American Dart Shooters On The English Dart Scene!

World Darts Challenge Photo Gallery!

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World Darts Challenge Win For

Barney & Johnny K!

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD and John Kuczynski won the World Darts Challenge 14-11 against Phil Taylor and Ray Carver at the Mohegan Sun.

The inaugural event saw the world's two best players team up with the top stars from America for the Fox Sports-broadcasted event.

Link To Story At Planet Darts TV!

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Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship

Began Monday December 18th at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet

Johnny K Back In The Limelight!

The American number one will take on 2004 World Championship runner-up Mark Dudbridge in arguably the tie of the first round at the Circus Tavern in Essex, England.

He is joined in Purfleet by another American, Philadelphia's Bill Davis, while Ray Carver only missed out in the final game of the tournament's qualifiers in Birmingham, England earlier this month.

Johnny & Bill Shot Their First Round Matches On

Thursday 21st December 2006

(NOTE: 5 Hour Time Difference In East - 1pm In England Is 8am EST)

4pm Andy Jenkins v Bill Davis

ANDY JENKINS 3-1 BILL DAVIS
(3-1, 3-2, 0-3, 3-2)

ANDY JENKINS dedicated his first round victory to his late father Chris, who died a few weeks ago.

Jenkins, 35, defeated American Bill Davis 3-1 to move into the Last 32 at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, where he will now face Andy Smith in the next stage.

7pm Mark Dudbridge v John Kuczynski

MARK DUDBRIDGE 3-1 JOHN KUCZYNSKI
(3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0)

MARK DUDBRIDGE overcame his nerves to defeat American John Kuczynski 3-1 and set up a tasty round two clash with Andy Hamilton at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

A switch to new darts helped him... with an at times classy win over the US Number One.

The American - who reached round three last year - found his range in the second set, which he took 3-1 and included a 13-darter.

Barney Wins Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship!

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 7-6 PHIL TAYLOR
(0-3, 0-3, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 6-5)

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD won the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with an incredible sudden-death 7-6 win over Phil Taylor.

The Dutchman, 39, joined the PDC in February and capped his first year in style in one of the greatest matches the sport has ever seen!

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD won a final-leg shoot-out with Phil Taylor to be crowned the 2007 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Champion.

"World Series Of Darts" - Official First Round Draw!

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THE BIGGEST Prize In Darts History!

Darts Actually Televised By ESPN On American TV?

"Johnny K" Wins WSOD Qualifier In Vegas!

"Jim Watkins" Wins Philadelphia Qualifier!

Bull's Eye News "World Series Of Darts"

"Planet Darts" WSOD Coverage - Official PDC Page

ESPN Televised "World Series Of Darts"

"Planet Darts" Latest News!

PDC Top 16 Player Profiles

Kuczynski Qualifies For World Series

March 12th, 2006

JOHN KUCZYNSKI won Sunday's Las Vegas Qualifier for the World Series of Darts with a 4-1 win over Sean Downs.

Kuczynski - who appeared in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship last December - is the highest profile American player to qualify for the World Series of Darts.

He had to come from 2-0 down to win his quarter-final against Danny Moore with four successive legs, and also came from behind in his semi against Michael Winthers.

However, he produced his best darts in the final, stepping up a gear after sharing the opening two legs to win the next three in a row and seal his place at the Mohegan Sun.

"I'm really glad to have won this one because the pressure is now off," said Kuczynski. "Now I'm in, and I don't have to worry about it anymore.

"There is a lot of pressure on the top five American players, because they are expected to win, and when they don't win, there are a lot of questions about why they didn't.

"I'm looking forward to the World Series of Darts now. I'll have lots of support there from my family and friends."

Heeere's Johnny!!!
Dartoid’s World... By Paul Seigel
March 12, 2006

It was a sparse contingent of just 59 darters that gathered today in Las Vegas to do battle for the seventh spot on stage at the World Series of Darts (WSOD) at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino in May. But they didn’t disappoint. Around about the same time back east that Darin Young tucked himself in for the night, possibly to dream about missed doubles and a potential million dollar pay day that may have slipped at yesterday’s Washington, D.C. qualifier, his friend Johnny Kuczynski was nailing his en route to a 4-1 finals victory over Colton, California’s Sean Downs to stake his claim on the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) Pot of Pounds.

