The crowd and venue in London

beer is bought by the pitcher full.
only whimps buy pints

I would never go to a darts event again, I went to the GP in dublin in '08 and '09 but the crowds were disgraceful, there was at least 4 fights a night and hardly anyone knew the players.

I remember a bunch of twats sitting at out table saying to each other "we will bet on Walsh here & whistle this Beaton fella". Awful, AWFUL scumbags

Barry Hearn would sell his Grandma's funeral to the highest bidder if it made him a quid extra in his pocket.

yes we know the Darts players get paid more nowadays but I'm pretty sure the crowds would still attend even if it mean't they couldn't fight and get p!ssed every session, so that wouldn't make much difference , Sky? yep pretty much guaranteed still cover the sport so as I say , money isn't an issue , they somehow have to try to get the fun and family feeling back and the scroats away.

Seriously when i watch it I could flame throw half the tw@ts shown.

Mates sister went last year on a works do. Dozen of them, all chartered accountants ffs. All got dressed up and got lashed, singing etc.

To my knowledge not a single one of them had the slightest interest in darts, and almost certainly none had heard of any of the players and didn't watch a minute of the tournament on the TV.  Why they didn't just go the pub I don't know.
Not necessarily the drunken chavs that ruin the PL, but indicative of the way the game is going.

Someone said on here a few days ago that he went to the darts, and someone he was with was genuinely surprised he was a real fan of the darts!

That's how much it's degenerated...95% just don't give a shít and are just there for the piss up!

The standars usually picks up a bit after Christmas but not by much.

Pipe first up?
That's hardly gonna convert anyone!

I live just up the road from the 02. Each year I think about going to the premier league, but after thinking about it, I realise that it's just drunken idiots, fancy dress, expensive warm beer and to top it off, it's a fckin pony tournament as well. Worst on the calendar imo.

As much as I prefer the standard of the PDC, I respect the BDO fans more. I would love to go to the darts, but I would want to be with other interested and well behaved fans. Not drunken louts.

Well the Germans can hold their ale, so it should be a better atmos.

You contemplating what signs to hold up to the cameras Donemylot?

I'm going on Saturday afternoon, never been before.

Not sure what to expect, a few beers would be ok, a punch-up would not ?

I have been to every final at the Ally Pally (apart from last year as away on holiday) and i also went to the Circus Tavern a few times including the Barney v Taylor match RB won.

The last time i was at the Ally Pally for the Lewis v Anderson final in 2011, i was surrounded by a couple of complete knobheads/lowlifes, the sort of people you would avoid and leave if you were in the same pub as them, so as not have to speak to them etc, they had no interest in the darts just wanted to jump up to the duh duh duh tune.

I remember some retard started abusing me calling me boring and actually asked me why i bothered attending cos i wasn't getting involved standing on me seat chanting stand if you love the darts etc.

I have been to many sporting events, football, rugby, tennis, cricket and i have had people have a go at me for talking/not watching/standing up etc, but the darts is the 1st time i have had someone have a go at me for actually trying to do what a paid £75 for, to watch the game.

Going again to the final this year but got a much better table down the front so hopefully will be a better experience.

thats an absolute disgrace chandla1980, this is the scum this sport is attracting now due to Barry Hearns influence. If you read my story at the Grand Prix earlier in this thread you will see I was sitting with the same kind of knobheads but I never received any abuse, I hate to say this as I watch football alot but it is those crowds that are coming to the darts now.

The 'tables vs stands' chanting is verging on violence at times and if you noticed last night during the King/Whinstanly game there seemed to be some fighting and drinks thrown.

And you'd think the PDC would be doing something to stop it but it is almost encouraged, I heard that during breaks in play there is a noise meter for the tables to roar followed by the stands to see who is louder, is that true?

Well put Silverback. I love darts but I would never ever want to go to an event. (A floor event would be different if entry was allowed). Without these clowns there wouldn't be £250k to the winner here and you wouldn't have millionaires being made from darts

I am a member of the PDC website (think its £25 a year) and have been to Dublin, Livepool, Manchester and o2 PL plus World Championships a few times. With the priority tickets im normally on first few rows of tables and have always had darts fans around me

A few mates have been in stands or back of tables and have seen a few fights etc but at the front its good - people chatting darts and havign a good time

I am genuinely dreading it

You are a disgrace to the betfair forum for accepting the invite imo Donemylot

Good night of darts last night (had an accumulator on all the favourites), with some close matches.

Was sat next to the guys dressed as the Queen and Prince Charles.  All pretty good natured affair, but became clear as the night wore on that a lot of people there got bored of the darts and just got lashed and interested in singing at other people in the crowd.

Other than the cold soulless nature of the venue, my only real gripe is that it's so fckg difficult to get to and from.  Depends where you live I guess, but last train from Ally Pally station was about the same time the last match started.  Meant walking 25 mins in the freezing pouring rain to Wood Green and trying to find a taxi.

just poss hybrechts may have too much on his mind for this match  so rand may be worth a bet here.