Who Darts Wins!: Bullseyes, bounce-outs and the greatest game of all

by John Woodhouse

Take a flight into the dart-side of life with the ultimate darts gift book - it's game on in this fascinating and entertaining companion to the sport, whether you're a seasoned darts enthusiast or can't tell 'The Nuke' from 'The Bomb'.

From the back rooms of Stoke-on-Trent to jam-packed audiences at Alexandra Palace, darts' remarkable transformation from pub game to primetime TV calls for an essential go-to guide to the modern game. This sharp and witty handbook dives deep into the sport and its champions, as well as shining a spotlight on callers and commentators, the game's unique place in British culture, and so much more.

Answering important questions you might never have thought to ask, such as, 'is it possible to recover from a nasty bout of dartitis?' and 'why do darts players wear so much nylon?', Who Darts Wins! takes aim at the secrets, the science and the slingers of the darts world - this is the game revealed as never before!

Written with knowledge, insight and humour by lifelong darts fan John Woodhouse (Winner - Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year 2023), Who Darts Wins! is the perfect companion book for the darts revolution. Grab your arrers and give it a go - those who dart really do win!

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Woodhouse (DPhil, Victoria University of Manchester) served as principal of Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia, from 2002 to 2013. Previously, he worked in pastoral ministry in a suburb of Sydney. He has published articles in various academic journals and is the author of two volumes in Crossway’s Preaching the Word commentary series.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a great history of darts book ready to be written, this however wasn't it. I did learn some facts from it though.

[Tyrone Atkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darts. I play it, I watch it and pretty much consume the sport (yes, sport) in any way I can. I love it, I hate it (you try playing it) and admire this strange combination of competitiveness and entertainment. I adore that literally anyone can play it, especially in this age of inclusivity. Nowadays, darts has exploded in respectability due to 'The Littler Effect'. Yes, the inoffensive 17 year-old Luke Littler winning the world title has seen a rise in interest and as such books like Who Darts Wins (2024), a whistle-stop manual of darting history, etiquette, rules and facts by John Woodhouse. With the correct amount of wit (let's be honest, as big a proponent of the game, I am charmed by its ridiculousness), this is a useful handguide to newcomers and the uninitiated. Moreover, it probably packs as much into its pages than it has a right to. Personally though, as a practitioner and lifelong fan, it didn't offer me anything I didn't know already and I am surprised that it won the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year. But, between this and Littler, it's a strong example of the sports' overdue legitimacy.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love darts. Have done since the days of Rees, Evans, Lowe and Jocky Wilson, all darts legends. This is just okay. Feels like and reads like a toilet read. Was expecting more but the page numbers should been a clue. Lightweight.

[Kathryn Heap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got told to shape up on my darts lore. Also got told my walk on song should be "Delicate" by Taylor Swift. Not quite Mr Brightside.

[Gregory Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for people new to the sport or those who want a bit of trivia for their friends at the pub.

[Jonny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darts books don't appear all that often so I had to seize an opportunity to read one when I saw one. I was surprised it came out so recently but that helps. It is more for the people who have gotten into darts more recently probably because of Littler which is understandable but if Littler's success brings more darts books I'm all for it. Like I knew about the terminology and rules already being a self titled darts knower but you cant really complain at anything given the lack of books on darts, hopefully there are more detailed and deep dives into the sport soon.