The grip and throw in darts is one of the things every beginner and even seasoned players can obsess about.
Much like holding a pen, everyone does it differently.
There are some general guidelines to follow when it comes to throwing technique but it’s rare to see any two players throw darts the same way.
Today, we’re going to be looking at darts players with the smoothest throw.
Those that make it just look effortless.
We’re talking about steady aims, smooth releases, and just a consistent flow that makes you wonder why your throw is so clunky and jerky…
Read on as we list the 11 smoothest darts throws of all time.
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11. Tony O’Shea
“Silverback” has one of the easiest looking throws in darts but his grip is incredibly unorthodox.
It looks as though he is flicking the dart and he puts a lot of spin into the throw, however, he makes it look so effortless that it comes across smoothly.
If you try to replicate this, your dart would have significant wobble but for O’Shea, the throw was smooth and consistent.
A BDO legend, you’ll see a few others from that federation make this list.
SEE ALSO 👉 Best BDO darts players of all time
10. Mervyn King
Mervyn King is the guy you see in a pub league with such a steady throw that you know you’re in for a game when you play him.
^^ The video above shows just how steady his throw has been for his entire career.
His throwing action is completely still with his arm straight on to the board but the thing that gives King such a smooth looking throw is his drawback.
When pulling back, he spins the dart as the flight comes back to eye level and it’s the smoothest spin of a dart around.
It’s debatable whether or not you should spin your dart when throwing but King keeps everything straight and locked into position so when he spins it looks completely in control and results in a very smooth release.
9. Ricky Evans
“Rapid” Ricky Evans had to make this list.
He doesn’t have the ‘smoothest’ throw, but he is by far the fastest thrower of a dart on the circuit (hence the name), so his rhythm is incredibly easy on the eye.
He’s like a whirlwind at the oche and his throw might not be textbook in terms of technique but the flow he gets into is what makes him look so smooth.
He throws all three darts quicker than most will throw a single one but he never looks rushed.
It’s actually annoying to a point because he doesn’t even look like he’s aiming!
8. John Lowe
One of the darts greats, John Lowe had a smooth throw at a time when you couldn’t really analyse throws or learn from the best.
His choice of dart and grip look more unorthodox but when it comes to the throwing motion, Lowe is smooth and in control.
He looks as though he is throwing in slow motion and as a three time World Champion, the results speak for themselves.
[WATCH] John Lowe hit the first ever televised nine-dart finish
7. James Wade
There’s something about a left-hander that always looks smooth.
It’s like a conspiracy, if you’re left handed then you’re going to have a nice throw.
Wade is one of the most consistent darts players of all time and his throw is so smooth to watch.
He starts out with an overextended arm, pulling it back with a slight twist of the dart as he sets the throw and then releases with speed.
It’s a robotic motion and one you don’t tire of seeing.
Related – Best darts players to never win a World Championship
6. Martin Adams
Slow, controlled, composed.
Martin Adams throw perfectly compliments his playstyle and personality.
Adams looks so repetitive every time he throws but that is a big reason why he is so consistent.
When he lands the first two darts in T20 and pulls that third dart back between his glass (with the slight twist of the dart), you know he is going to follow up with effortless accuracy.
Editor note – Even as a young lad watching Martin Adams at the Lakeside, I could tell his throw was one you’d want to replicate.
5. Ted Hankey
This was a hard one to place, Ted Hankey has a legitimate case for one of the smoothest throws of all time.
Using just 16g darts (14g for a time too!), you need to put a lot of power and follow through into a dart that light but when Hankey throws, it looks controlled and effortless.
He’s easily one of the most controversial characters the game has ever seen but if you just watch his throw, it can be hypnotising and we can’t fault the technique.
4.Michael Smith
Smooth but unreplicatable.
“Bully Boy” is one of the heaviest scorers in darts and his technique is a big part of that.
Second only to Ricky Evans in speed, Smith’s dart has barely hit the board before his next is locked and loaded.
Super quick but also super smooth, Smith is a joy to watch when he’s in full flow.
When you combine his fast throw with high scoring it results in some great viewing when he’s on form.
3. Raymond van Barneveld
“Barney” has one of the silkiest throws you’ll ever see.
Many of the top pro’s comment on how smooth Barney’s throwing action is and he’s maintained it for what has been a long career at the highest level.
He doesn’t fully extend on release which would often see people have a more ‘jerky’ release but for Barney it just comes through smoothly and naturally.
It’s unlikely you could replicate his throw, he just seems to have a natural ability when it comes to throwing a dart.
2. Steve Beaton
This was a close one, Steve Beaton, aka the “Bronzed Adonis” could easily be argued as having the best darts throw of all time.
His throwing motion is controlled as he sets the dart, and when he accelerates to release the dart his body remains perfectly still.
His tempo is fairly fast (though not quite a Michael Smith or Ricky Evans) and the overall package just looks textbook.
It’s no surprise though, Beaton is one of them guys that just seems to do everything well and has everything come naturally to him 🤷🏻♂️
1. Gary Anderson
Just beating Beaton to top spot in our opinion is Gary Anderson.
He stands up tall, brings the darts right to eye level and has one of the smoothest throwing actions the game will ever see.
It’s robotic, repetitive and effective.
When it comes to dart throws, we think the “Flying Scotsman” has the SMOOTHEST throw of all time.
If you’re new to darts and looking for good dart throws to replicate, you can’t go too wrong looking at the players on this list.
We doubt you could replicate them but it’s always nice to dream.
Let us know in the comments below who you think had the smoothest throw of all time or if you think we missed anyone off this list 👇
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