play requires exceptional skill and years of dedication.
Remember that darts, like many other sports, often involves more expenses than just the entrance fee for a tournament. Traveling to and from tournaments, equipment, league fees, and other expenses can add up. Therefore, many people view competitive darts more as a hobby than a significant source of income, at least when starting out.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey and the process of improving your game. Who knows where your darts career might take you!
I am 63 single and I have a Winmau board and I bet 50 ere do I startsets of darts..I can not find anyone that can beat me unless I’m having a bad day or sick..I play either alone or with someone almost 3 games a day..I live in Sedalia mo .where do I start ??
It seems like you’re looking for ways to elevate your dart playing skills and to find a new level of competition. Here are some ways you might proceed:
Join a Dart League: The best way to find higher-level competition is to join a dart league. This will expose you to a variety of different players, some of whom might be able to give you a good game. There may be local leagues in Sedalia, or in nearby cities. You can typically find information about local leagues online or at local pubs and bars that have dart boards.
Compete in Tournaments: You might also want to consider entering dart tournaments. This will also expose you to a higher level of competition, and the format of tournament play can be an exciting change of pace from regular league play. The American Darts Organization (ADO) organizes a variety of tournaments at different levels, including local, regional, and national competitions.
Online Dart Platforms: You could try playing darts online. There are platforms that allow you to compete with other players around the world. Some of these platforms even rank players, so you can see how you stack up against the competition. Some popular online darts platforms include DartConnect and Pro-Darter.
Practice and Training: To improve your skills, consider practicing with a specific focus. Identify your weak points (like certain numbers or finishes) and work on those. You might also want to consider reading books on darts strategy or watching professional darts matches for inspiration.
Hire a Coach: If you’re serious about improving, you might want to consider hiring a darts coach. A coach can provide you with personalized feedback and help you improve your game in a way that self-study and practice might not.
Remember, darts is not just about natural talent, but also about strategy, focus, and continuous practice. Enjoy the process of improving your game!