LITTLER OPENS UP ON GAMESMANSHIP AND TACTICS DEPLOYED BY RIVALS ON THE OCHE

LUKE LITTLER has admitted some slow dart players can “take it a bit too far” as he opened up on gamesmanship and tactics on the PDC circuit.

The world No1 says he has not personally come across any rule-breaking behaviour, but believes some opponents attempt to disrupt the rhythm of matches to unsettle their rivals.

Littler, 19, confessed there is little he and other quicker-paced stars can do to combat the issue once it starts on stage.

He told the Ariel Helwani Show: “You obviously get the dart players that are slow enough so they can take it a bit too far.”

The Nuke was then asked if he enjoys facing methodical players and gave a blunt response.

He said: “No. Well, obviously, a slow thrower you can't do anything about it when they're walking up to the board and taking it out one by one.”

When quizzed whether slow play can be used deliberately as a ploy, Littler replied: “I’d say so yeah.”

Littler became the youngest world champion at just 17-years-old back in 2025 but believes there is one player capable of breaking his record.

The 13-time major winner pointed to the work being done at his dart academy in Warrington as evidence the next generation is already coming through strongly.

He added: “I've got my own Dart Academy in Warrington.

“There's maybe 70 or 80 kids that go there. I think it's Monday, maybe a Saturday or maybe a Sunday, and they just go there and practice and play a tournament together.

“I don't teach, no. There's lots of people working there.

“But yeah, I think one, there's a youngster out there, he's Scottish, Mitchell Lawrie, his name is, he's very good.

“15, maybe 16 now.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning