Phil Taylor Used Bizarre Rule To Steal Leg After Anderson Hit Double 🎯

[@NMS19]

The first tournament of the WDC (now PDC) was the Lada UK Masters and this event featured a bizarre rule named “equal darts”. This meant you could tie a leg and force a replay or you could even win a leg after your opponent hit the double. If player A went out in 14 darts and player B had only thrown 12 darts, he still had the chance to win in 13 darts or tie a leg in 14 darts. If they both finished in 14 darts nobody would win the leg and they would start again at 501…

[@roland1372]

Should've put this into the description

[@pasijunnila3248]

@@roland1372 Shut up

[@Leon-to1on]

@@roland1372 he put it into the comments. Stop crying

[@geraldleuven169]

Thanks for sharing never knew they used to have this rule.

[@joemahma3457]

My brain was trippin at first 🤣

[@montyf2165]

I think this rule should be applied to sudden death tie break legs so it negates the throwing first advantage.

[@Syko1985]

Absolutely. Can't get any fairer than that.

[@MrRoztoc]

Oh! Yes, that's a great idea! :)

[@yourmix4862]

Nah, throwing at the bulls eye in order to gain the first to throw advantage would be useless then...

[@happysqWid]

​@yourmix4862 not really. That's like saying being the home team in baseball is pointless. Even tho both teams get the same number of outs, there's still psychological impacts of turn order.

[@renatoherren4217]

That's a very interesting rule. It would make matches unpredictably long, if you could tie every leg, but it would be fair, if you used that rule in the last leg of a set or a match.

[@stevebrown3559]

No it wouldn't. If a leg was shared, each player got half a point, so even if it was tied, you would always be getting closer to the finish of the match.

[@anonymousanon4822]

@@stevebrown3559 What? If they tie every game it goes on indefinitely.

[@stevebrown3559]

@@anonymousanon4822 That could happen if they DIDN'T give them half a point! At least it constantly brings them closer to finishing the match...

[@casadelosotte]

Everyone that has played darts on a high level, knows this will kill the stress in the game. It is awesome to have the advantage, because it gives you pressure to hold your own legs. Top sports is all about handling pressure.

[@areyouavinalaughisheavinal5328]

@@anonymousanon4822 indefinitely? you think a match can go on for weeks? months? 25 years? no they'll get bored before that. besides, like steve says, the further you get into the match, and points scored, the closer the end comes.

[@azzav2537]

You learn something new everyday … great video

[@Syko1985]

I actually don't think that's a bad rule tbh. It means no one has a clear advantage in any given leg. You can be on a 9 dart leg, but if your opponent goes first and hits a 9 darter, you lose the game. Losing a game when you are 100% perfect doesn't make any sense at all.

[@gusterryms3320]

What this makes no sense if u throw first hit 9 dart leg ?? Means player 2 must hit a 9 dart leg to draw if player a hits a 9 dart leg of course player 2 losses theses days x

[@barath4545]

@@gusterryms3320 > If player a hits a 9 dart leg of course player 2 losses theses days. Not if player2 goes first and hits a 9-darter. The point of the equal darts is that two 9-darters would give each a chance at a 9.

[@philllawrence1580]

No, you can equal the leg and go again

[@dalegriffiths3628]

All turn taking sports are the same a snooker player can score 147 and take the frame whether or not the player in the chair could have also scored 147 if they’d have been at the table

[@richardn1181]

@@dalegriffiths3628 This is a bit of a false comparison, considering there would have been at least one opportunity for the player in the chair to play safe and failed to play a good enough safety. In darts, the person throwing second cannot possibly stop a 9-dart finish. It is a bit of a let down, though, when a final-frame decider is cleared up straight from a bad break-off shot.

[@issymills6455]

Surely they could incorporate this rule into at least one event in the PDC Calendar year, just to freshen it up a little bit.

[@lubos8319]

This rule should be use for sudden legs.

[@mattpjsmith]

Glad they got rid of that rule. It’s amazing how the standard of counting has improved since then also.

[@likilikiki]

It's not a rule. It's a variation of the game which still exists.

