SEWA - Interview with Darin Young

Charis writes "Darin, I read somewhere you started playing American Darts. Could you perhaps explain how American Darts is played – not everybody seems still to know it?

It is rather difficult to answer that question . And it would take some time to explain… It is totally different to English darts. One of the main differences is the scoring; the scoring areas are different. There is a red bull’s-eye in the middle and around it is the uncolored single area. Then we have a red outer double ring and an uncolored triple ring. And then a blue ring that counts as nothing.

What material are the boards of and what kind of darts are used?

The boards are wooden boards with embedded wires. When they are better quality the centre can be turned. The darts have wooden, thick barrels and the flights are feather flights from turkey feathers. The tips are steel and they are glued into the barrels. The weight of the dart is in the tips.

What games do you play in American Darts?

The most popular game is Baseball.

Was it played at that time all over the USA or only regional?

As far as I know it was only played regionally. There where I live in Pennsylvania it was played.
Is it still played? In pubs just for fun or tournaments as well?

It is played in pubs but there are regional tournaments as well.

And when did you then started to play “English” darts?

I started to play steel-darts when I was 18. That´s when I could go to the pub – not alone but accompanied by a grown-up.

And to make it complete – you play soft-darts as well…. Which do you like best and why??

In the end I prefer steel-darts and I only own a bristle board at home.

Very often one gets the feeling that for a lot of people real darts is steel-darts and especially soft-darts seems to be some kind of inferior darts – what do you think?

Oh – of course steel-darts is the real thing!!!

What weights are the darts you use in the different kinds of darts?

Steel-darts that´s 22 g, soft-darts is 18 and American darts is 11 g

What do you practice: American, steel-darts or soft-darts? Or would you say in practice there´s no difference at all?

I only practice steel-darts but it seems to help for everything.

Do you have any problems switching between the different kinds of darts – the oches are of different length – the darts are different – is that difficult in any way?

No, I´ve no problem at all when switching – I just don´t think about it- perhaps that´s why it doesn´t feel difficult.

Who were you darting idols– did you know much about the British legends like Bristow, Lowe, Bobby George when you started to play “English” darts?

I didn´t know anything about those British legends. My idols were more local people like Jerry Umberger and Kathy Maloney.

Did you ever see those British players play live or on TV?

No, I never did see them play – I really didn´t know anything about them when I started to play.

What is more played where you live soft-dart or steel-dart?

There´s only soft-darts – no steel-darts at all.

Are there many regional tournaments were you live or do you have to travel a lot to be able to compete?

There are regional tournaments I play but more important for me are the PDC tournaments – I travel to every PDC tournament played in North America.

Did you ever play WDF tournaments or tried to qualify for the Winmau World Masters – you seem to have played for the PDC from the beginning?

I decided to play PDC. Of course I am an ADO member and I´ve collected ADO points – but I am a PDC player.

You could qualify six times for the Las Vegas Desert Classics – do you think it´s a pity this year it took place the last time?

I didn´t know about this!!! I never looked up the PDC calendar till now. Of course I love to play in Vegas – everybody loves it.

Could you understand why not more Americans did take part in the PDC tournaments and would you say they really were a chance for players from America?

There didn´t play many??? Well, I would say it´s probably the money – we Americans are very careful with our money. You´ve to pay the high entrance fee and the flight and the hotel – in the end it´s really a lot of money.

Did you get the feeling the British players take American players serious or is it more they are happy about a might be “easy” opponent?

I would say that is a split experience – there are really some who don´t take us serious. But they better they know the American players the more serious they take us.

What is your profession? I suppose you can´t earn a living with playing darts…

I really live from playing darts – darts is my profession. But my wife has a good job….

Is it difficult to fit in family, job and playing tournaments?

Oh yes, sometimes it get´s very difficult.

Did you ever think about passing some time in England as some other American dart players did or do from time to time?

No, never. I never would do this. I am a family person and the family comes first for me.

Would you say you are an ambitious player?

I would yes – I am. Of course I always want to win.

Could you imagine to live as Phil Taylor does with such a dedication and exclusiveness for darts or are in the end other things more important for you?

I think it really is admirable what he does and how he does. But I couldn´t imagine to do the same. It´s really that the family is most important for me.

You are a keen hunter as well – do you feel between shooting and playing darts there is an affinity?

Ah well, I can´t say. I love hunting but it´s only for fun while playing darts for me is my job that makes a big difference!

Would you say you are a natural or do you practice a lot?

Of course I practice but not much – I would say I am more a natural.

Could you ever feel you as a left-hander have any problems with playing darts or that you’ve different “favourite” doubles then right-handed players?

No – not at all. I really doubt there is much of a difference at all.

You look always rather cool up there on stage - are you not nervous at all?

Not really once you get on the stage you just have one thing on your mind and that is to focus and play your best. I have had a tough of nerves at times when I can close out a game but usually not in a negative way, just makes you concentrate a little bit harder.

Do you prepare specially for the World Championship and what do you do now?

I don't do anything different...I am practicing a bit now and will increase leading up to the event.

Would you have a problem to play against Phil Taylor - is it something you would say one prefers to avoid in the moment or doesn´t it matter at all to you?

I have played Phil before and don't have a problem with it, but I would definitely like it to be later on in the competition.

What fascinates you most in darts and what motivates you most?

What fascinates me is the amount of money one can make playing darts. When I started 17 years ago I would never imagined I would still be playing events now and doing it professionally. It was just a novelty then if I went home with same amount of money I left with that was a victory in itself. I am motivated by the same thing, you can make a good living playing darts but you have to dedicate yourself...but for the most I enjoy the people I think that the dart community is wonderful and have made many good friends throughout the world. Playing this gives me the opportunity to travel and see places one would only dream of.

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