What a night of darting action last night, I’m still buzzing this morning!

So Andy Hamilton and James Wade joined Phil Taylor and Simon Whitlock in the play-offs of the Premier League of Darts. Next week from the O2 in London, we will see both semi-finals, the youth world final and the Premier League final, all on the same night!

The semi-final line-up is as follows:
Simon Whitlock v Andy Hamilton
Phil Taylor v James Wade

The World Youth Championship Final
Michael van Gerwen v James Hubbard

What do we think will happen? We don’t dare say after the way the results went last night but we’ll have a good go. At the end of the day, as good as Phil has played throughout the entire league, anything can happen on the night. We’ll still back Phil against James and we expect fireworks in the other semi-final too. The Hammer has a brilliant record against Whitlock on TV and the way he beat Kevin Painter last night he’s certainly in with a good shot.

We see a Phil Taylor and Andy Hamilton final with Phil lifting the trophy.

Now for the youth championship. We’ve seen James play quite a bit lately and he’s the real deal. He doesn’t have as much TV experience as Michael but he’ll more than hold his own. We see Michael van Gerwen winning this one but it’ll be close.

We hope you have a fantastic night, whether you’re there or watching on TV. Why not have a cheeky little bet on the darts and other weekend sports action too over at FREEbets.org.uk?

We’d love to know whether you agree with our choices or not. You can catch us on Twitter and Facebook too.

Speak soon folks!

Schedule
Adrian Lewis v Simon Whitlock
Andy Hamilton v Kevin Painter
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor

Predictions
There are a number of ways in which the remaining five players can qualify but it will depend on their results and other games for some of them. Here are our predictions and who we think will take the final two spots.

Adrian Lewis v Simon Whitlock
Simon only needs a point to claim second spot and Ade must win to qualify. A draw for Lewis may be enough but it will depend on other games. Both players are showing great form of late and have grown as the tournament has progressed. We just feel that Lewis has been in this position before, needing a result to qualify and therefore he’ll step up to the plate.

We’ve got Lewis edging this one 8-6.

Andy Hamilton v Kevin Painter
We’re really pleased that both of these players are still in with a shot of qualifying. We know that their choices to be included in this years league weren’t met with everyone’s approval but they both thoroughly deserve to be in this league. This ones complicated! The Hammer must win to stand a chance and wait on the results of Lewis, Wade and Barney. Painter may only need a point but even a win may not be a enough depending on the results of Lewis, Wade and Barney. We told you it was complicated! Both of these players will be pushing for the win but with so much at stake we sense a nervy game ahead.

We’ve got this one finishing a draw.

Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
This is the biggest game of the night for us and it could go either way. Whoever wins this game will be certain of a play-off spot. Barney could still qualify with a point but Wade could even be eliminated with a point depending on other games. Both of these players have vast amounts of experience, Barney a five times Champion of the World and Wade, a former Premier League Champion.

We’ve got Barney edging a close one 8-6.

Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
With Ando already eliminated and Phil already claiming top spot, don’t think for a second that this is a ‘nobody cares’ kind of game. Both of these players hate to lose and Phil will want to finish the league strong with a win. Gary will also want to prove he deserves the title of current Premier League Champion by beating this years league winner.

A closer than expected game, we’ve got Phil winning 8-5.

So if our predictions are correct, we’ve got Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld joining Phil Taylor and Simon Whitlock in the play-offs. Our choice for the best bookmakers at getfreebets.co.uk are offering some very competitive odds, proving that these games could go either side of the wire. What do you think, is it worth a bet? One things for sure, Newcastle will be bouncing so sit back, relax and hold on to your hats.

The eighth and final spot in the star-studded masters event – to be held at the Coronation Hall on Saturday August 18 – will be taken by the winner of a new local tournament.

The Brian Jackson Memorial competition is set to be held at Manhattans nightclub in Barrow on Saturday July 14, with the victor claiming a place in the following month’s showpiece event and the chance to toe the oche against seven of the world’s best.

Flight First Event Management have confirmed that the seven British Darts Organisation (BDO) champions past and present will be Mark ‘The Spider’ Webster (champion in 2008), Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams (2007, 2010, 2011), Jelle ‘The Matador’ Klaasen (2006), Christian ‘The Lipstick’ Kist (2012), Steve ‘The Bronzed Adonis’ Beaton (1996), Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham (2004) and Anastasia Dobromyslova (women’s world champion in 2008, 2012).

Dalton-based Darts promoter and agent Glenn Higgins, managing director of First Flight Event Management, said: “The South Lakes Masters is going to be a huge event and, like when we brought (15-time world darts champion) Phil Taylor to Ulverston earlier this year, I’m expecting tickets to sell quickly.

“All seven darters are world champions, with the final place up for grabs.

“That spot will be taken by the winner of the Brian Jackson Memorial competition, a new tournament I have set up in memory of my uncle Brian, who was very well known in darts circles. The winner will also get a further prize of £1,000.

“The focus of the event will be about raising money for cancer charities. Entry costs £7 in advance and £10 on the day.”

Tickets for the South Lakes Masters are available now from the Coronation Hall box office. Table seating is priced at £27.50, with balcony seats costing £20.

Higgins added that the problems encountered with the big screens during the Taylor exhibition in February have been resolved ahead of future events.

* The winner of an Evening Mail competition to play a leg of darts against either Co Stompe or Vincent van der Voort when the Dutch aces visit Dalton Cricket Club on Friday May 11 is Dawn Williams, of Meadowlands Avenue, Barrow.

We asked, which Dutch darter won the World Championship in 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005? The answer is Raymond van Barneveld.

Tickets are still available for The Big Dutch Experience event in Dalton. Contact Glenn Higgins on 07403 599285 for more details or to book tickets. Doors open at 6.30pm, with the action starting at 7.30pm.

Also contact Higgins for details about the Brian Jackson Memorial competition.

The pair held their nerve to beat Australia’s Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson in a dramatic sudden death shoot-out in Hamburg.

Taylor and Lewis had raced into a 3-0 lead by winning the first three singles games. But when Lewis was edged out by Nicholson in the fourth game, Australia’s hopes were still alive. They then squared the final by winning the doubles 7-4, with Whitlock’s 124 checkout on the bull sending the match into a deciding leg.

Nerves got to both teams as Nicholson, Taylor and Whitlock all missed darts for victory before Lewis stepped up to show his class by sinking double five to give England the triumph and the £40,000 first prize.

“I’m delighted,” said a relieved Lewis. “I thought we’d thrown it away when Paul beat me in the last singles game and when we lost the doubles. And I couldn’t watch when they were throwing for the match in the sudden-death leg.

“At times this weekend I pulled Phil through but in the final, when it got tough, he pulled me through. It was a great team effort.

“This probably means more to me than winning the second World Championship title. People don’t realise what it means when you pull on the England shirt, but I’ve never felt under so much pressure in my life.”

Taylor added: “I’m over the moon. Simon and Paul both showed bottle to come back from 3-0 down and still believe they could win the final.

“I thought we’d blown it when they won the doubles and it went to the last leg. I’m a bit disappointed we missed doubles in the final leg but it made a great final for the fans because there was drama and tension.”

Potteries-born and bred Taylor beat Nicholson 7-4 to take the opener before Lewis, from Cross Heath, edged out Whitlock 7-5 to put England two up. Taylor then averaged almost 106 in a brilliant 7-6 win over Whitlock, which saw him come from 3-0 down to take victory despite missing 19 darts at a double, but Nicholson then beat Lewis 7-4 to keep Australia’s dream going and their doubles success meant a dramatic shoot-out sealed, in the end, by Lewis.

Nicholson said: “One day we will win this title for Australia.

“I’m gutted for myself, Simon and the DartPlayers Australia organisation that we lost, but we gave it everything we had.

“We grafted and got ourselves back into the match and gave ourselves a chance, so I’m disappointed we didn’t get over the winning line.”

She has therefore decided to seek sanctuary under the umbrella of darts. She, like the captain of Fed Cup team, Judy Murray, is also a diehard fan of darts.

While talking to media sources, Laura expressed her interest and desire in playing darts by saying, “You can learn a lot from a darts player”.

