Practice Like a Pro with Dennis

Interview with Dennis Priestley By Rob Morrison 6/03/2007

What is your current practise routine for the Holsten Premier League?

I'm practicing 1½ hours per day at the moment. One of my practice games is called 32. You start with a score 32 and throw three darts at double one. You take how many times you hit it and add that score to 32. Example if you hit 1 double one you now have 34 points. If you miss all three darts you take the value of that off the current score. So if you were on double one and missed you would have 30 points. You continue through every double on the board including bull to see how many points you can score. If you reach zero then the game is over.

What's the best score you have had?

I can't quite remember, it would be the high 600's or maybe more. What other games are you playing? We then practise trebles, starting at ten with three arrows scoring as high as possible, then continuing through to twenties and try to get 1000 points.

Wow, do you score 1000 points regularly?

Actually no, in fact my best score is in the high 900's. I've told Barney about the game and to try and get over 1000 and let me know. Note 1485 points would be a perfect game. Then we play 14 games of 501 followed by doubles around the board, but with a twist. You throw one dart at every double in order. Any that you miss you must start with in your next combination. The person to hit every double including the bull wins!

So technically you could be throwing 1 and bull to finish?

Yes

Have you got any tips you would share with Dart Players wanting to improve?

Practise is the biggest tip possible to share. Spending more time with you balance, rhythm stance so you're ready for the matches.

Is there anybody or anything that you fear at the moment?

Big snakes or the occasional crocodile. I imagine you mean dart players Rob, and no not really.

Do you think you could win the Holsten Premier League?

Of course I think I can win. I know I'm going to improve with all the practise I'm putting in every week. It's actually a great advantage for the 8 of us.

Do you have any rituals before appearing on TV like eating certain meals or wearing any good luck charms?

Not really, I do eat chocolate or a banana ½ an hour before my match.

What are the stage conditions like heat wise in the Premier League?

Haven't found it to be a problem, Rob. In fact I've been pleasantly surprised and the new shirt helps as well.

What are your objectives for this year?

I'd like to appear in as many TV finals as possible this year and win some for a change!

What is your current motivator?

I want to show people that I can still throw darts! What are you doing these days to keep focused? I'm not doing anything different; I'm just more determined. You've got to be getting results, I used to be half hearted when showing up to tournaments.

Manx darts festival is bright

Article Courtesy of Isle of Man Goverment Tourism Website

Dutch sensation Niels de Ruiter, losing semi finalist in January’s BDO Lakeside World Championship, is an 11th hour entry for the Isle of Man Darts Festival.
The 23-year-old ‘new kid on the block’ of world darts was one of the star performers in the world championship as he battled back from 5-1 down to just miss out on his first final, defeated by Geordie Phil Nixon 5-4.
The world championship debutant heads a number of top-line players from Holland who are bidding to give the Netherlands its first victory in the prestige men’s singles.
The championship bullies off on Friday March 9 and continues over the weekend, climaxing with the finals of men’s and ladies singles, men’s pairs, ladies pairs and mixed pairs on the afternoon of Sunday March 11.
Joining De Ruiter in Douglas will be Mario Robbe, who also competed in January’s world championship, and Dick van Dijk who played in the 2006 world championship.
Edwin ‘Mad’ Max, a losing semi finalist in the Dutch open last month, will also be on the oche at the Villa Marina.
The attraction of BDO rankings points at the Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure-backed competition is the lure for the men from the Lowlands and it would take a brave man to bet against the men in orange lifting the title and grabbing those all-important points.
Tournament director Les France of LF Promotions said:
‘This is a terrific boost for the competition, confirming its standing on the world stage. The Dutch players have proven pedigree and will give British international and county stars a run for their money. It is a terrific boost for the Isle of Man festival and gives Islanders the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with the sport’s top players.’
And not to be outdone, the ladies singles has attracted top Dutch player Karin Krappen, who played in January’s ladies world championship.
It will be Krappen’s first visit to the island championship but the professional chef will be keen to serve up some top class arrows and challenge her fellow Dutch international Francis Hoenselaar and the hot favourite and seven times world champion Trina Gulliver.