Probably wonder what happened to “two steps back”? That seems to be part of darts.
Before I start this Blog, I do this with no malice or harm to any dart Body anywhere in the World; this is an observation of my own (many others I would say but at least I am speaking out in the public & not behind closed doors)
Just when there is a step forward in darts and everyone is getting excited about the future, the bodies that rule darts tend to go back into their “comfort zone” as some dart Bodies don’t like to see many news things happening in the game of darts that may upset their “ways”.
Darts is a passionate game; it also can be a cruel yet kind game, as we all know. The main goal is to enjoy the game/s of Darts as well as strive to be the best you can, later on (if so inclined) you can make money from it. a lot of money actually!
I speak about the game of Soft Tip darts. Yes I can see readers now saying it’s a “toy game” or “it costs too much to play”
It costs too much to play? What about all the drinks you have had at the club/pub while playing. How much did that cost?
Like it or not, there is a boom in soft tip darts and it is spreading worldwide. A lot of readers will say “Soft Tip has been in the USA/Europe/Asia for years”, so what? Those countries adjusted to steel tip also.
Best example at the moment is the Hong Kong Based DARTSLIVE Soft Tip Company, they are sourcing countries that are established and not established in Soft Tip. They offer exciting times indeed; the final of their World Final was watched on the Internet last year with the evergreen Paul Lim taking home $1,000,000.00HKD or $126,415AUD or 83,279GBP!
To throw a perfect game of 701 is 14 Darts=$330USD!
The tournament not only generated interest in the amount of money that ANYONE who can throw a dart earns but more so DARTSLIVE generated interest to many Countries.
I was personally surprised to see this company head to the USA where Soft Tip has been played for as long as I can remember BUT they went there.
Headed by CEO Steve Ngu & Paul Lim they held an exhibition/seminar for Operators across the US.
I was surprised (and still am as I write this) to see DARTSLIVE spreading across the USA (thanks to the posts in Facebook by Area Agents and new Operators taking on the challenge).
France is the latest Country I have seen to have DARTSLIVE machines interact with Darts in that Country. So obviously darts is on the up & up regardless.
So why must Countries take the ‘two steps back” approach? The old saying applies, “You wont know how beneficial it is until you try it”.
I will get replies for this Blog from people in Countries saying, “we tried it and it didn’t work”.
Remedy is easy, TRY it the proper way not half hearted as I am sure has happened in the past. Here in Australia the stigma is “why should I pay to play”?
Well its no different than paying your playing fee’s at league of Tournaments.
Just that people think it’s either too easy, costly or a toy. Far from it!
In the words of Paul Lim “in Soft Tip Darts you CANNOT afford to miss” yet in steel tip we can miss and still score. I am a steel tip player but I like the challenge of playing it and its actually fun its not a JOB!
So to all those readers out there, get in the ear of your Associations and players. Yes it will cost money for someone to be an Operator but as the saying goes “have to spend money to make money”. Everyone in the end will benefit and it can start from a family outing at a venue for leagues to big money tournaments.
If Soft Tip was not workable and is a “Toy Game” then tell me why is there players travelling to Japan, Hong Kong & America to play? Simple, MONEY & fun as its not like a job. Players from every part of the world are travelling now to get in on it, make some good money and take the “steps forwards not backwards”
Get on board & give it a go. What I am seeing at the moment (Using specifically DARTSLIVE as it’s the biggest thing at the moment) is very similar to the PDC in the way it holds events, looks after ALL players not just the elite few as well as helps people and at the end of the day offers a lot of money for the players who enter Tournaments.
If Countries that have their Bodies that seem “stuck in their way”. Mention money input & youth will be the winners, win win situation.
I personally am all for it, you wont know until your REALLY try it & I don’t mean 5 minutes in the garage!
Quote from L. David Irete, Darts Promoter “The fact that Video Gaming companies have used some of their Profits to create a soft dart machine that can teach the general public the basics of darts .... need I say more . I'm watching it in REAL life , right in front of my eyes .”
Until my next blog. Wazza out!