She continued, “I just like watching and, though I know this sounds a bit mean, I particularly like watching when they choke. It sounds horrible but it just makes it that much more exciting”.

She further shared that the best thing she finds about the game is that it requires immense concentration and focus.

It is one of those games where there are innumerable distractions around and in the presence of all these distractions a player has to perform his or her best.

Laura intends to adopt a similar habit when playing the game. “I find it amazing the amount of pressure they’re under to just make exactly the right shot at the right time,” she said.

She observed, “You can see that they start to shake sometimes and, hopefully, we don’t do that when we’re playing”.

At the same time, it is also important to mention that Robson realises the pre-requisites that are involved in insulating oneself from the distractions that are around.

As has been pointed out by experts, it is a characteristic that a player develops with the help of experience.

It is pre-dominantly the experience that plays an important and pivotal role in distinguishing an amateur from a professional.

An experienced player in darts can easily be pointed out in the kind of reactions and responses he has towards his audience and this is what precisely contributes in the graduation and development of a professional player.

On the basis of experience, a player is in a better position to develop and formulate strategies. Through these, one can easily counter their opponent’s techniques and, at the same time, overcome one’s own weaknesses.

Ten people took part in the tournament at the Hilderthorpe Pub, in Hilderthorpe Road, which was won by taxi driver Neil Hood, before a quiz was held to raise further cash.

Bev Conley from the Hilderthorpe Pub said: “It was a really good night and we’re so pleased we could give a little support to the Katie Walker Cancer Trust.”

The game show, which revolves around a series of darts-related challenges, terrible catchphrases and the opportunity for land-locked contestants to win a speedboat, is constantly repeated on Challenge TV and even saw a short-lived revival a few years ago – it seems people can’t get enough of Bully.

The new touring show aims to bring all the fun of the game show while giving it a modern twist. And taking part are some of the biggest names in professional darts. They don’t come much bigger than the Crafty Cockney, Eric Bristow, who will be taking part alongside contestants from the audience at The Hexagon.

The show will be presented by comedian Neil Wheatley and also features former world champions Bob Anderson and John Lowe.

Above all, Eric says, the event promises “lots of laughs”.

Eric, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 1989 after winning the world championships five times in the preceding decade, says: “It’s great, it’s just a great show.

“We’ve got a great front man and the whole night is just really good fun. There’s lots of laughs and all the old Bullseye stuff – if I wasn’t in it I’d be there to watch it.”

Bullseye was one of the most popular gameshows of the 1980s and early 1990s.

It featured contestants from the audience teaming up with professional darts players to answer questions and play darts-based games to win prizes – frequently a speed boat – and was presented by comedian Jim Bowen, with more than a little help from the show’s cartoon mascot, Bully.

“Everything’s still the same,” promises Eric. “It’s a real cracker. Bully comes on beforehand and gets the audience going with some catch phrases. There’s a half-hour comic and that gets the audience right into it. We’ve even got a speed boat – although it’s battery powered this time! It’s all really good. It’s different to anything else that’s out there. Nothing’s got me going like this for years.”

Eric’s achievements during the 80s helped turn darts into a popular spectator sport.

He retired in 2000 but further helped the popularity of the sport by discovering and funding the development of Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor – the man who would eventually usurp him as the greatest darts player in history.

“I’m dead chuffed darts is still popular,” said Eric. “It’s a great night out and it’s great fun. I think people pick up on that and get into it.”

Eric now lives in Staffordshire and still takes part in exhibitions and other darts events but says the return of Bullseye has been one of the highlights of his retirement and he hasn’t ruled out taking part if the show returns to TV.

He says: “I think it’ll get another run, we’ve had lots of enquiries already. We’ll see what happens.”

ESPN has reached an agreement with BDO, the sport’s governing body, and BBC Sport to split coverage, with former BBC presenter Ray Stubbs lined up to anchor its output.

The sports broadcaster has secured the live and exclusive rights to the evening darts sessions of the tournament running from 9-13 January.

ESPN, which broadcast its first live darts last month with the 2011 Winmau World Masters, will also air one semi-final exclusively and highlights of the final, which take place on 14 and 15 January respectively.

