Addicted To Darts

Before considering our behaviors as related to darts. What does it mean to be addicted?

Miriam-Webster defines “Addicted” as such:

Exhibiting a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior or activity.

OR

Stongly inclined to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly.

Ok. You’re addicted to darts.

That itch you get when you haven’t played in a while, or when you’re impatiently waiting from the end of December 23rd to December 27th for the PDC World Darts Championship to come back on. That is withdrawal -> The syndrome of painful physical and psychological symptoms that follow the giving up of an addiction. How many times have you heard a player in your community say they were retiring from the game of darts, only for them to come back a few weeks later. Whether what prompted their public declaration on social media was a bad slump or an ugly late-night meltdown at a darts bar, that itch starts calling them back. (Good thing - Even for the best around, the pension from “retiring” from a  darts “career” isn't all that enriching.)

Bird's Eye View:

Before we go cashing in our benefits, lets take a breath and look at it from the top, down.

Darts should be fun. In fact, it needs to be fun. You shouldn’t go out to play with the thought or hope that you need to go pro. You should be going out for the fun of it; either with established friends, or with the openness to meet more people in the community. It is recreational for 99% of everyone who plays. It is a hobby. It is extra. It should be a great social compliment to an already fulfilling existence.

The Psychology of Addiction:

The compulsion to play darts like other behaviors that might be compulsive (gambling) involve the same brain chemistry as substance addiction. It is the reward and reinforcement pathways that allow dopamine to make us feel good when we take part in the behavior.

Relation To Golf:

No where did I find a more compelling correlation to darts addiction than to golf addiction. To do it proper justice so that you can feel the connection I highly recommend this article from Golf Monthly: Why is Golf So Addictive. In summary it combines: A chase for the unattainable: The perfect leg, match, session, tournament. New shiny equipment. Repetition. The science in improving technique. Niche social interaction.

Golf in theory comes with more cost: financial and time. The interesting thing I read is that golf has actually been suggested as an alternative to substance addiction. What I have found notable in the darts community is that there is a faction that abstains from drinking and other compulsive intake. It seems that in the same unique way, darts fills the void for those that might have an addictive personality. If that is the case, I am quite glad for many reasons that darts is a saving grace for some.

Tournaments:

There are some people who just can’t get enough of traveling to tournaments. I get it. They are fun. A long weekend away in a hotel with few rules, a bunch of like-minded people, party rooms, jello shots and hopefully no responsibilities for the next 3 days. For some they are booked as a great escape, either for self, a couple, and sometimes with the kids. Despite hotels being as cheap as possible, the costs on these weekends can add up quickly. Doing it too often can truly leave a hole in your pocket. Flights, gas, tolls, entry fees, food and beverage; it adds up quickly.

If you are traveling the country (the USA) to stay in your social arena, to chase trophies, and ranking points, make sure the expenditure fits into your cost of living in a healthy way. The accomplished players will tell you, even being successful at many tournaments can be rather expensive. A good handful of them go to them with specific goals in mind. I applaud that whole-heartedly. They have calculated their sacrifices well through the course of the year. If you are going to every tournament possible by using all your vacation and sick days at work, and have a credit card bill you are struggling to pay, it is worth you thinking extensively about your darts travel.

Equipment:

This is where many players go absolutely crazy. I must admit, despite having designed darts for the Colonial line here at A-Z, I love tinkering with new (and old) barrels, points, flights and shafts. I love experimenting with innovation, coatings and grips. I will admit to having around 25 sets of darts and I am not apologetic about. I leave a set in the car. I leave a set in our home away from home. I leave multiple sets and a variety of equipment in my travel ruck-sack for when I work with players on-location. I leave a set in my computer bag so that if I am writing somewhere random and darts match breaks out (ie. I pass a pub I didn’t know I was going to pass), I am prepared.

Part of my delicate addiction is to pick a random day during the year and prove to myself that I can hit a 180 with each set. This way, no one in my family could ever say, “Why do you have so many sets of darts that you never use?” 

A sound argument is that if you can afford it, there is no such thing as having too many sets or too much equipment. The great thing is that none of it is break-the-bank expensive in moderation. The most important thing about all of it, for you, and your family is to keep all of it organized. However many sets you have, have the appropriate cases and storage for them. If you have too many sets that you aren't ready to get rid of but don't have place for, then it is time to buy more cases. If that is not in your budget, it is time to pare down your collection (for the time being). Take the time to organize your equipment to know what you have, so that you know what you “need”. By keeping your stuff tidy, it shows others that you care deeply about the game. If you can’t do this simple task a few times a year, you are saying to those around you, that you literally don’t have your s—t together. It is worth being considerate. Darts equipment is messy if you don't tend to it.

League:

The one thing I tell younger players when they get into playing league as often as they can is, when they find a significant other they should tell the new person in their life that they play 6 nights a week. This way when they cut down to 3 nights a week, it was to make time for them. While this may be insincere for some, it may be the truth for others.

Darts is a large part of many players’ social lives, but if your significant other is not into darts and has no interest in exploring it, you need to properly make time for them. At the very least, bring your significant other out to league a few times, introduce them to your darts friends, show them what your night out is about so that they can feel comfortable, and then send them home before you get too boisterous.

Playing God and The God Complex:

I am not a pious man, but the terms have ethical and philosophical cultural application so indulge me for a moment. “Playing God” is often spoken of as something we ought not to do. Since recorded time there are myths and lore written as allegories warning us of damnation for doing so. When applied simply it is about: Creation and Control. Within the confines of a game like darts it is quite compelling and understandable how it can feed addiction. When we play a game and do it well, it is as though we are an artist. The dart is our paintbrush and the board is our canvas. We lose ourselves in the moment; we are not competing, it is almost as if no one else is there. We are simply creating a work of art. We know what a pretty leg looks like, as do others. We are creating it for ourselves and others to appreciate. When we create beautiful works so often we are in control of the match we are playing. It is an all encompassing feeling driven by a chemical response of dopamine in our body. We exude it, and those around us feel its energy in an envious way. Controlling darts to very fine targets, something that for many is seemingly uncontrollable, is an incredibly powerful feeling. It is what we all strive for.

The individual challenge comes when a match is complete and Playing God within the confines of a darts match becomes an issue for a player who can not downshift and become a person again. Their attitudes get enveloped with an unshakable feeling of infallibility and overconfidence. That is the God Complex. When one has that feeling of superiority and it leads them to believe that they are privileged, or that the rules don’t apply. Sadly, whatever locale we are in, we have experienced players where their game has gone to their head. Their strong play fosters an identity that becomes ever tied to the game, and the only way to continue to feel that self worth is to practice more, play more, win more and therein lies addiction. Sometimes these players eventually downshift. Sometimes time, life and circumstances allow them to recognize their folly. Sometimes their identity, their egos and their lives get inextricably connected to their darts prowess, or lack thereof, and behaviors get ingrained in very ugly ways. Addiction, of course can be very off-putting, without the addicted ever understanding how they are affecting a room, and the energy they are putting into it.

Respectfully,

Dax

Dr. Manhattan