[@rocon86]

It's a good variation of the game. Equal number of darts, it's very fair. It removes the advantage from throwing 1st and levels the playing field. Very clever variation.

[@hywelmorgan3800]

Sorry, what was wrong with the counting in that leg?

[@davidhall6464]

@@hywelmorgan3800 homeboy took an age to work out how to check out 64 🤣

[@hywelmorgan3800]

@@davidhall6464 ok he wasn't quick but I guess equal darts is a different counting system.

[@Hahahahaaahaahaa]

The opposite of bizarre... The most sensible rule for any actual competition.

[@theprophet9429]

The throwing first issue IS a real problem with darts. Tennis negate the service as a playing must win a set by two games, or win a tie break. Darts has no current way to counteract the advantage, which is an issue in certain formats (Premier League, for example). This rule was fairer, BUT, it was confusing for some and, although fair, actually detracts from spectator enjoyment.

[@travisaxewound4748]

I've seen this rule used at pub level darts when it's single leg 701 in league matches. 1-0 for a win, 1-1 for same number of darts. Worked well and saved long nights on best of threes or players moaning about not going first.

[@cactusdan94]

just throw for bull to decide who goes first?

[@travisaxewound4748]

@@cactusdan94 that was for who starts first game. 9 legs in a full night's match (different players per leg) and it went alternate start, so nearest to bull meant you had the darts 5/9 legs. At local level it's far less important.

[@gary1961]

I started playing for pub teams in 1978 and I never knew this 'equal darts' rule. I just don't think the masses would take to it nowadays but it appeared to make it a thinking man's game. I might give this a go with the lads next time I'm down the local with my arrows.

[@1ginner1]

Good luck with that pal, pack a few band aids would be my advice.lol

[@b8nnytez]

Imagine the arguments though when you both go out after throwing 99 darts each? What if you lose count? There'll be beer everywhere!😮

[@danielwhiteman3683]

Taylor doesn't use bizarre rules it's the game that did it totally wrong description

[@frankhinstine9161]

I thought he had broken a "slow play" rule

[@kingofrunescapepking]

The real crime isn't this rule, it's that mustache on Phil Taylor

[@smrriles5668]

The real crime is how you spelt moustache

[@craigmcvay1]

Equal darts is played in some local leagues, the away player gets a shot at checkout if the home player has finished.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

interesting and I never knew about that - thank you 🙂 perhaps it's something that could be applied in the matchplay? it would be similar to golf where holes can be halved and negates the advantage of throwing first. the pressure would be on both players to contest every leg unlike certain matches now where you see players almost throw legs away.

[@fgrion]

i think it would make sense only for the last leg: if the game is first to 7 for example and they are 6 all, then last leg can apply this rule. Applying it in every leg would make the game far too long

[@funtimefranky1980]

I like it, it just makes everything even & fair as far as I can see.

[@ScratchyBaws]

Fell asleep waiting for the Limestone 🤠 to throw.

[@thealmightystef]

Recently applied this rule to a one-off Event. Should both players take out the leg in equal darts, a 3-Dart Shootout determined the winner of the leg. Made it Best of 9 x 301 to increase the chances of steals. A real leveller.

[@flaviusconstantius9702]

It's actually a good idea, takes away the random advantage of throwing first. The WDC (who became the PDC after their court case with the BDO was settled) were trying to make darts more interesting with different variants. In another event they used the quadro board.

[@barath4545]

> the quadro board. Yeah and someone once finished a 180 on a double on one of those. Also, the Quad boards today are REALLY expensive to find in original conditions.

[@grzehuu07]

Bizarre Is to see Phil Taylor with Hairs. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@alanwhite7912]

It's not a bizarre rule. It was an equal darts tournament...that's how it works.

[@davidmarchant9386]

yeah soon as i read title i knew ig be the level arrows rule

[@jazzbully1751]

Thanks for explaining it 👍 cheers

[@phil-zz5hk]

be bloody interesting if both going for a nine darter . if they both achieve it , would it be legal money wise .