Kuczynski, who was knocked out early in the only other qualifier he’s entered – New Jersey on February 11 – was downright pleased to finally get the monkey off his back. "There is a lot of pressure on the top five American players, because they are expected to win, and when they don't win, there are a lot of questions about why they didn't. I'm really glad to have won this one because the pressure is now off. Now I'm in, and I don't have to worry about it anymore."

Not that it was a cakewalk. In quarter final play Kuczynski found himself down two to nill to Aurora, Colorado’s Danny Moore but stormed back in typical “K Man” style to notch up four straight legs for the win, including a spectacular tide-turning 146 close in the third leg and fourteen and fifteen dart finishes in legs five and six.

In the semi finals, America’s number one ranked American Darts Organization (ADO) shooter in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 -- and current National Cricket Champion, faced off against St. Petersburg, Florida’s Michael Winthers who raised eyebrows by reaching the top eight at the second qualifier in Atlanta on February 5. Young Winthers, who is certain to be a force to be reckoned with in the future, gave Kuczynski a match, going up 2-1 before being rendered powerless as the National Champion swept the remaining three legs.

Answer This Trivia Question and You'll Know Who Won!
Dartoid’s World... By Paul Seigel
March 4th, 2006

Here’s a trivia question for you. Answer it correctly and you’ll know the name of the newest old dog to win a World Series of Darts (WSOD) qualifier (Philadelphia) and stake his claim on the million dollar Mohegan prize.

The year was 1994. Dayton, Ohio’s Larry Butler defeated Dennis Preistley in the finals of the World Matchplay, accomplishing something no American had (or has) ever done. The question: what was the name of the American from Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania who nearly was the man on stage that day instead of Butler – who lost to Keith Deller in the top eight?

Here’s another clue. This same darter has competed for the world championship three times, twice at Circus Tavern and once at Times Studio on the Thames. Phil Taylor will remember him. So will Jamie Harvey.

Got it figured out? I’m guessing probably not, unless you are an historian or were among the 147 entrants who battled it out earlier today at Joker’s Bar and Grill in the City of Brotherly Love.

In a tight final that was tied after four legs, but which saw the momentum shift on a 156 finish in the fifth leg, old timer James Watkins dispatched Glenmore, Pennsylvania’s tough shooting Tom Stewart to make it four straight qualifiers now where the so-called big dogs have either been out performed by the old dogs or where they just plain haven’t shown up. Where exactly are Johnny Kuczynski, Darin Young and Ray Carver?

Today’s qualifier, run and aggressively promoted by Mike Broderick (creator of the popular website at www.phillydarts.com), was the most heavily attended thus far in the WSOD qualifier series. Six of the top sixteen finishers were from Philadelphia proper and thirteen of the top sixteen were from Pennsylvania, testament to the strength of the sport of darts in the region where it all began in America, with the American “widdy” baseball game.

American Veljic Wins 1st World Series Spot In Virginia Beach!

World Series Delight For Chaney

JOE CHANEY overcame Darin Young to become the latest player to qualify for the World Series of Darts in Washington on Saturday.

The Tennessee-based player edged out number one seed Young to become to sixth qualifier for the World Series of Darts.

He led 2-0 in the final before Young hit back with three successive legs, including a 12-darter, to move 3-2 up.

Chaney took the game into a decider with a 104 checkout but thought his chance of victory had passed when he missed double seven.

However, Young was also hit by nerves, missing a dart at double top and four at double ten before Chaney returned to the oche to claim the win.

The 30-year-old has only been playing darts for five years, but won the Tennessee State Championship last weekend before trying his luck for a second time in the World Series of Darts.

"I played in the Atlanta Qualifier but got beat by Brad Wethington," he said.

"I remember looking around the room that day though and thinking 'I've beaten most of these guys before', so I came in pretty confident that I could do well today.

"My buddies at home thought I was nuts for making the trip up here today. They all warned me that Darin and maybe John Kuczynski would both be here, so why bother?

"I told them, hey, if I can't get past Darin and Johnny, how could I ever expect to beat Phil Taylor! So here I am."

Young overcame number three seed Scott Ingram in the semi-finals and also overcame Joe Slivan, who lost in the final of the Chicago Qualifier last week.

