Over the years, the game of darts has gained immense popularity, and along with the popularity, came a tremendous amount of skilled players who changed the standards by just playing it. The semi-professional game confined to the pubs and clubs of the 70’s and 80’s has given way to the professional product that is the current game of darts. Below we’ve touched on 10 Great Darts Players who have lifted this great game to where it currently stands today.
Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis has been on top for a very long time in the darts game. He’s the only legend after two others who have held on to the PDC World Championship after winning it for the first time in 2011. Even during the 2011 finals, he was the first to make a nine-dart finish and surpassed Gary Anderson to win the title. ‘Jackpot’ has also made an appearance in every final of the major PDC tournament except the Grand Slam.
His major achievements consist of the PDC World Championship, the European Championship, and the PDC World Cup of Darts. He has also finished in second place more often than his will, but you definitely can’t question his ability.
Martin Adams
It is said that no one will ever know how much better he would have been and shown the world his worth because he never switched to The PDC on a permanent basis.
Talking about the BDO, Adams was tremendously successful. Having three Lakeside World Titles, three World Masters, and a great career has brought him much fame in this game. His nickname was “Wolfie,” and he made a record of 25 consecutive World Championship appearances before he failed to qualify for the first time in 2019.
John Part
According to the statistics, John Part was a Canadian player and also the best player in North America. He was at his peak during this time. He won his first BDO World Championship in 1994. When he switched to the PDC, he won the PDC World Championship twice, in 2003 and 2008. Even though he reached multiple major finals, he couldn’t win much compared to the level of his abilities.
He had a very erratic and unpredictable career because he had conquered many tough competitors in the early years of his career but couldn’t get more than second place in five majors later on in his career. He has been a great player in his career, though.
Dennis Priestley
He’s known to be one of Phil Taylor’s greatest rivals. Although Taylor got a grip over Priestley on a few occasions, that didn’t halt Dennis Priestley from becoming really successful.
He won the BDO World Championship in 1991 and later, the PDC World Championship in 1994. Dennis Priestley didn’t win against Phil Taylor in all of the four World Championship Finals until Raymond van Barneveld in 2007.
Gary Anderson
He’s the most distinguished Scottish player of all time, having won the PDC World Championship twice, once in 2015 and then in 2016. Though he reached the BDO World Championship only once in 2003, he has improved his game after getting into the PDC and won the World Cup of Darts last year, amongst his other achievements.
Anderson has made the record for one of the most 180s in only one match, with a 22, and also holds the highest losing average in a world final which is 104.93.
John Lowe
John Lowe has a unique record of winning the World Championship in three different decades. He was a master of his game but was far from being successful until he won the BDO World Championships in 1979, 1983, and 1993, and the World Masters in 1976 and 1980. John Lowe is also known to hit the first broadcasted nine-darter in 1984.
Eric Bristow
Known by the name the ‘Crafty Cockney,’ Eric Bristow will always be remembered as a legend because he was loved by everyone back in his days. Eric Bristow has won five times in the BDO World Championship in the 80s.
Bristow was so dominant that he won five World Masters Championships from 1977 to 1984, which is considered to be a remarkable achievement. He also reached the PDC World Championship semi-final but couldn’t go further in 1997.
Regrettably, ‘dartitis’ was Bristow’s last straw that halted his career. He was a true legend of the game and got the MBE award in 1989. He, unfortunately, died in April 2018.
Raymond van Barneveld
Barney is one of the most rewarded players in the world. He has won the BDO World Championship four times and has also won the PDC World Championship in 2007. Adding to these, he has also won two UK opens, a Grand Slam of Darts, and a Premier League title as well.
In 2007, he won the PDC World Championship against Phil Taylor, still known to be one of the best darts matches that was ever played. Though he announced his retirement after a 7-1 defeat to Michael van Gerwen on 28 March 2019, he reversed his decision the next day.
Michael Van Gerwen
Michael Van Gerwen, or the ‘darts prodigy,’ is known as a gifted player. His mesmerizing world record is that he threw a nine-darter, and it was captured on television.
He had also won the World Master’s title within four years of his debut, both of which are known to be one of the greatest world records. He is currently the world’s number 1 darts player who has won three PDC World Championships, a world Masters, two World Match plays, and five World Grand Prix, and he’s just 31. He also won the UK Open early on this year. He is definitely one of the best players that the darts game has ever had.
Phil Taylor
We’ve left the best to last. Known by the nickname “The Power” and having 16 World Championships, Phil Taylor is probably the “GOAT” of darts and the main player to bring darts into the modern age. Phil has won the most tournaments and is one of if not the best players of all time. He has also won World Match plays a total of 16 times and the World Grand Prix 11 times and 6 Premier Leagues and Grand Slams. He also holds a record of 14 consecutive appearances in World Championship finals from 1994 to 2007.