Growing up I loved sports, and games. I love competition and love getting better at the games I play. So when I got into playing darts in the last year or so it brought out the inner competitor in me and wanting to improve my game.
I started playing at a hookah bar that I went to and was hooked. I had played sparingly for awhile. I was always interested in the game simply for the challenge of it, but as I played and played I started to love the game more and more and the need to get better made me want to keep playing. Playing with friends and catching up was another reason why it stuck, we're all competitive and like to trash talk, and darts gave us exactly that in one package that wasn't intimidating for anyone.
I've turned just playing on a board to watching matches on youtube, reading articles on how to get better and even signing up for a free program with practice regimens and audio files to work out the mental kinks of one's game. It's turned from a hobby into a full-on obsession. Competition and self-improvement fuel me and this game help me do it.
On top of the competition, it brings friends together and me being someone who is a very social person it lets you do that too. It lets you make new friends because the game itself is a very social game you try and beat your opponents but also when the game is over it's about helping each other and helping to have everyone get better. It combines gentlemanly sportsmanship and also the cutthroat competition inside the game itself with all the taunting and getting into the other players head.
Being a very impatient person this game humbles you. It makes sure patience is practiced or your game will be off. Which in itself is another great lesson this game can teach. To go along with taking constructive criticism and how to change your throw and mentality to make you the best you can be. Not to mention the game is just really fun and if you play enough you will become addicted just like I have.
The best part is that darts is a game for any skill level. It's easy for beginners to get into it, the intermediate players it's all about playing and getting better, and for the best of the best, it's high levels of competition that is great to watch. Even watching darts can be fun if you have the patience and an open mind.
Next time you're at a bar, or at someone's house who has a board, take a set of darts and throw them at the board. You may be surprised how much fun it really is, and maybe even you can make a new obsession.
