thoughts from a noob

[grebber]

Hello everyone. Most of you know me by now and know I'm just over a month into playing. It's quit an addictive hobby I've stumbled upon. I feel I have gotten better since I started but have a very long way to go.
things I've learned this month. .. playing someone with an average more than 5 higher then you is painful lol. I usually play with people around 10 higher then me. A new person would think we'll that's not far off. Hah! The difference is night and day. While my average is 45 and dropping. I feel I'm more in the high 30's? Most people in the upper 40s to low 50s know what there doing. They are able to set themselves up for nice out shots. They may struggle a bit hitting it but they have a clue whats going on.
Me on the otherhand still struggle with this. I'm not dumb. I'm good at math but it really gets confusing when playing. Even with a chart. . You still have to hit the numbers and hitting a treble 20 on comand just isn't in the cards for me right now. I still panic at dbl outs if I get a chance to get that far.
I have a friend that started the same time add me. I beat him all the time. He gets discouraged because of this. I feel his pain. It's the same when I get on wda. I haven't won a game yet. I have won legs but that's it. I just don't understand how to finish. That on top of I need to get better at hitting what I'm aiming for.
How was it for some of you veterans when you started out? I desparetely want to improve. How long have you played before you felt confident that you stood a chance when playing someone? Seems out of reach sometimes

[ico]

If the game was easy to master after one month, it would be pretty boring. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Regulatori]

When I first started, I used this simple guide....

132 and above, always throw at T20
96-131, if it's an odd number, throw at T19, if it's an even number, throw at T20

Then focus on studying/learning the 95 and below combos.

If you do a brain freeze and panicking, again, if you're on an odd number shoot for an odd number. If you're on an even number, shoot for an even number.

Another good one....if you start getting in the lower range (under 100), pay attention to the last number in your score.
Like a 99....go for a T19....88...go for a T18

Again, try to go for large odd numbers if you have an odd number left....large even numbers if you have an even number left.

Soon as you get in the 60 and lower range, it's easy. It's all about setting up either a D16 or D20.
58? Go for a 18 to give you D20.

Again, this is by no means "perfect"....but when you have a little experience and you're most likely going to hit fat numbers over triples, it's a good guide to keep you in a rhythm and not stopping for 10 seconds to stare at an out chart.

As you get better, you start learning the combinations and memorizing the chart. But for right now, just keep it simple.

[ico]

I say if you're new and play an average of around 40, do not worry about setting up finishes with > 80 left at all. You will miss that one high finish that you could make in 500 legs. But you won't destroy your throw rhythm the other 499 legs.

Let's face it - in those early stages even a two dart combination (i.e. S18 D20) is a very good shot.

Every couple of days, pick one particular finish and think about it. "How should I play 74? And why? What if I miss? What are the alternatives? Does it make a difference how many darts I have left in my hand?" *Understand* what you're playing, then it's trivial to remember.

Learning to calculate automatically while throwing is a rather long process.

[grebber]

It's a pain. Everything changes depending on your throw. I think I over think the situation. Trying to hit a particular number and hit another really throws me off.
I know it's not easy. I can accept struggling with the throwing. It's knowing what to throw at that I feel I'm far behind and having a hard time with. Going to throw with a plan and miss the first throw and I go blank. Guess is an inexperience thing

[jamie373]

starting out your ave will get better then get worse then get better then get worse. think about it when you start you'll hit 12's and 18's as you narrow your throw you'll hit nearer the 20's but less 12's and 18's and more 1's and 5's . also playing people of a higher standard will make you ave look better as they check out before you would , as if 2 beginners where playing the could be plugging away looking for doubles till the average is way down. best thing to do ? forgot about averages until you have been playing for a year or two and just try to have as much fun as possible and get to know outshots . less stress , more fun and you'll shoot better too

[grebber]

You are right. I do have a lot of fun. I'm so excited to be in the league too. I guess I just put too much pressure on myself. I need to realize that it's going to take a long while to develope real skill to be an adequate player

[Dorian]

I say if you're new and play an average of around 40, do not worry about setting up finishes with > 80 left at all. You will miss that one high finish that you could make in 500 legs. But you won't destroy your throw rhythm the other 499 legs.

Let's face it - in those early stages even a two dart combination (i.e. S18 D20) is a very good shot.

Every couple of days, pick one particular finish and think about it. "How should I play 74? And why? What if I miss? What are the alternatives? Does it make a difference how many darts I have left in my hand?" *Understand* what you're playing, then it's trivial to remember.

Learning to calculate automatically while throwing is a rather long process.

