It is the busy time of the season for Darts as we head into the end of year World Championships. November sees the final Player Championship events, and a Grand Slam qualifier.
The Grand Slam of Darts is next up, from 11th to 19th November.
A round robin group stage is the USP of this one.
Group A
(1) Michael Smith, James Wade, Krzysztof Ratajski,Nathan Girvan
Group B
(8) Jonny Clayton,Chris Dobey,Josh Rock,Berry van Peer
Group C
(4) Luke Humphries, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Gary Anderson,Steve Lennon
Group D
(5) Gerwyn Price, Ryan Searle, Gian van Veen, Nathan Rafferty
Group E
(2) Peter Wright, Dave Chisnall, Stephen Bunting, Stowe Buntz
Group F
(7) Danny Noppert, Andrew Gilding, Brendan Dolan,Haruki Muramatsu
Group G
(3) Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Martijn Kleermaker, Fallon Sherrock
Group H
(6) Nathan Aspinall, Damon Heta, Ricardo Pietreczko, Beau Greaves
All action LIVE!!!! on Sky Sports
Players Championship Finals - 24th-26th November.
Another tournament with a unique order of merit, there are still a few events to play first. Gary Anderson is currently number 1, with Price, Heta and van Duijvenbode also top 4. There are some quirky current rankings that will lead to an interesting draw - Michael van Gerwen is 36th, which would see him face Chris Dobey (29th) in the first round.
Also on the 26th November is the World Youth Championship Final between Gian van Veen and Luke Littler.
Both events are LIVE!!!! on ITV4
And then, on the 15th December, it is the BIG ONE!!!! The 2024 World Darts Championship gets underway, and it is LIVE!!!! on Sky Sports.
The final is on 3rd January.
While your favourite players will be there, Beau Greaves is one star who will not be at the Ally Pally. She has chosen to play in the WDF Womens World Championship which runs alongside the mens event.
While the quality is obviously far lower, there is still the likes of Jelle Klaasen, Neil Duff, Thibault Tricole, Raymond Smith, Beau, Lisa Ashton, Deta Hedman and others playing in the competitions that run from 2nd-10th December.
It should be a fun couple of months for darts fans.
Grand Slam of Darts and beyond....
posted on 29/10/23
van Veen beat van Gerwyn to set up a semi with Wade, while Wright and Noppert meet in the other one.
posted on 2/11/23
Forgot to inform you all that John Hendersons charge fell flat and Owen Bates took that priceless second spot.
Bates now has a 2 year tour card and a place at the Worlds.
James Wade booked his place at the Grand Slam
posted on 2/11/23
Today sees the Players Championship regular season conclude. At this moment there are just two places up for grabs from the 64. Steve Beaton and Ricky Evans currently hold them, but Cam Crabtree and Scott Waites are still going today and a win puts them through.
Damon Heta, currently 3rd in the PCOoM, can take the #1 seed from Michael Smith if he wins today.
There is also a chance for 8 tour card holders to win a place at the Grand Slam in a qualifier being held tomorrow.
Still a number of stars without a place,
posted on 3/11/23
Noppert, Searle, Heta, Lenton, Bunting, Rafferty, Kleermaker and Dolan are in the Grand Slam!!
posted on 6/11/23
The draw has been made for the Grand Slam...
Fallon Sherrock has been handed a humdinger, with MvG and Rob Cross headlining. Kleermaker makes up the 4.
Beau Greaves is in a group of death. In form Ricardo Pietreczko will fancy his chances against Nathan Aspinall and Damon Heta, but that one could well be the one to watch.
Gerwyn Price will have to be at his best to beat young star Gian van Veen with Ryan Searle and Nathan Rafferty in the group.
2nd seed Peter Wright has two players who have turned back the years to find their best form. Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting will hope to turn their floor form into a performance here. Stowe Buntz may find the quality too much here.
Top seed Michael Smith will be happy, but wary, of his group with James Wade, Krzysztof Ratajski and Nathan Girvan.
Jonny Clayton, Chris Dobey and Josh Rock make Group B a very difficult to call one, with Berry van Peer full of confidence after a dominant season on the challenge tour.
Luke Humphries will be ready for some tough matches against Dirk van Duijvenbode, Gary Anderson and Steve Lennon.
Group F is arguably the weakest of the groups, Danny Noppert, Andrew Gilding, Brendan Dolan and Haruki Muramatsu will all feel happy with their draws.
posted on 13/11/23
Statement wins for Beau and Fallon yesterday, can they follow it up and qualify out of their groups? Both play tomorrow.
Tonight is
2 dead rubbers to start the night:
Price (through) vs van Veen (out) - Group D
Rock (through) vs van Peer (out) - Group B
Group C winner takes all:
Anderson (2 pts) vs Lennon (0)
Humphries (4) vs van Duijvenbode (2)
Group D play-off
Rafferty vs Searle
Group A all up for grabs:
Ratajski (2) vs Girvan (0)
Smith (4) vs Wade (2)
And the evening ends with the winner takes all Group B match up
Clayton vs Dobey
Should be fun with some big names going out.
posted on 14/11/23
Wade pulled off the big result of the night with a 5-1 win over Michael Smith, to knock the world number one out and join Ratajski in qualifying from group A.
Chris Dobey knocked out Johnny Clayton in group B.
Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson advanced from Group C.
Ryan Searle smashed in a 9 darted and progresses from Group D with Price.
posted on 14/11/23
Tonight we have a few big'uns.
First up in Group E is the dead rubber between qualified surprise package Stowe Buntz and disappointing departed Dave Chisnall.
Another game with nothing riding on it is group leader Nathan Aspinall playing knocked out Ricardo Pietreczko.
And the third meaningless match sees Dutch stars MvG and Kleermaker meet with the former going on to the next round.
Group F is next up with all 4 still able to qualify. Murumatsu (0pts) takes on Gilding (2) before Noppert (4) takes on Dolan (2).
Back in Group E, it is winner takes all as Peter Wright and Stephen Bunting fight to the death.
The night ends with the 2 female players attempting to progress. Fallon Sherrock goes first, facing Rob Cross. Winner qualifies, loser goes home.
The final match sees a shoot out between Beau Greaves and Damon Heta.
posted on 15/11/23
Alas 'twas not meant to be for Beau and Fallon. Greaves went the distance with Heta, but the Aussie took it 5-4. Greaves has really shown up well, won 1 and lost two on the deciding leg. Maybe there are some regrets at turning down the World Championship?
Sherrock had a tougher time, losing 5-2 to Cross.
With the World Number 1 already out, number 2 Peter Wright found Stephen Bunting too good. Bunting won 5-3 to advance.
Noppert and Gilding both advanced from F with wins.
posted on 15/11/23
Tonight sees the last 16 ties begin. No more round robin, this is straight knockout.
Josh Rock plays Krzysztof Ratajski first up. James Wade and Chris Dobey are the second game before Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson battle it out. The final game tonight has Luke Humphries and Ryan Searle at the oche.
Thursdays matches start with Stowe Buntz against Andrew Gilding, Danny Noppert versus Stephen Bunting, Michael van Gerwen versus Damon Heta and Nathan Aspinall against Rob Cross.
My predictions are:
Rock, Wade, Price, Humphries, Gilding, Bunting, MvG, Cross.