Galed
When your opponent wins the leg and you haven’t managed to score a single point, it’s like something straight out of the pre-World War I era. Honestly, if you can’t score even when someone shoves darts into your hand, you might just be a total klutz. In maritime terms, “gale” means a stormy wind. So, if you’re playing darts and can’t score a single point, you’ve basically been “galed”, completely blown away!
Game On
Game on! This is what the master caller shouts to kick off the match. The idea was that after these two magical words, the crowd would shut up and let the darts do the talking. But let’s be real, it’s more like a polite suggestion than a rule. Some folks listen, others are already halfway through their third pint and couldn’t care less.
Game shot
This is the grand proclamation when that final double hits the mark on the board, cue the confetti, because the game shot is the ultimate winning shot! Imagine the crowd roaring, fireworks going off and someone in the background yelling, “We have a champion!” It’s the moment when the dartboard becomes the stage for sheer darting glory.
Garden gates
The infamous Garden Gates, a score of 88 in darts that’s as legendary as it is laughable. But wait, you might be thinking, “Isn’t Garden Gates supposed to be a score of 9?” Well, in some darting circles, the term gets a promotion (or demotion, depending on how you look at it) to represent the slightly more respectable, yet still hilariously underwhelming, score of 88. So, why “Garden Gates” for 88? Picture this: you’re aiming for the big numbers, dreaming of hitting those triples and racking up points like a pro. But instead, your darts land in a way that somehow adds up to 88, a score that’s not terrible, but definitely not impressive. It’s like you’re standing at the gates of a garden, admiring the flowers, while your opponents are busy hitting triple 20s and laughing at your expense. The term is often used to tease a player who’s having an off night or just can’t seem to find their rhythm. And let’s be honest, there’s something uniquely funny about scoring 88. It’s not low enough to be truly tragic (like a score of 9), but it’s also not high enough to escape ridicule. It’s the darting equivalent of showing up to a fancy party in sweatpants, you’re not failing hard enough to be memorable, but you’re not succeeding either. So, the next time you score an 88, embrace the Garden Gates. Own it. Laugh at it. And maybe use it as motivation to aim a little better next time or at least aim for a score that doesn’t come with its own landscaping theme.
Goldilocks
Goldilocks is what you call it when you’re aiming for a double, but your dart decides to be extra rebellious and lands in the double next door. It’s like your dart looked at the target, said, ‘Nah, this one’s too hard’ and then waltzed into the neighboring bed like it was auditioning for a fairy tale. Basically, it’s the darting equivalent of ordering a latte and getting a cappuccino, close, but not quite what you asked for. And just like Goldilocks, your dart is probably thinking, ‘This one’s just right… for ruining my score.