5 things to know before you join a darts team!

There are lots of darts players out there just starting out! If you're looking to join a team and play regularly in a league, these are my 5 tips of things you need to know!

#darts #dartsforbeginners

[Mezza]

Some fairly good sound advice. However, i have been playing league darts in West London for over 30 years and never yet played in a league where the loser is expected to buy the winner a beer. so it defo isn't a 99% rule. Ask the Captain of your new team if you need to know that.
Also, be prepared for the banter - your team mates will take the mickey (unless their all the deadly serious types). You need to grow a thick skin fairly quickly.
Always, always, always remember to shake your opponents hand before and after you play them. Even if you have to later play them again in the pairs-and again in the team event etc do it all again each time.
My own golden rule i tell new team mates is never tell an opponent they have thrown good darts during a leg. Many will say 'great darts' if you hit a big score - i never do. It's down to their team to support them not you. I always get a bit of a increase in confidence if an opponent says it to me, so why give them any help to beat you. After the game by all means pour praise on them if you feel it's due of course.
Lastly - enjoy it !

[Captainpubwatch]

Some good advice there like others have said - I’d say that when joining a team it makes a world of difference knowing the pub first, or at least having a mate who knows the pub/team. In my experience of pub darts in Croydon I’ve not heard of an unknown turning up and getting straight into the team. Another idea though - if there’s a few people interested - is there’s nothing stopping a few mates forming a team and approaching a landlord to see if they can play out of the pub - most will say yes as it’s a good earner for them every other week!

On that point, many landlords will pay the one off league fee for the season as they’ll probably recoup it in drinks sales very quickly. Some teams pay the fees by way of subs from the players each week.

Definitely a good idea to know the league rules - there are bits where a team can be screwed over (such as late starts or not allowing the visiting team a certain time period of practice on an open board) as well as circumstances where matches can be voided. Always better to know the rules so nothing untoward can happen. Even things like not providing refreshments at the end can get a team in trouble, similar to above, most landlords don’t mind providing this but if they do need the team to cover the cost, be aware that there might be an extra small fee each week in addition to possible subs.

If you’re a shift worker, or other reasons may stop you from committing every week, there’s nothing to stop you bringing in an oppo to fill in for you when you’re not there. As long as they’re registered with the league and the captain is ok with it things should be workable.

It’s a good idea to check the location of other pubs in your league and see how easy it is to get to and from the venues. Public transport is popular as mainly pretty much all of the team are likely to want a pint and not drive. Getting lifts isn’t unheard of but even on urban leagues such as the one in Croydon there are a few places that are not particularly easy to get to/from - which can be an issue if the game finishes near closing time! In the same vein, there may be pubs/clubs that you might not want to visit (for whatever reason) so this is another reason to check.

The buy a drink thing is definitely not something that happens in London - I moved to Hampshire for a few years with my mum about a decade ago and was really surprised to hear this existed - it was news to me! I moved back to London shortly afterwards and my teammates (some of which had been playing in pubs for circa 40 years) hadn’t heard of it either!

Great video to encourage people to join teams - landlords need this sort of thing to help out, post pandemic a regular event such as darts would be really welcome, and with the right bunch of people you’d have the best nights out you can imagine, it’s a really fun circle to be in. Happy playing : )

[pauloneill]

Great video with great tips that will take away the nervousness of joining a team. One thing I will add is to stick with it when you join a team. Not everyone adapts to playing in a team and in front of others and at a set up that is different to what you are used to. Like everything these things take time for most to settle in to. The standard I throw at is not great but in my first season I only won one in four matches but with some tips from team mates, some practice and getting comfortable with playing in front of others I managed to increase my wins the next year to 3 in 4. We stuck with it and improved and managed to win out divisional cup and gain promotion. The team I play with do it as a social thing and don’t take it too serious so it suits me. Happy throwing all

[ronsprouse]

We do not have the "buy a drink" custom in the steel tip league I play in. We do have the team drink custom where the venue we play in provides one drink of each players choice.

[davidfranklin]

Hey u do show great advice on darts keep bringing some great tips

[Mr.Edd]

There's a lot that goes on between the ears in tournaments or team playing. Something I try to do is tell myself to just have a good game. Or let's get this first leg, etc etc. So far, I've found that if I turn off the internal commentary I tend to default to negative thoughts too much.

[annaroberts]

Hi, I can recall back in the early 70's when playing in an insurance league that the loser always bought the winner a half pint of whatever they were drinking.In the local club leagues this practice has not been occurring
.

[Grandi]

That is a great video. I’m definitely a home player at the moment, but want to get better and I’m thinking if I can get to a certain level I want to join a team. That’s given me real food for thought about where I want to be with it. Keep up the good work. 🎯👍

[Slater_darts]

The Monday league I use to play in doesn’t have the unwritten drink rule but superleague does although hasn’t stopped half the people I’ve beaten not buying me one but really not an issue if you get the W that’s all that matters I’m happy to buy my own beers

[adamwhite]

This is a really good video. I enjoyed this and top advice

[thebeardsman]

I never read the unwritten rule, been playing for years in a league. No one has ever mentioned this!

[sarahwelty]

I want to join the local darts team in my area. But due to living in a very rural area, there is no ladies darts team here, only a mens team but I don't mind that I just want to play. My average is between 70 and 80 so not too bad! Any advice because I might not be accepted because I'm a woman and they may prefer just to have men. Thanks in advance!

[myfootballarchive]

I want to join a team but the thing is I don’t drink. Well… My village has like 4 pubs but I can’t help but feel awkward about asking them 😢

[jillkummer]

Played in the 90s in ado league trying to play again in different state any tips guys

[ant]

You're going to win some and lose some.
Ive absolutely gotten my butt kicked in games, but the only time i was angry(at myself) is when I lost the match because i had beaten myself, not that the opponent played better than me

[mossa]

Is it easy to start a team up? We have 7- 8 players keen to form a team, mixed ability but a couple of the better players average around 65. Great video by the way mate.

[JCoop]

Hey mate, are you still around, miss your videos!!!

[BenBurrow]

The unwritten rule was in place when I used to play years ago. I was pretty skint on a YOP scheme and would only have enough money for 2 drinks. One for me and enough to buy my opponent a drink if I lost. If I won I could then have 3 drinks.

[billyjackson]

Another great vid For some1 like me only thing holding me back from joining a team is scoring

[jakehopkins]

I've recently joined a team and they have a fine system in place for an end of season party... Is this common place? Sounds silly if you ask me... So your fined for hitting under a certain score or missing your doubling in...