Nail
A score of 1 is called a Nail, yep, like the thing you hammer into wood. And if you’re really having a rough day, you might end up with a Bucket of Nails (a whole bunch of 1s). Basically, it’s the darting equivalent of hitting your thumb with a hammer, painful, embarrassing and a clear sign that maybe you should’ve stayed in bed.
Nicknames
If you’re a dart player, apparently you’re legally required to have a nickname. It’s like the darts version of getting a tattoo, once you’re in, you can’t escape it. Some nicknames are just shortened versions of their names, like Raymond van Barneveld, who goes by “Barney.” But Raymond doesn’t stop there, oh no. He’s fully embraced his inner caveman by sometimes rocking a gold Barney Rubble medallion around his neck for good luck. Because nothing says “I’m here to win” like a Flintstones reference.
Then there are the nicknames based on professions. Take Wesley Harms and Ricco Vonck, both nicknamed “Sparky” because, you guessed it, they’re electricians. Because nothing screams “darts superstar” like being able to rewire a plug while hitting a treble 20. It’s like they’re saying, “I’m not just good at darts—I can also fix your faulty wiring.” Multitasking at its finest.
Some nicknames come from life events, like Adrian Lewis, aka “Jackpot.” How did he earn this glorious name? Well, back in 2005, during the Las Vegas Desert Classic, Adrian decided to try his luck on the slot machines. Lo and behold, he hit the jackpot, $72,000 (about £50,000 at the time). But here’s the kicker, Adrian was only 20 years old and in Vegas, you need to be 21 to claim your winnings. So, he lost the money but gained a legendary nickname. Talk about a bittersweet moment. At least he didn’t have to pay taxes on it, right?
And then there’s Mark Frost, whose nickname is “Frosty the Throw Man.” I mean, come on, that’s just poetry. It’s like someone mashed up a snowman, a dartboard and a Christmas carol, and out popped the coolest nickname in darts. You can’t help but imagine Frosty chilling at the oche, throwing snowballs instead of darts. Iconic.
Once you make it to the TV stages of darts tournaments, your nickname becomes part of your brand. Every player has a story behind their nickname and some are just better than others. Here’s a quick rundown of a few legends and their monikers. Phil “The Power” Taylor, because he’s basically the Chuck Norris of darts. Gary “The Flying Scotsman” Anderson:, he’s fast, he’s Scottish and he’s probably wearing a kilt under his dart shirt. Peter “Snakebite” Wright, named after his love of snakes and his ability to strike when you least expect it. Also, his hair looks like it might bite you. Michael “Mighty Mike” van Gerwen, because “Michael” just doesn’t sound intimidating enough. James “The Machine” Wade: He’s precise, relentless and probably powered by batteries.
In the world of darts, your nickname is your identity. It’s what fans chant, commentators scream and opponents fear. Whether you’re a “Barney,” a “Sparky,” or a “Frosty the Throw Man,” your nickname tells a story. And let’s be honest, it’s way more fun to yell “Come on, Jackpot!” than “Come on, Adrian!” So, if you’re thinking of taking up darts, start brainstorming your nickname now. Because in this sport, you’re not just a player, you’re a character.
Ninedarter
When a player finishes a game of 501 in just nine darts, aka the holy grail of dartsit’,s like witnessing a unicorn tap-dancing on a rainbow. It’s that rare. This magical feat is called the nine-darter and it’s basically the darts equivalent of throwing a perfect game in bowling or scoring a hat-trick in soccer. For the pros, hitting a nine-darter on TV isn’t just about bragging rights (though there’s plenty of that), it usually comes with a fat cash prize. So, if you ever see someone pull this off, don’t just clap, throw money at the screen. They’ve earned it!
Nines
Nines is basically the dart world’s version of texting shorthand, why say “nineteen” when you can just say “nines” and sound 100% cooler? It’s like the darter’s way of saying, “I’m too busy hitting triples to waste time on extra syllables.” Efficiency at its finest!