World Series of Darts - Washington Qualifier, 11 March 2006
Winner: Joe Chaney (Redbank, TN)
Runner-Up: Darin Young (Freeland, PA)
Semi-Finalists: Mathew Thompson (Mechanicsville, MD), Scott Ingrum (Chesapeake, VA)

Excerpt From:

=====================
SUPERSTARS OF DARTS
=====================
Issue Eighteen - December 2005
"The Big Interview" COLIN LLOYD (#1 World Ranked PDC Player)

Terra Rising asks: I have a few of questions from the other side of the pond:

There is a planned "World Series of Darts" event in the US next year. If asked, will you attend and how do you think the Americans will fare against the PDC's top darters?

COLIN LLOYD responds:

I'll be there. The Americans will fare well I think but maybe not in
the higher order of things. Some great players - John Kuczynski, Ray
Carver and Darin Young all great guys and I'll give them and other
Americans the respect they deserve. However once I get on the dartboard,
I'll want to rip their heads off.

World Series Delight For Carter - Wins 2nd Spot In Atlanta!

Widmayer Books Mohegan Sun Berth - 3rd Qualifier In NJ!

Jim Watkins Wins Philadelphia Qualifier & Earns 4th Series Spot!

DePriest Wins 5th World Series Spot In Chicago!

World Series Delight For Chaney In Washington, DC - Earns 6th Spot!

Kuczynski Qualifies For World Series In Vegas - Johnny "K" Gets 7th Spot!

Grossman Wins Bumper Connecticut Qualifier & Earns 8th Spot!

Slivan Takes Final Chance In Houston - Gets 9th Spot!

Carver Joins World Series Qualifiers In Marlborough, MA & Earns 10th Spot!

Efter Edges Out Wethington On Long Island For 11th Spot!

Curtin Rises To Challenge In Somerville, MA & Gets 12th Spot!

"World Series of Darts"

TV Coverage On ESPN!

TV Series To Debut In Prime Time!

Tuesday July 18th 7PM ET On ESPN

ATTN: NO MORE WSOD IN PRIME TIME!

Reprinted From Bull's Eye News

ESPN Reschedules WSOD Broadcast Times
By F. M. Harris

“The ratings were the bottom line” commented WSOD program director David Cook of Embassy Row, “the executives at EOE (ESPN Original Entertainment) were very happy with the production of the show, but not enough people were watching. This happens in television; it was a very competitive time slot.

“Of course, there are a number of different things that hurt us,” Cook said, “one was our West Coast air time of 4:00 PM, which really pulled down the overall rating. Secondly, I'm not sure the program was promoted soon enough. And, of course, no Americans won, save for Johnny. In truth, America can't be expected to go crazy for darts overnight...”

Commenting on the news of the revised broadcast schedule, Jay Tomlinson, publisher of Bull’s-Eye News magazine, added, “To say that we were disappointed to learn of this programming change would be a truly gross understatement; this is decidedly not good news for the dart players, avid fans and the 300,000+ viewers who were tuning in every week.

Click Here For Additional TV Listings On ESPN

Episode 4 Was NOT AIRED On Tuesday August 8th At 7PM On ESPN As Originally Scheduled And Caught Us All (Including Me) Off Guard!

I was tipped off about the scheduling changes on Tuesday August 8th BUT I HAD NO IDEA that the changes included axing Episode 4 that same night which would have included (I'm Sure) the match with Johnny K (The ONLY AMERICAN Still In The Tournament) and World #5 Wayne Mardle.

Remember now that there were NO AMERICANS in Episode 3 and so we (AMERICAN DART PLAYERS & FANS) had to wait 2 WEEKS for the Johnny K match only to be disappointed that night by NO DARTS ON ESPN TUESDAY AT 7PM!

SO IN REALITY, AMERICAN VIEWERS ONLY GOT TO SEE TWO EPISODES WITH AMERICAN PLAYERS ON TV. IT'S NO WONDER THE RATINGS SLIPPED!

(Comments are only my own! - George Haines)

SO HERE IS WHAT IS LEFT (I THINK!)

On Thursday August 10th, Episode 4 will follow an airing of the first three episodes on ESPN CLASSIC:

ESPN Classic World Series of Darts (Revised) Broadcast Schedule:

Episode 1 - Thursday August 10, 2:00 PM
Episode 2 - Thursday August 10, 3:00 PM
Episode 3 - Thursday August 10, 4:00 PM
Episode 4 - Thursday August 10, 5:00 PM

For The Remaining Programming We Switch To ESPN2:

ESPN2 World Series of Darts (Revised) Broadcast Schedule:

Episode 4 - Friday 18 August, 12:00 AM
Episode 5 - Tuesday 05 September, 3:00 PM
Episode 6 - Wednesday 06 September, 3:00 PM
Episode 7 - Tuesday 12 September, 2:00 AM
~~Episode 8 - Monday 25 September, 4:00 PM~~

Episode 8 - Friday 29 September, 3:00 PM

Link To Bull's Eye News!

Tell ESPN That You Were Watching!

World Series Of Darts Hits The Screens!

Is darts the next poker?

Kuczynski can’t see why not.

“From what I’ve seen, there’s going to be a lot of emphasis on the characters,” he said. “It’s not just darts. It’s the people behind it. I think ESPN did a good job of getting that across with poker.

“It’s exciting to see what happens when you take a person and put him in a pressure situation and see how he reacts. That’s where a lot of the drama comes from.”

If lightning strikes twice, John Kuczynski and Jim Watkins could be the next big money-makers.

Kuczynski, a 32-year-old Hazleton Area graduate who runs a garbage hauling business, and Watkins, a 51-year-old maintenance technician from Schuylkill Haven, were two of 16 Americans in the inaugural World Series of Darts in May at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut.

The majority of local darts players prefer the American game, often called “baseball” or “woody.” Players throw wooden darts at a wooden board, taking turns shooting at spots one through nine to rack up to the largest score.

“We sell probably 25 American boards to every British board, but you go down to our Allentown store, it’s the total opposite,” Jeffrey said. “You’re only talking about maybe an hour from here, and you run into a totally different type of game people like to play.”

Link To Times Tribune Article WSOD!

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"World Series of Darts"

Mohegan Sun Official Round One Draw
PDC / Bull’s-Eye News Official Event Report

Click Here For WSOD 1st Round Draw!

KEVIN PAINTER 6 - 3 JIM WATKINS

A DETERMINED display from Kevin Painter saw him move into round two at the World Series of Darts, defeating Jim Watkins 6-3.

The world number six took the opening two legs to put himself in command as Watkins - a veteran of the American scene with experience at the World Championship and World Matchplay - settled back into life on-stage.

"Johnny K" Defeats Two Time World Champion John Part In The First Round Of The PDC "World Series Of Darts" Tournament!

Click Here For Second Round Results!

JOHN PART 5 - 6 JOHN KUCZYNSKI

JOHN KUCZYNSKI became the first (and only) American to reach round two at the World Series of Darts with a sensational 6-5 win over John Part.

The US number one remains on course to scoop the $1 million first prize after a dramatic triumph - with Part missing a dart to win the game before Kuczynski landed double top for victory in the deciding leg.

Click Here For First Round Results!

Johnny At The Oche In Second Round vs Wayne Mardle!

Photo Credit (Mike Broderick – PhillyDarts.com)

Second Round Loss To 6th Seed Wayne Mardle!

WAYNE MARDLE 6 - 3 JOHN KUCZYNSKI

WAYNE MARDLE ended the American Dream at the 2006 World Series of Darts with a 6-3 victory over John Kuczynski.

Kuczynski was the only US Qualifier to come through the first round of the tournament, giving himself a chance to claim the $1 million first prize on offer for an American champion.

PDC / BEN Official Report
Quarter Final - Event Results!

PDC / BEN Official Report
Semi-Final - Event Results!

Taylor Romps To World Series Title!

PHIL TAYLOR 13 - 5 ADRIAN LEWIS

PHIL TAYLOR won the inaugural World Series of Darts with a 13-5 victory over Adrian Lewis at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

The 13-time World Champion was in brilliant form throughout the event, which offered $1 million for an American champion.

Although John Kuczynski was the only home player to reach the last 16, it was Taylor who emerged to take the $100,000 first prize for a PDC champion and the first World Series of Darts title.

Holsten Premier League Darts On OLN Network!

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"More Darts On TV"

Matches between 7 top professionals take place at 10 different venues across the United Kingdom. Premier League Darts has become a firm favorite with both players and fans alike. There have been a lot of great games with some dramatic comebacks over the last year so tune in for continuing excitement of the 2006 Holsten Premier League Darts. OLN will feature twelve 1 hour episodes. Begins Saturday 8/5 at 10pm.

