Every year, the PDC darts event is the source of uncertainty. Many spectators are wondering why players aren’t starting legs by aiming for treble 20 as the World Grand Prix gets begun in Leicester.
Because it enforces a regulation that no other tournament on the circuit uses, the Grand Prix event is in fact unique on the circuit.
When finishing a leg, professional players typically only need to hit one double to seal the victory.
Participants in this competition, however, must begin and end on a double (or bullseye). Players are unable to earn any points until a double has been recorded, which can be a frustrating rule for all parties.
During the first night, German player Ricardo Pietreczko briefly forgot the rule. He appeared to be in charge when he won the opening set in a first-to-two format against the legendary Raymond van Barneveld.
But in this tournament, competitors had to start and finish on a double (or bullseye). Until a double is recorded, players cannot gain any points, which can be an irritating regulation for everyone.
Ricardo Pietreczko, a German player, momentarily forgot the regulation on the first night. When he defeated the renowned Raymond van Barneveld in the first set in a first-to-two format, he seemed to be in control.
The only double-start event on the PDC schedule is the World Grand Prix. This idea has long caused friction among supporters and the 32 players who make up the field.
However, since its inception in 1998, the competition has produced three nine-dart legs despite its peculiar format. Before the well-known matchup between James Wade and Robert Thornton three years later, the first was from Brendan Doolan in 2011.
This was the first occasion in any broadcast darts event that both players hit flawless legs in the same match. In each of the three cases, the leg started with a score of 160 (double 20), went on to 180, and ended with 161 with treble 20, treble 17, and bullseye.
Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Jonny Clayton have all advanced to the second round since Monday’s opening night. Luke Littler, a 17-year-old making his tournament debut, was involved in one of the most dramatic fights.
Rob Cross defeated Littler 3-2 in the opening set, but Littler tied the match by winning the second set by the same score. However, Cross, the former world champion, prevailed 3-1 in the final.