Serious Darts

The FIFA World Cup it definitely is not, but the game of darts has a huge following - 7000 in the audience at a recent televised tournament.

My experience with darts is almost entirely from playing in the odd pub many years ago. After a few rounds, someone would invariably decide to challenge everyone to a game, although no one ever seemed to know the rules. Triples are good; doubles too. Beyond that, I couldn't tell you.

There is a World Darts Federation, however, that has everything you always wanted to know about darts. The Federation is the world governing body for the game; there are 250,000 playing members from six continents. There are anti-doping regulations in the game. The very professionally done site has rules, regulations, archives, history, and lists of previous winners and pros.

Every two years, on odd numbered years, they hold the World Cup. Every two years, on even numbered years, are the Americas Cup, The Asia/Pacific Cup, and the Europe Cup (and more!).

A far cry from the pub experiences of my youth, the modern game of darts is professionally run and widely popular. To dart players, it probably is the real beautiful game. And no vuvuzelas!