10/9/2006 2:00 am - 3:00 am Night Nine - Stevenage
Night nine of the 2006 Holsten Premier League Darts from Stevenage.

10/10/2006 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Night Ten - Reading
The final night of league action for the 2006 Holsten Premier League Darts.

10/16/2006 2:00 am - 3:00 am Night Ten - Reading
The final night of league action for the 2006 Holsten Premier League Darts.

10/17/2006 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Semi Finals
Semi Finals of the 2006 Holsten Premier League Darts from Plymouth.

10/24/2006 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Finals

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"Vegas Gears Up For Desert Classic V"

PLAYERS from as far afield as Japan and Australia will be competing in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic V, which begins on Monday at Mandalay Bay.

The tournament sees 200 players competing to join the top 12 players in the PDC rankings and four North Americans in Wednesday's first round proper.

Eight players from each qualifier on Monday and Tuesday will join the likes of defending champion Phil Taylor, 2003 winner Peter Manley and world number one Colin Lloyd in the event.

Former Desert Classic finalist John Part, four-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld and leading American John Kuczynski are among the players heading to the Bayside C arena on Monday morning in a bid to qualify.

Wednesday's first round will begin at 11am (local time), with coverage being shown live on Sky Sports from 7pm (BST).

Click Here For Schedule Of Play!

"It's A Re-Match Of Last Month's WSOD Finals

In The FIRST ROUND Of Desert Classic V"

Click Here For Free Live Scoreboard!

PHIL TAYLOR will begin his defence of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic title with a clash against Adrian Lewis (who overcame Johnny K in Tuesday's qualifier to advance) at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Wednesday.

Taylor, the champion in three of the four years that the event has been staged in Las Vegas, will take on his 21-year-old practice partner in arguably the tie of the first round.

The Stoke-based pair met a month ago in the World Series of Darts, with Taylor emerging victorious 13-5 on that day.

The opening first round clash will see Budweiser UK Open champion Raymond van Barneveld face leading American Darin Young.

World number one Colin Lloyd faces Chris Mason in another marquee tie, while former Desert Classic finalists Ronnie Baxter and John Part also meet.

Peter Manley, the 2003 Desert Classic champion, faces Steve Beaton in the best-of-11-leg first round, with the latter being one of 16 players to come through qualifying events staged on Monday and Tuesday.

Former World Champion Bob Anderson will face ex-UK Open winner Roland Scholten, while Wayne Mardle - the beaten finalist for the past two years - takes on 2005 Desert Classic semi-finalist Wes Newton.

Four Americans are in the field at the Desert Classic V in Vegas including our own Darin Young from Freeland, PA. Darin will face four time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands) in first round play which begins Wednesday June 28th at 2PM ET.

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic
First Round Draw (Eng unless stated)

Darin Young (USA) v Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)
Colin Lloyd v Chris Mason
Ronnie Baxter v John Part (Canada)
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Peter Manley v Steve Beaton
Roland Scholten (Netherlands) v Bob Anderson
Ray Carver (USA) v Mick McGowan (Ireland)
Dennis Priestley v Dennis Smith
Andy Jenkins v Andy Smith
Kevin Painter v Andy Hamilton
Wayne Mardle v Wes Newton
Mark Dudbridge v Barrie Bates (Wales)
Gerry Convery (Canada) v John MaGowan (N Ireland)
Brad Wethington (USA) v Matt Clark
Denis Ovens v Steven Smith
Terry Jenkins v Bill Davis (USA)
Best of 11 legs

First Round Play Begins Wednesday June 28th at 11AM (Local Time) - 2PM ET

Click Here For Future Reports!

Brilliant Part Takes Desert Classic Glory

John Part 6 - 3 Raymond van Barneveld
Set Scores: 1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1

JOHN PART claimed the third major title of his career with a 6-3 win over Raymond van Barneveld to take the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic V.

The Canadian, a double World Champion, had to come through the qualifiers at the start of the week just to win a place in the main tournament after slipping out of the world's top 12.

However, he picked up his biggest title since the 2003 World Championship with a brilliant triumph against the Dutchman.

"I had a terrific honour in 2003 being the World Champion by beating Phil Taylor and I wasn't sure I could ever follow that up," said Part.

"But to beat a four-time World Champion like Raymond van Barneveld here in Las Vegas is as good, if not better.