Doping in Darts

Doping in darts is only a debated topic when it comes to doping with alcohol. Since 2018 alcohol is not on the list of WADA’s prohibited substances. ”It’s just doping; we cannot deny that. You become calmer and you keep your nerves under control when you have a drink. I myself drank. But when I once drank no alcohol as a test, I was shaking like a leaf. You’re usually still in a certain intoxication. I struggled to keep my concentration and focus. “  Said former world champion, Co Stomp. While riders legally used alcohol as doping during early Tour de Frances, Darts was trying to get rid of the alcohol in order to maintain a television compatible version of the contests. But you can read more about the darts split here.

Darts is an old-time favorite of online sportsbook sites in the US but there are some fun stories about the drinking habits of the players, with the option of making bets on the best games. Darts could never truly drop off its image as a pub game, however, there are strict controls in many countries.

The benefits of drinking

While the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was taking alcohol from its list of banned substances in 2018, many didn’t support this decision. The sportsman of archery and also the players of darts didn’t support this decision. They were not afraid that drunk archers are going to hunt down the spectators by mistake, but in these sports, alcohol counts as serious doping. With the right amount, alcohol can slow down the heartbeat and lessen the shaking of hands which is very important when it comes to aiming. Some of the darts players insist that darts is a working-class game.  That they are just regular guys from a pub, but happened to get involved in a great sport. Others argue that alcohol is bad for the reputation of darts and that they would be interested in what would the professionals perform if they get tested before championships.

Also, it is worth to mention, that sportsman usually has the best performance in similar conditions in which they are practicing. I hope your favorite players will get their right dose of alcohol and you can win some money with making bets on their games.

Do it where they don’t see you

While during big contests the players can only drink water on the stage, they make up lost ground during the breaks and before the contest. Jelle Klaasen is also against doping darts with alcohol, saying: “Everything counts as doping, but alcohol is not. Weird, right? You become calmer.” He also claimed that from the 32 best players of the darts world are only 2-3 people who are not drinking before, or during their contests. Today things are a bit different. But since this sport started as a pub game it can never be really separated from alcohol. However, there were golden times when players were drinking more openly and were talking about it more openly as well. One of them was Jocky Wilson.

Doping in darts – Jocky Wilson

Wilson reached the peak of his career in 1981 when he beat Eric Bristow and Cliff Lazarenko.  However, his best achievements were during 1982, World Championships.

He beat Love 5-3 and in 1989 he beat Bristow to 6-4. Wilson’s recipe for success was quite shocking. He drank 6 to 7 vodkas before the game or according to other sources, he was drinking his magick-coke after a few liters of beer.

The magick coke was not special at all. Personally, I’d prefer some champagne mixed with coffee but I am not surprised if that’s not so good with darts. Se he was drinking some beers – more than less – to get into the mood, then the more serious preparation was the consumption of the magick coke. He had a 1liter bottle of coke in his hand, he drank half of it and filled the rest with vodka. Now, he drank what was in the battle.

Unfortunately, his success wasn’t too long. In 1995 he disappeared from the game. It’s widely spoken that he had diabetes. Since he wasn’t able to drink anymore if he wanted to stay alive, he had to quit as a professional player. He didn’t give any more interview and were living as a hermit for the rest of his life.

Eric Bristow and Andy Fordham

Andy Fordham was claiming to drink a full cassette of beers and some cognac too, before winning the World Championship. He wasn’t the picture of a healthy lifestyle either. Imagine a man weighing about 200 kgs. He had a serious problem with his liver also got a stroke once. Once he said that he never was sober. He could only concentrate if he is drinking. Well, when it comes to alcoholists it’s true that if they don’t get their dose they are going to sweat and shake. His health condition was so bad that once he had to give up a game against Phil Taylor.

Eric Bristow was drinking ten to twelve beers on a nice evening. He wasn’t preparing for this for the games it was basically his everyday routine. Darts is drinking – he said. “They are all going to be there in the bar before competing in the Alexandra Palace”. He was adding that all of them could play darts without drinks but their performance would be bad. Bristow died in 2018 due to a heart attack after finishing a game of darts and walking back to his car.

Online sportsbook news sites in the US are giving a great variability of darts games that we can bet on. It’s nice to enjoy a game of darts but be careful with who do you chose as an idol.