How To Become A Pro Darts Player
Do you remember having seen professional players on TV and been amazed at their dartboard accuracy? Have you played darts in your local bar or the house party and gotten some impressive scores?
You’ve probably thought about what it’s like to be professionals in darts! A career in darts professionally is much more lucrative than it ever was before, with the PDC tour that awards millions of dollars of cash prizes every year.
The following article, we’ll explain how to become an experienced dart player inside the PDC circuit which is the most prestigious tour of of darts. There are many routes that players can choose to take to become an expert and there are some conditions to meet to be able to join players such as Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen as well as Peter Wright at the very highest level.
What is an experienced darts player?
Professionals in darts are those who uses darts to earn a living. It can be achieved by regularly participating in tournaments, earning profits through prize money as and sponsorships. You could also participate in tournaments for darts around the world.
Professional players can most likely to utilize a PDC touring card. The card gives players an invitation to join in PDC in the PDC at the Players Championship events. There are only 128 tour cards throughout the year, offering various routes available that players can try and acquire one.
Becoming a PDC Professional
There are a myriad of ways to get a PDC travel card and join the professional players on the tour around the globe. The most preferred option is to enroll in Qualifying School (also known as Q-School) which is a contest that happens each year. There are a variety of tours to be awarded.
If you fail to get into a qualifying school, you may choose to take one of the routes and receive your tour card via either the Challenge Tour or Development Tour. Participants who are successful on any option will be given an annual card for tour which will permit them to participate within the primary circuit of PDC.
The Traditional Route: PDC Qualifying Schools
The most common method of becoming a professional darts players is to join the PDC Qualifying School. It is a regular event held at the start of each year. It is open to anyone who are aged 16 or older. Admission to the 2024 qualifying school costs PS475 for every participant.
First time the event was hosted was in the year 2011. Qualifying School provides a certain quantity of PDC tour cards to participants to try their luck and be among the top players in the rankings. Players from the UK, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar are able to compete in Qualifying School at The UK Qualifying School, while students from other European nations can play at qualifying at the European Qualifying School. Players from other countries have the option of choosing between two schools that qualify them and they’d prefer to go to.
the Qualifying School lasts for seven days and is divided into two parts. The first stage runs for 3 days and the second stage is held over the last day. The final stage is at the time that PDC tours cards are distributed to those who have won each event along with those athletes who are ranked the highest in the Order of Merit earning spots on the professional circuit.
The most famous players that have obtained their Q-School tour cards includes Dave Chisnall, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall, Ross Smith, Raymond van Barneveld as well as Lisa Ashton.

Are you prepared to take part in PDC Qualification School? This is the usual setup for the event which includes Dartboards that are arranged in rows for players to play on and to train.
Alternative Route 1: The Challenge Tour
An alternative way to become professionals in darts is to take part with the PDC Challenge Tour. It’s a set of competitions that take place each year, and are only available to players who have participated during the Qualifying School but did not receive the PDC travel card.
the Challenge Tour consists of 24 tournaments held on five weekends during the year, with participants getting prizes to complete winning their Challenge Tour Order of Merit. The rankings are used to create a reserve list of Players Championship events, so those having a tour card that decides not to take part in the tournament will have their place taken by most highly-ranked participants in the Challenge Tour.
The two best performers in the Order of Merit each receive an annual PDC tour card, as well as being invited to participate in an event called the PDC World Championship following the end of the year calendar. Whoever wins this Challenge Tour also qualifies for the Grand Slam of Darts.
The athletes who were able to get tickets to a tour through Challenge Tour Challenge Tour over the time are Rob Cross, Ryan Searle and Callan Rydz.

Rob Cross (pictured above) was presented with Rob Cross (pictured above) received the PDC tour card via the Challenge Tour in 2016. The first time he played in a professional setting, Rob Cross topped Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor to take home the PDC World Championship.
Alternative Route 2: The Development Tour
Another way to get into the elite ranks of dart players is to join the PDC Development Tour. The tour is open to all aged between 16 and 23 years old. older. The tour includes 24 tournaments that allow players to win prizes that go towards a prize called the Development Tour Order of Merit. Top two players who finish on the Order of Merit will each receive a two-year PDC tour cards and the chance to compete in an event called the PDC World Championship. A Development Tour winner also qualifies for the Grand Slam of Darts.
The most well-known players who have been awarded an entry-level tour ticket through the Development Tour includes Dimitri Van den Bergh Luke Humphries, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Rowby John Rodriguez.

Luke Humphries (pictured above) received with his PDC tour card to participate for The Development Tour in 2017. The player won his first championship of a major race during the 2023 World Grand Prix and is generally regarded as one of the best racers on the planet.
What Takes To Make It All The Way To Pro
There is a range of unique qualities and dedications that make up an extremely effective darts athlete. A talent in and of itself doesn’t suffice to be a successful professional. You need more elements for success. The following are the main factors that you must have…
Regular Practice
The primary factor to becoming an experienced darts athlete is to train often. All sports require constant training and development to enhance your technique and skills. Darts aren’t as physically demanding when compared to other sports. It’s not an exception.
How much instruction needed to grow into an expert darts player isn’t the most straightforward question. It is crucial to create a common mentality while learning, and develop a clear and sensible plan for achieving the goal. Believing in the need for a continuous program of instruction can aid in enhancing your skills as well as help you climb up the ladder.
Look over our Darts Routines to discover the most played games you are able to play as well as read the “How to Learn Darts” blog to learn some excellent ideas on how you can maximize your time playing.

Adam Warner (pictured above) was part of a group of athletes who received the PDC tour card at qualifying School in 2023. He worked for hours trying to improve his skills in order to be competitive on the world-class circuit.
Commitment
Being a professional dart player requires dedication and commitment. Being a professional sportsperson is filled with highs and lows. That’s why you need to be determined to endure the difficult times and to be dedicated to achieving your goals.
Peter Wright is a great example of a darts player who surpassed the lowest points to rise to an elite position in the list in darts. He was losing his first five major finals before to claiming the first title of his career in the year 2017 during the UK Open. Wright lost his finals seven times in a row at major tournaments, however Wright was able to be victorious at the 2021 PDC World Championship. The big wins that he won late in his career show the ability of dedication and ability to put you on the road towards success.
Seeking Advice & Asking For Help When You Need It
If you’re keen to know the steps needed to become professional dart players You should look for advice and help from those who have been through this prior to you. Don’t be reluctant to speak with players in the professional world and any previous professionals you might meet to gain knowledge from their experiences.
You might need help in the planning of your PDC tour, as well as how it’s working or perhaps you’re having a issues with your game. the advice of experts will help you learn how to improve your game.

The UK Open champion Andrew Gilding is expected to give a word or two of compliments to Stowe Buntz after their success in the Grand Slam of Darts that took place in 2023.
Conquer Yourself & The Competition
Highly accomplished non-darting sportsmen and women usually peak in their career some time in their twenties or thirties, but not in darts. It is the only most important rank in darts. Michael Smith’s first PDC World Championship coincided with him turning 32 years of age. The closingand title eleven years after he his first tournament at 21, and claimed his first title but squandered it to other champions is something people remember him for. The next year, 2023, Gilding Andrew won his first major crown when he was 52 years of age during the UK Open.
Understanding What It Takes To Get Pro In Darts…
Being a non-professional may seem eccentric, so why not explore more at the “How to Master Darts” blog for better tips to help your players perform masterfully. Don’t forget to check out the specially constructed workouts we made for non-professionals aiming to exercise through the love of playing darts at home.