Well said Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[jamie373]

when i started i went through the same thing i used to use android phone apps and would plug away typing scores in and get down on myself for not getting averages i'd see talked about on the forum . i got advise on the old site to forget about averages and it was the best thing i ever done . i stopped taking notice and my darts got so much better . its the same problem really for all dart players of all levels . it's not just opponents that can get in your head , you can get in your own head , seen this this week for professionals too with chizzy and smith getting themselves worked up about their shooting , thinking is the enemy in darts .

[Getagrip]

I think your doing well so far, just keep doing what your doing and it will come together in no time.

[Dart Snob]

I have gotten better.

i took it upon myself to condense your post to the part i like best. also ive offered you a quote to think about because there is a definite correlation between the 2.

'it doesnt matter who you are, or how good you are, nothing ever stays the same. your either getting better, or your getting worse, and thats just the way it is ... for all of us".

so keep putting in the time and the reps, and im certain by new years you will get to say that again.

[ChrisTheFish]

Enjoy playing when ever you can, when your'e at a match watch the other players set up for a finish and by watching other players you can start learning finishes. Try not to pressure yourself, when you look back after you have been playing for a year or two you will be amazed how much you have learned and improved and that will never change as long as you enjoy it that's the most important part. If you throw right they go right

[Banned]

Hello everyone. Most of you know me by now and know I'm just over a month into playing. It's quit an addictive hobby I've stumbled upon. I feel I have gotten better since I started but have a very long way to go.
things I've learned this month. .. playing someone with an average more than 5 higher then you is painful lol. I usually play with people around 10 higher then me. A new person would think we'll that's not far off. Hah! The difference is night and day. While my average is 45 and dropping. I feel I'm more in the high 30's? Most people in the upper 40s to low 50s know what there doing. They are able to set themselves up for nice out shots. They may struggle a bit hitting it but they have a clue whats going on.
Me on the otherhand still struggle with this. I'm not dumb. I'm good at math but it really gets confusing when playing. Even with a chart. . You still have to hit the numbers and hitting a treble 20 on command just isn't in the cards for me right now. I still panic at dbl outs if I get a chance to get that far.
I have a friend that started the same time add me. I beat him all the time. He gets discouraged because of this. I feel his pain. It's the same when I get on wda. I haven't won a game yet. I have won legs but that's it. I just don't understand how to finish. That on top of I need to get better at hitting what I'm aiming for.
How was it for some of you veterans when you started out? I desparetely want to improve. How long have you played before you felt confident that you stood a chance when playing someone? Seems out of reach sometimes

Reading you posts takes me back a bit. I'm sure a lot of the more experienced players take 501 for granted. After years and years of playing we kind of take the things we know for granted. When I got done reading your post it made me remember just how HARD 501 is to learn.

I always thought I was a decent player but it took the innovation of online darts to elevate me to an entirely new level. I realized I was going about a few things all wrong. It took me 1300 matches in a years time to figure out how to play 501 properly. It's truly an art form that game.

So just be patient. Baby steps. In time things will make sense. Those 40's will turn into 50's and 55+ etc... Just keep at it man. Put in the time and results will come.

As JFK said...

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

[grebber]

I dunno. I feel ok about where I'm at for the amount of time I put in. I'm not expecting miracles. I think I was more or less just wondering how it was for all your guys when you was new

[ThunderEagle]

When I first started, I used this simple guide....

132 and above, always throw at T20
96-131, if it's an odd number, throw at T19, if it's an even number, throw at T20

Then focus on studying/learning the 95 and below combos.

If you do a brain freeze and panicking, again, if you're on an odd number shoot for an odd number. If you're on an even number, shoot for an even number.

Another good one....if you start getting in the lower range (under 100), pay attention to the last number in your score.
Like a 99....go for a T19....88...go for a T18

Again, try to go for large odd numbers if you have an odd number left....large even numbers if you have an even number left.

Soon as you get in the 60 and lower range, it's easy. It's all about setting up either a D16 or D20.
58? Go for a 18 to give you D20.

Again, this is by no means "perfect"....but when you have a little experience and you're most likely going to hit fat numbers over triples, it's a good guide to keep you in a rhythm and not stopping for 10 seconds to stare at an out chart.

As you get better, you start learning the combinations and memorizing the chart. But for right now, just keep it simple.

This right here is good stuff Regulatori. Nice and simple to let us beginners worry about trying to hit what we are aiming at instead of doing math. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

I think this might deserve a post of its own along with the 95 and under combos, maybe even something suitable for printing out and fitting into a pocket. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images. I might toss a Google Doc together that I can share.