The BBC will hold on to live and exclusive coverage of afternoon sessions on the opening weekend – 7 and 8 January – and run extended afternoon highlights on the four days following that, as well as a late-night highlights show on BBC2.

Come finals weekend the BBC, which uses presenter Colin Murray and former darts player Bobby George, will air one semi final and the final exclusively.

Commentary for both broadcasters will come from David Croft and Tony Green.

Ba joined Newcastle on a three-year deal from West Ham United in June and has scored five goals in his last three games to help keep the Magpies flying high in fourth place in the Premier League.

The Senegal international was introduced to darts by his former agent and as the game rewards accuracy believes it has benefitted him as a striker.

“It’s a nice way to relax – playing with my friends when they come to visit. It’s brilliant,” Ba told The Sun. “My former agent introduced me to darts by saying it was a game that would be a lot of fun.

“He knew I had to concentrate on hitting three 20s or a double or a treble – as this is a target you must achieve. Your mind is focused on accuracy.

“And it’s the same in football, where I must strike the ball just to the right or left of a post. You must also be accurate to score a goal so darts is a great way of learning how to concentrate on a target.”

Ba hit his first treble for Newcastle against Blackburn last month and hasn’t looked back since.

Despite losing star players like Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan this summer, Newcastle have not struggled as expected. Ba put’s that down to the inspired signings of Yohan Cabaye and Gabriel Obertan by manager Alan Pardew.

“We have the players to do very well – quality performers who can maintain this standard for the whole season,” the 26-year-old said. “Take a player like Yohan for example. For you guys in England, he’s been a surprise. But I knew him before – when I was playing in France.

“When I heard he was going to Newcastle, it helped me decide to join too. I thought a player like him would not join unless it was something good. Playing with these kind of people makes your own game better.

“I don’t think we can play like this and then in two or three weeks it’ll be hard to achieve the same results.

“It’s early and finishing top will be really tough. You look at the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea – those teams are only winning. They also have players with experience of lifting important trophies.

“We’re not looking at winning the Premier League. However if we can be close to those clubs then there’s a chance of achieving something good like reaching the Champions League.”

The distance from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches. The distance referred to as the “oche” is the distance between the front of the board and the toe line, and the standard oche is 7 feet, 9.25 inches. Most professional darts matches are called “501 Up,” and the rules are simple.

Every player starts with a score of 501. He or she takes turns throwing 3 darts. The score for every turn is added up and deducted from the total. A bullseye gets 50 points, while the outer ring gets 25. A dart in the double ring or treble ring counts for double or triple the score for that segment. The goal is to get the score down to exactly zero, and landing the last dart in the bullseye or in a double segment.

If a player’s score goes to 1 or goes below zero, the turn is considered a “bust” and ends, with the player’s score returning to what it was before the turn. On a last turn, it is not required that the player throw all three darts: he or she can win with the first or second dart on that turn too.

When a player has mastered his technique enough to be able to develop a strategy, he’ll attempt to end up with a score that can be repeatedly cut in half to avoid ending up with a 1 and a bust. It also keeps players from having to throw extra darts just to reduce the score to an even number.

While the rules for darts are fairly simple, learning how to throw darts well takes time and practice. When you learn to throw, your grip on the dart should be stable and firm, but not tense. If the tips of your fingers turn white from squeezing the dart, it’s a good sign your grip is too tight. If your muscles are stiff enough that you have a hard time letting go of the dart, you won’t throw well. Remember, it’s not a game of brute force. More people make the mistake of gripping a dart too tightly than too loosely.

Try to use at three of your fingers to hold the dart to give you more control. Chances are you’ll discover through trial and error whether you do better with darts with longer or shorter barrels. Finding the barrel that’s the right size for you is an important step in developing your game.

When aiming your dart, have your eye, the dart, and the target all in a line. This will help decrease errors caused by needless sideways actions of your arm. Your weight should favor your forward foot, though your back foot should hold enough weight to keep you balanced. It’s not good to lean forward too much, because it throws your balance off. Once you get into the “groove” of playing darts, you’ll find it’s a really fun activity for when you hang out with your friends.