Foto van Kim Huybrechts

Kim Huybrechts

Belgisch topspeler

"Score matches at home or with friends and don’t use apps. If you do that often, it will go well at tournaments too."

Kim, we know you as one of the best dart players Belgium has ever seen. But you also had to learn how to score and write matches. How did you learn that?

For me, it was ingrained early on by my parents, especially my father. I had to learn to write before I was allowed to participate in a tournament. That had to be perfect first. So, I practiced a lot at home and in my parents' café. The hunger for tournaments was pretty big, so I worked hard to learn it quickly.

How did you learn it exactly?

By doing it. Just doing it a lot. It's simple: something you do a hundred thousand times, you'll get good at. For me, those numbers are very familiar. In the beginning, it's an adjustment for everyone, but by practicing a lot and reasoning logically, you learn it. Always calculate towards your favorite doubles, and if that's not possible, look for another solution.

Many people are afraid of scoring matches. What is your main advice for them?

My main advice is to just do it. In my lessons and workshops, I always say: put away the apps and take a scoreboard or pen and paper. That’s the best practice. Score matches at home or with friends and don’t use apps. If you do that often, it will go well at tournaments too. And don't be afraid. Tell the players beforehand that you're not that experienced yet and ask for their help. Just do it without fear.

Foto van Kim Huybrechts in discussie met Russ Bray

(c) Alamy

What do you think of the combination of writing and using apps, like writing the scores and then checking with an app like DartsCounter?

Yes, that’s a good combination. It can help you immediately see if you were correct. It's important to recognize and correct mistakes.

How important is good math in darts, for example for checkouts?

Darts and math go hand in hand, like a striker needing to score in football. A dart player who can’t count well is not a good dart player. It affects your concentration and focus, and you can lose matches because of it. So, it's very important.

Do you still have to score matches at tournaments? And do you still make mistakes?

Yes, sometimes, especially at competitions and local tournaments. I do it with pleasure.

And yes, everyone makes mistakes occasionally. Often it’s more out of carelessness than actual math errors. Sometimes you're distracted or just don't feel like writing. That happens.

There is a call to use more tablets at tournaments. What do you think of this development?

That’s the future, and it’s definitely coming. We use tablets at the PDC as well. It’s a good evolution, but it might hinder beginners from mastering counting. Ultimately, you still need to add the scores and enter them, but the computer does the rest.

Foto van Kim Huybrechts die een overwinning viert

(c) VTM

Why do they still use manual scoring at big PDC tournaments?

Because fewer mistakes can happen. Technology is good, but things can go wrong, like internet issues. TV tournaments have tight schedules, and if there’s an internet problem, it’s a big issue. Manual scoring reduces that risk.

On the PDC circuit you work with professional callers or scorers often, do they make mistakes?

Ja, dat gebeurt wel eens, als is dat zeer zelden. En in dat geval wordt er wel mee gelachen en geplaagd.

Yes, sometimes a mistake happens, but usually, everything runs smoothly. If something does happen, we have a laugh and there is some teasing.

Do players make scoring mistakes?

Yes, it happens. A well-known example is our Portuguese friend José de Sousa. But luckily, I haven't had that problem often myself. So far, my scoring has been pretty good.

You know my book Darts Scoring Made Easy. What do you think of initiatives like that book on scoring and writing in darts?

Heel goed! Ik heb het al aan een paar mensen doorgegeven die moeilijkheden hebben met tellen of schrijven, en ze geven goede Very good! I’ve already recommended it to a few people who struggle with counting or writing, and they gave good feedback. It’s definitely a helping hand for those who find it difficult.

Is there anything we haven't discussed that you think is relevant for scoring and writing and that you want our readers to know about?

Yes, especially at tournaments. It’s annoying when people can't write well and just leave without saying anything. Tournament organizers then have to find volunteer scorers, which takes time. I would advise everyone to stay and score after losing. If you can't score well, find a volunteer yourself or go to the tournament management. But don’t just leave without scoring.

Indeed. It’s frustrating for everyone if scorers disappear. Thank you for your time and insights, Kim!

You’re welcome!

Want to do it yourself?

Darts Scoring Made Easy

Would you like to effortlessly master the art of darts scoring? Then this e-book is perfect for you.

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