[@AronEvans-mz5os]

Why wouldn’t it be for starters? Secondly, there is no prize for 9 darters any more, hasn’t been for a number of years

[@anthonym3351]

I would love to see more variation in the tournaments, every event is exact same rules would be nice it mixed a bit

[@forrest_lump]

This rule has not been enforced, among other things, because, like here, you can't really cheer for Anderson, even though he played a great leg but you don't yet know if he will win. And on top of that, there would have been cheers (for Anderson) if Taylor hadn't gone out with the second dart. Cheers when someone misses - very strange. 🇩🇪

[@Baddy187]

Well said

[@hanwentian8096]

"Cheers when someone misses - very strange." Ha??? Do you watch any penalty shootouts in football, etc.? This literally happens all the time!

[@forrest_lump]

@@hanwentian8096 Maybe it fits to Football or Soccer but IMO not to Darts. (I also don't like Soccer) 🇩🇪

[@davidaustrian9455]

There is only one Phil Taylor.

[@Bob-ts2tu]

'steal' - ??? clickbait title

[@markradasits04]

Amazing content

[@rossmurray6849]

It's not stealing if it's done according to the rules - no matter how bizarre the rules may be.

[@MG3-Hybrid]

Darts.... but not as we know it Jim

[@Chelskie-darts]

Strange how that’s how they used to play , imagine if that was the case these days , I’d actually like to see 1 tournament a year with those rules as like a commemorative tournament from the players back in the day (even if you play it whilst premier league is on with rest of the players from the 128 card holders) be very interesting same as I’d like to see a cricket title and a soft tip title 1 day within the PDC

[@njerzynek]

I wondered what all the talk about was with 14 when wanting 64! lol

[@seanbarraclough2484]

Play the board, not your opponent. Something my dad always said to me playing on the old Yorkshire board. 30 years later it now makes sense...

[@my3dviews]

After 30 years, you need a new board. 😂

[@multi-purposebiped7419]

With equal darts, there's no functional purpose in the players taking turns. They needn't even be in the same room. It's just the illusion of a head to head.

[@penknight8532]

Imagine both players scoring a 9 darter with this rule!!

[@papapa9106]

A long time ago (37 yrs) I played in the Friday night carnforth league in north lancs that was equal darts

[@gggggggg3542]

Never heard of this one before, but then again it was sponsored by LADA........... anything that could go wrong did

[@mitchtheronin1469]

Man gary anderson looks very different here

[@carl90210]

That explains why they say game shot and the first leg. They’re two different things.

[@jeffwells641]

I kept waiting for the bizarre rule and it never came. It's just a standard variation - more fair in general, doesn't require multiple games to mitigate first throw advantage, etc.

[@seanmcfall2599]

Redemption throw...LOL

[@djtemo1]

What year was this??

[@honestchris7472]

Phil Taylor did not USE the rule to steak the leg, it was just the rule at the time and if it had been Anderson that profited from it, Taylor would have had to accept it.

[@NNC93]

That ruling is wank full stop you cheer a finish you don’t cheer someone winning because the other player comes to the board after the finish and misses a couple of darts so he had more than you so you win that’s just well not exciting at all tbh

[@nicokern7615]

What was the plan behind that rule? Removing the advantage of throwing first?

[@jonnamechange6854]

It seems so, yes.

[@squierstrat9502]

It rewards skill more. So this is definitely a purer form of darts.

[@kimmern999]

@@squierstrat9502 No, it rewards consistency and scoring averages over the ability to check out. It's two different kinds of skill. Being good at doubles is a core skill of today's darts. The lack thereof is probably one of the reasons Michael Smith have had relatively little success considering his great ability to score. That said, I personally value scoring "skill" highly and would like to see these rules applied to tournaments.

[@deovision]

We used to play like this casually sometimes back in the day (When we had more than 2 players usually). Takes away the advantage of throwing first. We just called it "Golf", but not sure what the proper name is?!

[@likilikiki]

It's not a bizarre rule. That is how equal darts is played.

[@JosephByrne]

The commentators even discussed it as the leg wound up. More click-bait sadly.

[@likilikiki]

@@JosephByrne If you think about it, equal darts is the most fair way to play actually.

[@scherexyz]

Rare example of an objectively good rule that makes the game worse

[@rustbucket9318]

Whew!!! I almost fainted with all that action going on! Had me all worked up. Mercy sakes, I don’t know if I’ll sleep tonight.

[@Douglas_I]

Lol yeah the dramatic game of darts really keeps me up at night too! I can't stop thinking about which out of shape drunk guy at the bar is going to prove to be better at a children's party game!

[@mccann82]

@@Douglas_Iin what world is darts a child’s party game? 😂

[@SouthernScience]

I don’t know what the hell was going on, but I was locked in 😅

[@lencurtis9011]

Each player could play e.g. 7 games of 501. Then add the total number of darts thrown. Then the opponent does the same. The winner is player who threw the fewest darts. How utterly boring that would be!

[@highjim7778]

add it to one of the big ones imo.

[@ianbrown3877]

It wasn’t a bizarre rule 🤬🤬 it was called level arrows/darts played almost everywhere in pub leagues

[@MilesDavisKDAB]

Anderson only went 14, bull so he would have a guaranteed chance of finishing in 14 darts rather than 15 if he had gone a more conventional route (24, tops or 48, D8). The long pause before he threw his last two darts was him trying to work out which way was best. Interesting rule. It creates some interesting situations. Maybe it should be tried again. All darts events having near identical rules is getting a bit boring IMO.

[@floriankulik7965]

I totally agree. There is just a single major with different rules. Double in double out

[@nicodeboer7429]

Every sport has unified rules for every tournament. Using a different ruleset for every tournament would create a mess.

[@MilesDavisKDAB]

@@nicodeboer7429 Not true. Some sports have a variety of rules for different events. This includes darts which has "double in" "cricket" and has experimented with innovations like the quad board. There is no reason why other rule formats should not be tried. In the current format the person throwing first has a big advantage. While there is set play and match play neither addresses this advantage. Throwing for the bull before the game begins on stage doesn't really address this any better than a coin toss. Personally I like the idea of having different formats if they create different kinds of sporting drama. If everything is too similar it becomes boring. Several sports are trying to deal with this same issue. Just look at changes in cricket over the last 20 years if you want an example.

[@nicodeboer7429]

@@MilesDavisKDAB Experimenting with rules is something else, that is testing a new situation that may become the standard. (btw, I loved the quad ring). I have a problem however with every other tournament having different rules, just because of confusion that will be experienced by the general audience. I myself like variety, but I don't consider myself the general audience. Again: a sport evolving is not a problem, a sport using widely varied rules during one season is a problem.

[@robinmabbott7334]

I know nothing about darts but I would like to win a leg as my leg is buggered

[@michaelbreaux2485]

That’s what invented the shoot for bull start I guess.

[@Matt-sz5po]

If its the last leg and both on same score that rule would make sense tbh

[@paulrispin4989]

This is a great rule. I have never seen it before. It removes the advantage of throwing first. It made Anderson think carefully about his checkout. To prevent to many 'replayed' legs you could have a system like 2 points for an outright leg win. 1 each for a tied leg. Set is first to 7 points for example.

[@6panel300]

I seem to remember that there also used to be a rule that you had to win a match by 2 legs, am I right or is my memory a bit fuzzy.

[@dickoon]

Would be a great rule rule for sudden death legs when the final set reaches 5-5. Other than that, leave as is.

[@777tractorboy]

I never knew about this stupid rule, glad it’s not used now

[@kennymacm3031]

Fuck me, I thought I was slow at working things out. That was painfully slow

[@payfortheircrimes]

Play on two boards at same time. First to check out wins

[@tonymc3817]

I like that.

[@JalandharShere]

Its actually quite a good and fair rule tbh

[@Isabelthompson99]

It has always annoyed me that Taylor would ask how many was left and the ref would always tell him when in reality he shouldn't be

[@61js]

Is that in the rules?

[@AronEvans-mz5os]

You’ve always been allowed to ask the ref how much you have left, but the ref for example has to say “you have 32 left” instead of “you need double 16”

[@Isabelthompson99]

@@AronEvans-mz5os ive always been under the impression that you can ask and be told what has been scored but not what is left

[@YORKEE]

There's a league around here that uses that rule

[@Extraordinarym3m3]

Wow I had never heard of this dumb rule

[@skullturtle180]

Maybe this has a chance in a future tournament

[@j.dmetalhead7517]

Glad they stopped using this bizarre rule

[@bpene-gestro4005]

Might as well fart straight up my left nostrill

[@liquidberry3386]

I could actually see this instead of sudden death legs

[@dr.biscuits]

It's a great rule..and a different kind of challenge.

[@malvernwarmington4942]

Never knew this rule existed. Seems fair to me. Only practical at elite level though!

[@barowt]

My first thought was, You can't steal someone's artificial leg to get an advantage, that's messed up..

[@Stormy177]

It would really unbalance them - they'd be hopping mad!

[@MrRoztoc]

Weird but understandable rule though. Nevertheless good they got rid of it :) Never ever darts were that popular still using that rule of counting throws nowadays.

[@kimmern999]

I don't see what's bizarre about a rule that award consistency and scoring over first past the post? It's just two different approaches. It's basically the same as the difference between snooker and pool.

[@highjim7778]

I wish theyd have a big tournament like this these days as well as a cricket one.

[@scotmclaughlin2113]

Love that rule

[@TB-bh9dm]

The advantage is throwing first and checking out first, so glad this rule is gone bloody stupid. Bob Anderson looking deadly in the NT, AUSTRALIAN Jackshirt!!!

[@marclove8599]

Wow thats an interesting rule, why not create a tournament like this, i would watch it 😁

[@richardsneddon2976]

Strange rule. It would never do now though. I guess having the throw would not be as important

[@robertsharp5863]

Didn’t like this as why have the dart at the bull at the start of a match to see who starts for the advantage

[@DefinitelyFake]

No he didn't

[@DocIdaho]

That board is in horrible condition

[@fekinel]

lol...bizzare..never seen that 'equal darts' thing before..interesting tho, i can see where it could be applied in certain situations..maybe in finals?..

[@nickthefox72]

What a terrible rule that was!!

[@darthgorthaur258]

Can someone explain what happened for me please?

[@paulbotto6283]

When was this rule officially done away with?

[@khnomad.5396]

Personally I like this rule. Sucks losing legs cuz they threw first. This way whoever ends leg in least darts wins. Seems more fair tbh

[@vegaphoneprofessiona]

Great rule. If I finish in less darts than you, I’m the better player. Simple really.

[@Kyrelel]

*fewer

[@zwergvision]

WTF i never heard of this and i am playing my hole life :)) Thx for the Upload

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

Whole

[@generalkilbabathemadmansch3602]

I watched twice and still don't understand what is happening :D

[@reznovmajlekok8607]

Why did bob not win? He reached 0 first

[@SombraEnMovimiento]

Phil used one dart less. It is another way of deciding who wins the leg.

[@stuartmontgomery5935]

I like that rule but guess it take 2 long to play a match of best 10 because u could draw lost

[@dustymedlock]

I’m so confused 😲

[@alexmack6454]

interesting video. There's a lot to parse here. Concerning the rule i think it would make very long matches drag on if a lot of legs were tied. And there would be numerous instances of the second player altering their route because they have more information than the player throwing first. For example if a player was left on 64 like Bob was and their opponent hadn't gone out, they would surely shoot for T16 then D8. If they hit the S16, then S16 and D16. If they go S14 then B but they miss the bull there are only a few misses that would allow for a shot at a double (15/21 possible misses leave a bogey). This advantage for the second player surely negates the reason that this 'equal darts' variation is played. I like the advantage given to the player throwing first. What i do think could be improved is how they throw for bull. I think it should be done on stage for a bit of spectacle and mini board warmup for the players. Now these players are superb throwers and bull offs sometimes go on for many throws. My twist would be that they throw all three darts. 1 point for a green and 2 points for a bull to give them a total. Maximum of 6 points. Higher ranked player throws first. If scores are tied, lower ranked player throws first. I think this would be quite cool as fans never get to see all three darts thrown at the bull in one visit other than an occasional 125 attempt.

[@bibhushanrajthala]

Strangeee variation..imagine this was official

[@lordusmaximus147]

What was the rule???

[@hywelmorgan3800]

Equal darts