Copyright 2005 The Arizona Daily Star
| May 7, 2005
Section: ACCENT Page: E1 Erin White, ARIZONA DAILY STAR |
| It's in that spirit that the 12 members of the Tucson Dart Club meet Thursday nights at the Boondocks Lounge."We just drink beer and throw darts," said Shawn Hermann, a 29-year-old member and aerospace engineer.The aim is more about having fun than hitting a bull's-eye, as players of all skill levels come together to enjoy a game.Some of the players, mostly friends of Marvin Germain, founder of the league and former Southern Arizona Darting Association president, had never played before they joined the league when it began about five months ago.Take 48-year-old Gayle McGuire, one of the two women in the league. She's still figuring out the rules as she's been playing just 12 weeks or so.Or Steven Johnson, who, on his third night of playing, won his first match. Much of the league erupted in cheers and high-fived him."I'd go to Disneyland," he joked, "but my dad doesn't pay me enough."His convivial attitude is reflective of the group's. There's a lot more social talk - complaining about bosses, sharing family problems - than discussions about technique. Members lounge in groups of two, three and four when they're not competing, sharing pitchers and eating burgers and fries.The more experienced players, like 20-year-dart-veteran Tom Futrell, say they don't mind the less-competitive atmosphere or joining up with those of lesser skill."It's like giving something back to the game a bit," says Futrell, 44.Plus, he points out, the difference between a really good player and really bad one is often a matter of only a few inches."It really is a game where anyone can beat anyone," he says, especially since the league plays games such as 301 and 501.So-called '01 games are among the most commonly played. Cricket, which involves closing out different numbers on the board, is another game often found on the bar scene.In '01 games, a player must win by "doubling out" - or hitting the correct double number - on the last throw."You have to make the most precise throw at the end of the game," Futrell explains. "You never have a big enough lead to relax."But the focus isn't really on winning, anyway. With socializing as the goal, Futrell will even go so far as to say a few cold ones might help one's score."It's fun to compete at something where you can have a beer in your hand," he says. "Many, many people would be unable to be precise if they didn't have a drink or two."/////How to play '01 gamesThis game counts backward to get to 0.A player starts by hitting any double on the board. The number of the score is subtracted from 301, 501, etc.; however, in order to win, a double must be hit on the last shot to take the score to 0.If the number hit isn't a double or is too big, the turn is a "bust," and the score stays what it was at the start of the turn./////Tips* Shoot for the left-handed side of the dartboard if you're still learning to aim. There are proportionately higher numbers grouped there.* Practice. (Hey, don't roll your eyes. It's the only way you'll ever get good enough to win money.)* Think about what number you're on. For example, don't get down to a three, because you can't double out on it.* Relax.* Hold the dart so that you can see it clearly.* Most players don't stand square to the board. Instead, they stand sideways with the arm out in front./////Other places to play darts* Southern Arizona Darting Association * The SADA has 20-week, team-based leagues. * 749-9236 * www.sadadarts.com* Driftwood Lounge* 2001 S. Craycroft Road* 790-4317 * 8 p.m. Tuesdays* Home Plate Sports Pub * 4880 E. 22nd St. * 745-8265 * 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays * For information, drop by at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays or Fridays./////Want to join?The league is looking for new members. If you'd like to join, call founder Marvin Germain at 219-7130.Games are held in 10-week sessions at the Boondocks Lounge, 3306 N. First Ave., at 7 p.m. Thursdays.League dues are $20, with a $2 substitution fee.Unlike other dart leagues, in which people sign up teams, members of the Tucson Dart Club sign up as individuals and then participate in a draft to keep a stacked team from dominating in competition.The 10-week session allows more opportunity for new members to get with a team, Germain says.Plus, the league is open to anyone. Both men and women compete now, and the ages range from mid-20s up to competitors in their 60s./////Trivia* Darting legend holds that the reason players throw from 7 feet, 9 1/4 inches away from the board is that that's the distance of three beer crates stacked end- to-end.* The term "three in a bed" refers to three darts in the same number.* A "ton 80" is three triple twenties.* Serious dart players say the best flights are made of turkey feathers.* Muhammad Ali once played former Welsh champion Alan Evans. Evans scored only triples (to keep the game competitive). Ali beat him by hitting a bull's-eye, then proclaimed himself darts champion of the world.* In 1896, a British carpenter, Brian Gamlin, arranged the numbers on the dart board how we see them today.* Sources: Tom Futrell; darts historian Patrick Chaplin* Contact reporter Erin White at ewhite@azstarnet.com or 807-8429. |
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Copyright 2005 The Arizona Daily Star |