This past weekend I watched a sport I’d been wanting to watch since I first moved to London over a year ago now  – darts! It’s the 2013 World Darts Championship and three friends and I headed off to Alexandra Palace for day two’s action.

As can be seen from the picture,  you’re seated around 100m from the board but there are huge screens throughout the venue to watch the action. We clearly missed the memo on dressing up, though, because we saw some wonderful outfits: from the Smurfs to former wrestling heroes in Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior and then a group in wonderfully colourful suits to name just a few. The effort made by many to dress up  definitely adds to the carnival atmosphere and I will joining in next year for sure.

There’s loads of chanting and the beer certainly flows – in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever attended a sport which encourages and supports as much drinking!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsySjFAdNI

It’s gets particular noisy when a 180 is thrown while the roof was raised when we had not one but two nine dart rounds – nine darts is the minimum number of darts you can throw to win the leg (which counts down from 501). Three T20’s, 180, another three T20’s and then T20, T19 and D12 (you can only win the leg on a double).

People always have a laugh when players are called ‘sportsmen’ but in all seriousness, the skill levels are incredible and while they may not be prime Olympic athletes, one must appreciate these skills.

And for anyone on the fence about whether to attend …  if you get the chance, don’t hesitate. You won’t be disappointed.