Darts Fans Witness Extraordinary Feat as Two Players Nearly Achieve Nine-Darter in World Championship Final
In the captivating final of the 2023 World Darts Championship, darts enthusiasts were treated to a remarkable display of skill and precision. The intense showdown between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith saw both players come tantalizingly close to achieving the coveted nine-darter.
According to PDC analyst Christopher Kempf, the likelihood of two players throwing a maximum score of 180 points in four consecutive visits is remarkably low. In fact, the math indicates that such an occurrence happens only once every 50,000 attempts.
Despite the astronomical odds, Van Gerwen and Smith managed to accomplish this feat, leaving the crowd in awe. The duo had already thrown two maximum scores each before they had the opportunity to aim for the nine-darter, further underscoring the exceptional nature of this moment.
“Legs containing multiple 180s are relatively uncommon, with only one out of every 11 legs in the 2024 Premier League featuring two such scores. Furthermore, most Premier League nights did not even witness a leg with three 180s, with only 12 such instances recorded overall.”
– Christopher Kempf, PDC Analyst
The PDC analyst also notes that players are 12.7% more likely to throw 180s in visits following other 180s, as the elite 180 throwers tend to reach the final stages of tournaments, where more opportunities present themselves.
Even with these insights, Kempf concludes that a leg featuring four consecutive 180s is a rare occurrence, happening only once in every 5,000 legs. This rarity makes the spectacle witnessed in the 2023 World Darts Championship final an exceptional treat for all darts enthusiasts.
As the final leg unfolded, the crowd was on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the possibility of a nine-darter. While Van Gerwen ultimately fell short, Smith’s perfection in that moment will undoubtedly be etched into the annals of darts history, showcasing the remarkable skill and dedication of the sport’s elite players.
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